Music's biggest stars turn out to celebrate grassroots trailblazers at Youth Music Awards 2024

18 October 2024 - Press release

 

• Rapper Eve, Rizzle Kicks’ Jordan Stephens and artist of the moment MNEK were in attendance at London’s iconic Troxy to celebrate diverse grassroots music talent from around the UK

• Hundreds of award entries from music’s next generation of talent were judged by a panel of esteemed industry experts, including comedian, journalist and broadcaster Amelia Dimoldenberg, DJ duo BICEP, broadcaster and DJ Gilles Peterson MBE and radio presenter Jess Iszatt

The biggest names in music including ‘Who’s That Girl?’ rapper Eve, Rizzle Kicks’ Jordan Stephens, and Grammy-nominated artist MNEK attended the 2024 Youth Music Awards in association with Hal Leonard Europe at a glittering ceremony at London’s iconic Troxy.  

On collecting the first-ever Grassroots Hero Award, Rizzle Kicks star Jordan Stephens said: “Winning this award means the world to me because I wouldn’t be here without Youth Music and that is not an exaggeration. I am a big supporter of everything they do to encourage creativity. I love them, I’m overwhelmed!”

Actor and rapper Bashy and rapper and singer Avelino took to the stage to present the winners of the Outstanding Project Award sponsored by PPL and Lyricist Award sponsored by PRS for Music, surprising and delighting the young creatives.

Rap collective The Spit Game took home silverware for the second year in a row as they were crowned the winners of the Outstanding Project Award sponsored by PPL.

Guests were treated to performances, made possible by sponsorship from Ticketmaster, from indie-rock singer-songwriter Peri Rae, ambient soul, alt RnB and jazz artist Sarah Isabella and indie-pop artist, producer and songwriter 4 The Brotherhood.

To close the night, R&B singer MORGAN took to the stage to perform songs from her forthcoming project, 'Emotional Gangster', that features D&B and dancehall sounds that showcase her gritty but vulnerable sound, followed by an afterparty sponsored by Pirate.com, with one of the hottest up and coming DJs to keep the good vibes going.

The awards celebrate the trailblazing entrepreneurs, grassroots projects and young leaders from across the scene. In its 25^th year, Youth Music is celebrating the work that has been done to equalise access to making, learning, and earning in music, whilst campaigning for a more diverse and more inclusive industry.

Previous winners include producer Jessie Marcella who has taken the stage at Camden’s legendary venue Roundhouse, musician and visual artist EVA who has performed at Glastonbury twice and indie band English Teacher, who have gone on to be the first non-London based winners of the 2024 Mercury Prize, since their Youth Music Award wins.

A renowned judging panel of music industry figures and Youth Music Ambassadors, including comedian, journalist and broadcaster Amelia Dimoldenberg, DJ duo BICEP, broadcaster and DJ Gilles Peterson MBE and radio presenter Jess Iszatt judged hundreds of entries from across the country to the Youth Music Awards this year.

Gilles Peterson MBE, a Youth Music Awards 2024 judge, said: “Being a judge for the Youth Music Awards was a brilliant experience. Now - perhaps more than ever - we need to shine a light on young artists coming through and redouble our efforts to support their growth and development. Our future depends on it!”

The awards were sponsored by some of the UK’s most prolific music, fashion and culture brands such as Levi’s, AlphaTheta, Rocksteady, PPL, Hal Leonard Europe, Marshall Amplification, LCCM, Songkick, The MU, NOTION and PRS For Music, RSL Awards, Ticketmaster, Live Nation and Yoto.

This year’s award winners include:

Original Track Award (Group) sponsored by Marshall Amplification – Cov x Detroit, Come to This: “Come to This” is a collaboration between artists from Coventry and Detroit as part of the Coventry City of Culture Celebrations. Joe Beesley led the production, with the backing track crafted at Powerhouse Studios in Coventry.

Lyricist Award sponsored by PRS for Music – Noah Bouchard, Dad’s Clothes:  –Welsh hip-hop artist Noah Bouchard’s introspective lyrics focus on tales of vulnerability. His debut album ‘Love Of My Life’ (2024) explores themes of self-acceptance and forgiveness. “Dad’s Clothes” is one of the most personal songs on Noah’s album and details three generations of trauma and the way each processed it.

Outstanding Project Award sponsored by PPL – The Spit Game, Rap Club Productions, C.I.C: The first rap club took place in a detention when teacher Benjamin Turner asked a student “what kind of music do you like?”. Since then, this community - a teacher and his pupils - has grown into a collective of talent spread across London, some signed to record labels, some in non-performing roles, kickstarting careers across music and film, a production house embedded with youth work, running Rap Clubs just like the first one all across London.

Social Action Award sponsored by Hal Leonard Europe – Sanjeev Mann aka Supermann on da beat:  Supermann on da beat is a Scottish Disabled South Asian Music Producer bringing a blend of influences, across genres from hip-hop to metal and pop to create unique tracks without borders. Blending production from rock bands like Nirvana with artists like JID, Lil Peep, XXXTENTACION, Kanye West, Scarlxrd & Nas to bring a fresh perspective to the UK scene.

Music Video Award in partnership with NOTION – Meduulla, Limbo feat. The Mouse Outfit: Hailing from North Manchester, Meduulla is a 23 year old Zimbabwean-born Rapper, poet and DJ. Meduulla marries her modern flows and witty lyrics with jazz inspired hip hop instrumentals to create music that reflects the present day whilst carrying a nostalgic air.

Youth Music CEO, Matt Griffiths, said: “We are always blown away by the unbelievable level of talent on display at the Youth Music Awards, and this year is no exception. It is a privilege to give a platform to celebrate up-and-coming artists and leaders who are all driving forces in equalising access to music.

“Grassroots projects continue to face a major funding crisis, so it is now more important than ever to recognise the opportunities they are providing to marginalised young people, nationwide. Huge congratulations to all of tonight’s winners and nominees.”

On winning the Music Producer Award sponsored by AlphaTheta, bassist, producer and DJ Marla Kether said: “It's pretty surreal. It's really validating to get acknowledgement as a solo artist and as a producer, having been in the session musician game for like, six years now. So definitely means a lot.”

Oliver Winstone, Head of Business Development at Hal Leonard Europe says: “Hal Leonard Europe is proud to be the headline sponsor of the 2024 Youth Music Awards, celebrating the incredible talent and creativity of young musicians across the UK. Congratulations to all the nominees who have demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication to grassroots music scene!

“At a time when the music industry faces many challenges, Youth Music's work in supporting such projects is more vital than ever. We are honoured to support them in their mission to create opportunities for the next generation of artists and help shape the future of music.”

For a full list of winners see notes to editors, and for more information head to https://youthmusic.org.uk/awards