Beyoncé accepts the Innovator Award at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards

Beyoncé received her well-deserved Innovator Award at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards on Monday night (April 1), and the 'Texas Hold'Em' superstar took the stage to accept her trophy from a colleague. Stevie Wonder.

“Whenever someone asks me if there's anyone I could listen to for the rest of my life, it's always you. God bless you,” she told the “Isn't She Lovely” singer, thanking him for playing harmonica on her version of Dolly Parton's “Jolene,” which is featured on her recently released album. Cowboy Carter.

Wonder then sweetly told Bey, “I just want to thank you for motivating the world to be a better place.”

During her heartfelt acceptance speech, Beyoncé shared what being an innovator means to her. “Innovation starts with a dream, and the road to executing that dream can be very bumpy. To be an innovator is to do what everyone thinks is impossible,” she told the crowd, dressed for the country's current era, rocking a fringed leather jumpsuit, as well as a large buckled belt and a stylish black cowboy hat. “Being innovative often means being criticized, which will often test your mental strength. To be innovative is to lean on faith and trust that God will catch you and guide you.”

He continued, “In every record label, every radio station, every award show, I hope we are more open to the joy and liberation that comes from enjoying art without prejudice. I want to dedicate this award to all the innovators who have dedicated their lives and their art to creating change. Thank you for your sacrifice and your strong powers and fearless spirit.”

Bey then thanked the artistic innovators who inspired her, including Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Tracy Chapman, Linda Martell, Prince, Andre 3000, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson and Wonder, applauding them for “making your dream come true so we can let's all follow”.

The “Break My Soul” singer finished by thanking her team at her Parkwood Entertainment label, as well as her husband Jay-Z, whom she called “my rock, my best friend,” and her three children — 12. Blue Ivy and six-year-old twins Sir and Rumi — “who continue to be my inspiration and greatest blessing.”

Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter arrived on Friday (March 29), officially becoming Spotify's most-streamed album in a single day in 2024 and marking the most first-day streams for a country album by a female artist in Amazon Music history.