Benson Boone’s rise in pop music has been remarkable. The singer from Washington first gained attention with his emotional ballads and powerful vocals. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most-streamed artists worldwide. Now, Boone has earned the prestigious BMI Champion Award.
The award was presented at the 2025 BMI Pop Awards, held at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills. This honor is given to artists whose work shapes the music industry and reaches listeners around the globe. BMI praised Boone for his “boundless talent and creativity” and for his “dedication and passion” that inspires others.
BMI President and CEO Mike O’Neill gave Boone the award. This recognition comes as Boone enjoys a peak in his career. In the past year, his music has been streamed nearly 10 billion times. He has also received a GRAMMY nomination, won an iHeartRadio Music Award, and earned praise from Billboard, the BRIT Awards, and others.
In his acceptance speech, Boone expressed gratitude. He made it clear the award was not just his but belonged to the team behind him. “It takes a huge powerhouse of a team to do what I’m trying to do,” he said. He thanked his collaborators, family, and record label for their support.
Boone also performed three songs during the event. His set included “Slow it Down,” “Drunk in My Mind,” and his breakout hit “Beautiful Things.” His performance highlighted the emotional honesty and vocal skill that have made him popular.
Before performing “Beautiful Things,” Boone took a moment to recognize his longtime collaborator, Jack LaFrantz. He said, “If you’re a songwriter or producer, you know how special it is to find someone you love working with.” BMI echoed this sentiment, encouraging artists to “find people that you love and make it something that you love… when you find gold in the room.”
In addition to the Champion Award, Boone received two more BMI Pop Awards for the songs “Beautiful Things” and “Slow It Down,” both co-written with LaFrantz. This is Boone’s second year being honored by BMI; his first award came in 2023 for “GHOST TOWN.”
Boone now joins a distinguished group of past Champion Award winners such as SZA, Khalid, Peso Pluma, and Mark Ronson. This places him among today’s most influential voices in music.
Other highlights from the awards ceremony included Teddy Swims winning Pop Song of the Year for “Lose Control,” a song that has stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 for over a year. Taylor Swift was named Songwriter of the Year for writing seven of the most-performed songs. Universal Music Publishing Group earned Publisher of the Year with 28 winning songs.
The event also welcomed 61 first-time Pop Award winners. These included artists and writers from many genres, such as J. Cole and Joe Keery (performing as Djo). This diversity reflects how pop music continues to evolve and blend styles.
For Benson Boone, the Champion Award is more than a milestone. It is a sign of an artist in full stride, creating music that connects with fans and continues to grow in influence.
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