Dia Day & Shogun Shato, a London-based hip-hop duo, have been named the winners of the Original Track Award (Group), sponsored by Marshall Amplification, at the annual Youth Music Awards 2025 in association with Hal Leonard Europe.
Dia Day & Shogun Shato received the award at the event, held at Troxy, London, for the track Green Tea, fusing together South London’s crockpot of rap and hip-hop influences with neo-soul and jazz elements. Dia Day brings flavours from her Polish heritage, making for a gritty and raw cross-genre sound, while Shogun Shato brings thought-provoking and witty lyricism to paint a picture of an entirely new world in his songs.
Discussing their award win, Shogun Shato says: “Honestly it’s an incredible feeling. I think that when you work really hard at something, it does feel special when you start to see a result, especially when the result is as wonderful as this one.”
Dia Day adds: “I’m so gassed. It’s ridiculous. I just feel so warm. It’s such a beautiful, tangible validation of our hard work.”
Now in its 6th year, the awards celebrate the trailblazing entrepreneurs, grassroots projects and young leaders shaping the scene. Winners were chosen by an esteemed panel of industry experts, including Pass Out singer Tinie Tempah, DJ duo BICEP, MOBO Award-winning ALT BLK ERA, and radio presenters Jess Iszatt and Jodie Bryant.
Alongside the awards, Youth Music is calling on the industry to Rescue the Roots. With 41% of vital grassroots projects at risk of closure, the campaign aims to raise £1 million to protect the youth music scene – with every pound matched by Youth Music.
Each of the 12 awards were sponsored or by some of the UK’s most prolific music, fashion and culture brands, including NOTION, Levi’s, Marshall Amplification, Wingstop, PRS for Music and Pirate.
Youth Music CEO, Matt Griffiths, said: “The Youth Music Awards is always a powerful reminder of what happens when young people are given the chance to create. The artists and leaders we celebrate tonight are shaping the future of music at its roots.
At a time when grassroots projects face a major funding crisis, showcasing their impact has never been more vital. The energy, talent and ambition in this room are proof of why these spaces matter. I’d like to extend a huge congratulations to all of tonight’s winners and the incredible artists who were shortlisted.”
Next year will see the awards move out of London for the first time to the Northwest, where Youth Music has invested over £1.1million in 23 different grassroots music projects over the past year, supporting over 6,000 young people.
