Legendary Chaka Khan and Amy Allen to Be Celebrated at 2026 Resonator Awards
Sometimes awards season can get a little exhausting. Between the endless red carpets and the same five names getting called out at every ceremony, it’s easy to tune out. But every once in a while, an event comes along that cuts through the noise and actually celebrates the people like Chaka Khan, Amy Allen, and St. Vincent who are doing the real heavy lifting behind the scenes. That is exactly what’s happening on January 27, 2026, at the Resonator Awards.
Celebrating the Behind the Scenes
While everyone is busy placing bets on the Grammys, We Are Moving The Needle is taking over the iconic Chaplin Studios in Los Angeles to honor the women, trans, and non-binary creators who literally shape the sound of our culture. We aren’t just talking about the faces on the album covers; we are talking about the producers, engineers, and songwriters who make the magic happen. Leading the charge this year are titans like Chaka Khan, Amy Allen, and St. Vincent.
Legends Like Chaka Khan are Finally Getting Their Due
If we are talking about impact, we have to start with the Luminary Award recipient. Chaka Khan is being honored, and it’s way past time. The woman is an institution. She isn’t just a singer; she’s a cultural architect. Getting her award presented by Sia feels like the perfect passing of the torch between two vocal powerhouses who do things their own way. According to Billboard, Khan said it best herself regarding the honor:
“Empowered women empower women.”
It sounds like a bumper sticker – until you realize she’s actually living it. However, the night isn’t just about legacy acts. It’s about the current heavy hitters dominating Spotify Wrapped.
Amy Allen: The Songwriters and Producers Dominating the Charts
You might not know her face, but you definitely know her lyrics. Amy Allen and a few other honorees represent the full spectrum of the industry, but Allen’s inclusion is massive for pop fans. She is taking home the Calliope Award, and considering she’s the pen behind hits for Sabrina Carpenter and Tate McRae, she arguably owns the sound of 2025-2026. Having Laufey present the award to her is just the cherry on top of a very Gen-Z-coded cake.
St. Vincent (real name Annie Clark) will receive the Golden Trifecta Award. Clark has always been a shape-shifter, but being recognized as a triple threat—a producer, an engineer, and an artist—validates what her fans have known for years: she controls every single aspect of her sound. Olivia Rodrigo is presenting this one, which makes total sense given St. Vincent’s clear influence on the new wave of alt-pop rockers.
HAIM will take home the Disruptors Award. The sisters have spent their career proving that a band of women can rock harder and produce tighter tracks than the boys’ club. Rostam will present the award—a nice nod to the indie sleaze era enthusiasts among us.
A Star-Studded Presenter List That Rivals the Main Stage
Usually, these industry-specific awards have dry presenter lists, but the Resonator Awards are pulling out the A-list. Aside from the names already dropped, we’re looking at appearances from Anderson .Paak, Jason Isbell, and Addison Rae.
Yes, you read that right. Addison Rae is presenting the In Stereo Award to Elvira Anderfjärd and Luka Kloser, the duo who helped craft her debut album. It’s a smart move that bridges the gap between internet culture and serious music production.
Why We Are Moving The Needle Is Crucial
It is easy to get caught up in the celebrity of it all, but we have to remember why Emily Lazar founded We Are Moving The Needle in the first place. The statistics for women and non-binary people in production and engineering are still pretty abysmal. This organization is putting money where its mouth is, having already awarded over $875,000 in scholarships.
The Resonator Hall of Fame inductions are particularly touching this year, specifically the posthumous honor for SOPHIE. Her influence on hyperpop and electronic production is still rippling through the industry, and it is crucial that her technical genius is recognized alongside her artistry.
The 2026 Resonator Awards: What You Need To Know
This isn’t just a dinner; it’s a statement. By highlighting artists like Chaka Khan and Amy Allen, and rising engineers like Roselilah (who worked on Kendrick Lamar’s massive hit “Luther”), the Resonator Awards are showing the Grammys exactly what a balanced, forward-thinking industry looks like. The event kicks off Grammy week on January 27. While we’ll all be watching the main stage in early February, the real celebration of craft, grit, and breaking the glass ceiling is happening right here.
