2023 IPMA nominations revealed, local artists on the list
PROVIDENCE – A year after winning the “New Talent” trophy, Dartmouth’s resident Giuliana Amaral will be returning to the International Portuguese Music Awards, this time with her Band, Inc. to compete in two categories: Best Rock Performance and Song of the Year.
“Oh, my God, I am so excited. We’re so honored. It means the world to me and to everybody in the band,” Amaral told O Jornal on Sunday, moments after the 2023 IPMA nominees were announced virtually.
The 11th IPMA show honoring artists of Portuguese descent is slated for Saturday, May 20, at the Providence Performing Arts Center.
Band, Inc. was nominated for “Ruined Myself,” a song about having your feelings hurt, which Amaral co-wrote with her friend Victor Adriel, a musician originally from São Paulo, Brazil, now living in Nashville.
“It’s a really personal song. It’s super special to me and one of my favorite songs,” said Amaral, 21, who started Band, Inc. about five years ago, while attending Bishop Stang High School.
In the Rock category, the band will be facing off artists from Portugal, Germany and Canada.
“It’s such an honor to be in a category with people from all over the world. It’s so amazing, really,” said Amaral, who is taking some time off from studying Performance at Berklee College of Music in Boston to perform at venues around the country, including the word famous Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles.
More:Video of Band, Inc. performing "Ruined Myself" at The Whisky A GoGo, 3/31/22
IPMA nominees hail from four continents
Launched in 2013 to celebrate and honor musicians of Portuguese heritage from around the world, the IPMA have featured artists and nominees from 79 countries.
This year’s nominees hail from North America, Europe, Africa and Asia.
“I think the diversity and quality of the nominees stands out this year,” said David Saraiva, who co-organizes the International Portuguese Music Awards with José “Zach” Xavier, noting that year after year there’s been an overall increase in entries.
“After the show was broadcasted on RTP1 in Portugal last year, we observed a rise in the number of submissions received from Portugal,” he said. “It is worth noting that the list of nominees features many fresh faces, which is always encouraging. Furthermore, these nominees come from a total of nine countries, adding to the global reach of the event.”
There will be awards up for grabs in 12 categories, including world music, rap/hip-hop/dance, fado, instrumental, traditional, música popular and best new talent.
Among the 2023 nominees are celebrities such as Salvador Sobral, the winner of the 2017 Eurovision song contest, and Black Mamba, the band that represented Portugal at the Eurovision in 2021.
“It is always thrilling to see established and renowned artists submit their music and receive nominations,” Saraiva said. “Not only does it generate buzz and excitement among their fans, but it also elevates the prestige and credibility of the award show itself.”
The two New Talent finalists will sing live at the show with the panel of judges secretly scattered in the audience to rate the performances and select a winner to be announced later in the night.
Originally from Dartmouth, Keiyana Marie Trinidad to compete in New Talent category
Keiyana Marie Trinidad, a R&B/Soul/Pop singer/songwriter originally from Dartmouth now living in Rhode Island, will be facing off Rafaélla, of Portugal.
“This nomination to me means that I get the chance to showcase what I’ve worked so hard for and dreamed of since I was eight years old, while representing my culture, and the passion I have for music,” said Trinidad, 25, who works as a voice teacher at The Music Loft and has performed at events in Bridgewater, Rhode Island, Providence, Brockton and throughout the South Shore at pubs, restaurants, wineries, and breweries.
At the IPMA ceremony, she will be singing the original song ‘Bridges.’
“This song encompasses courage, self-love, bravery, and overcoming tough obstacles that I’ve faced in my 20s, but it also symbolizes the great climb of life,” she told O Jornal. “Sometimes, we will fall, but we can always get to the other side, even if we feel like it may be impossible to reach.”
A $2,000 cash prize, courtesy of MDC Music in Toronto, will be awarded to the New Talent winner.
“MDC Music is a place where young creative minds come together to collaboratively produce music and art,” said Manuel DaCosta, President of MDC Music, in a prepared statement. “In partnership with IPMA, we are thrilled to give a platform to new Luso artists.”
The People’s Choice Award will be the only category voted on by the public through the IPMA website. Voting is expected to begin next week. The four artists that receive the most votes become the official nominees, and the one with the highest number of votes will be announced as the winner.
Star-studded lineup of performers
NCIS Los Angeles lead actress Daniela Ruah and RTP talk show host Ricardo Farias are teaming up again to co-host the star-studded ceremony.
The performer lineup includes José Cid, Pedro Abrunhosa, Plutonio, Toy, Ruby Anderson, Eratoxica, and mentors from The Voice Portugal Marisa Liz and Diogo Piçarra.
José Cid will also be receiving the IPMA Lifetime Achievement Award.
With a career spanning more than 60 years, José Cid has been awarded 25 Silver, eight Gold and three Platinum records in Portugal. In 2019, he received a Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in Las Vegas, becoming the second Portuguese singer, after Carlos do Carmo, to receive the honor.
It is estimated the show will reach 20 million homes around the globe as it will be broadcast via RTP1 and RTP International, XFINITY, Camões TV, The Portuguese Channel and other media outlets.
Tickets are available at IPMAawards.com or by calling the PPAC box office at 401-421-2787.
2023 IPMA nominees
Music Video of the Year
“Come Ride With Me” - The Redbeds, Director: Bruno Soares (Portugal)
“Sweet Amsterdam” - The Black Mamba, Director: Arlindo Camacho (Portugal)
“Desabafo” - Gama, Director: Victor Passos (Portugal)
“Gato Preto” - Diogo Pinto, Director: Ricardo Bernardino (Portugal)
Instrumental
“Saudades Tuas” - Nebuchadnezzar Group (Portugal)
“Faz de Mim” - GizmoMusix (Canada)
“Tico Tico no Fubá” - Jâca (USA)
“Door 17” - Hélder Bruno (Portugal)
World Music
“Xpia B'oia” - Elly Paris (USA)
“Xandinha” - Cremilda Medina (Cabo Verde)
“Island” - Hélder Bruno (Portugal)
“Imagina” - Hilar (Cabo Verde)
Traditional
“Dentro de Mim” - Equinōcio (Portugal)
“Torna a Virar” - Joey Medeiros (USA)
“Pandeiro” - Arrefole (Portugal)
“Encontro de Amigos (ft. Salvador Sobral)” - Diogo Picão (Portugal)
Fado
“Não Sei, Meu Amor Não Sei” - Mário Lundum (Portugal)
“Lá Vai Ela” - Marcelo (Portugal)
“Rosa Secreta” - Filipa Biscaia (Portugal)
“Como Uma Flor” - César Matoso (Portugal)
Dance/Rap/Hip-Hop
“A Kind of Love (ft. Natalie Oliveri)” - SirAiva (Portugal)
“Clandestinos” - TOM GVNG (France)
“Silêncio” - Denise (Portugal)
“Burn (ft. Sabrina Alves)” - BEKA (South Africa)
Rock
“Meio Amor” - seBENTA (Portugal)
“Ruined Myself” - BAND, Inc. (USA)
“Give Me Life” - VAXXO (Canada)
“Eternity” - Nuno & the End (Germany)
Pop
“Sweet Amsterdam” - The Black Mamba (Portugal)
“A Real Man Can” - Lyia Meta (Malaysia)
“Never Give You Up” - Marcy Brown (Netherlands)
“Rose Water” - Alyssa Raine (USA)
“Mais ou Menos Isto” - Rita Rocha (Portugal)
“Too Much Too Soon” - Cindë (Canada)
Música Popular
“Esta Festa é de Quem” - Catraia (Portugal)
“Chocolate e Menta” - Tomás (Portugal)
“Bilu Bilu” - Safira (Portugal)
“Beija-flor” - Joey Medeiros (USA)
Song of the Year
“Encontro de Amigos (ft. Salvador Sobral)” - Diogo Picão (Portugal), Written by: Diogo Picão
“O Sol Brilha” – Richfellaz (Portugal), Written by: Richfellaz
“Ruined Myself” by BAND, Inc. (USA), Written by: Giuliana Amaral and Victor Adriel
“O Biltre (ft. Paulo de Carvalho)” - Carlos Leitão (Portugal), Written by: Carlos Leitão
New Talent
Keiyana Marie Trinidad (USA)
RAFAĖLLA (Portugal)
Lurdes C. da Silva may be reached at ldasilva@ojornal.com. To read more stories about the Portuguese-speaking community, in English and Portuguese, please visit ojornal.com.