London based visionary Richard Carter took home the Rising Star Award (Artist) sponsored by London College of Contemporary Music (LCCM) at the star-studded Youth Music Awards 2024 in association with Hal Leonard Europe, held at London’s legendary Troxy on Wednesday 16th October.
The Rising Star Award (Artist) recognises a rising musical group or solo artist from a Youth Music-funded project that is making waves in the music industry.
Richard’s musical journey was shaped by diverse influences, from hip-hop, jazz and reggae. He continues to push the genre boundaries, adopting Rock, Soul, Hip-Hop, and R&B tones in his music, whilst exploring topics of mental health, love, and power struggles through poignant lyrics and captivating melodies.
Discussing his award win, Richard Carter said:
“I feel appreciated, and I feel like I’ve got the energy to create more music now that I know that people may be looking at me. I feel ecstatic after my performance. That was great. I went up an octave at the end, I didn’t plan half of that. I started yapping halfway through it. It went better than I imagined and the whole band is happy. I’m so glad because I only recently just met them and put it together.”
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.
Youth Music CEO, Matt Griffiths, said:
“We are always blown away by the unbelievable level of talent on display at the Youth Music Awards, and this year is no exception. It is a privilege to give a platform to celebrate up-and-coming artists and leaders who are all driving forces in equalising access to music.
“Grassroots projects continue to face a major funding crisis, so it is now more important than ever to recognise the opportunities they are providing to marginalised young people, nationwide. Huge congratulations to all of tonight’s winners and nominees.”
Anthony Hamer-Hodges, Principal of London College of Contemporary Music, said:
“LCCM and Youth Music share similar values; part of our mission to help shape the industry of the future is our determination to widen participation in music and music education, nurturing and supporting talent from all backgrounds and giving access to opportunities to young people from disadvantaged groups. It is an honour for LCCM to sponsor the Rising Star award highlighting the fantastic emerging talent supported by Youth Music projects. Many congratulations to this year’s winner, the multi-talented Richard Carter.”
For a full list of winners, and for more information head to https://youthmusic.org.uk/awards
