Young Fathers’ ‘Heavy Heavy’ has won the 2023 Scottish Album of The Year Award, beating artists including Paolo Nutini, Hamish Hawk and Joesef to take the £20,000 prize.
Accepting the prize, Young Fathers’ Alloysious Massaquoi said: “Thank you to the judges, and all the nominees and everybody that’s turned up tonight - it's a bit radge!”
“The album is called ‘Heavy Heavy’ for a reason, it’s the trials and tribulations of everybody”, he went on. “It’s one of those things where we sort of had to start from scratch, it had been four or five years since we put something out since [previous album] ‘Cocoa Sugar’. For us to get back together and get excited again with each other, all the ideas that everybody else brings - it's great and this is topping off a great year”.
As well as the main prize, the SAY Awards show also saw Paolo Nutini’s debut album ‘These Streets’ presented with the Modern Scottish Classic Award, while No Windows was named The Sound Of Young Scotland, winning £10,000 of funding to create their debut album.
“All I can say is thank you so much to those who the music means something and for listening to the songs”, said Nutini - who was unable to attend in person as he is in America. “I really appreciate it and I’m proud to be a part of it all. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there on the night to say thanks in person but please know that it means a lot. Thank you”.
Accepting their prize, No Windows said: “Thanks so much to The SAY Award for this award. If you couldn’t tell, we didn’t write [a speech] - it’s such an honour to just be here. We were just happy for the day out. Thank you to everyone here. Scotland right now is such an exciting time and place for music and it feels like a complete honour to be a part of that and be part of such an incredible group of musicians”.
