Recommendations of the Editorial team
The pop culture prize was awarded for the ninth time on Sunday (June 21). Awards were presented in eleven categories at the Zeiss Large Planetarium in Berlin.
For the first time, the award ceremony fell on the day of the Fête de la Musique. A public music program took place around the planetarium in the afternoon before the awards ceremony began in the evening.
Westbam receives lifetime achievement award
With the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Association for the Promotion of Pop Culture honored Westbam’s influence on German and international club culture. The laudatory speech for the DJ, producer and co-founder of the Loveparade was given by Chicago house musician Robert Owens, who has been associated with Westbam for decades.
Peaches, Nina Chuba and Tristan Brusch honored
In the regular categories, the prizes went to artists and projects from different areas of pop culture. Peaches was named favorite artist. According to the voters, the album of the year comes from Tristan Brusch: “At the beginning” won the favorite album category.
Nina Chuba received the award for the most impressive live show for the “Arena Tour”. “Näher” by FAYIM was named favorite song. Novaa won in the Favorite Producer category.
The program during and before the awards ceremony
Despite stormy weather conditions in the morning, according to the organizers, around 2,500 visitors came to the concerts in front of the planetarium. The program included performances by 6euroneunzig, Baumgart and Nadja Benaissa.
The evening event was hosted by journalist and presenter Victoria Reichelt. Musical contributions came from Baumgart, Justin Hayo, MADANii and Mariybu, among others.
The Pop Culture Prize has been awarded by the Association for the Promotion of Pop Culture since 2016. According to the association, the focus is on artistic achievements and social relevance, regardless of sales figures or chart positions.
All winners of the 2026 Pop Culture Prize
- Favorite artist/favorite band: Peaches
- Most hopeful newcomer: border control
- Favorite producer: Novaa
- Favorite album: Tristan Brusch – “In the beginning”
- Favorite song: FAYIM – “Closer”
- Most moving picture: JAMEL – “Loud Resistance”
- Most impressive live show: Nina Chuba – “Arena Tour”
- Living pop culture: SchwuZ
- Favorite podcast: Jan Schwarzkamp – “The soundtrack of my life”
- Outstanding social commitment: Corner Choir – “Screw AfD Yodel”
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Westbam
