The stage is set for the highly anticipated 1st Harmonix Awards, taking place on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 8 PM Eastern. As the first-ever edition of this quarterly celebration, the event promises to recognize the most outstanding achievements in music from the past three months. Nominations were announced this week, revealing a diverse lineup of seasoned artists and newcomers who have left their mark on the industry.

Leading the pack is Lorraine Duval, whose versatility and talent earned her nominations across multiple categories, including Musician of the Season, Best R&B/Soul Song (with two entries: "Turn the Lights Down" and "Gospel Groove"), and Best Jazz Song (also with two nominations for "Bossa Breeze" and "Smooth as Silk"). Duval’s dominance in the jazz and R&B genres highlights her wide-reaching appeal and artistic skill, making her one of the night’s most exciting contenders.

Another standout is Arjun Patel, nominated for Song of the Season with "Desi Vibes," as well as Musician of the Season and Best Hip-Hop/Rap Song for his track "All In." Patel’s fusion of hip-hop with cultural influences has resonated widely, and his multi-genre nominations demonstrate the versatility that has quickly made him a fan favorite.

In the Best New Artist category, the competition is fierce, with Aiden Grey, Mud Abercrombie, and Nova Skyler vying for the title. Grey’s emotionally charged track "Shipwreck" also landed him spots in both Song of the Season and Best Pop Song, establishing him as a breakthrough artist with impressive depth. Meanwhile, Mud Abercrombie’s gritty rock style has earned him nods in both the Best Rock Song and Best Country Song categories, showcasing his ability to bridge genres with ease. Nova Skyler rounds out the trio, bringing her polished pop sound to the forefront with nominations for Best New Artist and Best Pop Song for her hit "Afterglow."

Across genre-specific categories, we see a remarkable breadth of talent. Celeste Hart shines in Best Pop Song with her dreamy single "Sunset Boulevard," while J-Dub Williams and Marissa Thompson join Arjun Patel in the Best Hip-Hop/Rap Song category, adding lyrical power to the lineup. Thunder Jace Carter brings a classic rock flair with his energetic anthem "Thunderstruck" in the Best Rock Song category, standing alongside Roxy Blaze’s "Fade to Black." Meanwhile, Echo and Riley Matthews lead the Best EDM Song category, bringing electronic soundscapes to life with "Night Drive" and "Chasing Light," respectively.

This year’s nominations also embrace cultural diversity through the Best International Song category. Arjun Patel’s "Desi Vibes" represents a vibrant South Asian influence, joined by Alejandro Ramirez’s "Mi Canto es para Ti" and Kai Sato’s "Kintsugi," both of which highlight Latin and Japanese musical traditions. The Best Spoken Word Recording/Comedy Song category adds a touch of levity to the awards, with Funnybone’s humorous tracks "Allergic to Adulting" and "Tech Support Tango" bringing comedy into the spotlight.

With such a dynamic array of nominees, the 1st Harmonix Awards promises to be an unforgettable event. Held on Discord, the ceremony will feature red carpet interactions, live performances, an in memoriam segment, and an afterparty for fans and artists alike. As the first awards show of its kind, the Harmonix Awards will set the tone for quarterly music recognition and honor the creative contributions of artists across every genre. Whether you’re cheering for a breakout star or an established favorite, the night of December 7th will be filled with suspense, celebration, and the excitement of discovering who will take home the first Harmonix Awards.

Song of the Season

• "Desi Vibes" - Arjun Patel
• "Shipwreck" - Aiden Grey @Mikey
• "Free Spirit" - Aisha Malik

Musician of the Season

• Celeste Hart
• Lorraine Duval
• Arjun Patel

Best New Artist

• Aiden Grey @Mikey
• Mud Abercrombie @SWMissourian
• Nova Skyler @Brink

Best Pop Song

• "Afterglow" - Nova Skyler @Brink
• "Shipwreck" - Aiden Grey @Mikey
• "Sunset Boulevard" - Celeste Hart

Best Hip-Hop/Rap Song

• "All In" - Arjun Patel
• "One Shot" - J-Dub Williams
• "Lyrical Assassin" - Marissa Thompson

Best Rock Song

• "Living on the Highway" - Mud Abercrombie @SWMissourian
• "Fade to Black" - Roxy Blaze
• "Thunderstruck" - Thunder Jace Carter

Best Country Song

• "Backyard BBQ" - Laura Hayes
• "Shyness in the Pines" - Mud Abercrombie @SWMissourian
• "Whiskey Kisses" - Jack Rivers

Best EDM Song

• "Night Drive" - Echo
• "Chasing Light" - Riley Matthews
• "Red Lights" - Nova Skyler @Brink

Best International Song

• "Desi Vibes" - Arjun Patel
• "Mi Canto es para Ti" - Alejandro Ramirez
• "Kintsugi" - Kai Sato

Best R&B/Soul Song

• "Turn the Lights Down" - Lorraine Duval
• "Broken Promises" - Easton Grey
• "Gospel Groove" - Lorraine Duval

Best Metal Song

• "Our Stand" - Mud Abercrombie @SWMissourian
• "Haunted Throne" - Damian Blackthorn
• "Beneath the Wolf's Shadow" - Jostein Karlsen

Best Jazz Song

• "Bossa Breeze" - Lorraine Duval
• "Midnight Serenade" - Elijah Thompson
• "Smooth as Silk" - Lorraine Duval

Best Spoken Word Recording/Comedy Song

• "Allergic to Adulting" - Funnybone
• "Tech Support Tango" - Funnybone