SZA Named Variety’s 2023 Hitmaker Of The Year

SZA has one more accolade to count before the year is out. The R&B singer was named Variety‘s 2023 Hitmaker Of The Year in an announcement shared on Monday (Nov. 6). She is among the first group of honorees for its seventh annual Hitmakers celebration, taking place early next month.

Additional event honorees include Olivia Rodrigo, Metro Boomin, Maren Morris, Mark Ronson, Billie Eilish, and FINNEAS.

The Nov. 29 Variety issue and accompanying event reflect on the year and center on the writers, producers, publishers, managers, and executives who helped make — and break — the 25 most-consumed songs of the year, as measured by Billboard and Luminate Charts.

“The goal of Hitmakers always has been to honor the top artists and songs of the year, and especially the people behind them,” shared Variety’s executive music editor Jem Aswad in a statement.

“SZA, her SOS album and tour, and her hits this year are not only a creative and commercial triumph but one with a reach that stretches far beyond the music world. We are so proud to honor her as our Hitmaker of the Year, and to honor Olivia Rodrigo, Metro Boomin, Maren Morris, and more.”

The New Jersey representative released the acclaimed album in December 2022 and it has since become her biggest commercial success to date, breaking chart records held by the likes of Janet Jackson and Beyoncé. Currently, the project sits at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 chart nearly a year following its release and remains at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top R&B Albums chart for the 47th consecutive week.

The 2023 Hitmakers program includes the following awards selected by Variety’s editorial team:

SZA – Hitmaker of the Year

Olivia Rodrigo – Storyteller of the Year

Boygenius – Group of the Year

Metro Boomin – Producer of the Year

Mark Ronson – Soundtrack of the Year

Billie Eilish and FINNEAS – Film Song of the Year: “What Was I Made For”

Maren Morris – Changemaker of the Year

Republic Records – Label of the Year

Grammy Museum President and CEO Michael Sticka – Music Education and Advocacy Leadership Award presented by City National Bank

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