Irish artist Denise Chaila was recognised at the prestigious Music Moves Europe Awards on Thursday as one of seven winners on the night.
Belgian singer-songwriter Meskerem Mees was awarded the overall Grand Jury Prize and Armenia’s Ladaniva scooped the Public Choice at the ceremony in Groningen, Netherlands.
Limerick-based Chaila was one of five additional finalists to receive an award, which carry prize money of €10,000 and a training day to ‘internationalise their careers’ at the value of €1,250.
Rapper Chaila, who grew up in Dublin and attended King’s Hospital school in Palmerstown, was previously a recipient of the Choice Music Prize for her 2020 mixtape Go Bravely.
The prodigious Chaila represents her Irish and Zambian heritage on record and has collaborated closely with fellow Irish-African musicians Godknows and MuRli.
“I won a Music Moves Europe Award for Ireland tonight. Proud to report I’m in bits,” Chaila wrote on social media.
“I’m always shocked when anyone knows me at home, let alone out of Ireland, so this is crazy.
“I won a European award. Wow. I dunno who exactly to thank, but thank you. So much.”
The jury said of Chaila: “Smart lyrics, a real passion and strength when performing. One of the most exciting artists this year.“
The annual awards show, which is supported by the European Union, celebrates emerging artists in contemporary music across the continent.
Irish rockers Inhaler, featuring Bono’s son Elijah Hewson as frontman, are among the previous recipients of the awards.
Others to be honoured by Music Moves Europe in previous years include Belgian artist Stromae and British acts Adele and Mumford & Sons.
Winners of the were selected by a jury consisting of Gemma Bradley (BBC Radio 1), Cindy Castillo (Mad Cool Festival), Kevin Cole (KEXP), Bryan Johnson (Spotify), and honorary jury member Alyona Alyona (Public Choice Winner 2021).
This year’s nominees were Alina Pash (Ukraine), Anna (Italy), Balkan Taksim (Romania), Blanks (The Netherlands), Denise Chaila (Ireland), Дeva (Hungary), DORA (Spain), Francis of Delirium (Luxembourg), Friedberg (Austria), Jada (Denmark), Ladaniva (Armenia), Meskerem Mees (Belgium), Mezerg (France), Nenny (Portugal) and Zoe Wees (Germany).
