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Here Are the 2026 Femmy Awards Winners: Full List

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It was a celebratory good time in Miami on Thursday (March 26) during the second annual Femmy Awards. Presented by Femme House, the awards honor women and allies across the dance music industry, from artists to labels to agents to parties and beyond.

Awards were divided into two categories: publicly voted and those chosen by a special committee. See the complete winners list below.

2026 Femmy Publicly Voted Awards Winners

Ableton instructor of the year: Honoring the educators who lead the way by example for every student that enrolls in a Femme House Session or signs up for an online course

  • Suzi Analogue
  • Modern Lover
  • Claire Marie Lim
  • Lorna Dune
  • Christina Horn

Album or EP of the year: Recognizing a full body of work that pushed sonic and cultural boundaries

  • Tides (Remixes) – Karaba
  • Through the Wall – Rochelle Jordan
  • Volver – Sofia Kourtesis
  • The BPM – Sudan Archives
  • Humanise – HAAi

Best club: Recognizing a nightclub that champions diversity, safe spaces, and inclusive lineups, shaping the electronic music scene

  • Nowadays
  • Smartbar
  • TV Lounge
  • The Fruit
  • Walter WhereHouse

Best DJ set or live performance: Recognizing a live performance that stood out for its creativity, energy and impact

  • Matisa (Fabric, London)
  • Zoe Gitter (Boiler Room, Ibiza)
  • Charlotte de Witte & Amelie Lens (Flanders Expo, Belgium)
  • Ladies of Leisure (Boiler Room, Ibiza)
  • Deer Jade (Lollapalooza, Paris)

Best Femme House radio mix: Recognizing an outstanding Femme House Radio mix, showcasing innovative track selection and storytelling

  • Kiimi
  • Sinca
  • Awen
  • Golden
  • Krithi

Best producer: Recognizing a producer whose work stood out for its originality, technical mastery and influence on the sound of dance music

  • Yulia Niko
  • Honeyluv
  • Azzecca
  • Miss Monique
  • Ki/Ki

Best record label: Recognizing a label that prioritizes femme, non-binary and LGBTQ+ artists

  • She/Her
  • Bass n Babes
  • Nuxxe
  • Smile Records
  • Abracadabra Records

Best underground promoter: Honoring the grassroots, regional promoters in the U.S. who are shaping underground dance culture

  • Playhouse
  • Thique
  • Ladera Hearts
  • Jerk
  • PBNJ

Best vocalist: Recognizing the often heard but not seen voices of dance music

  • Blythe
  • Hayla
  • Bibi Bourelly
  • Pamé
  • House Gospel Choir

Breakthrough artist: Honoring artists who had phenomenal years and set the bar for visibility, artistic output, and buzz

  • Me N U
  • Lumia
  • Inda Jani
  • Zingara
  • Tiffy Vera

Femme House activist & impact award: Honoring an artist, collective or industry professional using their platform to advocate for social change and inclusion in the music industry

  • Support Women DJs
  • Empwr Beats
  • Beatport Diversity + Parity Fund
  • Book More Women
  • Her Dancefloor

Femme House community member of the year: Celebrating an individual in the Femme House community whose dedication, passion and engagement have gone above and beyond to embody the spirit of Femme House

  • Raecola
  • Barbara Nicole
  • Tara Verma
  • Val Fleury
  • Hai-Life

“For the Culture” award: Honoring BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ creators and platforms making an impact in serving their communities

  • Sisters In Sound
  • House of Yes
  • TT the Artist
  • QDP
  • Courtney Hollinquest

Innovator award: Recognizing innovation and impact in sound design, cultural significance and more

  • DJ Dave
  • Blood Oath
  • Juliet Fox
  • Mz Worthy
  • Desiree

Most diverse lineup: Honoring the show bills that have challenged the notion that the best lineups are predominantly male and white

  • Cosimea
  • 4 Tha Luv
  • Babestock Music Festival
  • All Things Go Music Festival
  • Deep Tropics Music, Art and Style Festival

Song of the year: Recognizing a song that showcases innovation, inclusivity, and exceptional artistry from a femme, non-binary, or LGBTQ+ producer, DJ or vocalist

  • “Forget” – DJ Minx
  • “Richman” – Inda Jani + Ghezz
  • “IDK” – Azzecca
  • “Hurt Me No More” – Emjie
  • Don’t Wanna Leave You” – Tiffy Vera

2026 Femmy Committee Voted Award Nominees

Agent of the year: Celebrating an agent who has made a significant impact in advancing the careers of diverse talent in the music industry

  • Brittany Gaston
  • Barbara Frum
  • Daisy Hoffman
  • Natalie Koe

Best music journalist: Honoring a writer who has championed diverse voices in music media and amplified underrepresented artists through their work

  • Nyshka Chandran, Resident Advisor
  • Sheila Lim, EDM Identity
  • Ariel King, Pollstar
  • Megan Venzin, DJ Mag

Best talent booker or promoter: Honoring a booker dedicated to diverse, femme, non-binary and LGBTQ+ artists, curating inclusive and groundbreaking lineups

  • Jenn Yacoubian
  • Andrea Graham
  • Britt Van Wouwe
  • The Night League (Leslee Tatman, Jodie Layton, Shirin Saffari, Itziar Gonzalez, Gaby Castro)

Culture shifter: Recognizing an industry leader who has made significant strides in promoting diversity and inclusion within electronic music and beyond

  • Tracey Manner
  • Tay Allen
  • Aluna Francis
  • Madame Gandhi

Manager of the year: Recognizing a manager who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to artist development, advocacy, and career growth

  • Cristiana Votta
  • Sophia Kearney
  • Sophie Kennard
  • Travis Alexander

Theresa Velasquez award for outstanding executive: Theresa Velasquez’s legacy is that of a beloved executive who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to amplify diverse talent. This committee voted category recognizes executives that honor that legacy in their own work.

  • Robby Engle
  • Bina Fronda
  • Rida Naser Greene
  • Alex Simpson


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BTS Invites You Behind the Scenes of Their Massive ‘Return’ in Documentary Sneak Peek

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As of the release of ARIRANG, BTS has finally returned. And in an upcoming Netflix documentary, the band is showing ARMY everything it took to get here.

In a sneak peek for the streamer’s BTS: The Return posted Wednesday (March 25), cameras follow RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook behind the scenes of their cover shoot for ARIRANG. In the final artwork, the septet poses in two rows wearing suits, looking stoically ahead. But the documentary footage shows how much work the seemingly simple shot took, with a team of producers, stylists and creatives milling about around the Bangtan Boys.

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The teaser also shows each of the members sitting down for solo talking-head interviews showcasing their individual personalities. It previews some of the questions asked — Do you feel that you’re trying something completely new? What changed the most for you as an artist? Are you returning with something familiar? — but holds off on showing any of their answers.

“They’re back!” a description of the doc reads. “BTS gathers in LA to record their album ‘Arirang’ in this documentary offering unprecedented access to the band as they enter a new era.”

The sneak peek comes just two days ahead of the Friday (March 27) premiere BTS: The Return on Netflix. The project will drop exactly one week after the release of ARIRANG, which features 14 tracks — including single “Swim” — and marks the band’s first full-length since 2020’s Billboard 200-topper Be.

The group is currently in the midst of promoting ARIRANG with a series of performances that’ll build to a global tour in April. After hosting a huge comeback concert in Seoul, BTS descended on New York City for a Spotify showcase followed by performances at the Guggenheim for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Watch the sneak peek for BTS’ upcoming Netflix doc above.


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USC Settles Sony Lawsuit Over Beyoncé and Harry Styles Songs in Sports Team Social Media Videos

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The University of Southern California (USC) has reached a tentative settlement in Sony Music’s lawsuit alleging its sports teams used hundreds of unlicensed songs by stars like Beyoncé, Harry Styles, Bruno Mars and Travis Scott in Instagram and TikTok hype videos.

A Wednesday (March 25) notice in New York federal court says Sony and USC have agreed to a “settlement in principle” that would end the major label’s copyright infringement claims. They asked a judge to suspend current litigation deadlines so they can finalize and sign the deal, the terms of which have not been disclosed.

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Reps for Sony and USC both declined to comment on the settlement on Thursday (March 26).

Sony sued USC almost exactly a year ago, claiming the school’s various sports social media accounts had posted more than 250 videos featuring more than 170 unlicensed songs owned by the music giant. The list included a slew of No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul,” Harry Styles’ “As It Was,” Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk,” Travis Scott’s “Sicko Mode,” Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” Doja Cat’s “Paint the Town Red” and SZA’s “Kill Bill.”

The lawsuit complained that USC could have afforded to buy synch licenses for these songs, noting that the college sports powerhouse generates more than $200 million in annual revenue. Sony sought the maximum damages of $150,000 per allegedly infringed song, which would total more than $25 million.

In a statement to Billboard at the time, a USC rep said the university “respects the intellectual property rights of others and will respond to these allegations in court.” USC’s pre-settlement court filings focused narrowly on the issue of venue, arguing it was improper for the California-based institution to be sued in New York.

It’s become common practice in recent years for the major record labels to sue owners of corporate social media accounts over music licensing. While platforms like Instagram and TikTok have blanket licenses in place that allow individual users to freely soundtrack their videos from vast libraries of pre-cleared songs, music companies require commercial accounts to purchase synch licenses to use their material.

These lawsuits have roped in such targets as Chili’s, NBA teams and the cookie company Crumbl. The bulk of these cases settle confidentially. Some defendants fight back, though; shoe retailer DSW, for example, recently went on the offensive with a lawsuit of its own, claiming blanket social media licenses should also cover businesses.


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Cardi B Brings ‘Little Miss Drama’ Tour Home to New York City: 6 Best Moments

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Cardi B brought her blockbuster Little Miss Drama tour to her hometown of New York City on Wednesday night (March 25), marking the first of two nights at the iconic Manhattan arena. Naturally, Bardi put on a special show for her city, stacked with special guests, a relentless setlist, and her trademark energy and charisma.

As the lights dimmed over a crowd diligently decked out according to the 35-date trek’s “schoolgirl” dress code, the opening seconds of “Get Up 10” blared through the speakers, setting the stage for an equally celebratory and cinematic night. But this show was deeper than that; last night was also a homecoming moment for one of the most incredible hip-hop come-up stories of the late 2010s. Just under a decade since she exploded onto the scene with “Bodak Yellow,” Cardi returned to the city that gifted her the roots and the tools to become a Grammy-winning rapper who’s also the only female MC to have her first two albums — 2018’s Invasion of Privacy and 2025’s Am I the Drama? — debut atop the Billboard 200.

And those roots were meticulously honored throughout the show. From the Highbridge-indebted grit and bravado that anchored her searing opening run of solo rap anthems, to the Afro-Latin-Caribbean colors and rhythms that grounded the party-rocking third act, nearly every corner of New York City got some love at the Little Miss Drama Tour. She even paid tribute to her strip club days by turning the night’s fifth act into a booty-clapping bonanza, soundtracked by steam cuts like “On Dat Money,” “Thotiana” and, of course, “WAP.”

Drama songs comprised the bulk of the set list, with Invasion of Privacy and her enviable collection of standalone singles and classic guest verses making up the rest. While Megan Thee Stallion was in town for her Moulin Rouge! Broadway stint, the Hot Girl Coach did not pop out for a surprise performance of “WAP” and “Bongos.” Nonetheless, Bardi treated her hometown to Bed-Stuy-bred female rap legend Lil’ Kim and new-school Bronx star Cash Cobain. She also ceded some stage time to Natalie Nunn of Zeus Network’s Baddies franchise — which, in a way, called back to her own pre-“Bodak Yellow” reality TV days.

Here are the seven best moments of the first NYC stop of Cardi B’s Little Miss Drama Tour at Madison Square Garden.


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