The Youth Music Awards 2024 shone a spotlight on rising stars and changemakers in the music industry, with a special focus on those breaking barriers for marginalised communities. As the event marked its 25th anniversary, it continued to champion a more inclusive and diverse music scene, celebrating trailblazing entrepreneurs, grassroots projects, and young leaders driving change. This year, the awards held particular significance for the Disabled community, recognising the contributions of advocates who are pushing for greater accessibility and equal opportunities in the industry.
At the star-studded ceremony, held at London’s legendary Troxy on Wednesday 16th October, two standout winners were Scottish producer Sanjeev Mann and Leeds-based music leader Kathryn Sturman, both of whom are leading the charge in creating a more inclusive music world.
Sanjeev Mann (aka Supermann on da beat) won the Social Action Award
Scottish Disabled South Asian music producer Sanjeev Mann (aka Supermann on da beat) has scooped up the silverware for the Social Action Award sponsored by Hal Leonard Europe.
The Social Action Award recognises an individual, collective or project that has made an outstanding commitment to local community and/or social justice issues.
Through his work, Sanjeev is continually raising awareness for disabled artists and pushing boundaries to change unconscious biases in the music industry, inspiring young disabled people in the process.
Sanjeev has provided a platform for an array of Scottish hip-hop and rap artists through his network – Hip Hop Scotland – which aims to bring together artists from various genres to progress their careers and highlight the most underrepresented groups in Scotland.
In a world with a lack of representation of disabled artists, Sanjeev is proud to show that anything is possible and has led a vital campaign to make venues fully accessible, as covered by the likes of BBC Scotland, STV, Daily Record & BBC Radio 4.
Discussing his award win, Sanjeev on da beat said: “It’s absolutely amazing, I wasn’t really expecting this growing up kind of shy.”
Follow Sanjeev Mann on Twitter
Kathryn Sturman won the Inspirational Music Leader Award
Kathryn Sturman, a Leeds-based music leader and Disability advocate, has been named the winner of the Inspirational Music Leader Award sponsored by The Musician’s Union (The MU).
The Inspirational Music Leader Award recognises a leader working in grassroots music who inspires project participants through their actions, creativity and determination.
Kathryn scooped the award for her work supporting families and advocating for greater accessibility and inclusion in the music industry through her charity Made with Music, an organisation that delivers inclusive live music sessions for families, all whilst navigating her visual impairment.
Kathryn lost her sight whilst studying at the University of Leeds but has not let that impact the delivery of high-quality music workshops for young people, families, community groups and professional artists for organisations based in the north of England and London.
Discussing her award win, Kathryn Sturman says: “It’s amazing. I definitely wasn’t expecting it and I’m absolutely delighted. I’m going to continue to run my charity Made with Music and continue to fight for the inclusion of disabled people through music.”
Follow Kathryn Sturman on Instagram
Celebrating inclusivity and social impact at the 2024 Youth Music Awards
The awards celebrate the trailblazing entrepreneurs, grassroots projects and young leaders from across the scene. In its 25th year, Youth Music is celebrating the work that has been done to equalise access to making, learning, and earning in music whilst campaigning for a more diverse and more inclusive industry.
Guests of the Youth Music Awards 2024 saw the biggest names in music in attendance, including ‘Who’s That Girl?’ rapper and Youth Music Ambassador Eve, Jordan Stephens, best known as one half of chart-topping duo Rizzle Kicks, who attended the ceremony to collect his Grassroots Hero Award. As well as this, Grammy-nominated artist and Youth Music Ambassador MNEK who all came together to celebrate the best of the grassroots music scene.
A renowned judging panel of music industry figures and Youth Music Ambassadors, including comedian, journalist and broadcaster Amelia Dimoldenberg, DJ duo BICEP, broadcaster and DJ Gilles Peterson MBE and radio presenter Jess Iszatt judged hundreds of entries from across the country to the Youth Music Awards this year.
Each of the 11 awards were sponsored or in partnership with some of the UK’s most prolific music, fashion and culture brands, such as Levi’s, AlphaTheta, Rocksteady, PPL, Hal Leonard Europe, Marshall Amplification, LCCM, Songkick, The MU, NOTION and PRS For Music. RSL Awards, Ticketmaster, Live Nation and Yoto also sponsored elements of the night.
For a full list of winners and more information, head to https://youthmusic.org.uk/awards