Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Myung Sun Yoon receive 2025 FTMI Award for outstanding contribution to music creators.
23 October 2025 – Johannesburg, South Africa: Fair Trade Music International (FTMI) has announced South African songwriter and singer, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, and South Korean composer, musician and producer, Myung Sun Yoon, as recipients of the 2025 FTMI Award.
The presentation was made by Eddie Schwartz and Lorenzo Ferrero during the International Council of Music Authors (CIAM) general assembly in Johannesburg.
Yvonne Chaka Chaka is a South African singer, songwriter, humanitarian and teacher. She has been at the forefront of African music for four decades and in 1981, was the first Black child to appear on South African television. She has shared the stage with artists such as Bono, Angélique Kidjo, Youssou N’Dour and the classic rock band Queen, and performed for numerous dignitaries including Queen Elizabeth II, US President Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandella at his 85th birthday celebration. Ms Chaka Chaka is a champion for The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the United Nations MDG Envoy for Africa, and the Goodwill Ambassador for the Roll Back Malaria Partnership. Since 2020, she has been vice-president of CISAC and remains an outspoken defender of African music creator rights.
Ms Chaka Chaka was in Johannesburg to accept the award in person from celebrated Canadian songwriter and FTMI board member, Eddie Schwartz.
Myung Sun Yoon is celebrated as one of South Korea’s most prolific and versatile composers. Throughout his award-winning career, Mr Yoon has shaped the contemporary music landscape with chart-topping songs and guided emerging talent through television programs and industry leadership. He has written numerous hit songs for various artists including “Oh My Goodness” for Jang Yoon-jeong, “Black Glasses” for Eru and “The Western Sky” for Lee Seung Chul. He is also music director for TV Chosun’s hit show “Miss Trot”, credited with revitalizing interest in Korean “trot” music, and appears as a judge on the top-rated “Korea-Japan Top Ten Show”. Mr Yoon served as the chairman of Korean music society KOMCA from 2014 to 2018 before becoming vice-chair of the Asia Pacific Music Creators’ Alliance where he has worked tirelessly to support authors’ rights across the region.
Due to work commitments, Mr Yoon was not able to travel to South Africa in-person and so sent a video message of thanks to the assembly. His award was presented by renowned Italian composer and FTMI vice-president, Lorenzo Ferrero.
Fair Trade Music International thanks Ms Chaka Chaka and Mr Yoon for their years of service in the fight for music creator rights and congratulates them on this well-deserved recognition.”
– Safwan Javed, FTMI President
About Fair Trade Music International
Founded in 2014, Fair Trade Music International (FTMI) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation backed by more than 500,000 music creators from around the world. It combines a board of renown songwriters and industry experts with global networking, education and awareness initiatives to promote the emergence of an ethical, sustainable and transparent music ecosystem. FTMI aims to help people make ethical choices when producing, distributing or streaming music. It works towards a modern digital music economy that incentivises creativity, increases access to new work and is equitable for everyone in the music value chain.
The annual FTMI Award was launched in 2023 and aims to celebrate the outstanding contributions that individual creators, campaigners and law makers are making to the cause of fair remuneration in music. Planning for next year’s FTMI Awards will commence in Spring 2026.
(With thanks to CIAM for photography)
