Polyton Music Prize - By artists for artists

Polyton Music Prize - By artists for artists

Everything should be a little different, the focus should not just be on commerce: At least that was the goal of the organizers of the Academy for Popular Music at the Polyton Music Prize.

Artists and collectives were honored in a total of eight categories in Berlin, but without long speeches and handshakes. Instead, dancers artistically interpreted the winning works in an hour-long show, while the winners' names ran past on an illuminated display. The award winners themselves only came on stage for what felt like five minutes afterwards.

By musicians for musicians

There was also live singing at the music award ceremony. Herbert Grönemeyer, for example, presented his new song "Kaltes Berlin", a kind of nostalgic look at the present. Bosse, Paula Hartmann and Graf Fidi also performed.

The new Polyton Music Prize is an award from musicians for musicians. The prizes are awarded by the Academy for Popular Music, whose members include Shirin David, Herbert Grönemeyer, Johannes Oerding and Judith Holofernes. A total of 50 artists from various musical genres are part of the academy.

Not only the big names have won

Although artists of varying degrees of fame were nominated for the eight awards, it was by no means only the well-known faces that were honored. Well-known nominees included Peter Fox, Helene Fischer and Casper or their team members. The organizers attached great importance to diversity from the very beginning.

One of the best-known winners was Peter Fox, who received an award in the "Performance" category. For his tour this year, fans were able to apply in advance to be dancers and thus "turn every concert into a participatory party", as the organizers explained. In the "Stage" category, the man behind the "Deichkind Live 2022" concerts came out on top: Henning Besser had "translated the Deichkind madness into an innovative stage concept", judged the award organizers.

The pop duo Blumengarten received the award for their composition of the mini-album "versprochen, alles wird gut!", while actress and singer Paula Hartmann and rapper Céline won the "Lyrics" category with their song "3 Sekunden", which deals with sexualized violence. The winners of the "Digital" category also dealt with sexual assault - the winners are the #musicmeetoo association.

"Ceasefire!"

The prize in the "Production" category went to composer, producer and singer Sofia Kourtesis for the single "Madres". In the "Teamwork" category, "A Song For You" was chosen, a choir-like platform for BIPoC, i.e. people who experience racial discrimination.

During their performance, the singers energetically shouted "Ceasefire!" several times. They received loud applause from the audience. Many people are currently demanding an end to the fighting in Gaza between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas by calling for "Ceasefire". The "Wildcard" - a category without a clear category description - was awarded to the Femme Bass Mafia initiative for its DJ education work for all people who are not cis-male.

Long planned, finally here

Former Minister of State for Culture Monika Grütters (CDU) announced plans for a new music award in July 2021, as well as the founding of the academy. In 2018, the "Echo" - then one of Germany's best-known music awards - was scrapped. It was preceded by a controversy about the rappers Kollegah and Farid Bang. They had received an Echo, although lines of their lyrics had been criticized as anti-Semitic.

For a long time, sales figures were the decisive factor in winning an Echo. Grütters announced at the time that the new award would be different. It was time for a prize that "exclusively honors artistic achievement, free of commercial aspects," she said.

"Quality, not quantity"

This idea now forms the basis of Polyton, as Grütters' successor in office, Claudia Roth (Greens), said at the opening. "Polyton is geared towards quality, not quantity." Furthermore, Polyton is neither an audience award nor an industry award. On the other hand, the award creates a platform in which "traditional and hierarchical barriers" are broken down.

Roth found clear words for the first edition of Polyton, probably with the controversy of five years ago in mind. "There is no room for contempt for humanity here, there is no room for exclusion or discrimination." Anti-Semitism, racism, homophobia and sexism are also unwelcome. She received much applause for these words. "This academy and this award stand for empowerment, for cohesion and for social discourse - even outside the music industry."

Furthermore, Polyton is not just an award ceremony in one evening, but a multi-day event for the music industry. Between Wednesday and Saturday, lectures and readings were and are held as part of the event.

1. The academy that oversees the Polyton Music Prize includes renowned musicians like Herbert Grönemeyer and Judith Holofernes, who believe in honoraring artists based on their artistic achievement rather than commercial success.
2. At the ceremony, Claudia Roth, the Green Party's successor to the Ministry of State for Culture, emphasized that the Polyton Music Prize values quality over quantity, and there's no room for contempt, exclusion, or discrimination based on race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.
3. As part of the Music Prize event, various artists, such as Peter Fox and Blumengarten, graced the stage with their performances, showcasing a diverse range of musical talents that were acknowledged and celebrated at the Polyton Awards, a music prize given by artists for artists.

Source: www.dpa.com