Bold statement: the 2025 SoulTracks Readers’ Choice Awards have arrived, spotlighting independent soul music and the community that keeps it thriving. After months of planning and ballots sent to tens of thousands of SoulTrackers, we’re thrilled to reveal the winners of this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards—the premier celebration for independent soul. A heartfelt thank you to all SoulTrackers for voting and celebrating your favorites.
A special shout-out to this year’s champions, selected by SoulTrackers from a standout pool of nominees. Here are the winners, and you can explore the victorious tracks in the playlist linked at the bottom of this page.
Please help spread the news on social media using #SoulTracks2025 to congratulate the winners!
Album of the Year
Ledisi – The Crown
Song of the Year
Kem – “Rock With Me”
Female Vocalist of the Year
Conya Doss
Male Vocalist of the Year
Kem
Duo or Group of the Year
Kindred The Family Soul
Instrumentalist of the Year
Norman Brown
New Artist of the Year
Honoré
Lifetime Achievement Award
Brian and Eddie Holland
