Funky Awards 2025 – Celebrating the soulful Suomi!
Funk called and said that everyone won. That’s it. Funky Awards voters gave plenty of love to each nominee and in several categories the order was decided by just a few votes. Everyone won.
Funky Amigos organized the annual Funky Awards poll again to celebrate the most soulful Finnish releases and artists from the past year. Voting was open through January and almost thousand votes were given by the public. The Funky Awards jury also evaluated the candidates and gave their votes. This time 69 Finnish musicians and bands were nominated with their albums and songs. The year 2025 gave us plenty.
The double winner of the Funky Awards 2025 is the veteran group JätkäJätkät who actually just finished their farewell tour. They leave the stages on a high. The band got most votes in both the Band of the Year and the Rytmi Album of the Year categories. Emilia Sisco has been called the Queen of Finnish Soul and she proved her stance by winning the Artist of the Year category. The Newcomer of the Year awards goes to Mimosa. In addition Yeboyah, Ilkka Arola Sound Tagine, Stepa, Laineen Kasperi and De Räp Radio Show were awarded also.
Funky Amigos thanks kindly all the participants!
Emilia Sisco
(webpage / Instagram / Facebook / FunkyFinland.fi)
Emilia Sisco won both the public vote and the overall vote in the Artist of the Year category. Her first solo album Introducing Emilia Sisco took the Rytmi Album of the Year award last year and the Queen of Finnish Soul has only increased her popularity with her brilliant live performances throughout the year. Emilia Sisco was also one of the head liners in the Funky Elephant 30th anniversary festival in November and she absolutely mesmerized the festival crowd with her performance. She is the Artist of the Year. Funky Amigos congratulates and salutes Emilia!
The second place in the Artist of the Year category went to Ina Forsman. Some say that she is better known internationally than in Finland, but Funky Awards voters proved otherwise. Ina Forsman released her stunning album After Dark Hour in the early days of last summer and won our hearts with her glimmering soul music also in Finland.
The third place in the Artist of the Year category went to the veteran rap artist and rhyme master Hannibal, who also grabbed a lot of votes in the Rap Album of the Year category with his latest album Uutisia Ei Mistään.
Artist of the year Nominees
Eero Savela (webpage)
Emilia Sisco (webpage)
Hannibal (Instagram)
Ina Forsman (webpage)
Jimi Tenor (webpage)
Misha (webpage)
Ville Valavuo (Discogs)
JätkäJätkät
The Band of the Year is JätkäJätkät with a landslide victory in the poll. The beloved orchestra won both the audience and the overall vote with an overwhelming margin. A true superband that has been making us very happy and kept us dancing for over fifteen years now. The band started the year with the release of their comeback album Norsun Selässä in February and ended the year with their farewell tour. They go out on a high. You confirmed it. Funky Amigos gives many thanks and praise to JätkäJätkät!
The second place in the Band of the Year category went to the rap group Good Boys. The group known for their wild live shows got a lot of love from the voters. They also grabbed a lot of votes in the Rap Album of the Year category with their latest release Hittaa. Focus on positivity, good vibes and lots of joie de vivre. Itä-Helsinki in the house.
Third place in the Band of the Year category went to Rosettes. The band released their debut album Lifestyles last April and has gained a cult following that only grows and grows.
band of the year Nominees
Good Boys (Instagram)
Helsinki-Cotonou Ensemble (FunkyFinland.fi)
JätkäJätkät (FunkyFinland.fi)
The Northern Lights (live band of Emilia Sisco)
Punomo (webpage)
Rosettes (Instagram)
Vodou Fusion (FunkyFinland.fi)
Mimosa
The voters were very clear this year who is the Newcomer of the Year. Mimosa collected almost a third of all votes. The Tampere-based rap artist released two singles during the year and dropped her first EP Most Mim in early November. The rappers strong rhymes and the funky beats dripping in that 90s rap gold captured the audiences. Mimosa‘s debut music video also grabbed a lot of votes in the Music Video of the Year category. A new star has been born. Our heartfelt congratulations!
Second place in the Newcomer of the Year category went to Kalabaliikki. The ethno-fusion band released their debut album Leijonan Kääntöpiiri last spring and performed at the Elephantasy Funky Family Picnic party in Alppipuisto last summer. They truly found their way into our dancing hearts with their imaginary retro-futuristic world music.
Third place in the Newcomer of the Year category went to Ani Harmi. The duo released their debut album Rakkaudesta ja Kuolemasta just a few months ago, but their catchy melodies and trip hoppy rhythms convinced the audience immediately.
newcomer of the year nominees
Ani Harmi (Instagram)
B!rthday (Instagram)
Heili (Instagram)
J.EM (Instagram)
Kalabaliikki (Instagram)
Kraiden (Instagram)
Mimosa (Instagram)
JätkäJätkät – Norsun Selässä
The double winner of the year was JätkäJätkät. They are the Band of the Year and their album Norsun Selässä is the Rytmi Album of the Year. The band’s music draws from different musical traditions and makes you dance irresistibly while the lead vocalists Asa and Puppa J’s wordplay brings a smile to your face every time. The band announced their retirement last year and finished their farewell tour just a few weeks ago. Long live JätkäJätkät! Funky Amigos congratulates the band and clebrates their legacy.
The albums of the year were again divided into three categories where the Rytmi section included all kinds of music drawing from the soul, funk and jazz traditions. Ina Forsman received the second most votes in the category with her great album After Dark Hour. Her beautiful songs and her soulful music glowing in technicolor truly stole our hearts.
Third place in the Rytmi category went to Sami Saari ja Jazzpojat with their album Nyt Tai Ei Koskaan. The godfather of Finnish soul music continues strong and got a lot of love from the voters.
album of the year – Rytmi nominees
Ina Forsman – After Dark Hour (Spotify / Youtube)
Jimi Tenor – Selenites, Selenites! (Bandcamp / Spotify / Youtube)
Joska Josafat – Pystyn Mihin Vaan (Spotify / Youtube)
JätkäJätkät – Norsun selässä (Spotify / Youtube)
Misha & cocabona – JOMO (Bandcamp / Spotify / Youtube)
Nössö Nova – Pitäis ja Pitäis (Spotify / Youtube)
Punomo – Kahdeksan kertaa (Spotify / Youtube)
Rosettes – Lifestyles (Bandcamp / Spotify / Youtube)
Sami Saari ja Jazzpojat – Nyt Tai Ei Koskaan (Spotify / Youtube)
Syskofrenia – Vapaa (Spotify / Youtube)
Yeboyah – Emotional Gangsta
The Rap Album of the Year category was particularly close in this year’s poll. A real battle. Yeboyah finally emerged as the winner with her album Emotional Gangsta. The album won both the public and the overall vote. The long-standing rap star released her latest album on her own new Abenayo Creative House label. The label’s first signing J.EM was nominated in the Newcomer of the Year category also. One to watch definitely as they in Wales. The album is great! The bass is big and Yeboyah is rapping, singing, talking and whispering in your ears like a siren from the back alleys. Funky Amigos congratulates and celebrates Yeboyah!
Hannibal came in second place in the category by a narrow margin with his album Uutisia Ei Mistään. The veteran microphone maestro has been pushing fat funk for decades already. His latest album dropped last April and apparently rocked both our and your stereos heavily. An artist who once again showed his ability to drop classics time and time again.
Third place in the category went to Ex Tuuttiz with his final album Venlafaxin Cowboy. The sad news of the artist’s death last August were deeply shocking. We bid farewell to the artist loving the music he left us. Rest in peace brother.
album of the year – Rap nominees
Are – In Memoriam (Spotify / Youtube)
Bentality – regular life, volume two (Spotify / Youtube)
Ceebrolistics – blue byroads (Bandcamp / Spotify / Youtube)
Ex Tuuttiz – Venlafaxin Cowboy (Spotify / Youtube)
FYRK – Lama (Spotify / Youtube)
good boys – Hittaa (Spotify / Youtube)
Hannibal – Uutisia Ei Mistään (Spotify / Youtube)
Mactopias – UNRELEASED-UNRELEASABLE-SESSIONS (Spotify / Youtube)
Matriarkaatti – Rikosrekisteri (Spotify / Youtube)
Petos – Petos (Spotify / Youtube)
Yeboyah – Emotional Gangsta (Spotify / Youtube)
Ilkka Arola Sound Tagine – Adventures In The Now
(Bandcamp / Spotify / Youtube)
The Rajojen Ylittäjä Album of the Year category collected together music that evades traditional genre restrictions and are difficult to describe in any clear terms. Music that surprises and delights. The winner of the category was Ilkka Arola Sound Tagine with his great album Adventures In The Now. Trumpeter Ilkka Arola is active in several different groups and explores various arabic rhythms and harmonies under his Sound Tagine moniker. The artist is also a virtuoso Greek bouzouki player and the instrument is featured abundantly on the album also. Turkish retro influences, living rhythms, even meditative at times. Albums that cross known boundaries are difficult to describe in clear terms. This is a must-listen and that is what the voters did. Funky Amigos congratulates Ilkka Arola!
The winner of the public vote Paleface & Laulava Unioni got second place in the overall poll with their album Hoopon Elämän Mysteerit. Rap veteran Paleface and the group Laulava Unioni, who performs traditional Finnish-American songs of the radical Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) union, joined forces to clebrate the unity of the working class. That black cat has hardly ever danced so happily before.
The third place in the Rajojen Ylittäjä Album of the Year category went to Sonja Selene with her debut album Pimeä Pää. Simply stellar. The artist with a Romani background sings like an angel and writes lyrics about universal themes that truly touch the heart. Dancing all the borders away.
album of the year – Rajojen Ylittäjä nominees
Flinga – Hum (Bandcamp/ Youtube)
Ilkka Arola Sound Tagine – Adventures in the Now (Bandcamp / Spotify / Youtube)
Kalabaliikki – Leijonan Kääntöpiiri (Bandcamp / Spotify / Youtube)
Mikko Pettinen Why Not – Patient Patient (Bandcamp / Spotify / Youtube)
Paleface & Laulava Unioni – Hoopon Elämän Mysteerit (Spotify / Youtube)
RAMSES – Espiritus (Bandcamp / Spotify / Youtube)
Rinneradio – 4/4 (Spotify / Youtube)
Sonja Selene – Pimeä Pää (Spotify / Youtube)
Stiletti-Ana – Stiletti City Tape Archives (Bandcamp / Spotify / Youtube)
Zangoma – Faka Mulilo (Bandcamp / Spotify / Youtube)
Stepa – Tärkeä Hetki Suomiräpille
Song of the Year! Stepa made it. We bet that each of us had a special moment when we first heard the song Tärkeä Hetki Suomiräpille. It just descibes that moment so wonderfully. That important moment. The dearly loved Finnish rhyme lover Stepa released only a couple of singles last year, but it’s not the quantity, it’s the quality. Tärkeä Hetki Suomiräpille won the Song of the Year category quite clearly. How can you not love it?!? The beat is funky as my grandmothers lohikeitto and the microphone master’s rhymes make you raise your hands in the air. Put a big smile on your face. Thanks also to the father, thanks to the mother and the godmother too. This time the Song of the Year is truly an important moment for Finnish rap. Funky Amigos praises and congratulates Stepa!
Second place in the Song of the Year category went to Ricky-Tick Big Band and Julkinen Sana with their comeback single Konttori Auki. One of the best news of the year was the return of the beloved orchestra to the studio together with their rap group which now also includes a new member F. Took it to those next next levels. We can’t wait for the new album.
Third place in the category went to Halme Prospekt Presents Queen Djenny Djella with their song Bon Bon Bon. Jazz legend Hepa Halme‘s Prospekt project found something really good good good at the opening of an art exhibition in Benin, where the singer and the artist Djenny Djella performed. The full album is forthcoming.
song of the year nominees
Dashing Waves – Rivière (Spotify / Youtube)
Dub Vallila – Ruffneck Bizness feat. Paleface (Spotify / Youtube)
Eternal Erection – Not So Pretty (Emperor’s New Clothes) (Spotify / Youtube)
Halme Prospekt Present Queen Djenny Djella – Bon Bon Bon (Bandcamp / Spotify / Youtube)
Jimi Tenor – Release Me! (Bandcamp / Spotify / Youtube)
Muscular – Day 2 (Tokyo) (Spotify / Youtube)
Nea Neuroosi – Helsinki City Cowgirl feat. Valma (Spotify / Youtube)
Ricky-Tick Big Band & Julkinen Sana – Konttori Auki (Spotify / Youtube)
Stepa – Tärkeä Hetki Suomiräpille (Spotify / Youtube)
Tuomo & Recluse Crew – Glorious feat. Dankery Harv (Bandcamp / Spotify / Youtube)
Laineen Kasperi – Taikahattu feat. Ronda
(Youtube)
Sound and image. That magical pair of stimuli merges in music videos in a very special way. There were several great ones released in Finland last year and the Music Video of the Year category was ultimately decided by only a few votes. The first place went to Laineen Kasperi with his truly stunning music video Taikahattu. The music video managed to visualize the song’s blazing energy and its hilarious story about that hat that takes the lead. The video was created by Ville Seppänen and Laineen Kasperi and it rightfully deserves the Music Video of the Year award. Funky Amigos gives thanks and praise!
The second place in the category went to Yona & Saimaa with their music video Laula Mulle Laulu. It was the first single from the artists’ album of Ukrainian songs interpreted in Finnish in support of the war-torn nation. The music video was created by Toni Eskelinen and Eero Tiilikainen and it won the public vote in this year’s poll.
Third place in the Music Video of the Year category went to Ilkka Arola Sound Tagine with the great music video Surrender created by Aleks Talve. The band won the Rajojen Ylittäjä Album of the Year category and also got lots of love from the voters for the music video that almost feels like a short movie.
musicvideo of the year nominees
Adeola – I Think Of You (Youtube)
Barbaro El Urbano Vargas – O.N.G LA BANDA (Youtube)
Grande Mahogany – Salford Softie (Youtube)
Ilkka Arola Sound Tagine – Surrender (Youtube)
Kaisa’s Machine – Origin’s Story feat. Melissa Aldana (Youtube)
Kolmiyo – Kukat feat. DJ Massimo (Youtube)
Koneveljet – Gone (Youtube)
Laineen Kasperi – Taikahattu feat. Ronda (Youtube)
Mimosa – Helyi, Laukkui jne. (Youtube)
SUAD – Morning (Youtube)
Yona & Saimaa – Laula Mulle Laulu (Youtube)
De Räp Radio Show (Are ja Kriso)
The Funky Awards special category this year was the Radio Show of the Year. Most votes among the many wonderful radio program nominees got Are and Kriso with their De Räp Radio Show. Every Wednesday between 18-20 on Radio Helsinki. The rap activists explore hip hop culture in a truly insightful way and repeatedly offer interesting specials on both the history and the current state of the rap music. Relaxed vibes, good music and in-depth expertise. De Räp Radio Show. Funky Amigos thanks and celebrates!
Matti Nives, Teppo Mäkynen and Ville Herrala with their Jazz Kiinnostaa show took the second place. The program has gained a cult status already and does a great job in presenting the wonderful world of jazz in an attractive and interesting way. Every Sunday from 12 to 14 also on Radio Helsinki.
Third place in the very tight category went to Tuuli Saksala with her Tuuli Saksalan Keidas on YLE Radio 1. The musician and radio personality takes us on a musical journey every Thursday from 17:35 to 18:25 and each show can be listened to on YLE Areena for a months time.
RADIO-SHOW OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
20HZ (IDA Radio)
De Räp Radio Show (Radio Helsinki)
Jazz Kiinnostaa (Radio Helsinki)
Klaus Wing Sessions (Totally Wired Radio)
Lux med DJ Bunuel (YLE Vega)
Ritmo (IDA Radio)
Tuuli Saksalan Keidas (YLE Radio 1)
Funky Awards returned to celebrate the best of soulful Suomi! The award ceremony brought together the highlights of the Finnish black roots music releases from 2025 and searched for the hottest artists, bands, songs, music videos and radio shows with the help of the jury and the public vote. This year there were nine categories. The prestigious jury chose the nominees and the public voted for the winners during the month of January.
The jury consisted of the following specialists this year:
- Deeqa Aho (cultural and event producer, Funky Awards production)
- DJ Bunuel (Legend)
- Joonas Kervinen (musicologist, writer, DJ SoulllJay, FunkyFinland.fi production)
- Juuso Partti (photographer, musician (ontologia, Jiiri), multidisciplinary artist, DJ Lost&Found3000)
- Outi Urpilainen (dancer, DJ O.T.Almighty, funky amiga)
- Sami “Magic Sam” Mannerheimo (DJ, photographer, president of the Funky Amigos association)
- Santeri “Soundelish” Panula (event producer, musician (Bromans), carpenter)
Many thanks!
Selections from the albums of the year and the song of the year nominees can be found on the Funky Awards 2025 Spotify playlist and the music video nominees have been collected to the Funky Awards 2025 Youtube playlist.