Brits Billion Award

Last updated
Brit Billion Award
Awarded forAchievement of over 1 billion digital streams in the UK
CountryUnited Kingdom (UK)
Presented by British Phonographic Industry (BPI)
First awarded2023
Currently held byVarious (see Recipients)
Website www.brits.co.uk/brit-billion

The Brit Billion Award is a special award given by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) to artist who have achieved over one billion digital streams in the United Kingdom. An extension of the BPI's music certification system, the number of streams is verified using data calculated by the Official Charts Company and is the first time in the fifty-year history of the system that an artist's combined success over multiple projects has been recognized as a collective total. The one billion career streams include tracks where the artist is the primary performer, as well as tracks where they appear as a featured artist. [1] [2]

Contents

The award was created in 2023 and was first presented to on 4 May 2023 to thirteen artists, with additional performers receiving the award as they reached the one billion milestone. To date, there have been twenty six recipients of the Brits Billion Award. The most recent is Joel Corry, who was presented with the award in December 2023. At 20 years old when awarded, Olivia Rodrigo is the youngest recipient.

Creation

The award was created to reflect the growing importance of streaming in the UK. In a statement announcing the initial recipients, Sophie Jones, Chief Executive of the BPI, explained: "for a recording artist, there can be few greater sources of pride than having a Platinum or Gold disc on their wall, but in an era when success in measured in the hundreds of millions and indeed billions of streams, it was clear that we needed a new and additional way to recognise and celebrate outstanding achievement in recorded music, and I feel certain that having a BRIT Billion Award will become equally prized." [3]

The trophy itself is manufactured by Gaudio Awards in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. [4]

Recipients

DateImageRecipientCountry of OriginRef.
4 May 2023 ABBA - Popzien 1973 4.png ABBA Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden [5]
AJ Tracey, Seat Village stage 2.jpg AJ Tracey Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Anne-Marie-4250 (cropped).jpg Anne-Marie
ColdplayManch03062351 (cropped).jpg Coldplay
Ellie Goulding at Manchester Academy 2012 - Belting.jpg Ellie Goulding
George Ezra - Wanted on Voyage (tour).jpg George Ezra
Headie One.png Headie One
MariahRAH270519-67 (49620841538) (cropped).jpg Mariah Carey Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Lewis Capaldi-8172.jpg Lewis Capaldi Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Raye, Pryzm, Kingston (cropped).jpg Raye
Rita Ora 1 (40251927980) (cropped).jpg Rita Ora
Sam Smith Lollapalooza 2015-9 (cropped).jpg Sam Smith
Whitney Houston Welcome Heroes 7 cropped.JPEG Whitney Houston Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
26 May 2023 James Arthur NRJ 2014.jpg James Arthur Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom [6]
4 June 2023 Olly Alexander.jpg Years & Years [7]
11 June 2023 Becky Hill.jpg Becky Hill [8]
5 July 2023 Clean Bandit.jpg Clean Bandit
9 July 2023 Lana Del Rey @ Grammy Museum 10 13 2019 (49311023203).jpg Lana Del Rey Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States [9]
20 July 2023 Queen News Of The World (1977 Press Kit Photo 02).jpg Queen Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom [10]
30 July 2023 EmkeHhMW8AAlRUL~2.jpg Wizkid Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria [11]
16 August 2023 Olivia Rodrigo with Dr Fauci 2.png Olivia Rodrigo Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States [12]
29 August 2023 Billie Eilish at Pukkelpop Festival - 18 AUGUST 2019 (01) (cropped).jpg Billie Eilish [13]
28 September ZaraLarsson Seattle NeptuneTheater 17Sept2019.jpg Zara Larsson Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden
4 October 2023 Ed Sheeran (8507731877).jpg Ed Sheeran Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
30 October 2023 The Rolling Stones Summerfest in Milwaukee - 2015.jpg The Rolling Stones
1 December 2023 Ella Henderson (1) By Daniel Ahs Karlsson (cropped).jpg Ella Henderson
13 December 2023 Joel Corry during an interview in 2021.png Joel Corry

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References

  1. "BRIT Billion is the landmark Award from the BRIT Certified scheme, celebrating a total of one billion UK streams". Brits.com . 4 May 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  2. Koneman, Liam (19 December 2022). "BPI to launch BRIT Billion award in new landmark for BRIT Certified scheme". BBC News . Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  3. Smith, Carl (4 May 2023). "Lewis Capaldi, Mariah Carey and more honoured with new BRIT Billion award". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  4. Ayers, Dan (29 May 2023). "BRIT Billion awards being made in Gloucestershire". BBC News . Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  5. Walcott, Escher (4 May 2023). "Lewis Capaldi, ABBA and Ellie Goulding among recipients of inaugural BRIT Billion award". Evening Standard . Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  6. "James Arthur receives BRIT Billion Award live on BBC's The One Show". Brits.com . 26 May 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  7. "Olly Alexander receives a BRIT Billion Award for Years & Years at Mighty Hoopla". Brits.com . 8 June 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  8. "Becky Hill receives BRIT Billion Award at Manchester's Parklife Festival". Brits.com . 15 June 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  9. BRIT Awards (July 13, 2023). "Presented with her BRIT Billion Award ahead of her headline show at @BSTHydePark on the weekend, Lana Del Rey is the latest artist to celebrate one billion UK streams! 💫". Twitter. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  10. "Queen Receives Brit Billion Award for Streaming Milestone: 'We Are Still Around and We Hope to Entertain You a Little'". Variety . Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  11. "WIZKID BAGS BRIT BILLION AWARD FOR 1B STREAMS". The Guardian . Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  12. "Olivia Rodrigo becomes youngest act to receive Brit Billion Award". STV News . Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  13. "Billie Eilish Receives BRIT Billion Award". Billboard . Retrieved 30 August 2023.