The iconic and lovely Lana Del Rey received the Visionary Award at the Billboards Women in Music event. The award show highlighted Del Rey’s achievements and growth as an artist, showcasing previous eras in her work and how she has paved the way for so many other artists. Del Rey received her award from pop star, Olivia Rodrigo. Rodrigo highlighted the influence Del Rey has had on this generation and pop culture overall.  

In my opinion, Del Rey is the best singer and songwriter on the planet. Nothing compares to her lyricism and her poetry. However, the majority of the media and people take her sadness out of context and do not give her the real recognition she deserves.   

Del Rey has caused a paradigm shift in pop music and completely redirected the genre of pop and forged it with her influence. Her music inspires emotion and gives this nostalgic, yet timeless cinematic feel. She brings power and beauty into vulnerability, capturing sadness and sensuality into her writing, she truly is like no other.  The songwriter has remained true to her artistry throughout her 14 years in the music industry.  

While Del Rey is known for her bold melancholy sound and persona, she gave fans a warm and emotional message while receiving her award.   

“I don’t exactly have a long-term vision at all, but if you were curious, I am very very happy,” Del Ray said. “When I released my first album 14 years ago, the waters were not quite as warm. So, I’m really really happy for everyone who feels like it’s a wonderful time in the culture to be themselves and express themselves. It didn’t feel that way in 2008.”   

Now, having been a fan since 2015 and seeing her progress through her music and her own identity is something so amazing to witness. It makes me ecstatic to see people finally giving her the recognition she has been robbed of for so long.   

Something about knowing that other fellow artists in the industry tune in, understand and enjoy Del Ray’s music almost invokes a sense of pride.   

Del Rey will forever be my “Living Legend” and she will always be known as an icon. Witnessing current artists run with the torch that Del Rey once lit and began to walk with, gives me comfort with songwriting and storytelling for music in the future.   

Marco Hinojosa is the audience and engagement editor and can be reached at [email protected].