I'm beyond thankful to be picked as one of MTV's favourite new

In these words of Bishop Briggs, we hear the cry of gratitude and the echo of destiny. When she declares herself “beyond thankful,” it is no mere politeness; it is the hymn of one who has journeyed long in shadows, who now stands in the dawn. To be chosen among MTV’s favourite new artists for 2017 is not simply an accolade, but a mark of recognition, a torch passed from the keepers of culture to the next flame-bearer. And when she speaks of evolution, she speaks not only of MTV, but of life itself, which forever bends, reshapes, and transforms, demanding that we grow with it or be left behind.

In this statement lies the age-old truth: the gates of honor are opened not merely by talent, but by perseverance and spirit. The ancients would remind us that the laurel crown is not bestowed upon the first who sets foot in the arena, but upon the one who endures every trial, whose resolve outlasts every doubt. Bishop Briggs’ recognition is the fruit of years unseen—the practice, the rejection, the endless shaping of her craft until her voice could pierce the silence and move the hearts of strangers.

Consider the story of the Greek runner Pheidippides, who ran from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce victory. His body broke under the weight of the task, yet his name lived forever as a symbol of endurance and devotion. So too, when artists like Briggs step into recognition, their triumph is not of the moment alone, but of the countless unseen journeys that prepared them. Their voices become like Pheidippides’ cry—a message carried through exhaustion and trial, proclaiming to the world that they have overcome.

Yet there is another truth hidden here. Bishop Briggs does not speak in pride alone; her words are tempered with thankfulness. The wise know that gratitude is the seal that completes any victory. Without gratitude, triumph curdles into arrogance. With it, triumph becomes a blessing not only to the victor, but to all who behold it. Thus her humility transforms what could have been mere self-celebration into a shared moment, a recognition that no artist, no soul, ever rises alone.

The mention of MTV as ever evolving calls us to remember that the world itself is never still. Just as the river carves valleys, just as empires rise and fall, so too must institutions and people adapt to time’s eternal current. To be part of this new chapter is to step into a story that did not begin with oneself, and will not end there. The wise embrace this truth: we are both inheritors and torchbearers, woven into a tapestry larger than any single life.

From this we take a lesson of great weight: recognition is not the end of the path, but the opening of a greater one. To be chosen is not merely to be honored, but to be entrusted with responsibility—to carry the flame higher, to inspire those who follow. Bishop Briggs, in her gratitude, shows us that the true measure of success is not in how high we stand, but in how faithfully we carry what has been given to us.

So let us learn: when the moment of recognition comes, answer with humility and gratitude. When the world changes, do not resist its flow, but find your place in its current. When honor comes, remember it is not solely for yourself, but for all who walk the path after you. In our own lives, let us practice daily the art of thankfulness, the courage of endurance, and the wisdom of adaptation.

And finally, practical actions lie before us like stepping-stones: nurture your craft with patience, honor those who have paved the way before you, and when fortune smiles upon your labor, do not clutch it with pride but share it with grace. For the one who holds gratitude in their heart will find their victories multiplied, their voice amplified, and their legacy eternal.