Results of the 2025 Unsigned Only Music Awards have been announced with Imani-J the sole New Zealand artist featuring among the long list of winners and finalists, more than 60% of whom come from outside of USA. A strong representation from across the ditch included Australian artists claiming five of the 25 categories judged. 

The Nashville-based Unsigned Only Music Awards is an online music awards geared toward independent and unsigned artists internationally. Imani-J’s song Brown Born Deity was included among a dozen runners-up in the Teen category, won by US artist Eli Golden.

The longer list of semi-finalists included three other Kiwi artists; IVY in the AAA category, Steve Tofa in Americana, and Murphy Moore in the Country category.

Australian pop talent Orlando Kallen was selected as the UOMA overall Artist of The Year, which comes with a US$20,000 cash prize. A singer, songwriter and producer in the realm of mainstream pop with an indie edge, Kallen is of Greek, Egyptian and Croatian heritage.