Billboard and VENU Celebrate Khalid's Trailblazing Impact with Inaugural 'Disruptor Award' at Live Music Summit in Los Angeles
Venu Holding Corporation ("VENU" or the "Company") (NYSE:VENU), the visionary owner, operator and builder of upscale live music venues and premium hospitality destinations, and Billboard, the global authority in music, has announced that GRAMMY-nominated, Billboard Hot 100-topping singer-songwriter, Khalid, has been awarded Billboard's inaugural ‘Disruptor Award' presented by VENU. Known for his genre fluidity and hits like ‘Young Dumb & Broke', ‘Location', and ‘Better', Khalid was honored with the newly minted award at Billboard's Live Music Summit by VENU's Founder, Chairman, and CEO, J.W. Roth at a grand award ceremony the evening of November 3rd, 2025, in Los Angeles, CA.
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Khalid receives the Billboard Disruptor Award, presented by VENU, at the Billboard Live Music Summit in Los Angeles. (Photo: Rashida Zagon)
The Billboard Disruptor Award, powered by VENU, recognizes artists and visionaries breaking molds and moving the music industry forward. It honors those bold enough to take risks and defy expectations, whose fearless creativity continues to push the music industry forward. As VENU redefines the live entertainment experience, creating destinations rooted in premium, fan-first design, the award pays tribute to those who dare to think differently and challenge the norm. It stands as a reflection of Founder J.W. Roth's bold vision to transform live entertainment for both fans and artists, the guiding force behind VENU's mission.
"Khalid isn't just an artist. He's an architect of what music can be when you ignore boundaries. He moves effortlessly between sounds, styles, and collaborations, creating something that is entirely his own," said J.W. Roth, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of VENU. "That kind of fearless creativity is what drives Khalid and VENU, where we believe that artists deserve a platform instead of just a stage and that fans should be part of the journey from the start. That's what the Disruptor Award is about: the courage to reimagine what's possible. Khalid embodies that vision, and VENU is proud to celebrate him as we reshape the future of live entertainment together."
Khalid recently releases his fourth studio album titled "after the sun goes down" through RCA Records on October 10th of this year. The singer-songwriter rose to fame when he was 17 and has multiple songs in Spotify's Billions Club. His ability to adapt to different sounds and genres has landed him on a diverse number of Billboard charts across Adult Contemporary, Latin, Rock & Alternative, Rap, and Dance and his collaborations with global stars like Ed Sheeran, Marshmello, Halsey, and Billie Eilish further showcase his creative versatility.
The Billboard Disruptor Award, presented by VENU, builds on a series of strategic collaborations with major brands that share VENU's fan-founded, fan-owned, and artist-inspired vision. Among these are partnerships with NFL Hall of Famer and EIGHT Beer Founder, Troy Aikman, Aramark Sports + Entertainment, Ford Dealerships, Boingo, Tixr, Ryan LLC, Primary Wave, and recent announced VENU shareholder, Dierks Bentley.
About Venu Holding Corporation
Venu Holding Corporation ("VENU") (NYSE:VENU), is a premier owner, developer, and operator of luxury, experience-driven entertainment destinations. Founded by Colorado Springs entrepreneur J.W. Roth, VENU has a portfolio of premium brands that includes Ford Amphitheater, Sunset Amphitheaters, Phil Long Music Hall, The Hall at Bourbon Brothers, Bourbon Brothers Smokehouse and Tavern, Aikman Owners Clubs, and Roth's Sea & Steak. With venues operating and in development across Colorado, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Texas and a nationwide expansion underway, VENU is setting a new standard for live entertainment.
VENU has been recognized nationally by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Billboard, VenuesNow, and Variety for its innovative and disruptive approach to live entertainment. Through strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as AEG Presents, NFL Hall of Famer and Founder of EIGHT Elite Light Beer, Troy Aikman, Aramark Sports + Entertainment, Tixr, and Dierks Bentley. VENU continues to shape the future of the entertainment landscape. For more information, visit VENU's website, Instagram, LinkedIn, or X.
About Billboard
Billboard is the ultimate barometer of success in music. Through its iconic charts, breaking news, multi-platform storytelling and world class events, Billboard tracks the world's top musicians and the business that powers them. Since its origin in 1894, music leaders and fans across the world look to Billboard as the most trusted source for music information, spanning more than a dozen countries and published in over 10 languages. The Billboard Music Awards and Billboard Latin Music Awards are the only awards ceremonies that recognizes musicians for their undeniable achievements on the Billboard charts, using pure data to determine finalists and winners, rather than relying on opaque committees or anonymous voters. Billboard's other premium experiences range from the Billboard Power 100 to Billboard Women in Music, Billboard Latin Music Week, and Billboard Live, which connects the most impactful artists and industry leaders with fans from all corners of the globe.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While Venu believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in the company's filings with the SEC, not limited to Risk Factors relating to its business contained therein. Thus, actual results could be materially different. Venu expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
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VENU Media and Investor Relations
Chloe Polhamus, [email protected]