Sony Music Germany and Music Women* Germany have revealed the winners of the third annual Female Producer* Award, which honours 10 female and non-binary producers in two categories.
The initiative, which aims to increase visibility and networking for women in music production, saw over 250 applications this year, a 50% increase on previous editions. By using *, the awards organizers aim to include all people who identify as female and non-binary.
This year the competition introduced two categories: “Producer” and “Self-Produced Artist,” taking into account the distinct skill sets required for each role.
The “Self-Produced Artist” category honored six winners:
Jules Fox, musician, singer and producer in the genres of folk, pop, indie and neo-classical music, has over 200 concerts in Europe and Canada.
KUOKO, a pop artist whose millions of streamed songs explore themes of being FLINTA* in a digital society, has released two self-produced albums. FLINTA* is a German acronym that stands for Women, Lesben, Intergeschlechtliche, nichtbinäre, trans und agender Personen, an umbrella term for women, lesbians, intersex, non-binary, transgender and genderqueer people, with an asterisk at the end to represent all other forms of self-identification not explicitly mentioned.
Known for blending folk rock and indie pop with retro arrangements and dream pop influences, Louisa gained international fame with her album “New Woman”.
Known for her diverse mix of genres from Afro, rumba and pop, Melanie is set to release her debut solo album 'Mirrors & Windows' in 2024.
Philo Tsongwe, an artist with Cameroonian roots who transcends genre boundaries, combining her classical rhythms and folk music background with EDM and IDM influences.
Sierra Kalo, an American artist of Caribbean origin, has contributed to over 23 albums in Germany and Asia, and her debut album “eXante” was nominated for the German Record Critics Award in 2023.
The “Product” category honored four winners:
Lisa Kida, a producer with Kosovar roots, creates multi-genre sounds influenced by pop, experimental reggaeton, dancehall and hip-hop.
Mia Dico, a producer, songwriter and singer since 2007, blends pop, indie, folk and electronic music, and is also an activist for infectious diseases.
Elsewhere, Pereira is an award-winning producer and multi-instrumentalist in experimental pop music, known for fusing experimental beats with deep bass frequencies and existential themes.
Yuki, a producer who fuses modern sounds with intimate details, is influenced by dark hip-hop, electronic, dance and trap genres.
The winners will receive personal training, prizes and opportunities to attend masterclasses at Sony Music Germany’s Circle Studios in Berlin. In addition, they will be added to Sony Music Germany’s roster of record labels and artists, potentially opening doors to future collaborations.
This year's award jury included industry luminaries such as Purple Disco Machine, Inéz, Isabel Gracefield, Noraa, and Vincent v. Schlippenbach.
The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on October 29 at Fotografiska Berlin.
The Producer Award* is supported by RBX GmbH with funding from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, as well as support from Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Music Publishing, Thomann Musikhaus, Ableton and the SAE Institute.
