On Wednesday, January 28th, global music authority Billboard celebrated the Billboard Power 100 Presented by VENU at SBE’s Zouk Los Angeles, leading into music’s biggest night. The annual event honored the most accomplished and notable executives in the music industry and featured appearances by Mariah Carey, Sherry Lansing, Pusha T, Terri Liebler, Clive Davis, and Michelle Anthony, highlighting the 2026 awards presentations. Honorees included Executive of the Decade presented to Jody Gerson, Clive Davis Visionary Award presented to Sharon Osbourne, Disruptor Award presented by VENU to PlaqueBoyMax, No. 1 Award presented to Lucian Grainge, Executive of the Year presented to Janelle Lopez Genzink and Breakthrough Award presented to Alex DePersia.
Mariah Carey presented the first award of the evening – Executive of the Decade – to Jody Gerson. When accepting her award Gerson shared, “I have the best job in the world, working with and supporting some of the greatest artists and songwriters of all time, they have all touched my heart and enriched my soul with their music……In a world so fraught with tension, turmoil and uncertainty, I am proud to be in an industry that brings music to the world and with it hope, unity and healing.”
When presenting Billboard’s Visionary Award to Sharon Osbourne, Clive Davis shared “ This award and the other people who she follows, represents those who fought harder and leave their business different than they found it. Sharon Osbourne has done it all – lovely, unapologetically, and the results speak for themselves…..So tonight it gives me great pride, not just professionally, but personally, to present the Clive Davis Visionary Award to a woman who didn’t just navigate this business, she begged for it.
After taking to the stage to accept her award Osbourne shared thoughts about her career and her late husband Ozzy Osbourne saying “Everything he did, he did his way. He was wild, he was creative and he wrote some of the best melodic melody lines in heavy metal…He was unique.” She continued saying “My vision was always about helping extraordinary, talented people achieve greatness and it’s always been my vision. I was drawn to artists who had that thing, that ‘it’ factor, that you could never bottle, you can’t manufacture it. It’s something that is a God-given gift. There are many, many people in this industry that are so, so talented, but there’s a handful of artists that have greatness. I was always drawn to that, not having an ounce of talent myself.”
“Tonight’s Power 100 event captured the vision, innovation, and leadership driving music forward.” said Dana Droppo, Billboard’s Chief Brand Officer. “These executives are shaping the future of our industry, and we are thrilled to honor the impact they are making on music and culture worldwide.”
Guests were treated with cocktails and tray passed items throughout the evening and enjoyed tunes from DJ Devin Lucien. Sponsors for the event include Cash App, Goldstate, HarbourView Equity Partners and SBE. Billboard’s Power 100 list can be found HERE.
