Togo: Alain Apaloo wins Danish Music Award for Naked

The award citation described the project as “a meeting between West African blues and Mississippi Delta country blues, delivered in a minimalist and authentic style”.

Apaloo was among 12 artists nominated across three categories in this year’s Danish Music Awards Blues segment. Following nominations from the Danish blues community, an expert jury selected four finalists in each category, with Apaloo emerging as the winner. His group, the Apipipo Band, was also nominated in the Blues Live Band category.

In his acceptance speech, Apaloo expressed gratitude to supporters, band members, his record label Heartcore Records, and Mojo Blues Bar in Copenhagen. “It is a huge honour to receive such a fine prize,” he said.

DMA Blues 2025 was organised by TEMPI, JazzDanmark, ROSA and Turbinen, in collaboration with Jysk Blues Netværk. The event was supported by Randers Festuge, the Danish Artist Union and the Danish Musicians’ Union.