The year 2016 in music was amply defined by those who have left us. Predictably, our readers have paid with their votes a posthumous tribute to such iconic figures as David Bowie, Leonard Cohen and Prince, whose recordings dominate the Rober Awards 2016 winners’ list.
Bowie’s Blackstar has swept the board, dominating in the six categories he was nominated for. His masterful swan song, a poignant and powerful artistic statement reflecting upon his sickness and own mortality, has deservedly won the accolades for album, song, best male artist of the year, etc. Meanwhile, Leonard Cohen was recognized as songwriter of the year, becoming the runner-up for best song and male artist. The early work with 94 East by Minneappolis’ purple royal reigned in the reissue of the year category.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds scooped the band of the year honour with Radiohead closely behind. Dorset’s finest PJ Harvey won in the best female and live artist of the year categories. The all-conquering return of A Tribe Called Quest earned them a couple of throphies, namely Best Hip-Hop act and comeback of the year. Frank Ocean won for best R&B artist. Biggest snub of the year sadly went to Beyoncé, who began as the favourite in the four categories she was up for, but surprisingly ended as runner-up in each one of them, prompting fears among the organisers of a potential #RobersSoWhite backlash.
Anohni‘s bold electronic metamorphosis was rewarded with the best pop artist trophy and US new band Whitney took the one for breakthrough artist. Promising Brits Goat Girl were chosen as Sound of 2017. Groundbreaking Swedish songwriter Jenny Hval took the cutting edge honour and the long awaited return of Aussies The Avalanches tied up with producer of the Year Kaytranada in the electronica category.
Some eclectic world flavours were added to the mix by Portuguese fado singer Ana Moura and J-Pop girl band BabyMetal. Kendrick Lamar, Sia and Portishead completed the list of winners.
Check the Rober Awards 2016 Music Poll winners in full: