Celebrating projects and people shaping the next generation of UK music
Lethal Bizzle, Vick Hope and more gathered for the glittering ceremony at London's Troxy.
On Wednesday 19 October, hundreds of people attended the Youth Music Awards 2022, in association with Hal Leonard Europe.
This year, we asked people to Tune In to new sounds, new opinions and the new future music industries.
The Youth Music Awards celebrates the most forward-thinking projects and people making, learning and earning in music. From artists and entrepreneurs to grassroots projects and young leaders, the event recognises an exciting range of trailblazers from across the scene.
The annual event platforms emerging talent and leaders who might face barriers into the industries because of who they are, where they’re from or what they’re going through. The Youth Music Awards calls for industry-wide collaboration and commitment to equalising access to the music industries for the next generation.
Sponsors this year included Hal Leonard Europe, TikTok, YouTube, Amazon Music, Levi's, Spotify, Dr Martens, Marshall Amps, Capitol Records, The MU, and Ticketmaster.
The ceremony celebrated 12 award winners that included rising musical stars and inspirational leaders enacting change within the music industries.
Celebrating a more diverse future of music
The awards were judged by renowned music industry figures including BRIT-nominated singer-songwriter Mahalia, internationally acclaimed DJ duo BICEP and BBC Radio 1’s Sian Eleri.
Mahalia commented:
“I was so excited to be asked to judge this year’s Youth Music Awards. The awards not only recognise amazing talent across the UK, but also offer an important opportunity for young voices to be heard. I know we’ll be hearing from so many of these winners in the near future.”
Last year’s winners have achieved significant success since, including TEE who won the Lyricist Award and Live Performance Award, and is now part of Little Simz’ touring crew. Likewise, Sans Soucis, winner of Original Track Award (Solo Artist), has recently signed a deal with Decca Records.
Youth Music was honoured to have TEE to open the ceremony this year with two stellar performances.
Youth Music CEO, Matt Griffiths, says: “The Youth Music Awards showcases what can be achieved when we invest in grassroots music nationwide, long-term. We’re thankful to all our award nominees, for making the music industries more diverse, more inclusive and more creative every day. We hope everyone is as inspired as us to take action to equalise young people’s access to music making, learning and earning.”
The awards were hosted by up-and-coming Youth Music NextGen entertainment personalities, Benny Jeee and Nieema Hassan, who not only introduced each award, but tickled guests with their witty jokes, cultural references and easy charisma.
While Benny and Nieema were up on the stage, Youth Music NextGen presenters, Jameel Shariff and Jade Barnett, worked the red carpet, catching up with the VIP guests, award nominees, winners and music industry leaders all in attendance.
And the winners are...
- Original Track Award (Solo) sponsored by TikTok: Amy Da Silva – Think Twice
- Original Track Award (Group) sponsored by Marshall Amplification: Ava in the Dark - Manic
- Rising Star Award (Artist) sponsored by Capitol Records: English Teacher
- Music Producer Award sponsored by Amazon Music: Jessie Marcella
- Young Leader Award sponsored by PPL: Kavyan Hajirostami
- Rising Star Award (Industry) sponsored by Dr. Martens: Lil Trubz
- Outstanding Project Award sponsored by Levi's: Girl Grind UK, SHE DON DID IT
- Lyricist Award sponsored by Spotify: Namugga - Started Off As
- Social Action Award sponsored by Hal Leonard Europe: Pembe Tokluhan
- Inspirational Music Leader Award sponsored by The MU: Raghad Haddad
- Live Performance Award sponsored by Ticketmaster: The Spit Game
- Music Video Award sponsored by YouTube: Oceanside Records - Welcome To Torbay
Prizes
We’ve also received some great prizes donated by our friends in the music and creative industries. These give the winners and shortlisted nominees valuable and inspirational experiences as they progress in music making, learning, and earning. Thank you to:
- East City Management
- Fender
- Focusrite
- inMusic Europe Ltd
- Jonny Lattimer
- Lethal Bizzle and Nadia Khan
- Marshall Amplification
- Music for Youth
- Pirate Studios
- Spotify
As well as TEE's electric ceremony-opening set, Youth Music Awards 2022 guests were dazzled by performances from Youth Music NextGen Fund recipients, Amy Da Silva and Keanan, and all three of the Live Performance Award (sponsored by Ticketmaster) nominees: Penny Blue, Megan Black, and The Spit Game.
Later in the show, winners of this year’s Rising Star Award (sponsored by Capitol Records), the hotly tipped four-piece band from Leeds, English Teacher, played two of their tracks, and viral TikTok sensation Dréya Mac closed the ceremony with such a fantastic performance that she had the crowd up on their feet.
Afterparty time...
Sponsored by Warner Music
Although Dréya Mac's high energy set had come to an end, the fun was not yet over.
Guests continued the night thanks to a DJ set from Jordss, a fast-rising London-based DJ and radio host. Living up to the name that Boiler Room coined for her - 'Queen of RnB edits' - Jordss knew exactly how to play to the crowd and the dancing continued until close.
Tune In to new sounds, new opinions and the new future music industries...
As part of Youth Music NextGen, we hire 18-25 year old creatives to help execute the event, alongside a team of experienced professionals. Their roles include hosting, video editing, production support and more. Youth Music NextGen is our community for young creatives who aspire to build and work in the music industries of the future. It offers access to development, opportunities and even funding for those who face barriers because of who they are, where they’re from or what they’re going through.