For outstanding lyrics in an original track from a Youth Music project.
Winner
TEE – Black Wings
On Black Wings, Tee says, “The death of George Floyd sent shockwaves through my system. It was honestly terrifying...It was hard to know what to say about it, to have conversations about it. That was where the Intro for this song came f rom. I want to claim the word [Black] back. Let’s associate it with kings, angels, wings. Let’s teach the generation below us that there is beauty in it. Power in it. Hope in it.” TEE has also been nominated for the Live Performance Award sponsored by Allianz Musical Insurance.
Runner up
Ave – Calmer
School Ground Sounds (London)
Kadeem aka Ave wrote this spoken word piece as a reflection on his own experience of police brutality. Kadeem worked with the School Ground Sounds and Finding Rhythms producers to channel his emotions and battle with PTSD into this moving and powerful song 'Calmer'. Kadeem is an active youth leader and community organiser, campaigning against stop and search, sharing his story in the hopes to find solutions for systemic violence and empower young people across London.
Runner up
Katie Grace – 2555
North Tyneside Music Education Hub (North East)
Earlier this year Katie, 16, released her debut four-track demo EP — From The Wildflowers. 2555 is a reference to the number of days in a teenager’s life. The song compares wasting time swiping on your phone, to your teenage years slipping past without noticing the physical and emotional changes.
2019 shortlist
Learn more about the winner and nominees for the 2019 Lyricist Award sponsored by BandLab.