The biggest night in grassroots music delivers again! 

On 28 October, we recognised the UK's leading grassroots music talent at the Youth Music Awards 2026 in association with Wingstop. In the Awards' landmark debut year outside of London, Liverpool's St George's Hall hosted a historic night celebrating the artists, innovators and projects that continue to shape the future of British music.

The move to Liverpool, a UNESCO City of Music, marked a defining moment for the Awards and the wider grassroots sector. With 86% of Youth Music funding supporting organisations outside the capital, bringing the ceremony to Liverpool addresses the growing demand across the North, where waiting lists for funded projects stand 20% higher than in the South.

What happened on the night

Hosted by Crystal Raybe and Success Ariyibi, the ceremony opened with a video from Liverpudlian rapper KOJ and his phenomenally moving track 'Humble Abode', written and recorded exclusively to open the Awards. A rallying cry for better grassroots music support in the industry, it set the tone for the evening ahead, before KOJ arrived on stage to perform 'A Roadman's Tale of Home' and 'Punk Panther' live.

Our CEO Adam Joolia then highlighted the vital role grassroots music plays in giving young people confidence, opportunity, connection and pathways. With more than a third of grassroots youth music projects still at risk, he called for greater investment and collaboration between government and industry to ensure every young person, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to realise their potential through music.

The evening also featured live performances from nominees Roukaya B, Cherry Seraph, Righteous Reck, Livvy K and IMVN, with BEASTIE closing out the night with 'Pilot'. Winners were chosen by a panel of judges including Myles Smith, BICEP, Sister Bliss of Faithless, ALT BLK ERA, Jess Iszatt and Jodie Bryant.

The Winners

Congratulations to all this year's winners!

Rising Star Award (Industry) sponsored By Kickers: Rianne Lewis

Rianne Lewis is a music entrepreneur, producer and founder of RUN IT, a platform creating opportunities for emerging artists through live events, mentoring and industry partnerships. Over the past 8 years, she has delivered more than 50 events across the UK and internationally, supported over 500 young creatives, and built partnerships with organisations including Red Bull, BBC Radio and PRS Foundation.

Inspirational Music Leader sponsored By the MU: Abi Johnson

Abi Johnson is a music leader and sound engineer at The Music Works, where she became the organisation’s first female Black engineer. Starting as a volunteer, she now supports young peoplethrough music projects, 1:1 mentoring, disability programmes and school partnerships. Alongside her work with young people, Abi has helped drive racial equity work across the organisation, using music to create inclusive spaces where young people feel seen, supported and able to thrive.

Young Leader Award sponsored By AQA: Ria Leah (The Spit Game UK - London)

Ria Leah is a cultural leader, creative producer and youth practitioner whose work spans music, film and education. A core leader within Rap Club Productions and The Spit Game, she creates spaces where young people, particularly young women, can develop their creativity, confidence and leadership. From leading school rap programmes to speaking in policy and industry spaces, Ria bridges grassroots youth work and the professional creative industries, helping shape a more inclusive future for young artists.

Original Track Award (Group) supported by Arts Council England: TRXTH & RHIA 

Trxth & RHIA are rising South London artists who first connected through Bollo Studios, collaborating on music that blends personal storytelling with contemporary R&B, soul and rap. RHIA combines influences from R&B, hip-hop and jazz to create a distinctive sound, while Youth Music NextGen Fund recipient Trxth brings honest, reflective lyricism rooted in lived experience. Their track “Stay Alive” pairs an uplifting, memorable hook with a powerful message of resilience, connection and hope.

Lyricist Award sponsored by PRS for Music: KOJ

KOJ is a Liverpool rapper whose powerful blend of grime, rap and punk has made him one of the city’s most exciting emerging voices. Known for his raw storytelling, social commentary and emotionally honest lyricism, he creates music that speaks to the realities of modern Britain. Supported by BBC Radio 1Xtra, Spotify, Apple Music and major music publications, KOJ’s acclaimed debut EP ‘Villain With A Conscience’ established him as an artist unafraid to challenge, connect and inspire through his music.

Music Video Award supported By Notion: Hillarynx

Hillarynx is a South London singer-songwriter whose music blends jazz, soul and deeply personal storytelling. Rooted in Black feminist thought, she creates work that explores grief, identity and resilience with honesty and emotional depth. Supported by BBC Three, Rinse FM and Jazz FM, she has performed at venues including the Southbank Centre and Jazz Cafe. Her video for “The 3rd” was a community-led project inspired by lived experience, raising powerful conversations around loss, disability, culture and affirming life.

Music Producer Award supported by Elephant Music: IMVN 

IMVN is a London-based artist, producer and violinist creating genre-blurring electronic music that explores identity, transformation and self-discovery. Combining striking visual storytelling with experimental sound, her work has earned support from BBC Introducing, COLORS and Mixmag. The video for “Skin”, co-directed while touring with FKA twigs, draws on contemporary dance, queer identity and themes of resilience. Created with an all queer, women and people of colour creative team, it showcases IMVN’s bold artistic vision and collaborative spirit.

Outstanding Project Award sponsored by Rocksteady: Conscious Youth CIC, Elevation Music

Elevation Music by Conscious Youth C.I.C is a youth-led music programme created in response to what young people in Kirklees said was missing from their local music scene. Delivered byConscious Youth C.I.C through HD Sounds, it gives 16 to 25-year-olds access to songwriting, production, recording, live performance and music industry skills. Young people have created a community EP with more than 54,000 streams, performed at major events and gained access to professional studios and industry networks. More than a programme, Elevation Music is creating lasting pathways into music for young people who have traditionally faced barriers to opportunity.traditionally faced barriers to opportunity.

Original Track Award (Solo) sponsored by Skiddle: BEASTIE 

BEASTIE is a London-based artist, producer and vocalist who writes, produces and engineers his own music. “Pilot” is a hypnotic blend of African disco influences, psychedelic production and alternative R&B, capturing the thrill of letting go and living in the moment, pairing lush, immersive soundscapes with effortlessly flowing vocals. Inspired by the idea of a “rave in the jungle”, the song balances freedom and escapism with emotional depth.

Social Action Award sponsored by Hal Leonard, A Muse Group Company: TiPP

TiPP’s Rhythm and Renewal project uses music and the arts to support young people involved in the youth justice system, creating opportunities for self-expression, skill development and positive change. Working across the North West, the project provides high-quality creative programmes that help young people build confidence, strengthen relationships and explore new futures. Through music-making, mentoring and accredited qualifications, Rhythm and Renewal challenges barriers to participation and creates meaningful pathways into education, employment and the arts, showing how creativity can be a powerful force for social justice and lasting change.

Rising Star Award (Artist) sponsored By Empire: Righteous Reck

Righteous Reck is an artist, producer and creative facilitator whose work bridges music, education and community. After teaching himself music production as a teenager, he built an independent career spanning performance, content creation and youth engagement. Alongside growing a substantial online following and gaining recognition for his music, he has delivered workshops for hundreds of young people, using music as a tool for confidence, creativity and self-expression. By creating opportunities both on and off stage, Righteous Reck is helping shape a more inclusive and connected future for UK rap and grassroots music.

Congratulations to all our winners and nominees, and thank you to Sony Music UK, whose Youth Music Awards Access Fund enabled nominees to travel to and from the event.