At the 2024 iHeartRadio Awards held in Los Angeles, California, Beyonce received the Innovator Award which was presented to her by none other than music icon Stevie Wonder. 

On April 1 at 5 p.m. (US time), the iHeartRadio Awards was held live at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and was broadcasted on FOX. The Innovator Award is given to artists for their contribution to popular culture.

“I am thrilled to be here tonight to honor a true visionary,” Stevie Wonder began his speech as he presented the award, “She’s the most awarded person in Grammy history… chart topping hits in four different decades, and seven albums that debuted at number 1.”

Stevie then began to mention Beyoncé’s achievements and the reasons she was awarded as an Innovator at the iHeartRadio Awards 2024. “She stopped the world in 2013, with a surprise drop of her self-titled visual album, and changed how artists released music forever.”

He noted how with each album mentioned, Beyonce made headlines and showed what an Innovator she actually was. Following her albums, she also released a critically-acclaimed live concert film, Homecoming, which followed her journey to being the first African-American woman to headline Coachella.

Aside from her innovations in music and in the music industry, Beyonce is also changing the world with her Be Good Foundation. To end his speech, Stevie called, “Bé, Queen Bee, Sasha Fierce, Yoncé, no matter what you call her, she’s our 2024 iHeartRadio Innovator.”

As she accepted the award, she thanked Stevie. “Thank you so much, Stevie, I love you, and I honor you. I want to thank you for making a way for all of us. I’m honored to receive this recognition from you, Stevie Wonder.” 

In addition to her gratitude to the music legend, Beyoncé added, “Whenever anyone asks me if it’s anyone I can listen to for the rest of my life, it’s always you, so thank you. God bless you.” 

Stevie then additional word of thanks. “ I just want to thank you for motivating the world to be a better place.”

As she stood before the cheering crowd, Beyonce reflected on what it is to be an innovator. “Being an innovator is seeing what everyone believes is impossible, being an innovator often means being criticized which often will test your mental strength. Being an innovator is leaning on faith and trusting that God will catch you and guide you.”

In keeping with her current country era, Beyonce wore a leather jumpsuit with fringe, as well as a sleek black cowboy hat. In addition to what being an innovator means to her, Beyoncé called out to record labels, radio stations, and award shows. “Hope is that we’re more open to the joy and liberation that comes from enjoying art with no preconceived notions.”

Beyonce dedicated her award to “all the innovators who have dedicated their lives and their art to creating shifts.” Expressing her gratitude for their sacrifices, powerful voices and dauntless spirits, she named Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Tracy Chapman, Linda Martell, Prince, Andre 3000, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and “so many more who defied any label placed upon them. Thank you for executing their dreams so we can all follow.”

Towards the end of her acceptance speech, she mentioned her team at Parkwood, her husband Jay-Z and her three children who, according to Beyoncé, continue to be her inspirations and her biggest blessing.

This award follows the release of Beyoncé’s newest album, Cowboy Carter, which was released on March 29. It officially became Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day in 2024.

Watch Beyonce’s full acceptance speech here: 

—By Samantha Prats