The 2025 Teosto Prize goes to the musical works of DJ Kridlokk and Mioko Yokoyama
The winners of the 2025 Teosto Prize are Mioko Yokoyama’s composition Mineralization and Kristo Laanti’s works on DJ Kridlokk’s album Hai. The total prize money of EUR 40,000 will be divided equally between the authors of the winning works.
Recognising bold, original and innovative works of music, the Teosto Prize is one of the most noteworthy art prizes in the Nordic countries. Since 2003, the prize has been awarded to give recognition for the work of composers, lyricists and composers.
The six nominees and two winners of the Teosto Prize were selected from Finnish works of music published or premiered in 2024. The winners were selected by a four-person panel of judges consisting of the 2024 Teosto Prize winners Jenni Kinnunen (Tinyhawk & Bizzarro) and Minna Leinonen as well as members invited by Teosto’s Board of Directors: Janne Murto, Principal of the Helsinki Pop & Jazz Conservatory, and Helsingin Sanomat culture journalist Ilkka Mattila.
“The nominees displayed exceptional artistic diversity, originality and profound expression. The group created a strong impression of the richness of current Finnish music and the uncompromising stance of its authors. However, it was quite easy to select the winners from this high-quality group. The winning works are very different in terms of style, but in terms of energy, they are like two sides of the same coin,” says Janne Murto, who chaired the panel of judges.
The winners of the Teosto Prize were announced at an event for invited guests at Helsinki Music Centre’s restaurant on 24 April.
Rationale behind the winner selection
Mioko Yokoyama’s composition Mineralization
Premiere: 3 February 2024, Helsinki Music Centre. Performers: Uusinta Ensemble – Malla Vivolin (flute), Helmi Malmgren (bass clarinet), Maria Puusaari (violin), Pinja Nuñez (cello).
Mineralization is a gem of Finnish contemporary music that skilfully and ambitiously takes advantage of the opportunities offered by a chamber music ensemble. Modern playing techniques, such as preparing violin and cello strings with Blu Tack, combine with porous, percussive and frictional sounds. This is how Yokoyama creates an intriguing super instrument, the sounds of which merge in an inventive way.
Mineralization “rocks” and feels approachable from the very first listening session, yet still offers new dimensions over and over again. The work delights the senses not only with the image it creates with sound, but also with its physical and visual power. Yokoyama beautifully creates a space in her music where the listener can experience and interpret the work from their own starting point.
Kristo Laanti’s works on DJ Kridlokk’s album Hai
Published on: 5 April 2024, PME Records. Composition, lyrics & arrangement by Kristo Laanti
DJ Kridlokk’s Hai is an exceptional hip hop album, where humanity, artistic integrity and strong narrative meet. Kristo Laanti composed, arranged, wrote the lyrics for and produced the album that defies and grows beyond the traditions of its genre – the album’s linguistic expression is masterful, honest and completely original. The Finnish language is used in a nuanced way without Anglicisms, and every verse is full of meaning, making the listener think.
The work serves both as a personal narrative and as an insightful commentary on social and ecological themes. The minimalistic music supports the lyrics, and the work as a whole exudes a cinematic atmosphere.
Authorship is present in every detail of the work: the years of experience, dedication and virtuosity are evident throughout the album. The life experience and confidence contained in the work do not require any additional emphasis. You don’t just listen to this album – you stop in it.
Six nominees competed for the Teosto Prize
In addition to the winning works, this year’s nominees included:
- Aino Morko and her team’s works on pehmoaino’s album soittorasia
- Anni Kiviniemi’s compositions on Anni Kiviniemi Trio’s album Eir
- Salla Saarisalo and her team’s works on Saarisalo’s album Mikä meitä vaivaa?
- Lara Poe’s composition Laulut maaseudulta
The nominees were selected by a preliminary selection panel consisting of journalist and non-fiction author Sonja Saarikoski (Chair); DJ and researcher Mikko Mattlar, PhD (Vice Chair); journalist and radio host Laura Vähähyyppä; Executive Director of the Finnish Jazz Federation Maria Silvennoinen; lecturer, musician and journalist Ville Komppa and journalists Ella Ossi and Jarkko Fräntilä.
The Teosto Prize is awarded to bold, original and innovative works of music
The purpose of the Teosto Prize is to annually recognise bold, original and innovative works of music or collections of works. The works may represent any genre. With the prize, Teosto also wants to support the diversity of genres and increase appreciation for the work of music authors in society. Awarded since 2003, the Teosto Prize is one of the most noteworthy art prizes in the Nordic countries. The prize was now awarded for the 20th time.
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