The Áillohaš Prize jury stated that the two artists, who both grew up on the Finnish side of Sápmi, are pioneers in their genre in a Sámi context. According to the jury, they have laid the foundation for the Sámi rap and hip-hop genre and have through their music highlighted themes about Sámi language, politics, and nature conservation. The specific criteria used to select them as winners and how many artists were considered this year have not been disclosed.
Mikkâl Morottaja (Amoc) is the first to rap in Inari Sámi, a language spoken by only a few hundred people. He released his first album 'Kaččâm' in 2007 and won the 'Young European of the Year' award that same year. According to NRK Troms og Finnmark, Mikkâl Morottaja (Amoc) described wanting to create music that touches people's feelings and has meaning for society, hoping this prize can lead to more upcoming results in his music career.
This prize is the greatest honor one can receive in the Sámi community.
Áilu Valle's career took off after his first performance at the Riddu Riđđu festival in 2013, though he released his debut album 'Dušši dušše duššat' in 2012. He won the Sámi Music Awards prize for best songwriter in 2020 and has received the Finnish State Art Prize. According to NRK Troms og Finnmark, Ailu Valle described this prize as the greatest honor one can receive in the Sámi community.
The Áillohaš Music Prize is the largest Sámi music prize, founded in 1993 when the multi-artist Nils-Aslak Valkeapää, Áillohaš, turned 50. The monetary value or other benefits associated with the prize and the future plans of the recipients following this recognition have not been specified.
We want to create music that touches people's feelings and has meaning for society. I hope this prize can lead to more upcoming results in my music career.
Alongside the prize announcement, the winners of this year's Sámi Grand Prix have been chosen. Ánte Niillas Bongo won the yoik competition at Sámi Grand Prix with the yoik 'Nášša álddut'. According to NRK Sápmi, Ánte Niillas Bongo described it as meaning a lot to him to win on the largest Sámi stage, noting that traditional yoik is very precious to him. Ellinor won the Sámi Grand Prix song competition with the song 'Du Dušši', and Caroline J Kuhmunen came in second place in the Sámi Grand Prix song competition with the song 'Dorvobáiki'. According to NRK Sápmi, Ellinor described not initially understanding that she had won because she didn't see the scoreboard, and then she started counting the points. According to NRK Nyheter, Ellinor Halvari described planning to celebrate the victory in the Kautokeino way.
Both artists have music careers spanning over 20 years and have performed together in recent years. The exact dates or timeline for the Sámi Grand Prix events and award ceremonies remain unclear.
Means a lot to me to win on the largest Sámi stage. Traditional yoik is very precious to me.
I didn't initially understand that I had won, because I didn't see the scoreboard, and then I started counting the points.
We will celebrate the victory in the Kautokeino way.