The inaugural Power Players ceremony took place on September 15, with Aya Nakamura being named Billboard France’s Artist-Entrepreneur of the Year at Salle Cortot in Paris. RnBoi, the first artist signed to her firm, Nakamura Industrie, was the one who presented her with the award.
The Award and the Artist Behind It
The distinction recognizes both Nakamura’s artistic career and the growth of her work as a business owner. The ceremony was hosted by Julie Gayet and organized in partnership with AEG Presents France, Amazon Music, AXS, Bpifrance, Bolero and Sacem. It brought together 400 industry professionals, and a cocktail followed the event, presented by AXS and Moët-Hennessy.
The award centers on Nakamura’s climb from performer to business leader, a journey she has carried out by building her own infrastructure through Nakamura Industrie, which distributes her work independently even as she keeps ties with Warner Music France.
Destinée and the Year of Growth
Last November, Nakamura put out Destinée, her fifth studio album, which also marked the first time she released music through her own label. In France, the record has earned a platinum certification from the SNEP.
The album’s cycle continued into 2026 with the reissue Destinée Supremacy, which included the single “Sexy Nana,” a collaboration with La Rvfleuze. That track is certified diamond in France.
That year saw three shows held back to back at the Stade de France, taking place on May 29, 30, and 31. Combined, the three performances attracted a crowd of over 200,000 people.
RnBoi’s Role and His Own Numbers
The award was handed to Nakamura on stage by RnBoi, the first act signed to Nakamura Industrie’s division focused on developing new talent. RnBoi also enjoyed a standout year in 2026.
My Eyes Only — Flashback marked his debut, and it went platinum in France. Three tracks on the record were singled out for a higher honour: they each hold diamond certification. They are “Avec Moi”, which features Nono La Grinta, along with “Elle Voulait” and “Mon Bébé.”
Nakamura’s Reflection on Authenticity
On the stage of Salle Cortot, Nakamura reflected on how far she has come. “When I started in music, I had no idea of the influence of my authenticity,” she said. “Today, here I am, happy to bring so much hope to certain people who watch us and tell themselves, ‘I can make it too.'”
Billboard launched a format called The Power Players, which has since been adapted for France. That adaptation, now active in multiple international markets, is designed to highlight the most influential people working in France’s music business.
The Shape of Her Business
The way Nakamura moved from putting out her own records to running her own label mirrors a wider change across the industry. Musicians are no longer just performers; they are now also building entire businesses around their output.
This shift can be seen in the very design of Power Players, which recognizes the business side of creativity right alongside the artistic one.
“When I started in music, I had no idea of the influence of my authenticity. Today, here I am, happy to bring so much hope to certain people who watch us and tell themselves, ‘I can make it too.'”
The ceremony at Salle Cortot marked the start of the Power Players in France. The format will continue to measure the industry’s most influential figures, and Nakamura’s first win sets a standard for those who follow.
Source material: “Aya Nakamura Honored at the First Edition of Billboard France’s Power Players,” Billboard.
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