Stars including Vick Hope, award winning UK rap icon Lethal Bizzle and Dréya Mac, one of Vogue UK’s Musicians To Rule 2022, attended a glittering ceremony for the Youth Music Awards.
The annual event celebrates a more diverse future of music, platforming 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. With sponsors including TikTok, YouTube, Amazon Music and Dr Martens, the event called for industry-wide collaboration and commitment to equalising access to the music industries for the next generation.
Guests celebrated 12 Award winners, judged by renowned music industry figures including BRIT-nominated singer-songwriter Mahalia, internationally acclaimed DJ duo BICEP and BBC Radio 1’s Sian Eleri. The Spit Game, who took home the Live Performance award were given another surprise on the night, as Lethal Bizzle made a special guest appearance and took to the stage to present them with their award.
Performances included winners of this year’s Rising Star Award (sponsored by Capitol Records), hotly tipped four-piece band from Leeds, English Teacher and viral TikTok sensation Dréya Mac, who closed the ceremony with an electric performance.
Youth Music Awards 2022 Judge 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.”
Youth Music Awards 2022 Judge, Jordan Stephens said: “Youth Music has meant so much to my career. Mine and Harley’s first time ever performing as Rizzle Kicks was as a result of an opportunity through Youth Music, who have been so supportive of us. I think it’s unbelievably important for us to invest in grassroots organisations and most importantly I want to congratulate every young person and leader at the awards.”
Youth Music is the UK’s leading young people’s music charity, championing equal access music for more than two decades.
Award winners included:
· The Spit Game, Live Performance Award winners, who are a collective of young creatives representing young black London cultures. The Spit Game includes rappers, singers, producers, videographers, designers and DJs. The award was presented to them on the night by special guest presenter and UK rap icon, Lethal Bizzle.
· Pembe Tokluhan, Social Action Award winner, who turned her life around to help women, trans and non-binary individuals achieve gender equality in the backstage music industries. Pembe recently completed a European tour with Nile Rodgers.
· Amy Da Silva, Original Track Award (Solo) winner, who created ‘Think Twice’ whilst in song-writing workshops helping young black artists explore their heritage. Amy has Portuguese heritage and wrote parts of the track in Portuguese. The song inspired her to write more and pursue a career in music.
· Kavyan Hajirostami, Young Leader Award winner, who arrived in the UK to seek asylum as a child a few years ago, after being forced to leave his home and family and take on the perilous journey to safety alone. Kavyan uses his talent as an Iranian daf player to inspire other musicians to learn about Iranian instruments.
· Girl Grind UK, SHE DON DID IT, Outstanding Project Award winner, pushing for equality and visibility of Black and Asian women, girls and non-binary people in the West Midlands music scene.
· Oceanside Records - Welcome to Torbay, Music Video Award winner, voted by the public. Frustrated with lack of local opportunities, the collective came together to create a track that challenges stereotypes of young people in ‘The Bay’, and their feelings of isolation and not being listened to.
Last year’s winners have achieved significant success since, including TEE who won the Lyricist Award 2021 and is now part of Little Simz’ touring crew and Sans Soucis, winner of Original Track Award (Solo Artist) 2021, who recently signed a deal with Decca Records.
Youth Music CEO, Matt Griffiths, said: “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.”
Tom Venvell, Managing Director, UK and Germany, Hal Leonard Europe commented: “We are delighted to continue our important partnership with Youth Music, and proud to sponsor this year’s Awards once again. Through our association with Youth Music, we hope to enable more young people up and down the country to tune in to the joy of music.”
