VIDEO: Watch Beyonce Receive Her Award Stylishly At The iHeartRadio Music Awards 2024

Queen Beyoncé graced the stage of Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre on Monday night (April 1) to accept the prestigious Innovator Award at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards. Just days after dropping her latest album, Cowboy Carter, the global sensation wowed the audience with her acceptance speech and heartfelt tributes.

Handed the trophy by the legendary Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé expressed her gratitude, particularly for his harmonica skills on “Jolene.” She dedicated the award to her trailblazing influences, including Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Tracy Chapman, Linda Martell, Prince, Stevie Wonder, André 3000, Tina Turner, and Michael Jackson. Missed the iconic moment? Check out the replay below.

In an emotional tribute to Wonder, Beyoncé declared, “I love you and I honor you. You paved the way for all of us. Whenever anyone asks me who I could listen to forever, it’s always you, Stevie Wonder.”

Diving deeper into the essence of innovation, she shared, “Innovation begins with a dream, but bringing that dream to life can be a rocky journey. It means challenging the status quo, facing criticism, and testing your mental resilience. It’s about having faith and believing that you’re guided by a higher power. So, to the record labels, radio stations, and award shows out there, let’s embrace the pure joy and freedom of art without any preconceived notions.”

As for Cowboy Carter, the album boasts a 27-song tracklist featuring covers of classics like Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” and the Beatles’ “Blackbird.” Collaborations with icons such as Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, and many more grace the album. Despite the country-inspired title and tracks like “16 Carriages” and “Texas Hold ’Em,” Beyoncé set the record straight, declaring, “This ain’t a Country album. This is a ‘Beyoncé’ album.”

“This album took over five years,” Beyoncé said in a press release. “It’s been really great to have the time and the grace to be able to take my time with it. I was initially going to put Cowboy Carter out first, but with the pandemic, there was too much heaviness in the world. We wanted to dance. We deserved to dance. But I had to trust God’s timing.”

Cowboy Carter, which was originally announced as Act II, follows 2022’s Renaissance. “Texas Hold ’Em” hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, making Beyoncé the first Black woman to do so. The song also topped the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Beyoncé’s ninth track to do so and first since “Break My Soul.”