Tones & ITones & I (real name Toni Watson) is the latest artist to join APRA AMCOS' The 1,000,000,000 List.
Watson has been honoured for having hit one billion streams across all platforms with her mega-hit Dance Monkey. The track achieved the milestone faster than any other honoured so far, hitting one billion streams back in November following its May release.
The track, which broke the record for most weeks at #1 on the ARIA Charts, is now on its way to two billion streams across all platforms and has already reached one billion solely on Spotify.
“It was only when I wasn't trying at all that it happened, and I wrote this song in about a half an hour,” said Watson when presented with the award.
“The reason for this award is to signal the importance of the songwriter, who is sometimes behind-the-scenes," said APRA AMCOS Chief Executive Dean Ormston.
"Tones' talent is incredible: she's the artist and the person behind-the-scenes with a song she wrote one hundred percent herself. Her career is just beginning."
"We are experiencing something very special here with Tones And I and I would like to thank Tones, Regan, Jackson and David for trusting Kobalt as their publishing partner for Australia and New Zealand," added Kobalt Music Group APAC Managing Director Simon Moor.
"One billion streams is an incredible milestone to stop and reflect on, but it won't be too long before ‘Dance Monkey’ reaches two billion, and there are many more great songs to follow from this truly unique and talented artist and songwriter."
Watson joins the list that already boasts acts like Troye Sivan (Youth), Flume (Never Be Like You), Dean Lewis (Be Alright), Starley (Call On Me) and more. She's currently on tour with Laneway Festival, head to theGuide for all the info.
