Tracee Ellis Ross caught up with Billboard's Rania Aniftos at the Billboard Women in Music 2024.
Watch Billboard Women in Music 2024 on Thursday, March 7th at 8 PM ET/ 5 PM PT at https://www.billboard.com/h/women-in-music/
Watch Billboard Women in Music 2024 on Thursday, March 7th at 8 PM ET/ 5 PM PT at https://www.billboard.com/h/women-in-music/
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00:00 We're here with a Billboard Women in Music host, the one and only Tracee Ellis Ross.
00:06 Hello, hello, hello.
00:07 Hello, hello.
00:08 How does it feel to be hosting tonight?
00:10 Oh, I love a little hosting.
00:11 First of all, I love doing anything in celebration of women.
00:14 So, that's what tonight's about, specifically Women in Music.
00:17 I'm here, we're going to celebrate and be of service to that gorgeousness.
00:21 I love that and I mean, of course, just like you said, it's a night dedicated to celebrating women.
00:26 Yeah.
00:27 What does it mean so much to you, especially in today's economy and in today's climate,
00:32 to have a night to celebrate music with you as the host?
00:35 Well, I think in general it's always fun to celebrate music because we all live by it, we love it,
00:41 it's the soundtrack of our lives.
00:44 And then always, as I said, anything to celebrate women, I'm always game.
00:47 And of course, you grew up around the music industry.
00:50 I did, yeah.
00:51 Because the one and only Diana Ross, for those who don't know.
00:53 Yeah, I mean, I was a manager.
00:54 Yeah, I mean, constant music industry.
00:56 Yes, yes, yes.
00:57 How has the industry changed throughout your lifetime in ways that you've noticed the most?
01:01 Honestly, I don't know because I'm not, in terms of the music industry, I can't tell you,
01:05 because I'm not a music artist.
01:07 But I think the world is evolving, I think we've all woken up in many ways,
01:11 but there's always more work to be done.
01:13 I know there's some really interesting Annenberg statistics that I'll actually mention tonight
01:18 in terms of how things have evolved, but there's always room to grow.
01:22 And I think the key, one of the things that I think is really important that we talk about tonight
01:26 is there's so many different roles in music that make music happen.
01:30 Lawyering, touring, publishing, and making sure that people know,
01:35 young people know about those different jobs
01:37 and are encouraging them to move into those kinds of positions too.
01:40 Yeah, and that's what I love about Women in Music,
01:42 because we also have our Producer of the Year Award.
01:44 Because I don't think people realize that behind the scenes is just as crucial
01:49 as on stage and front facing.
01:51 Agreed, because that's how it all happens and that's how the data changes.
01:55 The other thing you guys don't know is I'm a Billboard charted artist.
01:58 No, no, I'm serious!
02:00 Oh my God, don't laugh!
02:02 In 2020, I did a film called The High Note,
02:06 and I went to number 17, number 14 on the contemporary charts.
02:10 Okay, top 15, here she is!
02:12 Oh my gosh, more than I can say, that's for sure, I've never been on a Billboard chart.
02:16 You're like, why won't this lady turn around?
02:18 Because this dress is very revealing.
02:20 But I can confirm that it's gorgeous, just as gorgeous in person as it is on camera.
02:25 And lastly, I gotta ask you, who are you most excited to see perform tonight?
02:29 Oh, well, Carol G.
02:30 Of course.
02:31 I mean, come on, woman of the year.
02:32 She's amazing.
02:33 Yeah, I'm excited to see everybody.
02:34 Ice Spice is here, like there's so many great people.
02:36 Thames, I love her songs, so you know, I'm excited for everybody.
02:40 It's just gonna be a fun, lovely evening.
02:42 Thank you so much, Tracy, I'll let you get in there.
02:44 I know you've got some prep to do.
02:45 Yay!
02:46 Okay, thank you so much.
02:47 [BLANK_AUDIO]