First shortlist announced. Monday 22nd September.

NI Music Prize introduces new award: PRS for Music NI Creator of the Year

The NI Music Prize is proud to announce the launch of a brand-new category for 2025 — the PRS for Music NI Creator of the Year Award. This new award has been created in partnership with PRS for Music, the organisation that represents the rights of over 180,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in the UK and worldwide.

The new award shines a spotlight on the exceptional creativity of Northern Ireland’s music makers, further strengthening the Prize’s mission to celebrate and champion the songwriters and composers shaping our cultural landscape.

The inaugural shortlist for the PRS for Music NI Creator of the Year Award is:

• Dani Larkin

• Jordan Adetunji

• Die Hexen

• Chalk

• Dea Matrona

Charlotte Dryden, CEO of Oh Yeah Music Centre, said:
"We are delighted to launch this new award with PRS for Music. It underlines our commitment to celebrating and supporting songwriters and creators at every stage of their careers, and to showcasing the remarkable music coming out of Northern Ireland."

Stuart Fleming, Senior Relationship Manager – NI & Scotland, PRS for Music, said:
"Congratulations to the nominees who are shortlisted for the inaugural PRS for Music Creator Award. Our longstanding partnerships with the NI Music Prize and Oh Yeah Music Centre provide us with an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate Northern Ireland’s vibrant, inclusive and exceptional songwriter and composer community."

The winner of the PRS for Music NI Creator of the Year Award will be announced at the NI Music Prize ceremony later this year.