Billboard proudly hosted its very first Global Power Players event in the vibrant city of London on Wednesday, June 4, showcasing and celebrating influential leaders within the global music industry. This significant event aimed to highlight the remarkable contributions and achievements of key figures in music, demonstrating the industry’s strength and diversity.
Taking place at the trendy Shoreditch House in east London, this exclusive, invite-only gathering honored the elite executives featured on the highly regarded Global Power Players list, alongside the inaugural U.K. Power Players selections. Renowned personalities such as Sir Elton John, his husband and manager David Furnish, EMPIRE founder and CEO Ghazi Shami, and the afrobeats sensation Tems received prestigious awards for their outstanding contributions to the music landscape.
Sir Elton John and David Furnish were recipients of the esteemed Creators’ Champion Award. During his acceptance speech, Elton John emphasized the critical need for the U.K. government to heed the concerns raised regarding the Labour party’s contentious AI bill, which suggests an opt-out strategy for music rights holders. Prominent industry leaders, including John, are urging the government to collaborate with the creative sectors to devise a viable solution, as the House of Lords has rejected this bill on five separate occasions in the last few weeks.
Elton John profoundly stated, “Copyright must be clear and require explicit permission.” He highlighted that these foundational principles are essential to the music industry and should be integrated into the data bill as a protective measure. He expressed a strong desire for collaboration, saying, “Let’s be upfront: we aim to work alongside the government; we want our government to partner with us. We are neither anti-AI nor anti-Big Tech.”
He further asserted, “I will advocate for this until we achieve a fair outcome for everyone involved. It is crucial for every emerging artist or songwriter to have their future secured and their rights respected.” His passionate commitment underscores the importance of protecting the rights of creators in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
On the eve of her eagerly awaited headline performance for Billboard Presents The Stage during SXSW London on June 5, the talented Tems received the prestigious Diamond Award from Nkosiyati Khumalo, the incoming editor of Billboard Africa. This recognition speaks volumes about her impact and success in the music industry.
“Being an African artist in today’s music scene presents a unique and transformative experience,” Tems expressed. “I truly appreciate how Billboard has championed not only African music but the entire cultural landscape. This honor is particularly meaningful to me as African music reaches unprecedented heights, and Billboard plays a vital role in advancing this movement forward.”
Ghazi Shami, the visionary founder and CEO of EMPIRE, received the distinguished Clive Davis Visionary Award. He joins a prestigious group of past honorees including TDE’s Punch and Top Dawg (2024), Bang Si-hyuk (2023), and Joe Smith (2014). This award, named after the legendary recording executive, was presented by the acclaimed Nigerian artist and YNBL label head Olamide, following the record-breaking success of EMPIRE alum Shaboozey’s chart-topping hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2024.
While accepting the award, Ghazi shared his philosophy: “I often tell others that EMPIRE operates as a philanthropic organization disguised as a record label. I genuinely believe in this mission. It wasn’t always this way. Being a visionary entails recognizing a need within your community and striving to fulfill that need. I noticed a significant gap in music distribution services in San Francisco and the Bay Area, and fast-forward 15 years, I am proud to say we have established a global operation that spans the globe. Our workforce includes employees from 25 countries and boasts one of the most diverse teams in the music industry, which is both intentional and by design.”
Ghazi continued, “As an immigrant child in San Francisco, raised by Palestinian parents who fled war, I often felt invisible during my childhood. I questioned how I could be acknowledged in a world that overlooked me. This realization motivated me to create a company where everyone’s voices can be heard and recognized. I consistently tell people that if you strive for excellence, your existence cannot be denied.”
