WME Awards 2025 celebrates women’s power in Brazilian music

WME Awards by Billboard 2025 announces nominees and honors Preta Gil in a night celebrating women’s strength in music.

In its ninth edition, the WME Awards by Billboard revealed the nominees in 17 categories for 2025. The ceremony will take place on December 17 at BTG Pactual Hall in São Paulo, celebrating empowerment and female representation in the Brazilian music scene.

The nominees include renowned artists such as Ivete Sangalo, Ana Castela, Simone Mendes, Liniker, Gaby Amarantos and Marina Sena. The event reinforces its mission to recognize diversity and the creative force of women in music.

Tribute to Preta Gil and a celebration of diversity

This year’s award pays tribute to singer and entrepreneur Preta Gil, an icon of inclusion and representation. Her artistic and personal journey became a manifesto of diversity, transforming her life into a space of expression and belonging for all voices and bodies.

The visual narrative of this edition reflects that energy through a “carnival of colors, encounters and belonging,” highlighting the collective strength of women in music.

Reach and impact of the award

With over 10,000 women nominated, nearly 120 awardees and around 60 exclusive performances since its creation, the WME Awards has become the leading Brazilian award dedicated exclusively to women in the music industry. More than 400 professionals from across Brazil participate in the nomination process each year.

For the second year in a row, the ceremony will be open to the public. Tickets will be available from November 17 through Tickets for Fun, inviting everyone to join this cultural movement that celebrates female talent and strengthens Brazil’s music scene.

Highlights among nominees

In the Singer category, nominees include Luedji Luna, Ana Castela, Rachel Reis, Gaby Amarantos and Simone Mendes. The Mainstream Song category features hits such as “Pé na Rua” (Mari Fernandez), “Olha onde eu tô” (Ana Castela) and “Energia de Gostosa” (Ivete Sangalo).

In Alternative Song, highlights include “Dharma” (AJuliaCosta), “Deus” (Urias and Criolo) and “Despacha” (Melly). The Music Video category features productions by Pepita, Gaby Amarantos, Iza and Carol Biazin.

Other categories honor professionals such as directors, composers, DJs, producers and instrumentalists, reinforcing the diversity of female roles across the music industry.

About WME Awards and Billboard Brasil

The WME (Women’s Music Event) was founded by Claudia Assef and Monique Dardenne in 2016 as a platform for music, technology and business. Beyond the awards, the project promotes conferences, workshops and consulting focused on inclusion and gender equity in the industry, fostering recognition and empowerment for women in all musical fields.

Billboard Brasil is one of the country’s main music and entertainment platforms, connecting artists, brands and audiences through original content and cross-media projects that promote cultural impact and innovation.