I have few general comments to this year’s DnB Arena Awards, as I wrote some critique last year. You can read it in this article.
First of all – big up to DnB Arena crew for redesigning newcomer category, leaving just best newcomer artist and label, with precise description, what does it mean to be ‘newcomer’. Another thing to notice is that category Best Live Act (stupidly won by Noisia last year) is missing this year. I think it is a good decision.
Even though the voting concept of round 1 remains the same (public voting), I have to thanks everybody who voted – this year’s nominees selection is much smarter then last year. Yes, still some serious acts and music are missing, but it is not that crazy like last year. If I was surprised with amount of neuro funk last year, this year it is definitely jump up which is on the rise. Let’s discuss in detail.
Here is my vote in DnB Arena Awards 2016:
Best DJ: DJ Marky
Same like last year, I still think that mixing skills of this man are insane. I’m little bit sad that he is so busy, that he stopped doing his podcast. And his last year album My Heroes was so underrated…
Best Producer: Break
Where are Krakota, Alibi, Technimatic, Utah Jazz, Anile, Ed:It, LSB, Lenzman and many more? This category nominees are little bit disappointment for me. Probably Break is the closest to my heard with his continuous production quality.
Best Newcomer: Pola and Bryson
Wow, this is tough! Dawn Wall, 1991, GLXY, Pola and Bryson. Considering that Dawn Wall is probably not newcomer, but just special collab of DnB veterans (ups I vote them as a newcomer last year ), 1991 did just one (insanely great track – yes cats!), it is probably Pola and Bryson, who did the biggest effort this year.
Best MC: MC Fava
This is complicated category for me as I generally don’t like MCs. And I’m planning to write article about that… But for now – Fava is the man, I saw him many times this year, and this guy knows what he is doing. And I must really appreciate his collaboration with Utah Jazz and Celsius recordings for delivering two perfect tunes!
Best Vocalist: Jenna G
I like female vocalists, so every year is the same – is it Jenna, or Collette, or Riya. Yes, it is you Jenna, I just love everything what you do!
Best Club Night: Hospitality
Hospitality continues to deliver high standard club nights with huge portfolio of artists and every time when Tony comes, it just a bonus 😉 Yes they are growing really big, but still there is some spirit of old hospital parties. And I really like idea of first Hospital BBQ in the Park.
Best Festival: Let It Roll
I have been to Let It Roll and Outlook festival. I saw many Youtube videos from Liquicity festival and I will definitely go to the Nu Forms festival next year. And I really want to return tu Sun and Bass again. So many great events, but this year, I vote for Let It Roll. Read my review why…
Best Track: Fatso – Metrik
Oh no, tell me why, so much good music and we have these nominees… I don’t mean they are all bad, but I can name 100 different tracks. LSB, Break, Delta Heavy and Matrik are the options. LSB and his Missing You didn’t beat last year’s The View, from Break I like better second track Give In To Me and I would vote for Delta Heavy’s White Flag as a best music video. So it is you Metrik – fat synths in Fatso!
Best Album: Better Perpectives – Technimatic
My favorite category. In my eyes there is lot of credit for artist who are releasing albums. Definitely I’m missing Utah Jazz and Krakota in this list. With no doubt winner are Technimatic. For the next year, I would recommend to introduce ‘Best EP’ category.
Best Label: Shogun Audio
It is not easy, really. I like almost every label from the list, I treasure their efford to push DnB forward. Vote for one label means don’t vote for the others.But this year I found extraordinary amount of interesting releases on Shogun Audio, so this is my choice. Keep up with great job!
Best Remix: Dusky – Ingrid Is A Hybrid (John B remix)
Uff, pretty heavy line up. Thans DnB Arena for linking Spotify list (pretty smart) since I didn’t know almost every remix, shame. And I have discovered amazing remix by miste John B, this is my winer.
Best Music Video: Mantra – Noisia
Without detail commentary, Noisia music suits me this kind of video and I follow the message they are trying to send to the world.
Best Newcomer Label: 1985 Music
I was hoping to see Soul Trader Records on the final list. With these nominees it is hard to decide between Lenzman’s The North Quarter and Alix Perez’s 1985 Music. I believe Lenzman will attack next year, so I vote for 1985 Music.
