Artist Aloud, a platform by Hungama that supports and promotes independent music, concluded the 6th edition of Artist Aloud Music Awards on Wednesday, 4^th April 2018 at Dublin Square, Phoenix Marketcity in Mumbai.

The awards honored the brilliance and excellence of independent artistes with Alobo Naga, Ajay Gehi, Hard Kaur and Mumbai’s Finest emerging as consumer favourites and Euphoria, Kailash Kher, Shankar Mahadevan, Shirley Setia, Jaswinder Singh among others winning over the jury members. The dazzling awards ceremony was also live streamed on Hungama.com, Hungama Music and the Facebook pages of Hungama.com and Artist Aloud.

The exceptional musical spectacle was hosted by the jovial RJ Rohini from Radio Nasha and RJ Glen from Fever 104FM. The duo lit everyone up with their funny quips and interesting anecdotes. Spellbinding performances on original songs by Shibani Kashyap (Kya Nazakat Hai, Don’t Drink & Drive, Bakhuda), Shirley Setia (Tu Mil Gaya), Jasbir Jassi (Heer, Bulleya), ACE (Second to None, Mumbai Cypher, All We Need is Love) and Tochi Raina (Mann Dagar Dagar, Sone Piya) left the audience wanting for more. At the same time, soulful renditions by Mame Khan (Kesariya Balam, Ghoomar, Chaap Tilak) and Dhvani Bhanushali (Kismat, Mann Bharya) left the audience mesmerized.

Attended by industry talent like Shibani Kashyap, Hard Kaur, Shirley Setia, Tochi Raina, Jasbir Jassi, Mame Khan, Dhvani Bhanushali and many others, the awards also saw business leaders from the music industry like Vinod Bhanushali (Global President, Marketing, Media & Publishing, T-Series) and Gaurav Sharma (Chief Programming Officer - Fever FM, Radio Nasha, Fever Entertainment & FAT Productions).

Soumini Sridhara Paul, Vice President, Artist Aloud, Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. said, “Since the inception of our platform, we have always endeavored to handpick the best content to our audience and give the best opportunities to our talent. We believe that music and talent go beyond what’s commercially available. It is the same conviction that has been the foundation of Artist Aloud Music Awards. This year we lauded the brilliance and the exceptional voice of Independent Music’s most loved artistes. And it is our resolve to continue doing the same in the coming years.”

Winning the award for Best Hindi single in the jury category, Shirley Setia said, “This is the first time I am attending the awards and it was my first time being nominated as well. It was also absolutely amazing to perform and winning was like the cherry on top of the cake. I believe the award belongs to the whole team and my fans as much as it belongs to me. This track is inspired by the emotion of spontaneity, ‘do it, no regrets’.”

Best Independent Artist – Male (Consumer category), Ajay Gehi said, “As an actor, when I heard that my song was nominated in two categories, I was very excited. The song, which is 800 words, has been written in one night itself, without a scribble or rethinking, the quest to find the right kind of music took a month or so, recording was a 2-hour process, which was easy. Winning an award for this track is wonderful, I am speechless today!”

Hard Kaur, who won in 2 categories said, “I am very thankful to the ladies who made this happen, they have been supporting me for years. Today is a good day, because these awards recognize the talent in the artiste and behind the artiste. I think the best part of the show, apart from winning my awards, was the hosts, if you can’t get hosts like that then you can never win it.”

Winning 3 awards, Alobo Naga said, “Tonight has been very emotional, because I have worked really hard. It has been so tough to be in India and sing English songs. Finally I felt like all my hard work has paid off thanks to Artist Aloud. Although the song is about breakups, I write lyrics while looking at life, it is also about giving hope to someone that even after breakups there is life.”

Jaswinder Singh said, “This is the first time that one of my albums has been awarded, it is very special to me. The atmosphere and performances were great and I really enjoyed the show. This album is inspired by my fans, teachers and my father Shri Kuldeep Singh as well as my dear friend Alok Shrivastav’s poetry.”

Aabha Hanjura, winner of the Best Folk award in the jury category said, “Being a part of the Artist Aloud Music Awards was incredible, it was very well put together, the best part was that they covered the entire independent music universe among genres. My track is inspired from a Kashmiri folk song with a deeper meaning that has been turned into a children’s rhyme called ‘Hukus Bukus’. My fondest memory is of my grandmother singing this to me when I was a child.”

Upon winning, Preeti Bhalla said, “The awards were amazing, they have created a wonderful platform for independent artists. The awards night had very funny hosts, brilliant performances, especially Mame Khan and Jasbir Jassi. I am glad I took my husband’s advice on this concept to collaborate with Ilana. And it was the first time that such a collaboration took place. Not only did we sing in two different languages but also showcase two different cultures in our video.”

Here is the complete list of winners:

CONSUMER CATEGORY

Best Song

Song Name: Chasing Ghosts

Alobo Naga

Best Independent Artist – Male

Ajay Gehi

Best Independent Artist – Female

Hard Kaur

Best Independent Group

Mumbai's Finest

JURY CATEGORY

Best Song

Song Name: Jiya Jaye Na

Euphoria & Shreya Ghoshal

Best Album

Album Name: Eternal

Jaswinder Singh

Best Composer

Song Name: Jiya Jaye Na

Euphoria

Best Lyricist

Song Name: Suno Tum

Late Nida Fazli

Best Mix

Song Name: Rasiya

Shweta Subram

Best Video

Video Name: Sherni

Hard Kaur

Best International

Song Name: Club Stamp

D-Boy Feat. Abstrxx

Best Hindi

Song Name: Tu Mil Gaya

Shirley Setia &

Song Name: Aye Ri Chandni

Ronkini Gupta Collective

Best English

Song Name: Wolo

Alobo Naga

Best Instrumental

Song Name: Swarnika

Chaitanya Kolluri

Best Punjabi

Song Name: Eid Wali Raat

Funkbox Entertainment – Manav Shaunki

Best Dance

Song Name: Such A Beardo

Remix – DJ Angel

Best Rock

Song Name: Yehi Zindagi Hai

Sifar

Best Pop

Song Name: Sha La La

Preety Bhalla Feat. Ilana Segev

Best Devotional

Song Name: Aadiyogi

Kailash Kher

&

Song Name: Tutari

Shankar Mahadevan

Best Ghazal

Song Name: Ehbaab

Sunil Kumar Sajal Feat. Dalbir Virdi and Roop Sagar

Best Sufi

Song Name: Saif-Ul-Malook

Chintoo Singh Wasir

Best Folk

Song Name: Hukus Bukus

Aabha Hanjura

Best Collaboration

Song Name: Patake

Satti Satvinder Feat. Bohemia

SPECIAL CATEGORY

Best Independent Music Venue

Hard Rock Cafe, India

Best Project

Coke Studio – Season 10 – Strings

Youngest Discovery

Shakti Sivamani

Best Artist From North East

Alobo Naga

Best Live Music Destination

Dublin Square, Phoenix Marketcity, Mumbai