Janelle Monae, Linda Perry, Kyle Richards, and More Attend 5th Annual SONA Warrior Awards in Los Angeles
Recently SONA and The SONA Foundation hosted a dynamic series of Warrior Week events designed to foster community and celebrate Songwriters.
Warrior Awards Week culminated with the 5th annual Warrior Awards benefit dinner where 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 were honored with founder Tiffany Miranda accepting on behalf of the team. The benefit gala also launched the inaugural Emerging Songwriter Warrior Award presented by YouTube Songwriters where Toby Lightman became the first-ever peer and SONA member-voted Warrior award winner. Other finalists included Ali Stone, Alna Hofmeyr, bülow, and Sophie Hintze. `
Songwriters of North America (SONA) is a leading advocacy organization for Songwriters and Composers. SONA is the hub where the best creative-rights legal minds and fiercely passionate people from all corners of the songwriting world meet to educate, provide opportunities, strategize, and mobilize. SONA is continually working to be an inclusive and diverse community that brings together passionate music creatives and industry professionals.
TIMELINE & EVENING ITEMS:
Critically acclaimed Songwriters and supporters walked the TikTok Black Carpet hosted by Daniel Wall for “the most Songwriterly night of the year,” where the Songwriters are the stars!
The evening kicked off with opening remarks from Congressman Eric Swalwell Representative from California’s 14th district, and SONA & SONA Foundation CEO and Founder Michelle Lewis, reminding the crowd that Songwriters do not have collective access to healthcare or health insurance and thanking Amazon Music for providing free One Medical subscriptions and cash grants to cover medical costs for SONA Members.
Janelle Monet presented to Tiffany Miranda and Girls Make Beats, the global movement empowering the next generation of female music producers, DJs, and audio engineers. Girls Make Beats also DJ’s the evening.
Chappell Roan, who used her precious Grammy stage moment to spotlight health insurance for music creators, accepted her award virtually. Her honor was presented by Grammy winner and 2023 Warrior Award recipient Justin Tranter.
Paul Anka revised his famous Sinatra song, My Way to incorporate lyrics that congratulated his longtime friend and Honoree, Larry Mestel of Primary Wave. Eric Benet sang and co-presented with Anka.
Minnesota’s Second Congressional District, Representative Angie Craig, who is running for the U.S. Senate, shared about the pride Minnesotans take in having Prince, Bob Dylan, and Minneapolis’ own Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis who were honored at the Warrior Awards, being from their state.
To honor Dina LaPolt, Morgan Wade sang Wilder Days and was joined on stage with surprise performance by Linda Perry who sang What’s Up which brought LaPolt to her feet. Representative Jasmine Crockett presented SONA Founder snd owner of LaPolt Law, P.C., LaPolt with her award.
Representative Maxwell Frost & Aloe Blacc presented to Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis who sang a medley of Force MD's Tender Lovin, New Edition's Can you Stand the Rain, and Boys II Men’s, On Bended Knee with Shawn Stockman.
Ross Golan addressed the crowd on the importance of Song Splits and tha no one has the right to tell Songwriters what your splits are. Songwriters Tell THEM what the splits are.
Bonnie McKee and Shane Stevens were dynamic hosts throughout the night and Tayla Parx served as Presenter for the Emerging Songwriter Warrior Award presented by YouTube.
Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Desmond Child closed the night with his Jon Bon Jovi hit, Livin’ on a Prayer.
The best way to support SONA is to become a member. to become a member and access exclusive benefits, visit WeAreSONA.com.
By using a collective voice to defend and represent the Songwriter community at the highest levels of government and the music industry on all issues where Songwriters are impacted.
The SONA Warrior Awards were established to thank and honor Songwriters, artists, and industry professionals who use their voice, influence, and platforms to uplift the Songwriter and Composer community and champion the value of their work.
*All photos courtesy of: Phil Faraone Getty Images for SONA Songwriters of North America
