2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards

Latto Admits She’s “Still Finding My Sound”

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Her reign isn’t letting up, as Latto is back with another stunning feature. The Georgia Peach has been on a wild ride the last few years, and things are only looking up. She’s amassed several awards, including her most recent honor from Billboard‘s Women in Music event. The 777 hitmaker has been the talk of Hip Hop—and while some of those conversations aren’t flattering, Latto doesn’t let the negativity get under her skin.

At 24 years old, it’s expected for Latto just to be getting her feet wet in the industry. However, she’s been beasting out bars since she was a young kid, even winning Jermaine Dupri’s The Rap Game reality series. After the Lifetime show ended, Latto opted out of receiving a contract with Dupri and instead went her own route. It is paying off—and continuing to do so. It’s no surprise, then, that Wonderland magazine tapped the “Big Energy” star as their cover girl, and as always, Latto served one look after another.

Latto Is Still Growing As An Artist

“I’m still finding my sound,” the rapper admitted to the outlet for its spring 2023 issue. “I think starting so young can be a blessing and a curse: the blessing is that I pretty much reinvent myself every few months. I feel like my music elevates as I mature as a woman.” And it is evolving, indeed. Latto is tearing up the pop culture charts with her Mariah Carey-assisted single as well as her smash hit, “Lottery.”

At Billboard‘s Women in Music event, Latto received the Powerhouse Award. “Megan Thee Stallion won this award, Doja Cat won this award,” she said. “It’s crazy because my peers, I’m fans of my peers, and they’re my peers. [The] Powerhouse award is not just for my team too. Teamwork makes the dream work.” It was a wonderful night for all, except for rumors of a dust-up backstage.

Before Latto accepted her honor, which was introduced by Chlöe, Doechii was given the Rising Star Award. She named several other women under the Rising Star umbrella, including Nicki Minaj. When Latto took to the mic, she gave a speech similar to Doechii, but because she didn’t name Minaj, people said she was shady. Latto called it a “reach” as rumors of an alleged confrontation with Doechii stormed the internet. Check out more photos from Latto’s Wonderland feature above.

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Chlöe And Latto Share Love For Each Other At Billboard’s Women In Music Awards

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Both Chlöe and Latto have individually been racking up success for themselves at the age of 24. At Billboard’s Women in Music awards, which took place on Wednesday (March 1), the two artists shared admiration for one another both on stage and on the red carpet. Latto performed “Lottery” alongside Lu Kala at the event, and was awarded the Powerhouse Award. Chlöe presented the award and shared a heartfelt speech in honor of her friend calling the Ohio rapper a “force to be reckoned with.”

While announcing the win, Chlöe reflected, “when you title a song ‘Big Energy,‘ you better be ready to live up to that promise.” While recounting all of Latto’s career successes, the “Pray It Away” singer notes how the honoree “has gone above and beyond.” She goes on to say how she loves Latto’s “soul” and “spirit,” and ends her speech with an appreciative note. “Thank you for always being so kind and genuine,” Chlöe says to the rapper, noting how they share a “sisterhood.”

Chlöe Commemorates Her “Sisterhood” With Latto While Presenting Award

The Powerhouse Award is given to trailblazers within the industry who have earned outstanding sales and streaming numbers. Other honorees of this award include Doja Cat in 2022 and Megan Thee Stallion in 2019. As described in Chlöe’s speech, “Big Energy” remained charted in Billboard’s Top 10 for 10 weeks. Not to mention, this single was Latto’s first to reach number one on any chart. Additionally, Latto has earned several other acclaimed recognitions this past year. BET crowned her as the Best New Artist, and their Hip Hop Awards also announced “Big Energy” as the Song of the Year.

Chlöe and Latto’s friendship was further solidified as the latter grabbed the former’s hand while accepting the award. The pair also posed together on the red carpet, where they exchanged air kisses and goofed around for the cameras. Both artists collaborated last year for “For the Night,” where the two seamlessly fused together their individual musical styles. The music video for the single also reaffirms the pair’s cute and undeniable friendship. Be sure to check out HNHH for more news on hip-hop and pop culture.

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SZA Named Woman Of The Year By 2023 Billboard Women In Music Awards

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SZA’s list of accolades only continues to get longer. She’s been consistently breaking Billboard records with her sophomore album, SOS. Accordingly, the magazine announced on Friday (February 10) that they’ll be honouring the 33-year-old at an upcoming ceremony next month. At that time, the R&B vocalist will take home a trophy declaring her Woman of the Year.

In a statement, Billboard Editorial Director Hannah Karp explains the Women in Music Awards’ obvious decision to celebrate SZA. “Since she burst onto the scene in 2017, SZA has defied genres and continually released raw, powerful songs which have landed her music on the Billboard charts,” she said. “The release of her latest album, SOS has solidified her as a distinct force in contemporary R&B, and catapulted her into superstardom.”

As Complex notes, Abbott Elementary creator Quinta Brunson will be hosting the forthcoming event on March 1st. It will take place at Inglewood’s YouTube Theatre. Several other notable women in the industry are going to receive similar honours. Lana Del Rey will take home the Visionary Award, while rappers Doechii and Latto are receiving Honda’s Rising Star Award and the Powerhouse Award respectively.

Additionally, Kim Petras, Ivy Queen, Lainey Wilson, and TWICE, will be honoured by Billboard for their own endeavours. Others who were previously recognized in SZA’s category include Lady Gaga, Cardi B, Madonna, and Taylor Swift.

Aside from the quickly approaching ceremony, the Ctrl hitmaker is also gearing up for her first-ever arena tour. In just a few days, she’ll kick off in Columbus, Ohio with Omar Apollo acting as her special guest. The starlet will stop in a total of 17 cities over the coming weeks before closing out in Los Angeles on March 22nd.

SZA’s latest feat is certainly an impressive one, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg in terms of exciting things she’s been working on lately. Firstly, the “Go Gina” singer teased her curvaceous figure while listening to Ashanti in an Instagram Story thirst trap. Of course, her latest music release also has the world talking.

SZA arrives at The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/MG22/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

On Thursday (February 9), the TDE starlet joined her good friend Lizzo on the remix of “Special.” This mark’s the duo’s first time collaborating musically – fingers crossed it won’t be the last. Listen to the Detroit native’s reimagined track here, and check back later for more music news updates.

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