Spellemannprisen reverses course
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Live Klassisk1 min read|15. November 2024
Spellemannsprisen reverses course - reinstates separate prize categories
Following massive opposition from the music community, the board of Spellemannsprisen has decided to reverse the controversial merger of several prize categories for the 2024 awards. The change comes only a few weeks after the new categorisation was announced.
The opposition to the merger has been considerable. The acclaimed record label LAWO Classics, led by managing director Vegard Landaas, went as far as boycotting the awards by withholding its roughly 50 releases from entry. Landaas also took the initiative for the Facebook group "OPPROP for en ny musikkpris", which quickly gathered nearly 2000 members in protest against the category changes.
"Many felt that a merged prize did not fully reflect the diversity and depth found in these different directions," Spellemannsprisen admits in a press release.
The affected categories now being reinstated as separate prizes include Blues, Country, Classical, Contemporary, Tono's Composer Prize and Songwriter of the Year. Entries already submitted will have the opportunity to switch to the most suitable category.
To make room for the changeover, Spellemannsprisen has extended the entry deadline by one week, to 28 November 2024.