LIMERICK artist Denise Chaila picked up a Music Moves Europe Award last week at the annual Eurosonic Festival held in Groningen, Netherlands.
This annual prize for popular and contemporary music co-funded by the European Union celebrates emerging artists who represent the European sound of today and tomorrow.
After accepting the award Denise stated that it was a, “real privilege to be recognised by your peers and the people you look up to.”
“I’m really blessed that we got a chance to mingle and I could look some of you in the eye and say Wow, you’re really incredible And I hope to do that again later.
I didn’t really think I was going to win anything today. This is really wonderful. Shout out to Ireland, I hope I am representing you well.”
Winners of the Music Moves Europe Awards were selected by an expert 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).
Judges awarded the prize to Denise for “Smart lyrics, a real passion and strength when performing,” describing her as one of the most exciting artists at this year’s festival.
The awards at the Eurosonic Festival have an impeccable track record. Previous winners include Adele, Mumford & Sons, Dua Lipa, Rosalía, Meduza and Dublin band Inhaler have since reached new levels of fame and success in the music industry.
Eurosonic Festival is also a magnet for international booking agents eager to fill their rosters for the upcoming Summer season of music festivals.
As an award winner Chaila will receive €10,000 and the opportunity to attend a training day at ESNS to further their skills in internationalising their careers, representing a value of €1,250 per artist
Denise was recently added to NME’s list of artists to watch in 2022. The magazine writer El Hunt described Chaila as the cutting-edge star of Ireland’s innovative rap scene.
Denise deftly blends Gaellic myths with Lenje stories (an ethnic group from Zambia) Chaila views difference as a gift, and language as a limitless tool.
“Through blending a heady mix of classical imagery, cultural references and tid-bits from Lord Of The Rings, her smartly witty rap details her own personal mythology, as heard expertly on last year’s EP, ‘It’s A Mixtape’.
Denise Chaila headlines at 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin on Friday February 25. 2022.
MusicLimerick – New Music Favourites is a Spotify playlist of some of the fine music being produced by Limerick artists over the last 12 months.
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