After careful consideration, our Artist of the Year for 2019 picks are here! Read on to learn who the Beyond The Stage staff voted for this year.
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Artist of the Year: Billie Eilish
2019 was the year of Billie Eilish. Racking in six Grammy nominations, winning Apple Music’s Global Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Album of the Year to performing at Coachella, Eilish took over the world. What’s even more impressive is that she accomplished all of this before turning 18. There’s no end to praise around how talented Eilish is. We have loved watching her completely dominate this year and look forward to seeing how she tackles 2020. – Nicolita Bradley
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Lizzo
2019 was Lizzo’s year. The singer, rapper, flutist exploded with her track “Truth Hurts”, which spent seven weeks at the top of the US charts, tying it for the longest a female rap single has ever been on the charts. While it may seem as if Lizzo’s success appeared out of nowhere, the Detroit-born performer has been on the road for nearly a decade, touring as a solo artist since 2013. With the internet providing a seemingly endless stream of negativity, Lizzo was the light in the dark. Her self-accepting, body-positive movement has proven to inspire fans across the globe, ensuring that she is here to stay. – Quinn Beaupré
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Maggie Rogers
As an artist, making yourself known is an impressive feat. Making yourself understood, however, is an even more impressive feat, and Maggie Rogers has done just that. Her music exudes a palpable feeling of timelessness, as she invites you to dance while giving you a shoulder to cry on. In 2019 alone, she’s released her stellar debut album In a Past Life, embarked on her first headlining tour, and was nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammys. There are far too many reasons to list why Maggie Rogers has become one of the year’s defining voices, but we think this quote is a pretty good place to start: “I can’t promise I won’t change or that I won’t fall in love with new people or ideas that’ll change the way I see the world, but I can promise to be me.” – Blake Charles
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Jonas Brothers
The Jonas Brothers are back and they weren’t just going to leave 2019 without making it their year. After a six-year hiatus, the brothers made their debut return with their single “Sucker” which landed the bros their second Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The Jonas Brothers also hit the road for 41 shows across the United States for their sold-out Happiness Begins tour. From a chart-topping album, accolades and nominations, inspiring documentary and explosive tour, The Jonas Brothers are back and not stopping anytime soon. – Marlowe Teichman
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Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift, whether it’s from love or hate or simply indifference, is truly a pop star known in just about every household. Making her triumphant return with album Lover, this 18-track pop anthem that seems to touch down on the more emotional and vulnerable side of things. From her collab with Brendon Urie on “ME!” to the title track “Lover,” this album truly shows the brilliance of both songwriting and range from Taylor. With a diverse range of influences on this latest album, this feels like one of the most genuinely Taylor Swift albums we’ve received from Swift so far. From announcing her Lover festivals for 2020 to having to fight for the right to her masters back, Swift is clearly anything but slowing down.
While public opinion on Swift seems to vary from moment to moment, you cannot deny her talent and the fact that no one has worked harder to try to make 2019 their year. Truly, her return with Lover was a memorable moment, one that seems to stand above the rest of a lot of the musical returns this year. – Audrey Battis
Who did you vote for for Artist of the Year? Let us know in the comments below. Read our new issue here and purchase a print copy here.
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