The VUT Indie Awards were presented for the tenth time at the Reeperbahn Festival on Thursday (September 22nd). With this prize, the Association of Independent Music Entrepreneurs (VUT) honors talents regardless of their commercial success: Criteria such as quality and novelty are used as a benchmark.
Seven trophies
The Viet-German rapper Nashi44 from Berlin-Neukölln was successful in the category “Best Newcomer”. She sees herself as a mouthpiece for people who are not represented and seen enough – her music serves the purpose of empowering people. She describes her art design as “Asian Berlin Pussy Power”.
The producer, songwriter and DJane Perera Elsewhere was voted “Best Act” by the expert jury. She has released four studio albums with her band Jahcoozi and is also known as a DJane under the nom de plume Mother Perera. When she DJs, her favorite styles are future bass and UK garage.
The Hamburg label Bureau B won in the “Best Label” category. In its thirteen years of activity, it has become one of the leading representatives of the experimental and developed electronic pop music.
The Avatar concert by the band Messer was voted “Best Experiment” this year. In it, the band played in a digital space – and explored what streaming concerts can look like beyond mere filming: the audience was able to attend the show with their own avatars and VR glasses.
The jurors chose Sophia Kennedy’s “Monster” as “Best Album”. Their alternative pop unfolds on 13 tracks. With her album “Monsters”, the native of Hamburg not only inspires all those who like it experimental, but also wins in the category “Best Album”.
The Black Artist Database, a music agency that markets black artists, won the award for “Best New Music Business”. Their leitmotif: “Everyday is a good day to support and buy from black artists”.
The “VIA Special Prize” for special services to the independent music industry went to Musicians Without Borders eV This year. The association establishes a worldwide network of creative music projects to give people access to music, especially learning an instrument, regardless of their life situation – and to initiate social change through the power of music.