Balthazar big winners at Music Industry Awards

Pop group Balthazar won three MIAs at the Music Industry Awards, which celebrates the best of Flanders’ year in music. Hip-hop artist Tourist LeMC won two, and there was a Lifetime Achievement Award for crooner Will Tura.

“Three MIAs, that works out perfectly,” said the five-member Balthazar’s singer and guitarist Jinte Deprez. We already had two, so now everyone’s happy.” The band (pictured) picked up awards for best album, best alternative band and best overall band. “Actually we’re just lucky that Stromae didn’t bring out an album this year,” Deprez joked.

Stromae did win best solo male artist and best video clip, bringing the hip-hop singer’s total MIA awards to 14. Tourist LeMC, a hip-hop artist from Antwerp who describes himself as a “city troubadour”, was nominated in five categories and won two, for best breakthrough act and best Dutch-language recording artist. “I would have been happy with just one MIA, now I’m twice as happy,” he said. “And proud.”

The dance category saw Lost Frequencies, aka Felix De Laet, overtake blue-chip acts Netsky and Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike to take the award. Selah Sue won best solo female artist, and she revealed in her acceptance speech that she doesn’t display her awards at home.

“I find it a bit awkward to hang your own trophies up in your own house,” she said. My father on the other hand loves to look at my trophies. My awards are all at my parents’ house.”

Will Tura, who turned 75 last year and released a new album on the day of the awards, won a Lifetime Achievement award. As well as the statuette, he received a bicycle belonging to Flemish cycling legend Eddie Merckx.

Photo courtesy MIAs