Ministry award and jury evaluation

The Spanish Ministry of Culture awarded singer and composer Rosalía Vila Tobella the 2026 National Prize for Contemporary Music on Wednesday, 7 October 2026. The award jury, which met in Madrid, assigned the state honour and its 30,000 euro endowment to the artist, who was born in 1992 in Sant Esteve Sesrovires in the province of Barcelona. In its official statement, the panel cited the artistic significance of her album LUX, published in November 2025. The jury characterized the project as an ambitious, innovative, and transformative musical proposal that pushed creative boundaries and achieved unanimous acclaim from music critics and the general public.

Artistic scope and composition of LUX

Released in November 2025, LUX departed from the musical style of Rosalía's previous studio albums, El mal querer and Motomami. The record combined arrangements built around piano and violins with themes encompassing grief, reflection, spiritual contemplation, celebration, and euphoria. The promotional campaign began with the advance single Berghain, followed by album cuts including La Perla, Reliquia, and Sauvignon Blanc. In its evaluation, the jury noted that the album consolidated an international career defined by risk, research, and creative evolution, combining avant-garde techniques with cultural heritage. The panel also cited her contribution to the global projection of Spanish music and her practice of artistic collaboration across disciplines.

Predecessor and harmonica innovation

Rosalía succeeds the 2025 winner, Antonio Serrano, who earned the prize for his work as a composer, arranger, and performer across flamenco, jazz, folk, pop, and classical music. Serrano introduced the harmonica into the repertoire of flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucía, becoming a core member of his final performing ensemble. The jury praised Serrano for broadening the creative horizons of the harmonica both inside and outside Spain, introducing the instrument to new audiences across multiple musical traditions. Ten-time Grammy-winning producer Javier Limón previously praised Serrano's technical proficiency and international influence.

“Serrano is the best instrumentalist in our country and the best harmonica player in the world.”

Award history and past honourees

Under ministry regulations, the National Prize for Contemporary Music recognizes individuals or entities primarily for works published or staged during the preceding calendar year, or exceptionally for lifetime career achievements. The award has maintained its 30,000 euro financial purse across 18 editions since its creation in 2009, when Catalan singer-songwriter Joan Manuel Serrat received the inaugural honour. Serrat learned of the prize while travelling on a high-speed AVE train to Barcelona and noted his surprise at the newly founded distinction.

“I have nothing more fun to do than to keep singing and composing.”

Following Serrat, the distinction went to Amaral in 2010, Santiago Auserón in 2011, Kiko Veneno in 2012, Luz Casal in 2013, Carmen París in 2014, and Jorge Pardo in 2015. Subsequent recipients included Martirio in 2016, Javier Ruibal in 2017, Christina Rosenvinge in 2018, Mala Rodríguez in 2019, Chano Domínguez in 2020, Rozalén in 2021, Sílvia Pérez Cruz in 2022, Rodrigo Cuevas in 2023, and Miren Iza in 2024.