Okay, this will be the most fun you’ll have voting this year. The time is coming for the 2025 SoulTracks Readers’ Choice Awards, the biggest awards in the world dedicated to independent soul music.

We’ve gathered all the suggestions from readers and our industry friends and have chosen a fantastic group of finalists — superb artists who represent all that is great about Soul Music in 2025.  To be nominated, an artist must have released music (or had the music reach its commercial peak) between October 1, 2024 and September 30, 2025. And all nominees must have released their music independently (i.e., not on one of the three major labels or their subsidiaries).

To make sure the results are accurate and fair, all voting is by individual ballots. One ballot per person. Ballots will be sent out to all SoulTracks email subscribers on Friday, November 14, and we’ll announce the winners on Monday, December 8.

If you’d like to receive a ballot, sign up with your email at the top of any page on SoulTracks. It is free to everyone.

Want to hear the Song of the Year and Album of the Year nominees? We’ve provided Spotify links below.

Congratulations to all of the artists. Share this with your friends using #SoulTracks2025.

Album of the Year

James Biscuit Rouse – Biscuit & Buddy
Christian McBride Big Band – Without Further Ado, Vol. 1
Durand Jones & The Indications – Flowers
Jeff Bradshaw – The Cure
Jeffrey Dennis – Insatiable
Ledisi – The Crown
Najee – Under the Moon and over the Sky
Son of Pearl – My Mother’s Favorites and a Few of Mine
Teri Tobin – Forever
Tristan – Frou Frou
Various Artists – The House that Pepper Built
Young Gun Silver Fox – Pleasure

Song of the Year

Alex Harris & Conya Doss – “Better”
Carvin Winans – “Shining Star”
Eric Roberson and BJ The Chicago Kid – “Where You Gonna Go?”
Jade Novah – “90s Fine”
Kem – “Rock With Me”
Kindred The Family Soul – “For Life”
King Sis – “Love’s Lament”
Kinsman Dazz Band ft. Gina Sedman – “There”
Teri Tobin ft. Al Chauncy – “This Life With You“
Terisa Griffin – “When You’re Around Me“
The Jupiter Gallery and Castella – “Sunset Drive”
Windy Kiragianes – “Falling for You”

Female Vocalist of the Year

Candace Woodson
Castella
Conya Doss
Deborah Bond
Heidi Tann
JC Sol
Jo Harman
Kimberly Brewer
Madz
Marva King
Teri Tobin
Terisa Griffin
Terri Green
Windy Karigianes

Male Vocalist of the Year

Alex Harris
Carvin Winans
Chazz Dixon
Cornell CC Carter
Cozy Mobetta
Eric Roberson
Kem
Noel Gourdin
Sargent Tucker
Smoke Jones
Ty Causey
Will Preston

Duo or Group of the Year

Ascendant
Camera Soul
Cool Million
Helen Bruner and Terry Jones
Kindred The Family Soul
Kinsman Dazz Band
Pieces of a Dream
Sentury
the Detroit Emeralds
The Freedom Affair
Tristan
Young Gun Silver Fox

New Artist of the Year

Donna Odain
HJ Soul
Honore
Jordan Johnston
Laticia Carrington
Londee the Artist
Madison LaRae
Nashon Holloway
Robbie Love
Shardella Sessions
Yufu

Instrumentalist of the Year

Biscuit Rouse
Darryl Evan Jones
David Margham
Gail Jhonson
Jason Peterson DeLaire
Jeff Bradshaw
John Carey
Johnny Britt
Lin Rountree
Nicolay
Regi Myrix
Vladimir Cetkar
Zo!

Lifetime Achievement Award

To Be Announced Soon!