Grande’s seventh No. 1 debut makes Billboard history while SESAC recognizes her creative evolution from teen star to sophisticated songwriting.
Ariana Grande claimed SESAC’s Songwriter of the Year award at the 2025 LA Music Awards, cementing her transformation from Nickelodeon actress to pop’s most consistent chart dominator. Her single “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love)” didn’t just soundtrack heartbreak—it made history as her seventh track to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, setting the record for most No. 1 debuts by any female artist. Grande’s success stems from her ability to craft emotionally resonant hooks that translate personal vulnerability into universal anthems, combining R&B vocal sophistication with pop accessibility.
Rights Organizations Recognize Real Impact
SESAC’s recognition reflects the growing influence of performance rights in streaming-dominated music.
The ceremony at Hollywood’s W Hotel highlighted how performing rights organizations like SESAC have become power players in music’s financial ecosystem. SESAC recently closed an $889 million securitization deal—three times oversubscribed—demonstrating how rights management generates substantial revenue streams that benefit both writers and investors. When an organization controlling that much licensing revenue names you Songwriter of the Year, the industry takes notice.
Grande’s recognition alongside Universal Music Publishing Group’s Publisher of the Year award creates a publishing powerhouse that spans creative and commercial success.
Publishing Partnerships Drive Chart Success
Universal Music Publishing Group’s catalog dominance extends beyond Grande’s hits.
Universal’s Publisher of the Year win wasn’t just about Grande’s breakthrough. The company also powered:
- Linkin Park’s “The Emptiness Machine”
- Coldplay’s “We Pray” featuring Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna, and Tini
These aren’t random successes—they’re strategic partnerships between writers, publishers, and labels that understand how songs move from studios to streaming playlists. Grande’s connection to Universal demonstrates how smart publishing deals amplify artistic vision while maximizing commercial reach.
Industry Veterans Share Spotlight
Producers Dez Wright and The Legendary Traxster earned recognition alongside emerging songwriters.
The awards celebrated both established hitmakers and rising talent. Producers Dez Wright and The Legendary Traxster took Producer of the Year honors, while writers Jack Harlow, Emily Armstrong, and Japanese Breakfast represented diverse genres finding commercial success.
Posthumous legacy awards honored James Leach and John Sweeney, acknowledging how today’s streaming revenues still depend on decades of foundational work. SESAC artist Tamara Jade served as MC for the ceremony.
Grande’s songwriter recognition arrives as she prepares for the “Eternal Sunshine” tour—her first major global trek in seven years. The award validates what streaming numbers already proved: authentic songwriting still drives pop culture, even when algorithms try to predict the next hit.
