The 6th annual International Portuguese Music Awards (IPMA) took place on Saturday, April 21. IPMA, which is also becoming known as the “Portuguese Grammys,” recognizes outstanding achievement in the music industry by international artists of Portuguese descent.

Awards were handed out to the following artists:

Music Video of the Year - “Games” by Nikita Afonso, Director: Jony Roy and Cezar White (Canada)

Instrumental - “Corre Corre Corridinho” by Ricardo J. Martins (Portugal)

World Music - “Divôrce Um’ Ca Ta Sená” by Cremilda Medina (Cape Verde)

Traditional - “Fado Mestiço - Amanhã” by Suzi Silva (Canada)

Fado - “Fado Meu” by Sonia Bettencourt (USA)

Dance - “Elemental (ft. Lyon Hart)” by Sir Matty V (USA)

Rap/Hip-Hop - “Espírito de Leão (ft. Lioness)” by Jayjezz (Luxembourg)

Rock - “Fly Higher” by The Code (Portugal)

Pop - “Solid Ground” by Rebecca Correia (USA)

Musica Popular - “Haja Saúde” by Zé Duarte (USA)

New Talent - Justine Martins (USA)

Song of the Year - “Fly Higher” by The Code (Portugal), written by Marisa Oliveira, Félix Medeiros

Lifetime Achievement Award - Xutos & Pontapés (Portugal)

This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipients have a career that has spanned almost forty years. Xutos are widely considered to be Portugal’s best rock band and their songs have become some of the biggest anthems in Portugal’s rock history. They continue to be an inspiration to Portuguese rock bands.

Azores Airlines People’s Choice

“Bo Vice” by Grace Evora (Netherlands)

The People’s Choice award was voted on by the general public via the IPMA website. Votes from 73 countries were collected.

Other Highlights

The award show festivities included a performance by Miguel Angelo from Portugal, who was the lead singer of the pop-rock band Delfins for twenty-five years until he went solo in 2012. The legendary hip hop artist Carlão and Luso-American singer David DeMelo made their marks in IPMA history and 2017 IPMA award winners Manhattan Camerata also graced the stage.

There was a surprise performance by Rui Bandeira, who in 1999 represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest.

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