Hozier, Fontaines DC and viral Cork rap group Kabin Krew are among those in the running for this year’s RTÉ Choice Music Prize Irish Song of the Year 2024, with their songs Too Sweet, Starburster and The Spark, respectively. The shortlisted artists also includes folk singer Niamh Regan, pop singer-songwriter CMAT and band Picture This. The list was announced on RTÉ 2FM’s Tracy Clifford Show on Friday.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the prize. Jim Carroll, Choice Music Prize co-founder and chairman of the judging panel, attributed its “longevity” to “how Irish bands and musicians have actively and enthusiastically supported the event over the years.”
The full list of nominated songs is as follows (alphabetical order):
- Jordan Adetunji – Kehlani
- Chubby Cat – Quiet
- CMAT – Aw, Shoot
- Cian Ducrot – Here It is
- Fontaines D.C. – Starburster
- Hozier – Too Sweet
- Jazzy – Make Up
- Kabin Crew – The Spark
- Picture This – Act of Innocence
- Niamh Regan – Music
The shortlists for additional categories were announced earlier this week – including the Irish album of the year, with Kneecap and Fontaines DC, Irish artist of the year, featuring Jazzy and CMAT, and Irish breakthrough artist, which Biig Piig and Kingfishr could take home.
Belfast rap trio Kneecap were nominated across three of the competition’s categories this year – album, artist and breakthrough artist, as were Fontaines DC who are recognised in the album, song and artist shortlists.
The shortlists for Irish artist and Irish breakthrough artist are as follows:
Irish Artist of the Year 2024
- Jordan Adetunji
- CMAT
- Fontaines D.C.
- Jazzy
- Kneecap
Irish Breakthrough Artist 2024
- Jordan Adetunji
- Biig Piig
- Kingfishr
- Kneecap
- Sprints
Members of the public can now cast their votes to decide who will be this year’s winning song. With votes limited to one per person per day, only votes cast in the Republic of Ireland will be counted. The chance to make your voice heard will end at midnight on Sunday 16th February.
The Irish song of the year 2024 will be announced by Tracy Clifford on March 6th on a dedicated radio show on 2FM in advance of the live event that evening.
Winners of the Irish Album of the Year, Irish Artist of the Year and Irish Breakthrough Artist of the Year will all be announced live from Vicar Street on RTÉ 2FM in a special show from 7-11pm on Thursday, March 6th. The show will feature live performances from some of the shortlisted acts and is due to be broadcast live on RTÉ 2FM, with a TV-special set to be aired on RTÉ2 later in March. Tickets are on sale now via TicketMaster.
