Variety Announces 2025 Hitmakers Honorees

Variety has unveiled the final eight honorees for its ninth annual Hitmakers celebration, recognizing artists and executives who have achieved significant success over the past year. The recipients include Megan Moroney, awarded Storyteller of the Year; Rosé, named Global Hitmaker of the Year; and Addison Rae, Elvira Anderfjärd, and Luka Kloser, who received The Future Is Female Award. Other honorees include BigXThaPlug as Hip-Hop Disruptor of the Year, Role Model as Triple Threat of the Year, and Big Loud’s Seth England, Joey Moi, and Craig Wiseman, who received the Platinum Decade Award. Elliot Grainge was recognized as Executive of the Year.

Variety Magazine

These honorees will join previously announced Hitmaker of the Year Sabrina Carpenter, along with Tate McRae, Buddy Guy, Alex Warren, the Marías, EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI, Sounwave, Mustard, and Jack Antonoff. Presenters at the event will include 2024 Hitmakers honoree Laufey, “Sinners” co-star Miles Caton, comedian Jake Shane, and multiplatinum producer-songwriters Jimmy Jam and Benny Blanco.

Variety Magazine

Jem Aswad, Variety’s executive music editor, expressed pride in highlighting artists and executives who have made a significant impact in 2025. He noted Moroney's storytelling in her album "Am I Okay?", Rosé's success with her album and single alongside Bruno Mars titled "APT", and BigXThaPlug's innovative hip-hop/country fusion. Aswad also commended Role Model for his achievements in both music and film, and recognized Addison Rae and her collaborators for their Grammy-nominated debut album, which they wrote, produced, and performed independently.

Variety Magazine

The Hitmakers event will culminate in an invitation-only brunch on December 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. The honorees will also be featured in a dedicated website and magazine that reflect on the year in music, highlighting the writers, producers, publishers, managers, and executives behind the 25 most-consumed songs of the year, as measured by Billboard and Luminate Charts.

Variety Magazine

This year’s event is sponsored by TikTok, which will showcase the communities and trends that contributed to the success of the top songs through a custom video installation. Additionally, TikTok will present two pre-Hitmakers episodes of Variety’s “Behind the Song” series. Riot Games will accept the Hitmakers Interactive Music in Media Award, while Cash App, Eternal Water, L-Acoustics, Dos Equis, and Johnnie Walker Black Label will serve as event partners.

Variety Magazine

“We’re honored to highlight some of the artists and executives who have made the biggest impact over the past year,” — Jem Aswad, Executive Music Editor, Variety

Variety Magazine