→ Pop Awards 2024

 
Pop Awards 2024: Artist Of The Year Award
Winner: Miley Cyrus

Other nominees: Chris Stapleton, Dolly Parton, Ellie Goulding, James Blunt

 
Pop Awards 2024: Album Of The Year Award
Winner: Jessika – “World Ain’t Ready”

Other nominees: Joy Denalane – “Willpower”, Keiko Matsui – “Euphoria”, Maysa – “Music For Your Soul”, Rebekka Bakken – “Always On My Mind”

 
Pop Awards 2024: Song Of The Year Award
Winner: The Beatles – “Now And Then”

Other nominees: A Great Big World (featuring Rachel Platten) – “Nothing’s Impossible”, Beth Crowley – “Tempting Fate”, Frank Joshua – “Bluebell Wood”, Rachel Platten – “Girls”

 
Pop Awards 2024: Music Video Of The Year Award
Winner: Mette – “Mama’s Eyes”

Other nominees: Ghost Hounds – “Last Train To Nowhere”, Joyce Wrice – “Bittersweet Goodbyes”, Macklemore (featuring DJ Premier) – “Heroes”, Tyla – “Been Thinking”

 
Pop Awards 2024: Icon Of The Year Award
Winner: Iris DeMent

Other nominees: Allison Russell, Alma, Mick Kolassa, Sam Smith

 
Pop Awards 2024: Female Artist Of The Year Award
Winner: Raye

Other nominees: Elle King, Freya Ridings, Kali Uchis, Lauren Spencer Smith

 
Pop Awards 2024: Male Artist Of The Year Award
Winner: Jason Mraz

Other nominees: BJ The Chicago Kid, Devon Gilfillian, Jon Batiste, Lost Frequencies

 
Pop Awards 2024: Band/Group Of The Year Award
Winner: The Shindellas

Other nominees: Belle And Sebastian, Take That, The Paper Kites, The Teskey Brothers

 
Pop Awards 2024: Emerging Artist Of The Year Award
Winner: Naomi Sharon

Other nominees: Acantha Lang, Jessika, Mae Simpson, Veronica Fusaro

 
Pop Awards 2024: Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: The Rolling Stones

Other nominees: Bettye LaVette, Dolly Parton, Graham Nash, Shania Twain

 
→ Listen to the Pop Awards 2024 playlist on Spotify

→ Listen to Pop Magazine’s playlists on Spotify

Pulling from many influences and gifted with a rich and sensual voice which is encompassing three octaves, Rebekka Bakken has built her very own musical world, song after song and album after album. She has consistently refused to be confined to a single genre, hopping easily from jazz, soul, and funk to pop, folk, and country. In her hands, the genre of a song doesn’t matter half as much as the feelings she manages to convey every single time with her unique voice and very personal musical arrangements.

Throughout her career, the versatile artist has collaborated with the likes of Austrian jazz guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel, with whom she toured the New York City nightclub scene in the early 2000s, poetic jazz singer and pianist Julia Hülsmann, giving birth to a jazz album, “Scattering Poems”, with lyrics inspired by the poems of E. E. Cummings, German jazz saxophonist Christof Lauer, and Norwegian folk singer Sondre Bratland, who were all able to recognize her talent and singular voice early in her career. Though she was acknowledged by talents in the industry early on, commercial success came after her return to Europe.

Since then, she has released several successful albums, each and every one of them marked by her wonderful musical abilities as well as her very unique style. That’s what makes her fans want to listen to her music over and over again. With every song, she pulls us into a world of her own creation, singular and inimitable, and invites us to discover it album after album.

Rebekka Bakken has cultivated her artistic identity for years, both through the influence of artists she admires and connects with, and through her own experience, both professional and personal. Whether she composes her own songs or covers the songs of other artists, she always manages to make them her own. Thanks to her talent as a composer and musician, and the maturity and range of emotions she can infuse in her rich voice, she can finely tailor the songs she covers without depriving them of their original soul.

And this is exactly what she does with “Always On My Mind”. In her newest release, she pays homage to the artists who helped her find her voice and are always on her mind when she creates new music. Inspired by legends such as The Beatles and Peter Gabriel, as well as more contemporary artists, like Finneas, she signs a collection of fifteen tracks that are as widely known to the public as they are intimate to Rebekka Bakken.

Her orchestrations – masterful yet minimalist – give each song a fresh breath and a sense of renewal that only highlights their original popularity. Accompanied by some of the finest musicians in Norway, her soulful voice invites us on yet another journey through her private musical landscape.

A classic amongst all, Elton John’s “We All Fall In Love Sometimes” is number eleven on her tracklist. The legendary British singer is forever associated with the heydays of pop music, sentimental lyrics, and flamboyant orchestrations. His voice is as recognizable as his songs. Yet, Rebekka Bakken manages to turn this iconic piece into her own. Her version is less lively and more melancholic than the original, with minimalistic musical arrangements dominated by a soulful piano and jazzy percussions. The lyrics, both somber and comforting, almost mystical at times, suit her voice that can give off warmth and sadness with the same ease. It’s not an easy task to go toe to toe with Sir Elton John, but Bakken sings a beautiful cover that is both, homage to a singer who has inspired her and a pure reflection of her inner world.

She takes on another massive challenge with a cover of “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You”. The swoon-worthy song became immensely popular when it appeared as the lead single of the soundtrack of the movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. In Bakken’s deft hands, the power ballad takes a more reflective intonation, as if the lyrics were private thoughts rather than a sweeping love declaration. The electric guitar in the background is a melodic red thread that reminds us of the ballad’s more romantic version, but once again, the Norwegian singer managed to put her stamp on the song, producing an elegant and personal rendition that has no difficulty standing on its own.

Not one to make things easy for herself, her entire album is made of songs that have found great success on their own – who hasn’t heard “Yesterday” by The Beatles? Yet, Bakken manages the tour de force of making us believe that these songs could have been written for her, without glitz or fanfare. She doesn’t use cheap tricks, she simply opens up through each one of these songs to let us catch a glimpse of who she truly is, as an artist and as a person.

Time and again, the singer has composed and produced beautiful music. Her talent has been recognized both by professionals in the industry and by the public. The longevity of her career speaks for itself. With this album of covers chosen from all those who have inspired her journey, she sings one of her most personal albums. It’s a stirring portrait of the music on her mind. Rebekka Bakken doesn’t have anything to prove anymore, yet she still has so much to express, and when it’s said in a voice as beautiful as hers, we can only be grateful that she does.

 
Written by Camille Hourtane for Pop Magazine

Camille is a bilingual freelance writer with an unending passion for storytelling. She writes pieces in English and in French, with an emphasis on food/travel/society articles and fantasy/gothic/supernatural stories. She likes nothing more than to explore new places, whether in body or in mind.

Photo by Gregor Hohenberg

→ To cast your vote, go to Pop Awards 2024

 
With a wide range of artist and musical styles, the seventh annual Pop Awards combine the highlights of 2023. Country music legend Dolly Parton and rising pop star Jessika are both nominated in two categories at the Pop Awards 2024. Jason Mraz and Jon Batiste return to the Pop Awards, each with their third nomination overall, while James Blunt, Joy Denalane, Frank Joshua, Macklemore, Mick Kolassa, Freya Ridings, and Bettye LaVette all add a second nomination. The complete list of our nominees is right below, so check it out and cast your vote!

→ Listen to the Pop Awards 2024 playlist on Spotify

 
Pop Awards 2024: Artist Of The Year Award
Here are the nominees for the Artist Of The Year Award

Chris Stapleton
Dolly Parton
Ellie Goulding
James Blunt
Miley Cyrus

Previous winners: Taylor Swift (2023), Adele (2022), Eminem (2021), The Highwomen (2020), The Carters (2019), Taylor Swift (2018)

 
Pop Awards 2024: Album Of The Year Award
Here are the nominees for the Album Of The Year Award

Jessika – “World Ain’t Ready”
Joy Denalane – “Willpower”
Keiko Matsui – “Euphoria”
Maysa – “Music For Your Soul”
Rebekka Bakken – “Always On My Mind”

Previous winners: John Legend – “Legend” (2023), Dee Daniels – “The Promise” (2022), Gregory Porter – “All Rise” (2021), Jack Savoretti – “Singing To Strangers” (2020), Tash Sultana – “Flow State” (2019), Charlie Cunningham – “Lines” (2018)

 
Pop Awards 2024: Song Of The Year Award
Here are the nominees for the Song Of The Year Award

A Great Big World (featuring Rachel Platten) – “Nothing’s Impossible”
Beth Crowley – “Tempting Fate”
Frank Joshua – “Bluebell Wood”
Rachel Platten – “Girls”
The Beatles – “Now And Then”

Previous winners: Candace Woodson – “(Trying To Be) Perfect” (2023), Monique DeBose – “Brown Beauty” (2022), Dua Lipa – “Physical” (2021), Nuela Charles – “Got It Bad” (2020), Justin Timberlake (featuring Chris Stapleton) – “Say Something” (2019), Deep Purple – “All I Got Is You” (2018)

 
Pop Awards 2024: Music Video Of The Year Award
Here are the nominees for the Music Video Of The Year Award

Ghost Hounds – “Last Train To Nowhere”
Joyce Wrice – “Bittersweet Goodbyes”
Macklemore (featuring DJ Premier) – “Heroes”
Mette – “Mama’s Eyes”
Tyla – “Been Thinking”

Previous winners:  Harry Styles – “As It Was” (2023), Jon Batiste – “I Need You” (2022), Alicia Keys – “Underdog” (2021)

 
Pop Awards 2024: Icon Of The Year Award
Here are the nominees for the Icon Of The Year Award

Allison Russell
Alma
Iris DeMent
Mick Kolassa
Sam Smith

Previous winners: J. Ivy (2023), Brandi Carlile (2022), Shemekia Copeland (2021)

 
Pop Awards 2024: Female Artist Of The Year Award
Here are the nominees for the Female Artist Of The Year Award

Elle King
Freya Ridings
Kali Uchis
Lauren Spencer Smith
Raye

Previous winners: Aurora (2023), Birdy (2022), Katy Perry (2021)

 
Pop Awards 2024: Male Artist Of The Year Award
Here are the nominees for the Male Artist Of The Year Award

BJ The Chicago Kid
Devon Gilfillian
Jason Mraz
Jon Batiste
Lost Frequencies

Previous winners: Bryan Adams (2023), Michael Patrick Kelly (2022), Adam Lambert (2021)

 
Pop Awards 2024: Band/Group Of The Year Award
Here are the nominees for the Band/Group Of The Year Award

Belle And Sebastian
Take That
The Paper Kites
The Shindellas
The Teskey Brothers

Previous winners: Tears For Fears (2023), Thunder (2022), Bon Jovi (2021)

 
Pop Awards 2024: Emerging Artist Of The Year Award
Here are the nominees for the Emerging Artist Of The Year Award

Acantha Lang
Jessika
Mae Simpson
Naomi Sharon
Veronica Fusaro

Previous winners: Mica Millar (2023), Yebba (2022), Katie Pruitt (2021), Caleb Elliott (2020), Tash Sultana (2019), Emily Estefan (2018)

 
Pop Awards 2024: Lifetime Achievement Award
Here are the nominees for the Lifetime Achievement Award

Bettye LaVette
Dolly Parton
Graham Nash
Shania Twain
The Rolling Stones

Previous winners: A-Ha (2023), Abba (2022), Bon Jovi (2021), Willie Nelson (2020), Paul McCartney (2019), TLC (2018)

→ Listen to Pop Magazine’s playlists on Spotify

→ Listen to Pop Magazine’s playlists on Spotify

 
Best Albums of 2023
• Playlist: Best Albums of 2023

Best Songs of 2023
• Playlist: Best Songs of 2023

Best Music Videos of 2023
• Playlist: Best Music Videos of 2023
 

→ Listen to Pop Magazine’s playlists on Spotify

The first half of the album feels almost like a collaborative work with Jon Bellion and, although Bellion’s expert songwriting levels up the songs to a specific style, it does feel a little restricted. “Be Who You Are”, for example, feels thoroughly baked into the Bellion pop template instead of letting JID and NewJeans do what they are known for and bring experimental elements to their genres at the highest level.

The second half of the album, notably with less input from Bellion, has more variety and feels more authentic to Batiste as an artist. It loses the World Radio concept a little, feeling jarring when the radio host returns on “Goodbye, Billy Bob” after 13 tracks of forgetting about it, but otherwise carries more of the creative quality one would expect from a Jon Batiste project.

Aside from the turbulent feeling of the album and the concept that feels like it distracted from the music behind the scenes, the highs are truly incredible and the lows are still pretty great. “Wherever You Are”, for example, is a good song but it just does not stand out alongside the 20 other tracks. “Calling Your Name”, in a similar vein, feels like mediocre pop alongside genuinely emotional and inventive tracks like “Call Now (504-305-8269)” or “Master Power”.

The production across the album is immaculate but sometimes lacks some creative flair. Every single track is perfectly mixed (as one would expect from both Manny Maroquin and KQuick) and skillfully recorded but there are some places where it could have benefitted from a slightly more raw sound (“My Heart”, for example). The sound throughout the album subtly emphasizes mixing digital sample use and live instrumentation though, in the best way, the flawless execution almost prevents it standing out as an approach. Finally, it would be a mistake not to point out the unique and confident style of Kassa Overall’s production on “Boom For Real”. Heavy distortion and digital clipping on the drums really set the track apart in texture when compared to the rest of the album.

“Butterfly” stands out as an emotional insight into Batiste’s musical expression while “Chassol” and “Movement 18’ (Heroes)” paint a beautiful picture of Batiste’s cultural origins in Louisiana. “Life Lesson” does a great job of balancing Lana Del Rey’s sound with Batiste’s own. The track that truly steals the show, however, is “Uneasy” with Lil Wayne. The songwriting and textures create vivid imagery and emotions and Lil Wayne’s vocals mixed with Batiste’s live keys and programmed drums is unique and feels like two Louisiana legends doing what they do best.

From an overview, the album is a little messy and the concept does not hold together as much as it could have. From a more track-to-track perspective, the album is full of tight production, beautiful mixing, and inspired songwriting, even reaching above and beyond to occasionally offer creative genius and musical extravagance.

 
Written by Sebastian Sheath for Pop Magazine

 
Author’s rating for World Music Radio

Pop Magazine’s official rating for World Music Radio

Rating key
MASTERPIECE a must-have
SUPERB for heavy rotation
EXCELLENT a great achievement
VERY GOOD a respectable result
GOOD worth checking out
FAIR an average outcome
WEAK not convincing stuff
BAD an underwhelming effort
VERY BAD quite a waste
FAIL a total failure

→ Listen to Pop Magazine’s playlists on Spotify

After numerous awards, performances all around the world, and 14 albums, one could think Rachael Sage cannot have much more to say and do. But that would be misjudging the talented artist. She has just released “The Other Side”, her 15th studio album, to the great joy of her loyal fan base. That album is the story of a journey, both for the singer and for humans as a whole. A cancer survivor, Rachael Sage knows what it feels to fight tough battles and live to tell the tale, and she was able to recognize that very same struggle in what the world had to face during the Covid pandemic. But as she did, the world came out to the other side with a new appreciation for life and the time spent with their loved ones.

Filled with her trademark style of blended musical genres and poetic lyrics, the album offers 15 songs and each one has something to say to your ear and your heart. The title track “The Other Side” has beautiful arrangements of horns, piano, and guitar, which carry Rachael Sage’s nuanced and heartfelt voice through the optimistic folk-pop song. Written during a painful separation and the illness of a family member, the song has a touching innocence and sincerity: “Meet me in the valley of eventually / I’ll be on the thing by the walnut tree / I hope you’ll be with me on the other side of this / The other side of this is an angel’s kiss / Pure in intention and no expectation”. The support the singer has felt from her loved ones and creative community, her angels, during these dark times has helped her emerge on the other side.

The song “Breathe” is a pop ballad with intriguing country and Celtic undertones. The lyrics are as eerie as they are loving: “I will let you breathe through me / I will let you be with me / Whenever I’m alone and you’re lost out there / I feel you breathe ‘cause our lungs we share”. Tender declaration to a loved one or ghost story, it is hard to decide, but the song, filled with passion, mystery, and raw talent, takes us on an emotional journey that we don’t want to end.

It’s impossible to pick a favorite track on this album – all 15 songs are worthy offerings. Not many singers can enjoy continuous success for nearly thirty years, but with her experience and her natural talent for the arts, Rachael Sage proves once again that she’s a voice that can’t be ignored. She doesn’t shout, nag, or try to grab attention with flashy gimmicks. Instead, it’s her love and her uniqueness that naturally makes us listen. With a personal understanding of the unseen battles everyone must face in their own lives, her new album feels like an extended hand after a long journey – a moment to rest, to heal, to feel, and to listen to the soothing sound of her poetry.

 
Written by Camille Hourtane for Pop Magazine

Camille is a bilingual freelance writer with an unending passion for storytelling. She writes pieces in English and in French, with an emphasis on food/travel/society articles and fantasy/gothic/supernatural stories. She likes nothing more than to explore new places, whether in body or in mind.

→ Listen to Pop Magazine’s playlists on Spotify

From an overview, the vocal performance and instrumentation all across the album are immaculate. The backing vocals stand out as anchoring the album to the genre where some elements of the production and songwriting feel a little more modern and the variety of songs makes the project feel varied enough that it stays interesting for the almost hour-long run across 13 tracks.

The second track, “Come Back Home” shows off Acantha Lang’s songwriting and vocal skills and stands out as an energetic production across the board. Meanwhile, “Eventually” feels intimate, with tightly placed instrumentation that brings a nice variety to the album. Then, on another end of the spectrum, “River Keep Runnin’” shows the openness to break the mould of the genre and bring in some blues-rock guitar and the extended version of “Ride This Train” is indulgent and fun, giving a break from some of the more serious tracks on the album.

On the other side of the work, there are a couple of points that feel like missed opportunities to pull the album up a level. The title track, “Beautiful Dreams” is a perfect example of how some of the songs feel a little flat compared to her best songs. They seem a little overcompressed and overproduced where songs in the world of soul typically would see a lot of dynamic variety and a roomy feel that make it sound more live and natural.

Occasionally, some of the songwriting feels lacking though it might simply appear this way because tracks like “He Said / She Said” and “Come Back Home” are so brilliant that they overshadow any weaker tracks. “Lois Lang”, for example, feels like it is trying to convey a world and story but just doesn’t quite live up to what it is trying to do. In a similar vein, “A Word From My Mamma” is a nice interlude to break up the album but doesn’t hit as hard as it could have had it been a little less scripted.

Despite the inclusion of a few songs which trail behind in comparison to the quality of the best tracks on the album, “Beautiful Dreams” is a great debut project that Acantha Lang should be truly proud of.

 
Written by Sebastian Sheath for Pop Magazine

 
Author’s rating for Beautiful Dreams

Pop Magazine’s official rating for Beautiful Dreams

Rating key
MASTERPIECE a must-have
SUPERB for heavy rotation
EXCELLENT a great achievement
VERY GOOD a respectable result
GOOD worth checking out
FAIR an average outcome
WEAK not convincing stuff
BAD an underwhelming effort
VERY BAD quite a waste
FAIL a total failure

→ Listen to Pop Magazine’s playlists on Spotify

→ Pop Awards 2023

 
Pop Awards 2023: Artist Of The Year Award
Winner: Taylor Swift

Congratulations to Taylor Swift on winning the Artist Of The Year Award at the 6th annual Pop Awards! It was a record-setting year for Taylor Swift as her tenth studio album set a new all-time record for single-day streams and became the best-selling album of 2022. “Midnights” – a concept album about nocturnal ruminations – achieved another historic feat, spawning ten top-ten songs on the US Billboard charts in the same week, an achievement no artist has accomplished before.

Other nominees: Beyonce, Harry Styles, John Legend, Meghan Trainor

 
Pop Awards 2023: Album Of The Year Award
Winner: John Legend – “Legend”

Congratulations to John Legend on winning the Album Of The Year Award at the 6th annual Pop Awards! His passion is on full display over an impressive 24 tracks on his seventh studio album, which is aptly titled “Legend”. John Legend has created a double album that represents the evolution of his artistry, featuring his smooth vocals together with contributions from a wealth of talented artists like Rick Ross, Rapsody, Jhene Aiko, Ledisi, and Jasmine Sullivan.

Other nominees: Hannah Baiardi – “Magic”, J. Ivy – “The Poet Who Sat By The Door”, Jonathan Jeremiah – “Horsepower For The Streets”, Passenger – “Birds That Flew And Ships That Sailed”

 
Pop Awards 2023: Song Of The Year Award
Winner: Candace Woodson – “(Trying To Be) Perfect”

Congratulations to Candace Woodson on winning the Song Of The Year Award at the 6th annual Pop Awards! Draped over dramatic piano and strings, vocal force of nature Candace Woodson bares her soul throughout this single from her new album. “(Trying To Be) Perfect” resembles a classic love song placed within an emotional movie score, and the American singer from Kentucky delivers the song’s dramatic appeal perfectly.

Other nominees: Chaka Khan – “Woman Like Me”, Klaas – “First Girl On The Moon”, Odesza (featuring Bettye LaVette) – “The Last Goodbye”, Scorpions – “When You Know (Where You Come From)”

 
Pop Awards 2023: Music Video Of The Year Award
Winner: Harry Styles – “As It Was”

Congratulations to Harry Styles on winning the Music Video Of The Year Award at the 6th annual Pop Awards! In a simplistic concept with a rotating platform, Harry Styles performs a series of interpretive dances alongside his female co-star. After gracefully dancing through this artsy music video for his wistful hit song “As It Was” the clip ends with a freeing leap for joy.

Other nominees: Adele – “Oh My God”, Charlie Puth – “Light Switch”, Michael Buble – “Higher”, Todrick Hall – “Queen”

 
Pop Awards 2023: Icon Of The Year Award
Winner: J. Ivy

Congratulations to J. Ivy on winning the Icon Of The Year Award at the 6th annual Pop Awards! Chicago’s multi-talented spoken-word artist, author, and community leader has released four studio albums, including his album of the year contender, “The Poet Who Sat By The Door”. In his music, J. Ivy speaks about so many important issues of our time including America’s long-running racial injustice and police brutality, and he tackles these topics in the most poetic way.

Other nominees: Black Thought, Calum Scott, PJ Morton, Tank And The Bangas

 
Pop Awards 2023: Female Artist Of The Year Award
Winner: Aurora

Congratulations to Aurora on winning the Female Artist Of The Year Award at the 6th annual Pop Awards! Last year, the Norwegian singer-songwriter and music producer released her third studio album “The Gods We Can Touch”, an electropop record that received universal praise. The record debuted atop the Norwegian album charts and became Aurora’s first top ten in the UK.

Other nominees: Joss Stone, Mabel, Sigrid, Tove Lo

 
Pop Awards 2023: Male Artist Of The Year Award
Winner: Bryan Adams

Congratulations to Bryan Adams on winning the Male Artist Of The Year Award at the 6th annual Pop Awards! With his 2022 album, “So Happy It Hurts”, the veteran musician from Canada dives into his inner youth. The feel-good rock songs on Bryan Adams’ 14th studio LP – which peaked in the top five on several European album charts – remind us of his 80s heydays.

Other nominees: Brett Eldredge, Charlie Winston, Gavin James, Kygo

 
Pop Awards 2023: Band/Group Of The Year Award
Winner: Tears For Fears

Congratulations to Tears For Fears on winning the Band/Group Of The Year Award at the 6th annual Pop Awards! The British pop-rock band released their seventh studio album, “The Tipping Point”, in 2022, their first new album in 18 years. Tears For Fears made a triumphant return with their critically acclaimed record, debuting at number two on the UK charts and reaching number eight in the US.

Other nominees: Billy Talent, First Aid Kit, Kissin’ Dynamite, Minor Majority

 
Pop Awards 2023: Emerging Artist Of The Year Award
Winner: Mica Millar

Congratulations to Mica Millar on winning the Emerging Artist Of The Year Award at the 6th annual Pop Awards! For the UK soul singer and songwriter, 2022 was a triumphant year as she released her long-awaited debut album “Heaven Knows”, creating the perfect sound marriage between soul, gospel, and jazz. While critics praised the album for its theme of exploring human nature, this project earned Mica Millar the Soul Act of the Year honor from Manchester Jazz Festival.

Other nominees: Amber Mark, Breland, Frank Joshua, Zian

 
Pop Awards 2023: Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: A-Ha

Congratulations to A-Ha on winning the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 6th annual Pop Awards! The synth-pop band from Oslo is considered the most successful musical act to emerge from Norway and has released eleven studio albums, including their Platinum-certified debut album “Hunting High And Low” with the chart-topping hit single “Take On Me”. Rising to prominence during the mid-80s, A-Ha have now sold over 100 million records and performed some of the biggest live concerts in the world. Their latest album, “True North”, was released in 2022.

Other nominees: Keb’ Mo’, Melba Moore, Scorpions, The Isley Brothers

 
→ Listen to the Pop Awards 2023 playlist on Spotify

 
Written by Antonio Cooper

Antonio is a freelance reporter. His coverage of music festivals and interviews with local celebrities appeared in the Detroit Metro Times, E-Current Magazine, and RichMagDigital. You can find more of Antonio’s work on his website: ayesharp.com