ISC, the renowned songwriting competition, has proudly bestowed its highest honor, the 2022 Grand Prize, upon the exceptionally talented singer/songwriter Ondara. Originally from Kenya and now residing in the United States, Ondara, a Grammy-nominated artist, will receive a remarkable prize package worth $50,000, including $25,000 in cash, along with various other prizes. His winning composition, “An Alien In Minneapolis,” featured in his third album titled The Spanish Villager No. 3, captivates listeners with its profound and evocative narrative of his personal journey as an outsider in a foreign land. The song highlights Ondara’s exceptional songwriting abilities, emphasizing his profound understanding of the human experience and the unifying power of music across diverse backgrounds.

Candace Avery, the Founder, and Director of ISC, expressed admiration for Ondara’s music, stating, “Ondara’s compositions authentically reflect the diverse and profound aspects of the human condition. His ability to convey intricate emotions through his lyrics and music is truly extraordinary. We are thrilled to recognize this exceptional artist and present him with the ISC Grand Prize, a remarkable accolade.”

Alongside the Grand Prize recipient, ISC acknowledged numerous other songwriters who displayed remarkable talent within their respective genres, attesting to the competition’s high standard of submissions. ISC awards First, Second, and Third Place in each of its 24 categories, in addition to Honorable Mentions and the People’s Voice, a winner determined by public voting. These outstanding winners, comprising both emerging talents and seasoned songwriting veterans, hail from around the globe (53% of this year’s winners originated outside the USA) and represent diverse cultures. The categories encompass a broad spectrum of contemporary music genres, including Pop, World Music, Country, Instrumental, Rock, Hip-Hop, and many more.

This annual competition, renowned for its recognition of both up-and-coming and established songwriters, received over 15,000 entries from 137 countries. A distinguished judging panel consisting of prominent celebrity recording artists and industry professionals carefully selected the winners.

Since its establishment in 2002, ISC has earned a reputation as one of the most esteemed and prestigious songwriting competitions worldwide. Winning an ISC award is a momentous achievement for songwriters, as it provides recognition, exposure, and potential opportunities for their music to reach a wider audience.