Are award shows necessary? Not in my view, because they don’t reflect reality. Firstly, art is subjective. Secondly, just because x sells (or has more social media followers) than y doesn’t make it artistically better. Thirdly, who gives a fuck?
Don’t tell that to the DJ Awards, a nonprofit group who presented their 20th edition last night at new White Isle venue of the moment HÏ Ibiza.
Were there any surprises at the ceremony? No, not really.
EDM-er Hardwell took home a pair of awards and accolades were given to all the usual suspects: Richie Hawtin, Carl Cox and Armin Van Buuren. Detroit legend Marshall Jefferson received an award in the comically broad category of Electronic Music Producer and Adam Beyer’ s Drumcode won label of the year. South Africa’s Black Coffee (pictured above) won the Deep House category.
Drum ‘n’ bass, ambient, experimental and a ton of other sub genres were completely ignored. But hey, that’s how it goes with events like this. Full list of winners is below.
2017 DJ Awards Winners
Bass
Hannah WantsBig Room House
HardwellDeep House
Black CoffeeDowntempo & Eclectic
Todd TerjeElectronic Live Performer
Richie HawtinHouse
ClaptoneTech House
LucianoTechno
Carl CoxTrance
Armin Van BuurenBreakthrough
SolardoInternational DJ
HardwellNewcomer
BontanAdditional awards:
Dance Nation – Romania
Eco Awards – Oceanic Global
Electronic Music Pioneer – Marshall Jefferson
Ibiza Dj (2 Winners) – Graham Sahara / Paul Reynolds
Ibiza Music Event – Pure Carl Cox
Ibiza Night – Elrow Ibiza
International Festival – Dimensions Festival
Producer – Dennis Cruz
Record Label Of The Year – Drumcode
Track Of The Season – Cola (Camelphat & Elderbrook)
20th Anniversary Award – Dj Alfredo
Images by Andrei Oprescu