Melbourne's Orlando Kallen has taken out Artist of the Year at the 2025 Unsigned Only Music Awards.
The prestigious US-based competition saw Australian artists claim five major wins, representing the second-highest tally behind the United States. Kallen leads the charge alongside Hayley Mary from Clunes, who won Best AAA Artist, and Sydney hip-hop act DEVAURA, who claimed Best Hip-Hop/Rap Artist. The results came from almost 5,000 entries submitted from more than 100 countries worldwide.
The Unsigned Only Music Awards celebrates independent and unsigned talent across all genres, with judges including industry heavyweights like Aimee Mann, LeAnn Rimes, Robert Smith from The Cure, and Jill Scott. This year’s judging panel also featured music journalists from Rolling Stone, Billboard and DownBeat, alongside talent buyers and music supervisors from across the industry.
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Orlando Kallen brings Greek, Egyptian and Croatian heritage to his pop sound, balancing mainstream accessibility with indie edge and rock energy. The Melbourne artist has built millions of streams across platforms and developed a fast-growing international fanbase through social media. His Artist of the Year win marks a significant milestone for the emerging pop talent.
The complete list of Australian winners includes Shebie King from Sefton in NSW, who won Best Lyricist, and Brisbane rock act Felony., who claimed Best Rock Artist. Hayley Mary’s Best AAA Artist win adds to Victoria’s strong showing, with three of the five Australian winners based in the state.
The awards recognise artists across multiple categories, from traditional genres like rock and country to contemporary styles including electronic and hip-hop. Winners were selected based on songwriting ability, musical performance, production quality and overall artistic vision. The competition provides a platform for independent artists to gain industry recognition without major label backing.
Industry professionals on the judging panel included talent buyers from major festivals, music supervisors working in film and television, and executives from streaming platforms. The diverse panel ensures winners are evaluated by professionals working across different sectors of the music industry, providing comprehensive feedback on artistic merit and commercial potential.
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