Pop music is much more than entertainment; it can be a mirror and catalyst for social change. It reveals and negotiates social issues and trends; it challenges the status quo. Pop music can have the power to shape public awareness for alternative lifestyles and new realities. The ‘Akademie für Populäre Musik’, the POLYTON – platform curated by Studio Yukiko, and the annual musician-voted music award actively establish a foundation for recognizing, connecting, and amplifying pop musicians in the public eye.