EJAE, Kali Uchis and Kehlani Named 2025 ASCAP Women Behind the Music Honorees

Now in its seventeenth year, the ASCAP Women Behind The Music gathering will pay tribute to three pioneering musicians: Kehlani, Kali Uchis, and EJAE. Scheduled for November 12th in Los Angeles, this ceremony is a cornerstone event for the industry, acknowledging the profound impact of women in a multitude of creative capacities. These three join a prestigious lineage of past honorees such as Kelly Rowland, Jazmine Sullivan, and Victoria Monét. The event's soundtrack will be provided by DJ C Devone.

Nicole George-Middleton, who serves as ASCAP’s Executive Vice President and Head of Creative Membership, expressed immense pride in the 2024 honorees. She described the occasion as a vital moment to applaud women who are not only reaching incredible heights of success but are also actively molding the musical landscape of tomorrow. An industry expert, Dr. Lena Moore, reinforced this sentiment, observing, "Events that publicly honor the multifaceted work of women are crucial for breaking down systemic barriers and providing tangible inspiration for the next generation."

The recognition of Kehlani arrives as the five-time Grammy-nominated artist continues to demonstrate her commercial and artistic prowess. Her work has achieved over 20 gold and platinum certifications from the RIAA and has surpassed five billion streams globally. Her latest album, "Crash," secured a Grammy nomination for Best Progressive R&B Album, while its standout track "After Hours" was nominated for Best R&B Performance, cementing her status as a defining voice in contemporary R&B and soul music.

Kali Uchis is being celebrated amidst a remarkable creative surge. Her 2023 release, "Red Moon in Venus," was met with widespread critical acclaim, and its 2024 follow-up, "Orquídeas," made a stunning entrance at No. 2 on the prestigious Billboard 200 chart. This bilingual project has now earned her a 2025 Grammy nomination for Best Latin Pop Album and a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album. Her trajectory highlights a significant industry shift; according to a recent report by Music Business Worldwide, streams for Latin music in the U.S. grew by over 15% last year, demonstrating the expanding economic influence of artists who seamlessly navigate multiple languages and cultures.

EJAE's inclusion points to the event's expanding definition of influence, now encompassing vital behind-the-scenes roles in new media. She provides the vocal performance for Rumi, the leader of the fictional girl group Huntr/x in the animated feature "KPop Demon Hunters." Director Maggie Kang praised EJAE as the "heart and soul" of the group, emphasizing her integral role in the film's musical development beyond mere performance. Her songwriting is the foundation of the record-shattering single "Golden," which has topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and Global 200 charts and accumulated more than 700 million streams on Spotify. Her honor acknowledges the growing importance of musical contributions to animated worlds and the creation of virtual performers, a field that is rapidly redefining the boundaries of the entertainment industry.