For Songwriters, By Songwriters—Celebrating Rising Talent and The Future of Music
LOS ANGELES (August 7, 2025) — As part of its 10th anniversary year and the Warrior Award celebration, Songwriters of North America (SONA) is proud to introduce the Emerging Songwriter Warrior Award Presented by YouTube Songwriters—a new honor that recognizes outstanding rising Songwriters who are shaping the future of music.
This award uplifts a SONA member who exemplifies originality, craft, and a commitment to creative integrity. 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.
“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 26, 2025. The finalists and winner will be decided by the SONA membership, which includes critically acclaimed and GRAMMY Award-winning music creators whose expertise crosses all musical genres.
YouTube Music and SONA share a joint passion for supporting Songwriters throughout every stage of their career, and this new award so beautifully embodies that unified mission, said Jenna Rubenstein, Head Of Songwriter Relations for YouTube Music. We are thrilled to recognize the next generation of songwriting talent, 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 that include five-time GRAMMY Award-winning artists, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, GRAMMY Award-winning artist, Chappell Roan, SONA co-founder and founder and owner of LaPolt Law, P.C., Dina LaPolt, Founder & CEO of Primary Wave Music, Larry Mestel, and the global movement empowering the next generation 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.
To nominate yourself or a fellow Songwriter, CLICK HERE.
You must be a SONA Member to be considered.