Apple Music has honored 22-year-old American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish as the Artist of the Year for 2024, recognizing her significant impact on the music industry this year. This accolade follows her historic second Academy Award win and two additional Grammy Awards for her contribution to the "Barbie" film soundtrack with the track "What Was I Made For." Eilish's third studio album, "HIT ME HARD AND SOFT," released earlier this year, swiftly ascended to the top of Apple Music's all-genre album chart in 138 countries.
In August, Eilish performed her new hit "Birds of a Feather" at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Olympics, held in Los Angeles, the host city for the next Olympic Games. This performance led to a surge in Shazam searches, marking a peak in her song's popularity. Additionally, Eilish received seven Grammy nominations this year, including Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year. Notably, she is the first artist to receive Apple Music's Artist of the Year award twice, having first earned the title in 2019.
Eilish's success is also evident on YouTube, where her collaboration with Khalid, "Lovely," has garnered over 2 billion views. Her solo hit "Bad Guy" has accumulated 1.2 billion views since its release five years ago. Other popular tracks include "When The Party's Over" with 950 million views and "Bellyache" with 694 million views.
Rachel Newman, Apple's Senior Director of Content and Editorial, commented on Eilish's achievement: "Since we first heard 'Ocean Eyes' nearly a decade ago, we've been fans and supporters of Billie's artistry. It's always special when a young artist connects so quickly with so many people. But what's truly impressive, watching her evolve over the past year, is not just that her voice and artistry continue to resonate so widely, but that she's blossomed so boldly and honestly—on her own terms, in her own way."
Eilish's journey from her debut single "Ocean Eyes" to her current status as a global music icon underscores her unique talent and the profound connection she has established with audiences worldwide.
