American singer, Beyoncé was honoured with the well-deserved Innovator Award at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards on Monday night, April 1, 2024.

 

The singer took to the stage to accept her awards from fellow singer and icon, Stevie Wonder.

 

Beyoncé showered encomium on Stevie Wonder as she accepted her award. “Whenever anyone asks me if there’s anyone I could listen to for the rest of my life, it’s always you. God bless you,” she said.

 

 

She also revealed that Stevie Wonder played the harmonica on her version of Dolly 0-Parton’s ‘Jolene’ which is one of the singles off her brand new album, ‘Cowboy Carter’.

 

In response to Beyoncé’s sweet words, Stevie Wonder replied, “I just want to thank you for motivating the world to become a better place.”

 

Giving her acceptance speech after receiving her innovator award, Beyoncé described what being an innovator meant to her.

 

“Innovation starts with a dream, and the road to execute that dream can be very bumpy. Being an innovator is doing what everyone believes is impossible,” .

Beyoncé at iHeartRadio Music Awards 2024

The singer went ahead to state that being an innovator means being subject to heavy criticism which will “often test your mental health, but trust in God and he will catch and guide you”.

 

She continued by expressing gratitude towards everyone who has been a part of her journey. Music labels, radio stations, award shows, artistic innovators, and her team at Parkwood Entertainment.

 

Beyoncé wrapped up her speech by thanking her husband, billionaire rapper, Jay-Z whom she referred to as her rock and her best friend.

 

Her three children- Blue Ivy and twins, Sir and Rumi were not left out of the beautiful speech. “They continue to be my inspiration and biggest blessing”, she said.

 

 

Beyoncé released her eighth studio album and first country album, ‘Cowboy Carter’ on March 29, 2024.

 

 

The album achieved a record-breaking number of first-day streams for a country album by a female artist on Amazon Music in 2024, and it also became the most streamed album on Spotify in a single day.