Grassroots trailblazers celebrated at 2025 Youth Music Awards

17 October 2025 - Press release

  

• Grassroots music talent from across the country celebrated at this year’s Youth Music Awards, at Troxy, London 
• Winners include Nottingham’s JayaHadADream, London-based Art Against Knives and Wales’ Rightkeysonly  
• Hundreds of award entries were judged by a panel of industry experts, including singer Tinie Tempah, DJ duo BICEP, MOBO Award-winners ALT BLK ERA, and radio presenters Jess Iszatt and Jodie Bryant 
• Attendees on the night included Dan Smith, Sister Bliss, Sherelle, I.JORDAN and Yomi Adegoke 

 

The UK’s leading grassroots music talent was recognised at the Youth Music Awards 2025, in association with Hal Leonard Europe at London’s iconic Troxy.  

Now in its 6^th year, the awards celebrate the trailblazing entrepreneurs, grassroots projects and yong leaders shaping the scene. Winners were chosen by an esteemed panel of industry experts, including Pass Out singer Tinie Tempah, DJ duo BICEP, MOBO Award-winners ALT BLK ERA, and radio presenters Jess Iszatt and Jodie Bryant.  

Jamaican-Irish rapper JayaHadADream was the night’s biggest winner, taking home both the Rising Star Award (Artist) and Lyricist Award. It’s the latest milestone in a breakout year that has seen her win Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent Competition and light up the stages of major festivals including Reading, Leeds and Boomtown – cementing her status as one of the most exciting voices in UK rap. 

JayaHadADream also treated guests to a mind-blowing performance, alongside fellow award winners Dia Day & Shogun Shato (Original Track Award – Group), Afromerm (Music Producer Award), and Rivkala (Music Video Award). 

The ceremony drew a crowd of music and cultural figures including Bastille frontman Dan Smith, legendary DJ and producer Sister Bliss, internationally renowned DJs Sherelle and I. JORDAN, and author Yomi Adegoke among others. 

Previous Youth Music Award winners English Teacher were crowned winners of this year’s prestigious Grassroots Hero Award, following on from Rizzle Kicks’ Jordan Stephens’ 2024 win. The award recognises their unwavering commitment to highlighting the importance of not just grassroots music venues but the entire grassroots music scene. 

English Teacher said of their win: “We want to say a massive thanks to Youth Music for giving us this award and for supporting us on this weird and wonderful journey. The projects funded by Youth Music, which we’ve been lucky enough to benefit from, need continued funding to carry on their vital work and to keep creating opportunities for young people.” 

This year’s celebration also welcomed back former nominees and performers, including MOBO Award-winning sister rock duo ALT BLK ERA, who returned as judges. Fresh off winning The New Artist trophy at Music Week Women In Music Awards, the pair continue to make waves in the industry.  

Each of the 12 awards were sponsored by some of the UK’s most prolific music, fashion and culture brands, including NOTION, Levi’s, Marshall Amplification, Wingstop, PRS for Music and Pirate. 

  

This year’s award winners include: 

• Grassroots Hero Award sponsored by Levi’s - English Teacher 
• Inspirational Music Leader Award sponsored by the Musicians Union - Charlie Baxter (The Music Works) 
• Outstanding Project Award sponsored by Rocksteady Music School -Soundabout Emerging Leaders, Soundabout 
• Rising Star Award (Industry) supported by the players of People’s Postcode Lottery - Rightkeysonly (Sound Progression and Youth Music Wales) 
• Social Action Award sponsored by Hal Leonard Europe - Art Against Knives, THE LAB 
• Young Leader Award supported by Arts Council England - Miri Layzell (AudioActive) 
• Lyricist Award sponsored by PRS for Music - JayaHadADream (Youth Music NextGen Fund) 
• Music Video Award supported by Notion - Rivkala – Chess (Youth Music Generator Fund) 
• Original Track Award (Group) sponsored by Marshall Amplification - Dia Day & Shogun Shato – Green Tea (Grounded Sounds, Raw Material Music & Media) 
• Original Track Award (Solo) supported by DMS Vinyl - Coupdekat – M.I.A (Youth Music NextGen Fund) 
• Rising Star Award (Artist) supported by Pirate - JayaHadADream (Youth Music NextGen Fund) 
• Music Producer Award in memory of Maxi Jazz, presented by Sister Bliss - Afromerm (Youth Music NextGen Fund) 

 

This year saw the Music Producer Award named in memory of Maxi Jazz, with bandmate Sister Bliss presenting the award on the night. Sister Bliss commented: “I wanted to partner with Youth Music because the work they do, giving young people in challenging circumstances the opportunity to take part in music-making projects is simply invaluable. Music changed our lives, and we were part of a generation lucky enough to have some music provision in schools. 

That has now all but disappeared, remaining only for the privileged few. I wanted the award in Maxi’s name to inspire the next generation and remind us of his legacy. He was an extraordinary ordinary South London boy, and he would absolutely support the belief that access to music education and mentorship is essential for our communities, and for nourishing our connection to each other and to joy itself." 

Alongside the awards, Youth Music is calling on the industry to Rescue the Roots. With 41% of vital grassroots projects at risk of closure, the campaign aims to raise £1 million to protect the youth music scene – with every pound matched by Youth Music. 

Youth Music CEO, Matt Griffiths, said: “The Youth Music Awards is always a powerful reminder of what happens when young people are given the chance to create. The artists and leaders we celebrate tonight are shaping the future of music at its roots. 

At a time when grassroots projects face a major funding crisis, showcasing their impact has never been more vital. The energy, talent and ambition in this room are proof of why these spaces matter. I’d like to extend a huge congratulations to all of tonight’s winners and the incredible artists who were shortlisted.” 

Oliver Winstone, Head of Business Development at Hal Leonard Europe says: “Hal Leonard Europe is proud to continue our partnership with Youth Music for the sixth year running. These Awards are a testament to the extraordinary creativity and resilience of young people across the UK. By supporting grassroots projects and NextGen talent, we’re helping to ensure that the future of music is diverse, inclusive, and thriving. Congratulations to all the incredible winners and nominees.” 

A spokesperson from Wingstop UK, says: “Wingstop UK is proud to partner with Youth Music to support the NextGen Creatives 2025. This partnership is about championing the next wave of young artists - helping them find their sound, their confidence, and their platform. Music continues to be one of the most powerful forces for connection and self-expression, and the work Youth Music does to empower young people through creativity is something we’re genuinely inspired to stand behind.”  

Next year will see the awards move out of London for the first time to the Northwest, where Youth Music has invested over £1.1million in 23 different grassroots music projects over the past year, supporting over 6,000 young people. 

 

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