Spellemannprisen is a Norwegian music award presented to Norwegian musicians. The award was established by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), an organization that represents the interests of the recording industry worldwide. First awarded in 1973, the prize honours musicians from the previous year; it is still awarded annually, usually in January or February. The Spellemann committee, composed of members of IFPI Norway and FONO, manages the award and acts as the judge. 21 categories are currently awarded, in addition to other honorary and industry awards the committee may give. In 2020 and 2021, the award show was held digitally due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Juries and scoring

Separate juries convene for each category. Members are confidential from both the general public and the other juries. The juries score each nominee separately, then convene to deliberate until there is a winner. Usually, three nominees are presented to the jury. The Spellemanns committee nominates three categories: Newcomer of the Year, Fiddler of the Year and Hit Artist. A nomination jury nominates the rest of the videos, which are then presented to the juries.

Newcomer Award

Starting in 2007, the winner of the Newcomer of the Year Award takes home a prize of 200 000 kroner. The scholarship is awarded by Gramo, a Norwegian music industry funding agency.

Multiple award winners

As of 2014, sixteen artists have won the prize more than five times. Leif Ove Andsnes has the most wins with 10 awards.

Broadcast channels

In 2011, the live award show returned to NRK for the first time since 2001, and remained on the same channel afterwards. From 2002 to 2010, the show was broadcast on TV 2.

Awards by year

1972

1973

1974

1975

1976

1977

1978

1979

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Nominees and winners:

Children's music

Blues

Country

Electronica

Folk/traditional music

Indie/alternative

Jazz

Classical

Metal

Pop artist

Pop group

Rock

Contemporary

Urban

Viser (Vispop)

Open class

Tonos composer prize

Songwriter

Music video

Producer

Lyricist

Album of the year

Breakthrough of the year & Gramo scholarship

Song

Årets hederspris (Honorary Award of the year)

Årets Spellemann (Spellemann of the year)

2019

Nominees and winners:

Blues

Country

Electronica

Folk/traditional music

Indie/alternative

Jazz

Classical

Metal

Pop artist

Pop group

Rock

Contemporary

Urban

Viser (Vispop)

Open class

Album

Breakthrough of the year & Gramo scholarship

Tonos composer prize

Song

Songwriter

Music video

Producer

Lyricist

Honorary Award

Spellemann

2020

Nominees:

Children's music

Blues

Country

Electronica

Folk/traditional music

Hip Hop

Indie/alternative

Jazz

Classical

Metal

Pop

Rock

R and B/Soul

Contemporary

Viser (Vispop)

Open class

Breakthrough of the year & Gramo scholarship

Tonos composer prize

Song

Songwriter

Music video of the year

Producer

Lyricist

Honorary Award

Spellemann