The “Cream of the Crop” of Estonian Music
One of the main goals of our very own music festival Estonian Music Week (EMW) is to promote the small but mighty country’s vibrant and refreshing culture in general. What better way to introduce the current cream of the crop in terms of the music scene than to look to the Estonian Music Awards (EMA), a place where all genres meet and the best of the best and chart toppers are celebrated. Whether it be alternative, metal, jazz or classical; there’s something of interest to everyone.
A little historical background on these prestigious awards: in 1998, the Estonian Record Producers Association decided that the current state of the music scene at the time wasn’t being honoured sufficiently and created the Estonian Music Awards as a way to do just that. Genre categories as well as distinctions such as the Best Pop Artist and Best Debut Album of the Year were created to reflect different facets of the Estonian music charts and landscape in general. Just like the Grammys and more localized Junos have their own award designs, the Estonian Music Awards have always awarded the winners in each category with a Golden Record as a symbol of their thanks to the contribution of the music scene within that year.
One of our favourites here at EMW is Mari Kalkun in the Etno/Folk category, who was nominated for in the 2021 EMAs, as well as Best Female Performer. The Etno/Folk category focuses on Estonian traditional and folk music, but more specifically how artists and bands in the category successfully integrate those genres within newer experimental, electronic and pop music. It is often regarded as one of if not the most prestigious categories to be nominated for in the awards festival because not only is the winner being honoured for their contribution to the folk and traditional music category but for furthering Estonian culture and renewing and revitalizing it as well through their music, keeping it relevant. No other category at the awards can claim to accomplish this to the same extent. This forms a direct connection to one of the main missions of EMW – continuously keeping Estonian music and culture alive within our diaspora community and also introducing it to the public through artists and bands that are innovative and unique.
Undoubtedly the person who stole the show at the 2021 Estonian Music Awards was rap phenomenon Nublu, taking home 5 awards; among them Album of the Year, Best Male Artist, and Best Music Video in combination with an up and coming Finnish rap sensation Mikael Gabriel. This was an especially important win in terms of a successful representation of mixing two cultures with a strong ethnic focus together through music and the visual arts once again. Within the esteemed Etno/Folk category, friends of EMW Trad. Attack! took home the award for their acclaimed album Make Your Move; this being the fourth time they’ve taken top spot. Yet another reason to stay tuned, some of these award winning Estonian artists and bands may be performers at our future EMW festivals!
Written by Kati Kiilaspea
Images: Eesti Muusikaauhinnad Facebook Page (Erlend Štaub, Jüri Kartul ja Kairi Killing)