Unsigned Only Music Competition 2021 announces winners

Based in Hobart, Australia, King B-Fine is a roots reggae, Afrobeat and rock-infuenced musician. With his nine-piece band, he has shared the stage with well-known reggae artists including Anthony B, Cecile, Luciano, Macka B and Fantan Mojah.

Second place in the same category went to Indian guitarist Priyant Sundas for his track ‘Bending Yaman’, while American musician Sophie Pecora won the grand prize for her song ‘Anxiety’. The 17 year old will be awarded $20 000 as well as merchandise and services geared toward her career. Her total prize package is valued at $50 000.

“I am so amazed! I wrote the song ‘Anxiety’ because I know a lot of people go through it, and hopefully, when they’re listening to the song they’ll feel like someone understands them,” Pecora said. “Thank you to all the judges and to Unsigned Only for believing in me and my music. I’m so grateful, and I have many more songs to come.” 

The winners were selected by a judging panel comprising high-profile industry experts and renowned recording artists, including Tinariwen, Chris Daughtry (Daughtry), Aimee Mann, Sanctus Real, O.A.R., Ruthie Foster, Robert Smith (The Cure), David Benoit, Linda Perry, NLE Choppa, Bibi Marin (Reik), The Devil Makes Three, Showtek, LoCash, and many more. Also on the judging panel were music journalists from Rolling Stone, Guitar Player, JazzTimes, Yahoo Music, No Depression and Pandora, among others. 

Below is the full list of winners:

Grand Prize

1. Sophie Pecora – ‘Anxiety’ (US)

World Music

1. King B-Fine and Afrikaya Band – ‘E don Tay’ (Sierra Leone) 
2. Priyant Sundas – 'Bending Yaman' (India)

AAA (Adult Album Alternative)

1. Notelle – 'Sufjan Stevens' (US)
2. Teenage Joans – ‘Ice Cream' (US)

Adult Contemporary (AC)

1. Hailey Belle – ‘Right At The Wrong Time’ (US)
2. Tayler Buono – ‘My Person’ (US)

Americana

1. Trent Beaver & The Damage – ‘Ramblin Kinda Man’ (US)
2. Templeton Thompson ft. Gina Jeffreys – ‘Recover’ (US)

Blues

1. Lisa Mann – ‘It’s The Monkeys or Me’ (US)
2. Duffmusiq – ‘I Can’t Get Over Losing You’ (Canada) 

Christian

1. Madeline Edwards – ‘The Road’ (US)
2. Holly Halliwell – ‘Brand New’ (US)

Country

1. The Olson Bros Band – ‘Kill Your Mom’ (US)
2. Savannah Keyes – ‘I’m Not California’ (US)

EDM (Electronic Dance Music)

1.  du0 – ‘Come Home’ (Australia)
2. Max M – ‘Under Water’ (France)

Folk/Singer-Songwriter

1. Alexander Biggs – ‘Madeleine’ (Australia)
2. Lauren Jenkins – ‘Ain’t That Hard’ (US)

Instrumental

1. Alicia Enstrom – ‘Looping Concerto for Violin, Electronics, and Orchestra - Movement 1 - Frenzied Whispers’ (US)
2.  Christine Kharazian – 'Valse Astolfi' (Armenia)

Jazz

1. Thana Alexa – ‘Ona’ (US)
2. George Colligan – ‘Waterfall Dreams’ (US)

Latin Music

1. Stefano Manrique – 'Te Sigo El Juego' (Colombia)
2. ANIA – 'Bien Bien' (Peru)

Pop/Top 40

1. Hudson Thames – ‘Bruce Wayne’ (US)
2. PipoBeats– ‘Too Fresh’ (US)

R&B/Hip Hop

1. Hiway – ‘Top Floor ft. Tech N9Ne and Braye Nicole’ (US)
2. Shiv – ‘You And I’ (Ireland)

Rock

1. Jordan Adetunji – ‘Wokeup!’ (US)
2. Flarelight – ‘La Petite Mort’ (Ireland)

Screen Shot

1. Tamsin – ‘SOS’ (Englans)
2. Richard Tichelman – ‘The One’ (Canada)

Teen

1. Ada LeAnn – ‘Someone to Somebody’ (US)
2. Aidan Gallagher – ‘4th of July’ (US)

Vocal Performance

1. Anna Hawkins Mount – ‘Wayfaring Stranger / Yea Though I Walk’ (New Zealand)
2. Jasmine Crowe – ‘Love is Love’ (US)

Fandemonium (online public vote)

• Riccardo Moccia (Rome, Italy) – '2050' (Italy)

Special promotion winners:

Triple Play

• Week One – Get Feedback
• Madison Olds – ‘If You Wanna’ (Canada)

Week Two – Get Published

• du0 – ‘Come Home’ (Austria)

Week Three –​​​​​​​ Get Paid

• Dustin Starks – ‘Winter To Spring’ (US)

Win Some Love (three winners, in alphabetical order)

• Bun – ‘Burnout’ (Begium) 
• Desolo – ‘Mars’ (US)
• Trent-Jean – ‘B4IDie’ (Australia)

Hop To It

• Lachlan Edwards – ‘Little Too Late’ (Australia) 

Professional Video

• Max M Max M – ‘Imaginary Problems’ (France)

Homemade Video

•  Zach Evans – ‘Little Bitty Man’ (US)