Kitt Wakeley is an American Grammy Award-winning composer, songwriter, musician, and music producer. His album Symphony of Sinners & Saints peaked at #1 on Billboard's Classical Crossover and Classical charts, and at #18 on Hot Hard Rock Songs. Singles "Conflicted", "Forgive Me", and "Sinners and Saints" all peaked at #1 on Billboard's Hard Rock Digital Song Sales as well as charting on the Top-10 Hot Hard Rock Songs chart. He has released four studio albums that feature Nuno Bettencourt, Nita Strauss, Kenny Aronoff, Andy Timmons, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the London Voices.

The Hollywood Independent Music Awards (HIMA) is an awards organization that honors independent artists, composers, songwriters, record labels, and studio recording professionals for their creative contributions to independent music. The independent music categories were once a part of the HMMAs, but they evolved and expanded into a mainstream awards event, with major film music categories, nominees, and winners including Billie Eilish, Rhianna, Olivia Rodrigo, Ludwig Göransson, Danny Elfman, Hans Zimmer, and Austin Butler. Hosting a separate awards show for independent artists was decided by founder Brent Harvey after an increased engagement from independent artists internationally. The first inaugural HIMA ceremony was held on August 17, 2023 at the Avalon Hollywood in Hollywood, California.