Ariana Grande to Receive Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award at Music Biz 2014
April 14, 2014 – The Music Business Association (Music Biz), formerly NARM and digitalmusic.org, will present its Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award to Ariana Grande, a chart-topping pop musician and actress, at the Music Biz 2014 Awards Luncheon on Thursday, May 8, at 12:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. The Award recognizes Grande’s spectacular achievements over the past year, including a #1 debut on the Billboard charts with her first album, Yours Truly, and a double-Platinum, Top 10 single with “The Way” featuring rapper Mac Miller.
“Ariana is a multi-talented entertainer, commanding both the microphone and the camera in her dual careers as a musician and actress,” said James Donio, President of Music Biz. “While Nickelodeon fans have known her for years from her roles on hit TV shows Victorious and Sam & Cat, she exploded into the music world this year with her stunning debut album, Yours Truly. Our recognition just underscores her potential for even greater success in the years ahead. We’re thrilled to count her among the ranks of past recipients such as Emeli Sandé, Nicki Minaj, John Legend, and Carrie Underwood.”
“Music has always been my first love, so receiving this Award is a true honor for me,” said Grande. “I’ve been pursuing a career as a singer since I was eight, and it’s a great feeling to know that the industry has embraced me with open arms. I’d like to thank everyone at Music Biz and, of course, my fans, and I can’t wait to get back in the studio and do this all over again!”
Grande leaped to fame in 2010, when she starred as aspiring artist Cat Valentine in the hit Nickelodeon sitcom Victorious. After the series came to a close in 2013, she reprised the role in the spin-off Sam & Cat, winning Favorite TV Actress at the 2014 Kids’ Choice Awards along with a Favorite TV Show win for the program itself. Her debut full-length album, Yours Truly, was released in August 2013, entering the Billboard charts at #1 on the strength of hit single “The Way,” which was certified Double-Platinum and reached the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, as well as #1 on the iTunes Overall Top Songs Chart. The album earned her the Favorite Breakout Artist award at the People’s Choice Awards 2014, and she was also named Best New Artist at the American Music Awards in 2013. In addition, she will compete for the Top New Artist trophy at Billboard’s 2014 Music Awards. Grande is a ubiquitous presence on social media, with more than 14 million Twitter followers, 17 million Facebook likes, 9.5 million Instagram followers, and 350 million combined YouTube and VEVO views.
Music Biz 2014, which will be held May 6-8, is the music industry’s premier event, giving the commerce and content sectors a place to meet with trading partners, network with new companies, and learn about new trends and products impacting the music business. The Awards Luncheon will also feature the presentation of the Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award to Dee Snider, frontman of classic heavy metal band Twisted Sister.
