Sub-freezing temperatures didn’t stop 3,700 people from bundling up and going out to attend the YUNA National Music Awards on Feb. 26.
The Ukraine Palace of Arts was full, with crowds waiting outside hoping to buy a last-minute extra ticket. Scalpers were offering them for double price. YUNA was sold out: Everyone wanted to see the performances by popular Ukrainian bands and singers.
The YUNA Music Awards was founded in 2012 by the Kyiv Post publisher Mohammad Zahoor and producer, radio host Pavlo Shylko, to celebrate Ukraine’s best music. The winners are traditionally determined by an extensive team of judges, all with a connection to the Ukrainian music industry. Every year, Deloitte auditing firm monitors the entire process.
This year pop singer Monatik was in favor among judges and won three awards: Best Performer, Best Music Video, and Best Concert Show.
Pop singer Melovin, who will represent Ukraine at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest, did not win his nomination Fresh Sound. Yet the nomination itself turned out to be a surprise to him.
“I had no idea I was nominated,” he says. “My fans told me that on Instagram and it was very pleasant.”
Singer-actress Kamaliya, the wife of Zahoor, also performed on stage. As the wife of the award’s founder, she is the only Ukrainian performer who can never be nominated for YUNA but she performs every time.
“When I did it at the very first rehearsals, I was very scared,” Kamaliya said after the show.
She added that she overcame her fear in order to make the performance stand out.
Winners of 2018 YUNA National Music Awards
Best Song:
“Taet Lyed” (“The Ice Is Melting”) — Griby
Best Female Performer:
Tina Karol
Best Male Performer
Monatik
Best Music Video:
“Vitamin D” — Monatik
Best Album
“H2Lo” — Loboda
Fresh Sound
Kazka
Best Duo
“Na Vershyni” (“On the Top”)- Pianoboy and Morphom
Best Rock Band
The Hardkiss
Best Song in Ukrainian
“Zhuravli” (“Crane Birds”) — The Hardkiss
Best Concert Show
Live Show “Vitamin D” (Monatik)
Best Pop Band
Vremya I Steklo
