The disco and soul legend, Nile Rodgers has been named this year’s Global Icon by Rolling Stone UK ahead of their 2024 Awards. The Rolling Stone UK Awards will see its second annual ceremony take place at London’s Roundhouse on November 28, where Rodgers is said to be present to receive one of the most prestigious awards of the night.
It’s our great pleasure to announce the winner of The Global Icon Award, supported by Visit West Hollywood: Nile Rodgers. https://t.co/WLxzdVusA7
— Rolling Stone UK (@RollingStoneUK) November 22, 2024
The announcement of Rodgers as the well-deserved recipient of the award came soon after Rolling Stone UK revealed this year’s shortlisted nominees for other major categories including: The Breakthrough Award, The Artist Award, The Album Award and the Song of the Year Award.
The Global Icon Award is selected with support from Visit West Hollywood, which awarded the same title to heavy metal icon, Ozzy Osbourne last year.
This year’s recipient of the Global Icon Award, Nile Rodgers has an impressive and legendary career spanning over five decades. As co-founder of the prominent disco band, Chic, known from their timeless tracks from the 1970s, ‘Le Freak’, ‘Good Times’ and ‘Everybody Dance’, Rodgers has had a pivotal presence in the creation of the industry’s most influential tracks.
Rodgers has experimented beyond the genres of disco, funk and soul within his expansive discography. He has become well-immersed in R&B, rock, pop, dance and electronic dance during his time in the industry.
The now-72-year-old songwriter and producer couldn’t have been more deserving of the Global Icon Award having sold more than 500 million albums and 75 million singles worldwide. These very impressive figures have established Rodgers as one of the industry’s greats. He has had a substantial influence in the industry, while being a figurehead of funk, he has also served significant contributions as producer to pop culture’s most memorable hits.
One of Madonna’s most popular tracks, which has sold more than 22 million copies worldwide, ‘Like A Virgin’ was produced by Rodgers in 1984, who at first, was against producing the song over dislike of its hook, came to like the track after admitting the song had got stuck in his head during the time of its recording.
Along with ‘Like A Virgin’, Rodgers has produced: David Bowie’s 1983 hit ‘Let’s Dance’ part of Bowie’s album of the same name which sold 10.7 million copies worldwide; Diana Ross’ most listened to tracks ‘I’m Coming Out’ and ‘Upside Down’; Sister Sledge’s ‘We Are Family’ and Daft Punk’s ‘Get Lucky’ from 2013, which features vocal contributions from Pharrell Williams. The track of which spent four weeks on the UK’s Official Singles Chart, which became the second best-selling single of 2013 and Rodger’s first-ever UK million seller.
Rodgers has been an innovative pioneer to the music industry for over 50 years, following popular trends whilst honing his craft as an influential figure in funk and soul. The now-awarded Global Icon doesn’t seem any closer to putting away his Fender Stratocaster, as the icon is currently touring as part of his ‘Nile Rodgers & Chic’ ensemble performing across the UK, South America and Europe during the rest of 2024 and 2025.
