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Sean Garrett, the powerhouse songwriter, producer, and artist known as “The Pen,” is set to take the stage at the 2025 TRACE Awards & Summit, taking place February 24-26 in Zanzibar, Africa. The acclaimed hitmaker, who has shaped the sound of modern R&B and hip-hop, will serve as both a panelist and presenter at the prestigious event.

Garrett’s name is synonymous with some of the biggest songs of the last two decades. His breakthrough came with Usher’s chart-topping hit “Yeah!”, a song that not only defined an era but also solidified Garrett’s reputation as one of the industry’s go-to songwriters. From there, his career skyrocketed, leading to a catalog filled with legendary tracks, including Nicki Minaj’s “Massive Attack,” Beyoncé’s “Check on It,” Chris Brown’s “Run It!,” Fergie’s “London Bridge,” Destiny’s Child’s “Soldier,” and Ciara’s “Goodies.”

His ability to craft infectious hooks and timeless anthems has made him one of the most influential forces in music. His executive production on Summer Walker’s “Still Over It,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, further showcased his ability to evolve with the industry while staying true to his R&B roots.

Bringing Expertise to the TRACE Awards & Summit

As a four-time Grammy nominee, Garrett has spent years mentoring and shaping artists behind the scenes. His presence at the TRACE Awards & Summit highlights his ongoing commitment to the global music landscape, particularly in the Afro-inspired space.

The summit, which runs from February 24-26, 2025, is a major celebration of African and Afro-influenced music, bringing together artists, industry leaders, and innovators from across the world. Garrett will participate in two key panel discussions.

In “The AI Takeover: Will African Producers & Artists Become Irrelevant or Unstoppable?” Garrett will join industry experts Vivek Ganesh (ByteDance-TikTok), Seven Mosha (Sony Music EA), and Raj Kulasingam (Dentons) to explore how artificial intelligence is shifting the music industry and what it means for African artists and producers.

For “Breaking the Global Barrier: How to Make More African Artists Global Stars?”, he will be part of a discussion alongside Diamond Platnumz, Kudjo Sogadzi (Mediaco Holding Inc.), Sean Okeye (Rema’s Brand & Talent Manager), and Adam Tiran (Africon COO) to strategize on expanding African artists’ presence on the world stage.

A Global Vision

Garrett’s participation in the summit underscores his dedication to nurturing the next generation of talent and bridging the gap between different corners of the music industry. His impact has already shaped R&B and hip-hop, and now he’s bringing his expertise to an even broader audience.

The 2025 TRACE Awards & Summit promises to be a defining moment for African and global music culture. With Sean Garrett leading these crucial discussions, the future of music looks even more exciting.