As part of its 10th anniversary year and the Warrior Award celebration, Songwriters of North America (SONA) is introducing the Emerging Songwriter Warrior Award, presented by YouTube Songwriters — a new honor that recognizes outstanding rising songwriters who are shaping the future of music.
According to the announcement, the award “uplifts a SONA member who exemplifies originality, craft, and a commitment to creative integrity.” Songwriters must be SONA members to be considered.
Five finalists will be recognized, with the recipient announced live at the fifth Annual Warrior Awards on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, California.
Just last week SONA announced healthcare benefits for its members.
“In partnership with YouTube Songwriters, we created this award as a tribute to the rising voices in the community, for Songwriters by Songwriters. Voted on by SONA members, it is a celebration of the extraordinary talent shaping the future of our industry,” said Michelle Lewis, SONA Co-Founder and CEO of SONA and the SONA Foundation.
Nominations are now open through August 22, 2025. The finalists and winner will be decided by the SONA membership.
“YouTube Music and SONA share a joint mission to support Songwriters throughout every stage of their career, and this new award so beautifully embodies that unified goal,” said Jenna Rubenstein, head of songwriter relations for YouTube Music. We are thrilled to continue to recognize the immense talent of the songwriting community, and are especially proud that this award is voted on by fellow songwriters who truly understand the heart of the work.”
The Emerging Songwriter Warrior Award Presented by YouTube Songwriters will be announced alongside this year’s Warrior Award honorees, which include Grammy winner Chappell Roan; five-time Grammy-winning songwriter-producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis; SONA co-founder and attorney Dina LaPolt; Primary Wave Music founder/CEO Larry Mestel; and the collective of female music producers, DJs, and audio engineers, Girls Make Beats, with founder Tiffany Miranda accepting on behalf of the team.
The evening will be hosted by Bonnie McKee and Shane Stevens, and feature performances by McKee, Stevens, Morgan Wade, and Desmond Child.
(SOURCE : VARIETY)
