SistaStrings, Klassik and Milwaukee music’s growing avant-garde, genre-bending sound were the big winners of the 2019 Radio Milwaukee Music Awards.
The non-commercial (WYMS-FM 88.9) station’s 12th annual music awards were based on 6,278 votes online by area music fans and selections of 88Nine music staff and local music writers.
The top award winners were SistaStrings and Klassik, who each won two awards.
SistaStrings, made up of sisters Monique and Chauntee Ross, took home Best Band and Best Album. The groundbreaking duo’s members are black classical string musicians and vocalists who uniquely combine classical, gospel, soul and other genres.
Performer and recording artist Klassik (Kellen Abston) won for Best Solo Artist and Critics’ Choice Album Of The Year. Klassik’s music blends elements of hip-hop, jazz, new-wave nostalgia and indie.
"This year's awards reflect the strong avant-garde sound that is developing here in Milwaukee," 88Nine Program Director Jordan Lee said. "It's really hard to put the music of Klassik, SistaStrings or Browns Crew in a genre box. These new sounds are defining the sound of our city in an exciting and inspiring way."
The 2019 winners are:
- Band of the Year: SistaStrings
- Album of the Year: SistaStrings – "Lift"
- Song of the Year: Browns Crew – "Mil Aires"
- Solo Artist: Klassik
- Music Video: Lex Allen – "Let Go"
- Independent EP: Zed Kenzo – "Baby Swag"
- Album Artwork: Fuzzysurf – "Fuzzy & the Surfs"
- Best Disc We Missed: Jü – "Emotions Running High"
- Critics’ Choice Album Of The Year: "Quiet" by Klassik
- Rising Star (recognizing an artist 17 years old or younger): RB Vic
- Music Ambassador: Milwaukee Public Library’s "Library Loud Days" series of concerts and events
- Humanitarian: Riverwest FemFest
The awards were announced at ceremonies Saturday at Turner Hall Ballroom that featured performances by musicians in the 2019 Backline program – Bravo, Immortal Girlfriend, Kaylee Crossfire, Klassik, Reyna and WebsterX.
Launched in 2018 by Radio Milwaukee and the business accelerator gener8tor, Backline this year provided six bands and musicians with 12-week intensive mentorships and $20,000 grants to further their careers and help win recognition for Milwaukee as a thriving music city. Information on Backline is at backlinemusic.com/milwaukee.
The 2019 Radio Milwaukee Music Awards were presented by Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin and VISIT Milwaukee.
