Ariana Grande Named Songwriter of the Year at 2025 SESAC LA Music Awards

Ariana Grande received the Songwriter of the Year accolade at SESAC’s annual ceremony, which took place on Thursday at Hollywood’s W Hotel. The Grammy-winning superstar, currently preparing for her long-awaited "Eternal Sunshine" tour—her first major concert series in seven years—was recognized in part for her chart-topping single "We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love)." This track marked her seventh debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, solidifying her record as the female artist with the most number-one debuts in the chart’s history. Industry analysts note that Grande’s consistent commercial success reflects her ability to blend confessional lyricism with forward-thinking pop production.

Universal Music Group Publishing was named Publisher of the Year, with credits spanning Grande’s hit, Linkin Park’s "The Emptiness Machine," and Coldplay’s cross-genre collaboration "We Pray," which featured Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna, and Tini. SESAC, which has hosted its awards in Los Angeles for the past four years, honored the most-performed songs of 2024 across a variety of genres, underscoring the breadth of its represented catalog.

Producers Dez Wright and The Legendary Traxster were both awarded Producer of the Year for their work with marquee artists such as Travis Scott, Future, Beyoncé, and Megan Thee Stallion. The event also highlighted a wide range of songwriters, including Jack Harlow, Emily Armstrong, Dahi, Japanese Breakfast, Green Day, Fede Vindver, and Sam Tinnesz. SESAC’s Chief Creative Officer Sam Kling praised the winners, stating, “These compositions reflect immense dedication and artistry. It’s an honor to celebrate the essential contributions our SESAC community makes to the evolving music landscape.”

In a nod to lasting influence, posthumous Legacy Awards were given to James Leach and John Sweeney, honoring their significant impact on both SESAC and the wider music industry. SESAC President and COO Scott Jungmichel, Senior VP and Head of LA Creative Mario Prins, and VP of Creative Services Diana Akin Scarfo were among the executives in attendance. For the third year running, SESAC artist and songwriter Tamara Jade—who recently released her new single “Werq”—hosted the evening’s proceedings.