Benson Boone’s rise in the pop world has been anything but quiet. Since first gaining attention for his soul-baring ballads and soaring vocals, the Washington native has swiftly become one of the most-streamed artists on the planet, and now, he’s officially a BMI Champion.
At the 2025 BMI Pop Awards, held at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, Boone was honored with the BMI Champion Award, a recognition reserved for artists whose work not only shapes the musical landscape but also resonates on a global scale. A statement from the company discloses that Boone was celebrated for his “boundless talent and creativity,” and for his “dedication and passion” that continues to inspire.
Presented by BMI President and CEO Mike O’Neill, the award comes at a time when Boone is experiencing a career high. Over the past year alone, his music has amassed nearly 10 billion streams, and he’s been nominated for a GRAMMY, won an iHeartRadio Music Award, and earned accolades across the industry—from Billboard to the BRITs.
Grateful and visibly moved, Boone used his acceptance speech to highlight the team behind his success. “This is not my award,” he said, crediting his collaborators, family, and label. A statement from the company quotes him saying, “It takes a huge powerhouse of a team to do what I’m trying to do, and I have a wonderful team.”
Boone also took the stage for an intimate three-song set, showcasing the artistry that’s propelled him to pop’s upper tier. Performing “Slow it Down,” “Drunk in My Mind,” and his breakout hit “Beautiful Things,” Boone reminded the audience that vulnerability and vocal precision remain at the heart of his appeal.
Before launching into “Beautiful Things,” he paused to honor longtime collaborator Jack LaFrantz. “If you’re a songwriter or producing or have anything to do with the creation process of music, you understand how incredible it is when you find someone you really like to work with,” Boone said. A statement from the company echoes his sentiment: “Find people that you love and make it something that you love… when you find gold in the room.”
Boone also received two additional BMI Pop Awards for “Beautiful Things” and “Slow It Down,” both co-written with LaFrantz. It marks his second year earning recognition from BMI—his first came in 2023 for “GHOST TOWN.”
He joins an impressive list of past Champion Award recipients including SZA, Khalid, Peso Pluma, and Mark Ronson, further solidifying his place among today’s most impactful voices in music.
Elsewhere in the evening, other standout honors included Pop Song of the Year, which went to Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control”—a track that has made itself comfortable on the Billboard Hot 100 for more than a year. Songwriter of the Year went to Taylor Swift for crafting seven of the most-performed songs of the year, while Universal Music Publishing Group took home Publisher of the Year with 28 songs on the winning list.
The event also welcomed 61 first-time Pop Award winners, including artists and writers from across genres—from J. Cole to Joe Keery (under his artist moniker Djo)—a clear reflection of pop music’s evolving and increasingly eclectic landscape.
As for Boone, the Champion Award seems less like a career milestone and more like a signpost: a marker of an artist in full momentum, creating work that connects, inspires, and continues to grow in scope and impact.
The full list of honorees can be found HERE.
