L E M F R E C K crowned winner of Welsh Music Prize 2024

nme.com:

Gruff Rhys’ with ‘Sadness Sets Me Free’, and Skindred with their ‘Smile’ album, which peaked at Number Two on the UK album charts and saw them crowned the winner of best alternative act at the 2024 MOBO Awards.“Thanks to my mum and my dad – as a young black kid growing up, they constantly told me I could do anything and be anything,” L E M F R E C K said, accepting the award at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff.“This one goes to my community in Newport.

If I didn’t see Benji [Webbe of Skindred] doing it first, I’m telling you now, I would not be able to do this, so I’d like to thank him,” he added. “I’d like to talk about how important representation is…it’s not a box tick when artists like myself win awards like this –it’s a confirmation of art.”Elsewhere on the night, hip-hop pioneers Eric Martin and DJ Jaffa also received the Welsh Music Inspiration award for their contributions to the music scene in Wales, and live performances came from Aleighcia Scott, Gruff Rhys, CHROMA, HMS Morris and L E M F R E C K.“A huge congratulations to L E M F R E C K on winning the Welsh Music Prize 2024. ‘Blood, Sweat & Fears’ is an astonishing album and the judges praised it for its vision and ambition.

Each album on the shortlist is unique, and we hope the prize shines a light on these amazing bodies of work from our musicians,” said Huw Stephens, who co-founded the Welsh Music Prize in 2011.The 2024 awards ceremony also marked the first event of the Llais Festival as part of the Cardiff Music City Festival.

Last year’s Welsh Music Prize was taken home by pop duo Rogue Jones – comprised of Ynyr Ifan and Bethan Mai – and their second album ‘Dos Bebés’The celebration of Welsh talent at the 2024 Welsh Music Prize ceremony last night comes.