For the second year in a row, Ruby Shabazz of Nashua won the Soul/R&B category at the New England Music Awards. Courtesy photo

NASHUA – Soul/R&B artist Ruby Shabazz recently made regional music history, securing her second consecutive victory in the Soul/R&B category at this year’s New England Music Awards.

The win follows her first triumph in 2024, cementing her status as a leading voice in New England’s vibrant music scene.

The 2025 awards ceremony was held on Nov. 16 at the Six String Grille and Stage in Foxborough, Mass. The annual event recognizes artists throughout the region for their significant contributions and achievements, with winners selected by fan votes and a NEMA committee comprised of music industry experts, including journalists and radio personalities.

“It was such a fantastic night with so much talent of all different styles gathered in one room,” said Shabazz. “To win Soul/R&B Act of the Year, two years in a row, is an honor, especially given the ongoing challenges many local R&B artists face in gaining mainstream radio exposure and industry recognition. I’m glad I can carry the torch in some small little way.”

The celebration was a family affair, as Shabazz’s husband, fellow Nashua artist Fee the Evolutionist, was also a nominee for Hip-Hop Act of the Year, building on his previous New Hampshire: Rising Star award win in 2022.