East Coast Music Association announces first round of award winners

The EMCA announced 14 of the 2025 East Coast Music Awards at the 37th annual East Coast Music Awards Gala in St. John’s, NL.

The first round of 2025 ECMA award winners include:

African Canadian Artist of the Year | Artiste afro-canadienne ou afro-canadien de l’année

Presented by: African Nova Scotian Music Association

Maggie Andrew

Album of the Year | Album de l’année

Presented by: Rogers

Vishtèn Connexions - Expansion

Artiste acadien(ne) ou francophone de l’année | Acadian or Francophone Artist of the Year

Presented by: Le Gaboteur

Les Hay Babies

Breakthrough Artist of the Year | Révélation de l’année

Presented by: Atlantic Lottery

Loviet

Country Release of the Year | Sortie country de l’année

Presented by: Stingray

Brett Matthews - "If I Die Today" (feat. Classified)

Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award

The Ennis Sisters

Group of the Year / Groupe de l’année

Presented by the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador

Neon Dreams

Indigenous Artist of the Year / Artiste autochtone de l’année

Deantha Edmunds

R&B/Soul Release of the Year / Enregistrement R&B/soul de l’année

Presented by Craft Beer Collective

Jah’Mila - "Never Fail"

Solo Artist of the Year / Artiste solo de l’année

Presented by the Dairy Farmers of Newfoundland and Labrador

Classified

Songwriter of the Year / Compositrice ou compositeur de l’année

Presented by SOCAN

Old Man Luedecke - "The Raven and The Dove"

TD Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year / Artiste de l’année - Choix du public

Kellie Loder

TD Fans’ Choice Video of the Year / Vidéoclip de l’année - Choix du public

Kellie Loder - “Can't Go Back” (Directed by: Ashlea Wessel)

Traditional Release of the Year | Sortie traditionnelle de l’année

Rum Ragged - “Paddy Hyde”

The remaining music, industry and honourary awards will be handed on Sunday.