Since its debut in 2017, Variety’s Hitmaker of the Year Award has celebrated the artists who define the sound and culture of modern pop music. Each year, the honor goes to a performer, songwriter, or producer whose creative and commercial impact has shaped the charts and captured the public’s imagination.
According to Variety, the selection process is both analytical and editorial. The magazine’s music editors evaluate each nominee’s songs based on melody, structure, lyrics, cultural relevance, and commercial success, drawing on verified data from Luminate to ensure an accurate measure of influence.
Below is the full list of recipients so far — a snapshot of how popular music has evolved across the past decade.
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2017 – Kendrick Lamar
The award’s inaugural winner, Kendrick Lamar, was honored following the global success of DAMN., an album that redefined the boundaries of hip-hop and earned him a Pulitzer Prize the following year.
2018 – Adam Levine
Recognized for his chart-topping run with Maroon 5, including the enduring hit “Girls Like You,” Levine represented the blend of pop accessibility and musical craftsmanship that defined mainstream radio that year.
2019 – Billie Eilish
At just 17, Eilish became one of the youngest recipients in history. Her debut album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? and its breakout single “Bad Guy” changed the course of pop music with its minimal production and genre-blending sound.
2020 – Harry Styles
Styles earned the title with Fine Line, an album that cemented his place as one of pop’s most dynamic solo artists. The single “Watermelon Sugar” became a global anthem.
2021 – Jack Harlow
Presented as the “Hitmaker of Tomorrow,” Harlow’s recognition came as “What’s Poppin” and “Industry Baby” turned him into a defining voice of a new hip-hop generation.
2022 – Elton John and Dua Lipa
This marked the first time the award was shared between two artists. Their remix collaboration “Cold Heart” blended nostalgia and modern pop perfectly, becoming a global chart-topper that united generations of fans.
2023 – SZA
Following the success of her critically acclaimed album SOS, SZA’s win reflected the dominance of soulful, emotionally rich R&B in the mainstream landscape.
2024 – Charli XCX
Charli XCX earned the honor after the success of BRAT, a project praised for its bold production and impact on club and hyperpop culture. Her ability to merge experimental sound with pop hooks redefined modern pop aesthetics.
2025 – Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter, the most recent recipient, was honored for her Man’s Best Friend era. The album delivered multiple hit singles, among them “Manchild” and “Tears,” and arrives on the heels of her breakout 2024, a year marked by “Espresso” and “Please Please Please.”
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