Draft:Youth Music Awards

• Comment: Almost entirely supported by primary sources (mainly the charity's own website). The closest thing to significant coverage in a secondary source is the Mixmag piece, but it alone is nowhere near enough to satisfy WP:GNG. DoubleGrazing (talk) 13:48, 2 June 2025 (UTC)

---

The Youth Music Awards are an annual event organized by the charity Youth Music to celebrate young musicians and leaders involved in Youth Music-funded projects. Held at The Troxy in London, the awards aim to promote diversity and inclusivity in the music industry by recognizing the achievements of young people from diverse backgrounds. The awards were first held in October 2019 and have been presented annually since, with the 2025 edition marking the seventh year of the event.

History

The Youth Music Awards were established in 2019 by Youth Music, a UK-based charity that supports music-making projects for young people. The awards were created to highlight the talent and leadership of young musicians, producers, and leaders who have participated in Youth Music-funded initiatives. The inaugural event took place in October 2019 at The Troxy, a historic venue in London, and has since become an annual celebration of young talent in the music industry.

The awards have been held every year since their inception, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the 2020 and 2021 events were adapted to virtual and hybrid formats. As of 2025, the awards are in their seventh year, with the 2025 edition scheduled to take place later in the year.

Categories

The Youth Music Awards feature a range of categories that recognize various aspects of music-making, leadership, and community impact. As of the 2025 edition, there are 11 categories:

• Inspirational Music Leader Award: For music leaders aged 25 and over who inspire young people through their creativity and leadership.
• Young Leader Award: Recognizes young people who demonstrate exceptional leadership skills in music projects.
• Outstanding Project Award: Celebrates Youth Music-funded projects that promote inclusive music-making.
• Social Action Award: For individuals or groups using music to address social justice or community issues.
• Rising Star Award (Artist): Spotlights emerging musical artists or groups.
• Rising Star Award (Industry): Recognizes young people excelling in behind-the-scenes roles in the music industry.
• Original Track Award (Solo): For solo artists who have written and recorded an original track.
• Original Track Award (Group): For groups who have created an original track.
• Music Producer Award: Recognizes creativity in music production.
• Music Video Award: For outstanding music videos created by or featuring young musicians.
• Live Performance Award: Celebrates exceptional live performances by young artists.
• Lyricist Award: Recognizes impactful and compelling lyrics in a song.

Categories have evolved over the years, with past editions including awards such as the Entrepreneur Award in 2021.

Selection Process

Nominations for the Youth Music Awards are open to individuals who have participated in a Youth Music-funded project or received support from the NextGen Fund within the past five years. Entrants can nominate themselves or others, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. Submissions are made through the Award Force platform, and a panel of music industry professionals judges the entries.

The judging panel typically includes notable figures from the music industry, such as musicians, producers, and executives. Past judges have included Fleur East, Joy Crookes, and members of the electronic duo Bicep.

Notable Winners and Nominees

The Youth Music Awards have recognized a diverse range of talent, with several winners going on to achieve significant success in the music industry. Notable winners include:

• English Teacher: A Leeds-based indie band that won the Rising Star Award (Artist) in 2022. The band later won the 2024 Mercury Prize for their debut album This Could Be Texas.
• EVA: A Brighton-based musician who won three awards in 2023: Rising Star Award (Artist), Music Video Award, and Live Performance Award. EVA has since performed at major festivals and received support from artists like Fatboy Slim.
• James Jones: Winner of the Music Producer Award in 2023 for his jazz-infused track "Coconut Beach," presented by Bicep.
• Ni Maxine: Winner of the Original Track Award (Solo) in 2023 for her song "Strange Love," which explores themes of self-love and identity.
• David Coke: Winner of the Young Leader Award in 2023 for his work with Heart n Soul, a creative arts charity supporting people with learning disabilities.

Notable nominees include:

• Beacons Cymru: Nominated for the Outstanding Project Award in 2023 for their work on the Forté Project, a Wales-wide music development initiative.
• AutismAble and Future Collaborations: Winners of the Outstanding Project Award in 2023 for their inclusive music-making project uniting neurodivergent and neurotypical young people.

Impact

The Youth Music Awards have had a significant impact on the careers of many winners and nominees, serving as a launchpad for further success in the music industry. For example, English Teacher’s win in 2022 led to a major label deal and performances at prominent festivals, while Sans Soucis, a 2021 winner, signed with Decca Records and performed at South by Southwest (SXSW).

Beyond individual careers, the awards also highlight the importance of community and social action in music. Projects like AutismAble’s Future Collaborations, which won the Outstanding Project Award in 2023, have made significant contributions to inclusivity by providing music-making opportunities for neurodivergent youth and enhancing accessibility in the industry.

The awards are supported by various sponsors, including Hal Leonard Europe, Amazon Music, YouTube, and Levi's, which provide financial and promotional backing to the event.