The Boston music scene just entered its playoff season. The 2025 Boston Music Awards ballot dropped on October 17th categories and hundreds of nominees who continue to push New England’s creative movement forward, from breakout artists to veteran producers, studios, DJs, and media voices.
With five nominations each, Bebe Stockwell, Couch, and Dropkick Murphys are among the most recognized contenders this year, all vying for Artist of the Year.
This year also marks a significant milestone for PUTINWORKTV, which earned a nomination for Music Publication of the Year in recognition of its growing influence in New England music media. PUTINWORKTV CEO Robert Kelley Morgan also secured a nomination for Artist Manager of the Year, while GIB DJ, a key contributor within the network, was nominated for Studio Producer of the Year. Additionally, RISE Studios, a newly launched creative space affiliated with the PUTINWORK movement, received a nomination for Recording Studio of the Year, making a major debut on the ballot.
Public voting in the 2025 BMAs is live until November 17th, and the annual party at Big Night Live in North Station goes down December 17th. Check out the full ballot below.
Artist of the Year
Bebe Stockwell
BIA
Couch
Dropkick Murphys
Ezra Furman
Joyner Lucas
Lily Fitts
Millyz
Tiny Habits
Token
New Artist of the Year
Ava Valianti
Brady Dallas Jones
Chainlacing
Haywire
ISHA!
Ivy Boy
Jo Saza
Megan From Work
PINKLIDS
The Far Out
Album/EP of the Year (1 million+ streams)
Bebe Stockwell, Driving Backwards
Dropkick Murphys, For the People
Ezra Furman, Goodbye Small Head
Haywire, SHIRTS VS SKINS
Joyner Lucas, ADHD 2
Lily Fitts, Getting By
Millyz, Blanco 7
Clark D, UNDERDOG MUSIC
Rich Amiri, War Ready
Token, I’m Not Supposed to Be Here
Album/EP of the Year
Bermuda Search Party, Fools on Parade
Bus Crush, Sports & Leisure
EXITFAME, Last Shall Be First
Justin Clancy, No Blondes in Heaven
Lady Pills, Renowned in the Roaring Twenties
Mallcops, Vacationland
Megan From Work, Girl Suit
The Far Out, Greetings from The Far Out
The Ghouls, Handle With Care
Twisted Pine, Love Your Mind
Song of the Year (1 million+ streams)
Bebe Stockwell, “Minor Inconveniences”
BIA, “We on Go”
Couch, “What Were You Thinking”
Dear Maryanne, “This Is Going Well”
Dropkick Murphys, “Who’ll Stand With Us”
Lily Fitts, “Troubled Water”
Tiny Habits, “For Sale Sign” ft. Lizzy McAlpine
Millyz, “By My Lonely” ft. Jadakiss & DJ Drama
Ripe, “Friend in the Dark”
Token, “What Does Your Love Look Like” ft. Ren
Song of the Year
Bus Crush, “Sour Blue”
CASO, “FREAKNIK”
Clark D & kei, “DOGSH–”
Copilot, “Let Me Down”
Crippling Alcoholism, “bedrot”
Hallelujah the Hills, “Rebuilding Years (4 of Diamonds)” ft. Ezra Furman
Justin Clancy, “Holy”
Padma, “Bending Backwards”
Senseless Optimism, “War & Peace”
The Ghouls, “Lovestruck”
Video of the Year
Bermuda Search Party, “Olivia”
Chelley Marie, “CRITICS”
Coral Moons, “Made Up My Mind”
Debo Ray, “Money”
DeevoDaGenius, “ALL ON ME” ft. FUNERAL Ant Bell, Najee Janey, Arold & Reef
Dropkick Murphys, “Who’ll Stand With Us”
KSAP, “100 Miles”
Oompa, “HO3 SH!T” ft. Connie Diiamond
Other Brother Darryl, “Watch the Trees”
Viruette, “PUNKTURED” ft. Layzi
Live Artist of the Year
Bermuda Search Party
Clairo
Couch
Dalton & the Sheriffs
Dropkick Murphys
GA-20
Haywire
Pile
The Elovaters
Tiny Habits
Afro/Caribbean Artist of the Year
Dub Apocalypse
Echezona
Flying Vipers
Jabz York
Kotoko Brass
Mighty Mystic
Naya Rockers
Odio
Roots Alley Collective
UgoBoy
Alt/Indie Artist of the Year
Bus Crush
Coral Moons
Divine Sweater
Hallelujah the Hills
House of Harm
Mallcops
slow quit
Viruette
Horse Jumper of Love
Winkler
Americana Artist of the Year
Brady Dallas Jones
Hound & Handler
Jake Swamp and The Pine
Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners
Nate Perry & Ragged Company
Other Brother Darryl
Sarah Borges
Time and Place
Twisted Pine
Ward Hayden & the Outliers
Blues Artist of the Year
Canyon Lights
Danielle Miraglia
Dennis Brennan
GA-20
Julie Rhodes
Peter Parcek
Professor Harp
Ryan Lee Crosby
Sonya Rae Taylor
Toni Lynn Washington
Country Artist of the Year
Anna Daley Young
Dalton & the Sheriffs
Evelynroze
Grace Morrison
Houston Bernard
Nate Ramos
Overserved Again
Renée Levesque
Samantha Rae
Tiberius
Dance/Electronic Artist of the Year
Amadeezy
Battlemode
Ellisar
Entangled Mind
Ex-Hyena
Freezepop
Mari Kattman
Ray Gun Hero
Rilla Force
Symbiosa
DJ of the Year
DJ Knife
DJ Papadon
DJ Real P
DJ Slick Vick
DJ WhySham
Lenore
Mez.Wav
SuperSmashBroz
Twin The Selecta
Towfu
