Charli XCX paid a touching tribute to the iconic album “The Velvet Underground & Nico,” showcasing her appreciation for music history and its impact on contemporary artists.

Jack Antonoff humorously pointed out to a gathering of music industry professionals that “some of you care more about Pop Crave than Pitchfork,” while Lana Del Rey revealed she initially didn’t submit her music for Grammy nominations simply because she was unaware of the process. Olivia Rodrigo candidly acknowledged producer Dan Nigro as “the person who finally taught me how to parallel park,” and Lainey Wilson shared a heartfelt recount of her journey from a small town in Louisiana, where she began “writing about tequila and cigarettes at 10 years old.” This dialogue unfolded during Variety’s eighth annual Hitmakers Brunch, honoring the creators and industry leaders behind the year’s top 25 songs.

The event, skillfully hosted by Jem Aswad, Variety’s executive editor of music, took place at Nya West in Hollywood and was proudly sponsored by AFEELA, an innovative brand created by Sony Honda Mobility.

Charli XCX, who received the Hitmaker of the Year award, surprised attendees during her acceptance speech by asserting that the definition of a “hit” is subjective. She referenced the groundbreaking 1967 debut album by the legendary Velvet Underground, famously adorned with Andy Warhol’s iconic banana peel cover, as an example of a work that, while it sold only 30,000 copies upon its initial release, continues to exert a profound influence on music and culture.

“This album stands as one of the most influential and innovative records of our era,” she stated passionately. “It represents the pinnacle of fine art and underground culture, where high and low collide, and poetry intertwines with raw experiences.” She also pointed out that Warhol’s cover has been featured in some of the world’s most prestigious art museums, solidifying its status as a cultural artifact.

With a touch of humility, Charli concluded her remarks by humorously noting that while none of her album covers have yet graced the walls of the Guggenheim, Whitney, or Tate, some of her merchandise is available at Urban Outfitters. “I guess that means I’m halfway there,” she quipped, as social media buzzed with reactions to her daring outfit choice, particularly the revealing top.

The brunch was a lively gathering of several hundred music industry professionals, including songwriters, producers, label executives, talent managers, publicists, and lawyers. The atmosphere was vibrant, celebrating a successful year for songwriters and record labels, highlighted by major hits from both established stars and rising artists like Shaboozey and Benson Boone, both of whom received the prestigious Newcomer of the Year award.

Shaboozey sent a pre-recorded message as he was performing as the musical guest on that evening’s episode of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” Reflecting on his humble beginnings as “a young kid from a small town,” he shared how music became a vehicle for his creativity. “To see how far I’ve come is truly humbling. I hope next year is even more exciting,” he expressed enthusiastically.

Benson Boone was present to accept his Newcomer of the Year award, presented by AFEELA, and shared his unique perspective on his journey in the music industry. “I don’t think I’m your average musician. I didn’t grow up immersed in music; I found my voice about five years ago,” Boone told the audience, conveying his excitement about being part of this dynamic and unpredictable industry.

Del Rey presented the Producer of the Decade award to Jack Antonoff, who has been enjoying a successful streak thanks to his collaborations with artists like Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter. She playfully acknowledged Antonoff’s prowess as a producer, songwriter, and artist, teasing that he would likely “be richer than all of us with your 50% on everything,” referencing his successful projects.

Jack Antonoff also had his fair share of playful jabs, including a jest about pursuing legal action against Universal Music, alluding to the recent litigation initiated by Drake regarding the success of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” He expressed his love for Hollywood, humorously noting, “The reason I enjoy it here is that I don’t live here,” and praised Del Rey’s immense talent, saying, “She’s the only person I feel comfortable putting a lot of pressure on.”

On a more sincere note, Antonoff, the frontman of the band Bleachers, spoke about his personal growth both as an individual and an artist, attributing part of it to his marriage with actress Margaret Qualley. He encouraged attendees to reflect on the relationships, both positive and negative, they have in their professional lives. “We create our best work when we are decent to one another,” he emphasized.

Lainey Wilson was honored as Storyteller of the Year, a recognition that has come on the heels of her rising fame, particularly after her role in the hit Taylor Sheridan series “Yellowstone.” The legendary Reba McEntire presented the award to her, praising Wilson by stating, “She doesn’t just sing a song; she lives it,” highlighting her authentic connection to her music.

Wilson expressed how meaningful it was to be recognized for her storytelling abilities. She fondly recalled her childhood days in Baskin, Louisiana, where family members would gather around the dinner table to share stories. “The beauty of storytelling is that it transcends time,” she noted. “Thank you, Jesus, and thank you, Variety,” she concluded gratefully.

Olivia Rodrigo, who was honored as Hitmakers’ Storyteller of the Year last year, praised Dan Nigro, the writer-producer who has played a pivotal role in her development as a songwriter and even as a driver. She described him as an empathetic collaborator who actively listens to her ideas, making suggestions that transform a song from “pretty good to life-changing.”

Nigro expressed his astonishment at how much his career has flourished since being recognized as Hitmakers’ Songwriter of the Year in 2021. “I was so anxious; I had a lot of imposter syndrome,” he admitted while reminiscing about his first experience at Hitmakers. After a fruitful year collaborating with Rodrigo and the rising star Chappell Roan, he reflected, “It’s been a truly incredible journey, and I’m deeply thankful,” he stated.

A particularly emotional highlight of the event was the presentation of the Hitmakers Humanitarian of the Year award to Quavo, recognizing his efforts to combat gun violence following the tragic shooting death of his Migos bandmate Takeoff in 2022.

“Shedding my brother Takeoff was the most devastating moment of my life. I felt lost, unsure of where to turn, and questioned if I still wanted to pursue music,” Quavo shared with the audience, conveying the depth of his grief.

He revealed that channeling his energy into anti-violence initiatives through his Rocket Foundation and other platforms has provided him with a renewed sense of purpose. Quavo dedicated the Hitmakers honor to “everyone fighting for change and striving for my brother Takeoff, who inspires me every day,” he affirmed passionately.

Republic Records was once again recognized as Label of the Year, a remarkable achievement as they have won this accolade five times in the last eight years. Label co-founder Avery Lipman acknowledged key Republic executives Wendy Goldstein, Alex Coslov, and Jackie Winkler on stage, highlighting that these executives are typically more accustomed to watching their artists—such as Taylor Swift, Post Malone, Ariana Grande, Drake, and The Weeknd—receive accolades.

“You will not find a more self-critical group than the people who work at Republic,” Lipman quipped. “The blessing and the curse of Republic is that we are never satisfied. We are always looking forward, striving for greatness.”

Lipman noted that as Republic’s global influence within Universal Music Group has evolved to include the Republic Corps Collective, which now encompasses the Mercury, Island, and Def Jam labels, the core principles remain unchanged: “We respect our artists, revere their contributions, and most importantly, we love them. They do more than create great music; they are genuinely helping to make the world a better place,” he concluded.

Tom Corson and Aaron Bay-Schuck, leaders at Warner Music, were honored as Executives of the Year, celebrated for their remarkable turnaround of the renowned label.

“I strive to be more of a coach than a boss. I view feedback as a gift,” Corson shared, explaining the culture fostered at Warner Music. “Communicating with empathy helps us navigate through challenging times.”

Bay-Schuck added that the label’s resurgence began when they “committed ourselves to artist development.” On a personal note, he mentioned that the improving fortunes of the label coincided with the birth of his son, which made “the good days even sweeter and the tough ones more bearable.”

The event also showcased the upcoming Amazon Prime Video series “Celebrity Substitute,” which aims to bring celebrities into public elementary schools to collaborate with students for a day. Hosted by Julian Shapiro-Barnum, the series highlights the Amazon Wish List feature for schools, making it easier for parents and charities to support schools’ specific needs. Notable guest stars include Cynthia Erivo, known for her role in “Wicked.”

“This show is a celebration of teachers, the incredible talents of our celebrity friends, Julian’s remarkable ability to connect with kids, and the pure joy of creativity in the classroom,” stated Amy Powell, Amazon’s global head of entertainment marketing, highlighting the positive impact of the series.

Wells Fargo served as a premier partner for the Hitmakers event, while Spotify acted as an official partner. Additionally, Amazon Music, Atlantic Records, BMG, Meta, Riot Games, Sandbox Entertainment, Sony Music Publishing, Warner Music Group, and Warner Records were all contributing partners.