DJ Kridlokk and Mioko Yokoyama win the Teosto award for their compositions
The Teosto Prize, which recognizes bold, original, and innovative musical works, was awarded on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Helsinki Music Centre to Mioko Yokoyama’s composition Mineralization and Kristo Laanti’s works on DJ Kridlokki’s album Hai. This marked the 20th time the prize was awarded, and it remains one of the largest art prizes in the Nordic countries.
Reasons for the winners
Mineralization is a gem of contemporary Finnish music, skillfully and ambitiously utilizing the possibilities of a chamber music ensemble. Modern playing techniques — such as preparing the strings of the violin and cello with Blu Tack — are combined with porous, percussive, and frictional sounds. In doing so, Yokoyama creates a fascinating “super-instrument” where the sounds blend together in inventive ways.
Mineralization “rocks” and is immediately accessible from the first listen, while continuing to reveal new dimensions with each subsequent experience. The piece delights the senses not only through its soundscape but also through its physical and visual power. Yokoyama masterfully creates space in her music, allowing listeners to experience and interpret the work from their own perspectives.
DJ Kridlokki’s Hai is an exceptional hip-hop album where humanity, artistic integrity, and powerful storytelling meet. Composed, arranged, written, and produced by Kristo Laanti, the album defies the conventions of its genre and rises above them — its linguistic expression is masterful, honest, and completely unique. The Finnish language is used with rich nuance, avoiding Anglicisms, and every line is striking, full of meaning.
The work functions simultaneously as a deeply personal story and a sharp commentary on societal and ecological themes. The minimalist music supports the lyrics, and the entire album breathes a cinematic atmosphere.
Authorship is present in every detail of the work: years of experience, dedication, and virtuosity carry through the entire album. The album reflects a life lived and a quiet confidence that needs no emphasis. This is not an album that is merely listened to — it is one that invites you to stop and immerse yourself in it.
The winners were chosen by a four-member jury consisting of the 2024 Teosto Prize winners Jenni Kinnunen (Tinyhawk & Bizzarro) and Minna Leinonen, along with members invited by Teosto’s management team: Pop & Jazz Conservatory principal Janne Murto and Helsingin Sanomat cultural journalist Ilkka Mattila.
All nominees
The other nominations for the Teosto Prize were Aino Morko and her team’s compositions on the album Soittorasia, Anni Kiviniemi’s compositions on Anni Kiviniemi Trio’ s album Eir, Lara Poe ‘s composition Laulut maaseudulta, Salla Saarisalo and her team’s compositions on Saarisalo’s album Mikä meitä vaivaa?.
The nominees were selected by a preliminary jury consisting of journalist and nonfiction author Sonja Saarikoski, DJ and researcher Mikko Mattlar, journalist and radio host Laura Vähähyyppä, Jazz Association director Maria Silvennoinen, musician and journalist Ville Komppa, journalist Ella Ossi, and journalist Jarkko Fräntilä.
