Here’s the 2025 Winner of the Harry Belafonte Best Song for Social Change Award
The Recording Academy has selected “Deliver,” written by Iman Jordan (performer), Roy Gartrell, Tam Jones, and Ariel Loh—as the 2025 recipient of its Harry Belafonte Best Song for Social Change Award. The honor will be presented at the academy’s Special Merit Awards ceremony on Saturday (Feb. 1) at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles.
This is the award’s third year. In its first two years it went to “Baraye” by Shervin Hajipour and “Refugee” by K’naan, Gerald Eaton and Steve McEwan.
More from Billboard
“Deliver,” a soulful ballad with hip-hop and rock elements, captures the challenges of today’s sociopolitical climate and the struggle to communicate and reconcile differences. As a rallying cry against war, the song calls for unity, civility and meaningful dialogue.
Three of the songwriters of “Deliver” – Jordan, Jones and Loh (the first openly transgender and Asian-American trans woman recipient) – are LGBTQIA+.
“As artists, it is our responsibility to reflect the extraordinary times we are living in—where those in power have stripped away LGBTQ+ rights and targeted Black, Brown, and immigrant communities,” Jordan said in a statement. “Chaos, algorithms, and oligarchs have deepened our divisions, making it harder for us to recognize each other’s humanity.”
“Deliver” addresses today’s sociopolitical challenges, calling for unity, civility, and meaningful dialogue amidst war, media sensationalism, and a broken political system. Merging gospel, 70s folk, and soul, it features a choir of LA artists, including Kiah Victoria, Devyn Tracy, Keo, Cameron Forbes, Maad, Aziza Love, and Iman Jordan’s dad, Roy Gartrell, on electric guitar.
Jordan is an L.A.-based Sony Music singer-songwriter whose artistry bridges music, community, and activism. He has written for Rihanna (“Desperado”), Jazmine Sullivan, Alicia Keys, and contributed to DJDS’ “No Pain” featuring Khalid, Charlie Wilson, and Charlotte Day Wilson, as well as multiple tracks for the hit TV series Empire.
Beyond music, Jordan is also engaged in merging art with social impact. He has collaborated with such initiatives as Joy To The Polls and Pro Georgia’s Women of Color Initiative to promote civic engagement and community empowerment.
The Harry Belafonte Best Song for Social Change Award is a CEO’s Merit Award established by the academy’s national trustees in 2022 to honor songwriters of message-driven music that speaks to the social issues of our time and has demonstrated and inspired positive global impact.
Recipient(s) are selected annually by a committee of peers dedicated to artistic expression, the craft of songwriting and the power of songs to affect social change. The award was named in honor of the late singer and actor Harry Belafonte, a powerful voice for social justice throughout his career. Belafonte, a two-time Grammy winner who received a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy in 2000, died in 2023 at age 96.
Ahead of the 67th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 2, the Recording Academy has also chosen the winner of its Music Educator Award presented with the Grammy Museum, and Entertainment Law Initiative Writing Contest scholarships.
Music Educator Award
Adrian L. Maclin of Cordova High School in Memphis, Tennessee is the recipient of the 2025 Music Educator Award presented by the Recording Academy and the Grammy Museum. Maclin will also be recognized during the Special Merit Awards ceremony on Feb. 1.
The Music Educator Award recognizes current educators who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the music education field and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools. The award is open to current U.S. music teachers. Each year, one recipient is selected from 10 finalists and recognized for their impact on students’ lives. They will receive a $10,000 honorarium and a matching grant for their school’s music program. Nine additional finalists will each receive a $1,000 honorarium and a matching grant. The remaining 15 semifinalists will receive a $500 honorarium and a matching school grant.
The Music Educator Award program is made possible by The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation. In addition, the American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, NAMM Foundation, and National Education Association support this program through outreach to their constituencies. Nominations and applications for the 2026 Music Educator Award are now open via grammymusicteacher.com.
Entertainment Law Initiative Writing Contest
The Recording Academy Entertainment Law Initiative (ELI) has selected Melanie Sallis of Georgia State University/College of Law in Atlanta, Georgia as the winner of its annual ELI Writing Contest. Sallis won for her paper, “Beyond Takedowns: Expanding Music Monetization Tools to Support All Artists.”
In addition, two students were announced as runners-up: Angelina Craig of Drexel University/ Thomas R. Kline School of Law in Philadelphia, PA for “Words on Trial: The Use of Rap Lyrics as Evidence,” and Olivia McHenry of Nova Southeastern University/Shepard Broad College of Law in Fort Lauderdale, FL for “Hidden Fees and Scalpers are the Worst, So Put Fans First: Why the Fans First Act is a More Resourceful Option Over Structural Relief of Live Nation-Ticketmaster.”
The Recording Academy established the Entertainment Law Initiative in partnership with some of the nation’s most prominent entertainment attorneys to promote discussion and debate around compelling legal matters and trends in the music industry. Co-sponsored by the American Bar Association, the ELI Writing Contest challenges law students to identify and research a current legal issue in the music industry and outline a proposed solution in an essay. The winning paper is published in the ABA’s journal, Entertainment & Sports Lawyer. A $10,000 scholarship is awarded to the winner, who will also receive tickets to attend the 67th annual Grammy Awards and MusiCares Person of the Year event.
$2,500 scholarships are given to two runners-up. All three top finalists receive a mentor session with a leading entertainment attorney.
Best of Billboard
Sign up for Billboard's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Solve the daily Crossword
