popNRW Prize

The "popNRW Prize", which is awarded jointly with the NRW State Music Council, is one of the best endowed and most prestigious awards for pop musicians in Germany. In autumn 2024, the coveted award will be presented for the thirteenth time in Cologne to successful musicians and promising newcomers from the region. In addition to the prize money, they can look forward to an additional career boost and an increase in their popularity. The prize is traditionally awarded in two categories: while the "popNRW Prize" for "Outstanding Artists" is endowed with 10,000 euros, the "Best Newcomer" receives a prize of 2,500 euros.

The prizes have been funded by the NRW Ministry of Economic Affairs since 2016. Under the auspices of the NRW KULTURsekretariat, the pre-selection of artists and groups is triffed by an expert jury of industry representatives, festival organisers and journalists, supplemented by suggestions from an advisory board of representatives from the field of pop promotion. In the past, the jury has repeatedly demonstrated a keen instinct for promising awards. Illustrious names such as Roosevelt, Giant Rooks, Amilli, Von Spar, Messer, Goldroger, International Music, Die P, Serious Klein and the immensely popular AnnenMayKantereit, who were honoured with a recognition award back in 2014, are testament to this.

In November 2023, the first prize in the "Outstanding Artists" category went to the young songwriter Philine Sonny from Unna, who dresses her longings and fears in melancholic indie rock sounds and touches listeners with nostalgic folk borrowings. The lively pop duo Blumengarten from Velbert won the 2,500 euro prize for "Best Newcomer". Marie Montexier and Negisa, the runners-up in both categories, were also honoured with further prizes. A total of 26 bands and artists were nominated, including 11 Outstanding Artists and 15 Newcomers.

The "popNRW Prize" is one of the best endowed and most prestigious awards for pop musicians in Germany. On 14 November 2023, the coveted award will be presented for the twelfth time to successful musicians and promising newcomers from the region in cooperation with the Landesmusikrat NRW. In addition to the prize money, they can look forward to an additional career boost and an increase in their popularity.

The prize is traditionally awarded in two categories: For the popNRW prize of 10,000 euros for "Outstanding Artists", the expert jury of industry representatives, festival organisers and journalists under the auspices of the NRKWS nominated these eleven bands: Ayliva // Becky Sikasa // Drens // Ghøstkid // Maria Basel // Marie Montexier // Ozan Tekin // Philine Sonny // The Screenshots // Tigermilch // Xul Solar. Nominated as "Best Newcomer", Bloodflowers // Blumengarten // Bush.ida // Cage // Crystal Glass // Henry Lee // iedereen // Janou // Maali // Marlena Käthe // Negisa // Pogendroblem // Stina Holmquist // Tigrrez Punch // Yako Ok, a total of 15 acts can hope for a prize of 2,500 euros. The prizes have been financed by the NRW Ministry of Economics since 2016.

In the past, the jury has repeatedly shown a keen sense for promising awards. This is evidenced by such illustrious names as Roosevelt, Giant Rooks, Amilli, Von Spar, Messer, Goldroger, International Music, Serious Klein or the immensely popular AnnenMayKantereit, who were already honoured with a recognition award in 2014. In 2022, the Cologne rapper ALBI X was awarded "Outstanding Artist". The musician Liser received the sponsorship award for "Best Newcomer".