TikTok has partnered with Youth Music as they launch their very first Youth Music Awards which will recognise and give exposure to emerging musical talent.

As part of the collaboration, Youth Music (@youthmusic) launched a TikTok channel to showcase the eleven songs shortlisted for the ‘Original Track Award’. These finalists were hand-selected by the Youth Music Awards judging panel, which includes music industry figures such as Rag ’n’ Bone Man, Octavian, George the Poet, Anna Calvi, DJs, presenters, producers and more.

The voting closed on 30 September and the winners will be announced on 16 October during a ceremony taking place at Battersea Arts Centre, London. The ‘Original Track Award’ winner will receive a once in a lifetime music package that includes the opportunity to finalise the winning track at a world-class recording studio, a music video to promote the song and the release of the track by a major music label.

Youth Music will invite the TikTok community to join the hashtag challenge, #MusicShapedMe, featuring the 11 nominated tracks, that will be available on TikTok to inspire and accompany the videos. The challenge will launch on 17 October and will be live for one week.

Music is an important part of TikTok since its inception and the platform has enabled artists to promote their music to a global audience, build a strong and engaged fanbase and have the potential to break a song. TikTok empowers new music talent to be discovered and create unprecedented viral trends such as the now-famous ‘Old Town Road’. With the support of the TikTok community, Lil Nas X went from an aspiring artist to stardom, securing a record deal and reaching the top of the Billboard charts.

Each year Youth Music supports over 350 music projects across England by investing in music-making projects where they are really needed. The charity offers many opportunities for young people interested in music, particularly those who are not able to make music because of who they are, where they live, or what they are going through.