A2IM Announces Submissions Are Open For The 2025 Libera Awards
SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN FOR THE 2025 LIBERA AWARDS
THE YEAR’S BIGGEST CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENT MUSIC SET TO RETURN NEW YORK CITY ON JUNE 9, 2025
New York, NY (October 22, 2024) – A2IM (The American Association of Independent Music, Inc.) has announced that submissions are now open for the 2025 Libera Awards, the premier awards for independent music. Celebrating and uplifting the diverse and groundbreaking independent music sector since 2012, this year’s Libera Awards event will feature 35 awards across all genres of music and the independent music industry.
“The Libera Awards is the pinnacle event for independent music, a night dedicated to honoring the extraordinary talent, diversity, creativity, and dedication that define our community year-round. This celebration is a rare and special occasion where we come together to recognize the strength and unity of the independent music sector. We are excited to once again host an event that showcases the remarkable depth and impact of our industry. We look forward to celebrating with all those nominated in the weeks to come,” commented Dr. Richard James Burgess, MBE, President and CEO of A2IM.
The 2024 Libera Awards presented by Merlin was once again a truly special occasion. Taking place at the stunning Gotham Hall in midtown Manhattan, and hosted by comedian Marcia Belsky, the night featured an incredible array of talented and diverse artists, attended by members of the independent music industry across the globe, and with A2IM continued involvement representing the independent music sector in Washington DC, special guest Rep. Maxwell Frost of Florida, who introduced the CREATE Art Act this spring.
The night included performances from Grammy Award-Winner Christian McBride’s New Jawn (Mack Avenue Music Group), classical pianist Lara Downes (Pentatone), Latin artist Pachyman (ATO Records), rapper Kari Faux (drink sum wtr), hotly-tipped NYC-trio Fcukers (Ninja Tune/Technicolour), and rising pop rock artist LØLØ (Hopeless Records). In addition, the night celebrated Louis Posen, founder of Hopeless Records, who was honored with the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award, for his contributions to the independent music sector over the course of the past three decades.
Comedian+Host of the 2024 Libera Awards, Marcia Belsky | Photo Credit: Nick Karp
2025 Categories:
Record of the Year
Music Video of the Year
Label of the Year
Breakthrough Artist
Independent Champion
Publisher of the Year
Distributor of the Year
Self-Released Record of the Year
Best Alternative Rock Record
Best American Roots Record
Best Blues Record
Best Classical Record
Best Country Record
Best Dance Record
Best Electronic Record
Best Folk Record
Best Global Record
Best Heavy Record
Best Hip-Hop/Rap Record
Best Jazz Record
Best Latin Record
Best Outlier Record
Best Pop Record
Best Punk Record
Best R&B Record
Best Record From Games and Interactive Media
Best Reissue
Best Remix
Best Rock Record
Best Singer-Songwriter Record
Best Soul/Funk Record
Best Spiritual Record
Marketing Genius
Creative Packaging
Best Sync Usage
Rep. Maxwell Frost of Florida | Photo Credit: Nick Karp
About A2IM:
A2IM is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit trade organization headquartered in New York City that exists to support and strengthen the independent recorded music sector. Membership currently includes a broad coalition of over 600 Independently-owned American music labels. A2IM represents these independently owned small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) interests in the marketplace, in the media, on Capitol Hill, and as part of the global music community. In doing so, it supports a key segment of America’s creative class that represents America’s diverse musical and cultural heritage. Billboard Magazine identified the Independent music label sector as 37.32 percent of the music industry’s U.S. recorded music sales market in 2016 based on copyright ownership, making Independent labels collectively the largest recorded music industry sector.