JayaHadADream and English Teacher lead winners at Youth Music Awards
The charity held their annual awards ceremony in London on Wednesday evening.
By Nick Reilly
The Youth Music Awards took place earlier this week, with major wins for JayaHadADream and English Teacher.
The charity, which plays a key role in helping young people change their lives through music and start career, held their annual awards bash at The Troxy in East London.
Winners were chosen by a panel of industry experts including broadcasters, journalists and even musicians such as Tinie Tempah.
Cambridge based rapper JayaHadADream was the night’s biggest winner as she took home the Rising Star Award (Artist) and Lyricist Award. The musician previously won Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent Competition in 2024.
And though unable to accept in person, last year’s Mercury Prize winners English Teacher were named as recipients of this year’s Grassroots Hero Award.
“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 band said. 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.”
The Music Producer Award was also named in memory of Maxi Jazz, with the late musician’s bandmate Sister Bliss presenting the award to Afromerm.
There was also increased awareness on Youth Music’s Rescue The Roots campaign. Some 41 per cent of grassroots are at risk of closure, the charity says, so the campaign aims to raise £1 million to protect the scene – with every pound matched by the charity.
Youth Music CEO, Matt Griffiths, who announced he is stepping down, 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.”
This year’s award winners are:
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)