Monday's iHeartRadio Music Awards in Los Angeles continued to be a festivity dedicated to all things Beyoncé, as the iconic artist was bestowed with the esteemed Innovator Award.
Renowned musician Stevie Wonder graced the stage to bestow the honor upon the "Texas Hold 'Em" sensation, delivering a summary of her unparalleled achievements to date. These include headlining Coachella as the first African-American woman and securing number one hits across all four decades since the 1990s.
Of course, one cannot overlook her recent career pinnacle: the release of her eighth studio album, "Cowboy Carter," last Friday. This marked her foray into country music, among other genres, and constituted the second installment in her "Renaissance" trilogy, which commenced with the aptly titled record in 2022.
Queen B made her entrance clad in a black leather motorcycle jacket and her now-signature cowboy hat to accept the trophy, first expressing her gratitude to Wonder.
"I'm grateful for the path you paved for all of us," Beyoncé conveyed to the "Isn't She Lovely" crooner. "Receiving this acknowledgment from you is truly an honor."
"Whenever someone asks me about the artist I could listen to for eternity, it's always you," she continued, extending thanks to Wonder for his harmonica performance on "Jolene."
Read the rest of Beyoncé’s powerful speech here:
“Thank you to iHeartRadio. Tonight you call me an innovator, and for that I’m very grateful.
Innovation starts with a dream, but then you have to execute that dream, and that road can be very bumpy.
Being an innovator is seeing what everyone believes is impossible. Being an innovator often means being criticized, which often will test your mental strength.
Being an innovator is leaning on faith, and trusting that God will catch you and guide you.
So, to all the record labels, every radio station, every awards show, my hope is that we’re more open to the joy and liberation that comes from enjoying art with no preconceived notions.
I want to dedicate this award to all the innovators who have dedicated their lives and their art to creating shifts.
So thank you for your sacrifices, your powerful voices, and your dauntless spirits.
Thank you to Rosetta Tharpe, Miss Tracy Chapman, Linda Martell, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Andre 3000, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson and so many more who defied any label placed upon them.
Thank you for executing your dream so we could all follow.
And thank you to my team at Parkwood, y’all work so hard, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
My husband, my rock, my best friend, I love you. My three beautiful children who continue to be my inspiration and my biggest blessing.
Have a beautiful night and thank you so much.”
