CAA’s Maria May to Receive IMS Legends Award 2025

The International Music Summit (IMS) has announced that Maria May of Creative Artists Agency (CAA) will be the recipient of the prestigious IMS Legends Award for 2025. This award recognizes her exceptional and enduring contributions to the culture of electronic music. The formal presentation of the award will take place during The Beatport Awards on Thursday, April 24th, coinciding with a dedicated industry luncheon held during IMS Ibiza.

Maria May’s influence within the electronic music landscape spans over three decades. As one of the most respected and renowned agents in the genre, she has represented a significant number of innovative and globally successful artists throughout her career. Leading the London-based ‘Team Disco’ at CAA, May and her team currently manage the careers of a diverse roster of leading musicians, including David Guetta, Black Eyed Peas, Róisín Murphy, Sara Landry, Layla Benitez, Hernan Cattaneo, Hugel, Meduza, Marlon Hoffstadt, Malugi, Paul Kalkbrenner, Robin Schulz, Icona Pop, The Chainsmokers, Jonas Blue, Purple Disco Machine, Eli Brown, Genesi, Jammer, Monolink, Cloonee, Lanna, Abel, ARCADIA, Marten Lou, Gok Wan, WhoMadeWho, and Monolink, among others. Her impressive history also includes working with iconic artists such as Frankie Knuckles, David Morales, Layo and Bushwacka, Hercules and Love Affair, Azari and III, Moloko, Soulwax, 2manydjs, Lee Burridge, and X-press 2.

Championing Inclusivity and Growth

Beyond her role in propelling artists to international acclaim, Maria May has been instrumental in fostering a more inclusive and dynamic electronic music community. As a highly influential behind-the-scenes figure, she has consistently been a proactive advocate for the electronic music community, tirelessly championing, honoring, and supporting women within both the music itself and the broader electronic music business.

Her commitment extends beyond her work at CAA. Maria May serves as a board member of Lady of the House, a female-led collective dedicated to amplifying the contributions of women in the dance music industry, while also providing upliftment and education to the wider community. Furthermore, she contributes her expertise as a board member of Beatport and as an advisory board member of the Frankie Knuckles Foundation, honoring the legacy of the house music pioneer. Maria was also a founding advisory board member of the Association For Electronic Music (AFEM) for a decade and a long-serving board member of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), both organizations for which she campaigned tirelessly during the challenging impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Industry Recognition of Dedication and Impact

Maria May’s unwavering dedication and profound impact on the electronic music industry have been acknowledged through numerous prestigious accolades. These include her induction into the Music Week Women in Music Roll of Honour, multiple features on Billboard’s International Power Players list, and a recent cover feature in IQ Magazine, celebrating the significant achievements of her remarkable 30-year career.

To receive this recognition is both humbling and very exciting. Not merely because of what it represents for my career, but because of what it stands for in the wider culture of electronic music. This award is not just about me. It’s for the women who came before me, the ones who were overlooked but laid the groundwork anyway. It is for the women beside me now, fierce, brilliant, relentless who continue to strive. And it’s for the women still coming — who I hope will never have to ask for permission to belong here. Thank you to all the amazing artists I have worked with. Thank you for the music. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way. Thank you, IMS. The journey is far from over and I’m still dancing. See you on the dancefloor.
— Maria May

The IMS Legends Award 2025 serves as a fitting tribute to Maria May’s enduring legacy and her pivotal role in shaping the electronic music landscape. Her dedication to artists, her advocacy for inclusivity, and her tireless work behind the scenes have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the industry, inspiring countless individuals and paving the way for future generations.