IT feels symbolic that Nova – the well-deserved winner of The SAY Award 2020, for her debut release Re-Up – also goes under the name of Nova Scotia the Truth; with Nova Scotia translating to “New Scotland” in Latin.
As our youngest ever winner, and the first rap/grime record to win the prize, this result marks a special and important moment in Scottish music history.
Without doubt 2020 has been set against the backdrop of a global health crisis, as well as social, cultural, political and economic upheaval. It’s a year that’s felt out of control and challenged all of us. The coronavirus crisis, Brexit, social justice, equality and climate change have been only some of the key themes, and it’s felt like everything has collided at once.
We’ve seen a range of important and essential conversations rise to the surface; holding a mirror up against both ourselves and our wider society. Things that for some were once hidden are now in plain sight, and they’re staring each of us straight in the face. As a society, these conversations are essential for our journey towards being kinder, fairer and more human to each other. We need the truth.
There’s never been a time where I’ve not recognised the importance or significance of The SAY Award. What it means for not only the artists who are eligible, nominated or win, but what it means for Scotland’s music scene, Scottish culture and Scotland’s identity in a much wider sense; what it says about who we are as a nation, and what it helps drive and inspire in terms of future creative work and industry opportunities. Never has that been more true than this year. With so much at stake, never have we recognised the importance of community more than now. Community is about all of us, and it’s the responsibility of each of us to help shape it.
And for Scotland’s music scene, that’s what The SAY Award is all about – supporting, inspiring, encouraging and bringing together our music community. It should always be seen as a celebration of Scottish music, with each campaign presenting a bold and unifying platform for Scottish albums – across all genres – to be celebrated, discovered and championed.
At 18 minutes long, Re-Up was the shortest body of work on 2020’s Shortlist. The Judging Panel felt it was the strongest, and I think their choice was an excellent one. Re-Up presents an inspiring and bold record from one of Scotland’s most exciting rising talents. Nova’s social commentary reflects her life and experiences of living in Scotland’s Central Belt, and it’s incredible to see an artist at such an early stage of their career creating such ground-breaking work.
The hip hop/rap/grime scene has traditionally received little support compared to its genre counterparts. Creative Scotland has, however, been doing fantastic, targeted work recently to support it, and I know first-hand how much this support is appreciated by the scene.
To me, this year’s SAY Award win shows the rise of a new Scotland – one which better celebrates diversity and the new, whilst still being proud of our strong traditions.
It’s fitting that Re-Up explores tales of a young artist in modern-day Scotland, struggling to keep financially afloat. These challenges poignantly mirror challenges that many of us in music face today.
In the articulation of these challenges, Nova now finds herself in a position where the future presents opportunity, recognition and ultimately hope.
This is something that can and should inspire us all, at a time we’ve never needed it more.
Watch the full 2020 SAY Award ceremony via YouTube today from 6pm, featuring live performances, all 10 shortlisted artists collecting their award and the moment Nova made history
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