Apple has announced the winners of the third annual Apple Music Awards.
The winners of the third edition of the Apple Music Awards, which honours the finest musicians of 2021 and their impact on worldwide culture, were revealed today by Apple.
This year, the Apple Music Awards will present a new category of Regional Artist of the Year, honoring artists from five countries and regions: Africa, France, Germany, Japan and Russia. The Regional Artist of the Year Awards recognize artists who have had the greatest cultural impact and are in the rankings of their respective countries and regions.
“The past 12 months have been a remarkable year for music and we are thrilled to honour the artists who shape culture and connect with fans around the world on Apple Music,” said Oliver Schuster, vice president of Apple Music. and Beats. “This year we are also recognizing more regional artists, showing the world the impact of extraordinarily talented musicians who are causing a sensation on a global scale. The celebration of the Apple Music Awards kicks off on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, with interviews, from original content, and more globally on Apple Music and the Apple TV app Music lovers who are not already Apple Music members can sign up for a free three-month trial at apple.com/applemusic.
Apple also launched regional awards for Africa, France, Germany, Japan, and Russia this year. According to Apple, these new awards are intended to “recognise musicians that have had the greatest cultural and chart influence in their particular nations and regions.”
Global Artist of the Year: The Weeknd
The Weeknd took over popular music and society on his own terms, filtering R&B and pop through an ambitious widescreen lens. “After Hours,” the worldwide superstar’s 2020 album, swiftly topped one million pre-orders on Apple Music, becoming the most pre-ordered album by a male artist on the site. In its first week, “After Hours” also set the record for the most-streamed R&B/Soul album in 73 countries. On Apple Music’s Daily Top 100, the blockbuster single “Blinding Lights” reached No. 1.