The 2024 Variety Hitmakers Brunch brought together a star-studded lineup on December 7th, honouring Doechii, RAYE, Shaboozey, and Quavo for their groundbreaking contributions to music. Held as an invitation-only event, the celebration marked Variety’s eighth annual Hitmakers gathering, spotlighting Grammy-nominated artists and industry trailblazers.
Celebrating Rising Icons
This year’s honourees have all made significant waves on the road to the 2025 Grammys. Doechii, nominated for Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance (“Nissan Altima”), and Best Rap Album (Alligator Bites Never Heal), shared an empowering message during her acceptance speech. Addressing young creatives, she championed the spirit of resilience:
“A lot of the time, being a disruptor means being misunderstood, but still having the audacity to create anyway. I hope that by watching me live my dream, it gives you the audacity to be wildly magnificent.”
RAYE, another standout honouree, earned nominations for Best New Artist and Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical, alongside recognition for her engineering contributions to Lucky Daye’s Algorithm. Shaboozey garnered nods for Best New Artist, Song of the Year, Best Country Song, and Best Country Solo Performance for “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” as well as Best Melodic Rap Performance for his feature on Beyoncé’s “Spaghetti.”
Quavo’s Emotional Tribute
Quavo, honoured for his advocacy and artistic excellence, moved the audience with a heartfelt tribute to his late nephew and Migos member, Takeoff, who tragically passed away in 2022 due to gun violence. Reflecting on his grief, Quavo shared:
“Losing my brother Takeoff was the worst moment in my life. I didn’t know where to go, where to turn—I didn’t know if I still wanted to make music.”
The rapper has since channelled his loss into activism, founding the Rocket Foundation to combat gun violence. He dedicated his award to Takeoff, saying, “This is for everyone fighting for change and for my brother, who inspires me every day.”
A Star-Studded Event
In addition to the main honourees, other celebrated artists included Charli XCX, Jack Antonoff, Jelly Roll, Benson Boone, Amy Allen, and Daniel Nigro. Each recipient showcased the diversity and innovation shaping today’s music industry, cementing their status as trailblazers and visionaries.
The Future of Music
The Variety Hitmakers Brunch served as a testament to the power of music to inspire, uplift, and advocate for change. As these artists continue to push boundaries, their impact resonates far beyond their individual successes, shaping the future of the industry.
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