British Columbia’s musicians took home eight awards at this year’s Western Canadian Music Awards (WCMA). The WCMAs celebrate outstanding artistic and industry achievements across Western Canada and take place annually as part of BreakOut West, Canada’s leading music industry event.
Congratulations to this year’s WCMA winners from B.C.’s vibrant music and sound recording community!
Children’s Artist of the Year
Kym Gouchie
Classical Composer of the Year
Jeffrey Ryan – “Afghanistan: Requiem for a Generation” – Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Bramwell Tovey
Metal & Hard Music Artist of the Year
Anciients
Producer of the Year
Kevvy
Rap & Hip Hop Artist of the Year
Snotty Nose Rez Kids
Songwriter(s) of the Year
Yung Trybez/Young D (Snotty Nose Rez Kids) – RED FUTURE
Spiritual Artist of the Year
Ruby Singh’s Vox.Infold II
Video Director of the Year
Sterling Larose – Snotty Nose Rez Kids “BBE”
See the full list of British Columbia-based nominees on BC Creates.
Listen BC at BreakOut West
Hosted by the Western Canadian Music Alliance, BreakOut West features a four-day music conference and a three-night festival, offering artists and industry professionals the chance to grow their careers through panels, keynotes, mentorship, networking, and live performances. Five talented musicians and bands from B.C. took the stage at BreakOut West’s music showcase festival.
Anna Katarina
Raised between the mountains of British Columbia and North Carolina’s Appalachia, Anna Katarina is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter whose music reflects a rich connection to place and story. Kown for her distinctive voice, heartfelt lyrics, and genre-blending style, she seamlessly fuses indie pop, folk, and soul into songs that range from infectious and danceable to deeply vulnerable. Recently named one of Canada’s hottest emerging artists by Exclaim! Magazine, Anna draws inspiration from icons like Joni Mitchell, Sheryl Crow, and Stevie Nicks, quickly becoming a standout in the local music scene.
Daniel Lew
Twelve years ago, Daniel Lew lost hearing in one ear, an unexpected turning point that led him to a life in music. Described as “folk music writ large with electrifying vocals” by Pancouver Magazine, his honest songwriting, soulful voice, and inventive guitar looping have earned praise from Ed Sheeran, Jacob Collier, and Dan Mangan. With four albums, national tours, and international showcases under his belt, Daniel’s music has been featured by CBC Radio, CTV News, Exclaim!, and more. Recently, through Jade Music Festival, he’s begun blending Mandarin, Cantonese, and English in his songs, reconnecting with his roots and expanding his sound.
Freeze the Fall
Kelowna-based Freeze the Fall is a hard rock power trio making waves with their electrifying blend of melodic metal vocals, thunderous rhythms, and riff-driven sound. Since the release of their debut EP Thrones in 2024, they’ve gained international attention, with their tracks “Glitch” and “Daughters of Witches” earning praise for their haunting vocals and crushing intensity. Known for high-energy live shows and collaborative songwriting, Freeze the Fall fuses hard rock aggression with melodic nuance into a distinct and captivating style.
Kimmortal
Queer non-binary Filipinx artist Kimmortal is known for their genre-bending sound, intricate lyricism, and deeply personal storytelling. Blending singing and rapping over pop-infused hip hop beats, their music balances subversive energy with raw vulnerability. Their 2023 album Shoebox explores themes of intergenerational healing, 2SLGBTQ+ celebration, and reconnecting with the inner child. Kimmortal’s work has been featured in The L Word: Generation Q and Apex Legends, and they recently won Best Original Song at the Canadian Screen Awards for their work on Sort Of. Their video “Blue and Orange” also received Best Music Video at the Disorient Asian American Film Festival.
NIKKAELA
Nikkaela is a Vancouver-based R&B singer-songwriter known for her raw vulnerability, profound storytelling, and soulful melodies. Growing up in a Filipino-Canadian household, her music draws inspiration from the complexities of love, identity, and self-discovery, universal themes that resonate deeply in her heartfelt lyrics. Her music explores complexities of adulthood such as heartbreak, healing, and growth, creating a space of reflection and connection for her listeners. With a voice that balances strength and tenderness, Nikkaela transforms personal experiences into universal narratives, creating powerful moments of shared vulnerability in every performance.
Learn more about BreakOut West and the Western Canadian Music Awards on their website.
