Billboard Italia Women in Music debuts in Milan: See the photos

Milan confirmed itself as Italy's music capital by hosting the first Italian (and European) edition of Billboard Women In Music, the awards ceremony celebrating the most influential women in the music industry.

Kicking off Fashion Week, the event took place on Monday (September 16) at the Teatro Manzoni, sponsored by the City of Milan and Camera della Moda, the association of Italian fashion brands.

The show opened with a video message from the mayor Giuseppe Sala, the two protagonists of Italian cinema and television, Christiana Capototti and Maurizio Lasrico. With their sympathy and energy the two hosts introduced the honorees and distinguished guests who took the stage.

In addition to the awards, the first edition of Billboard Italia Women in Music also saw special performances by Gaia (Hitmaker of the Year, who sang her summer hit, “Sesso e Samba”), emerging talent Bu Cuaron, Federica Abbate ( songwriter of the Year, who sang a medley of some of the biggest hits he wrote for others) and Ariete.

At the end of the show, Rinascente, Italy's leading luxury store and one of the main partners of Billboard Italia Women In Music, welcomed guests to a spectacular party on the roof of the flagship store in Piazza Duomo, where the music continued with DJ sets . by Anfisa Letyago (DJ of the Year) and Margherita Grechi and live performances by Alexia and Gaia, who sang “Sesso e Samba” again but this time with the surprise participation of Tony Effe.

In addition to Rinascente itself, sponsors were Rabanne and Bellissima, who presented the “Designer of the Year” award.

Radio 105 was the official radio station of Billboard Italia Women in Music and presented the “Hitmaker of The Year” award, in addition to enlivening both the event at Teatro Manzoni and the aftershow with its speakers and DJs.

Billboard Italia Women in Music was created with the support of the collective management company SIAE (Società Italiana degli Autori ed Editori) and produced in collaboration with Vivo Concerti, directed by Gianlorenzo Mortgat. Ticketmaster Italia was the event's ticketing partner.

Below is the full list of honorees, with the official reasons for their respective awards.

ANNA, Woman of the Year
Her new album, Vera Bundy, broke several records, some unbeaten for nearly 20 years, occupying the top spot in the Italian chart for nine consecutive weeks. As of 2020, he's breaking down the gender gap in Italian rap like never before.

Laura Pausini, Image
She is the artist who, more than anyone else, in her 30-year career, has held high the flag of Italian music in the world. An internationally recognized talent, Pausini is an artist who, despite having achieved every possible goal, never stops putting herself on the line.

Elodie, Female Performer of the Year
Her arena tour was explosive and completely sold out, with a live performance that was a manifesto of freedom. With two stadium dates already scheduled for next summer in Milan and Naples, she will be the third Italian artist to take the stage at the San Siro Stadium and the first woman to perform at the Maradona Stadium.

Gaia, Hitmaker of the Year by Radio 105
An artistic vision that leaves nothing to chance and steals nothing from its naturalness. Gaia is synonymous with freedom of expression, in music but not only. This summer she was an absolute star with “Sesso e Samba” feat. Tony Efe. This chorus is exactly what we can't get out of our heads.

Rose Villain, Impact Award
From her debut album Radio Gotham and then, it has established itself in the Italian charts. Rose Villain has never stopped voicing her opinions, from the issue of environmental sustainability to the unequal treatment of men and women in music and all other professional fields.

BigMama, Breakthrough
With an explosive turnout at the Sanremo festival, where she honored women with a show where the key words were “sisterhood” and “female power”, Italy was able to get to know her music and personality better. BigMama is the most disruptive revelation of 2024.

Clara, Rising Star
A rising star of Italian music, she introduced us to her talent as a singer and actress, achieving impressive results in a very short time, from the success of the TV series Mare Fuori in her participation in the San Remo festival. For this reason, Clara is the rising star in Billboard Italia Women in Music.

Federica Abbate, Songwriter of the Year
How many successes of recent years in Italy bear her signature? Many. Federica Abbate is a singer and songwriter who a year ago released her first album of unreleased songs, Canzoni per gli Others. From pop to rap, everything she touches turns to gold. Or rather platinum, and in one case, even diamond.

Anfisa Letyago, DJ of the Year
A true pride of the Italian electronic scene, Anfisa Letyago has climbed to the top of the international dance scene with her engaging DJ sets and sophisticated productions. Now she tours all over the world, but her heart stays in Naples, a city that never stops giving her ideas and inspiration.

Marta Salogni, Producer of the Year
She is the producer and sound engineer who makes Italy proud worldwide. Björk, Depeche Mode, Animal Collective and Bon Iver are just some of the artists who have had the pleasure of having her in the control room. For this reason, Marta Salogni is the Billboard Italia Women in Music Producer of the Year.

Marta Donà, Manager of the Year
From the courageous choice to start a managerial career on her own, very young, in 2012, to the most recent milestone of Angelina Mango's victory at the Sanremo festival, from the strength of her all-female team to the passion she puts into her work: he is the reason why Marta Donà is the Manager of the Year of Billboard Italia Women in Music.

Sara Potente, A&R of the Year
She discovered new talents in Italian music and with determination worked alongside them until she achieved the success she deserved. She is now the director of Numero Uno, the historic label (part of Sony Music Italy) founded by the legendary Lucio Battisti and the songwriter Mogol.

Ramona Tabita, Stylist of the Year by Bellissima
He takes care of the image of some of the most important protagonists of the Italian music scene and beyond. She is a creative consultant for many brands. It is undoubtedly the name that best embodies the connection between music and fashion, which is why Ramona Tabita is Bellissima's Stylist of the Year.