2016 was a tough year for the music world. We lost a lot of fabulous and groundbreaking artists, but the year also introduced us to some new artists and new songs. Every winter, the popular radio station NRJ (pronounced like énergie, the word for energy) hosts an awards ceremony to honor the year’s top music.

Just like American movies, American music is very prominent in France. Just turn on the radio, and you’ll be welcomed by Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Ariana Grande, and Drake. NRJ is definitely aware of this fact, so they found a way to separate francophone music from international music. Each category except Clip de l’année (Video of the Year) and DJ de l’année is separated into two branches: francophone and international. Each of the 13 categories has 5 or 6 options, and the winner is decided through an online vote and a selected NRJ jury. It’s a great way to recognize local artists as well as those who are having international success.

All of the bloggers here at Transparent French have discussed the benefits of using music to practice your foreign language skills. It’s a great way to learn new vocabulary, phrases, pronunciation, intonation, history, pop culture – everything you could imagine put to the music genre of your choice. It’s easy to remember things you like, so one of my biggest suggestions to people who ask me how to learn a language is to do it through music.

The French know our music, but how well do you know their music? Below I’ve listed the francophone categories from the 2016 award show, the nominees, and the winners. Click any link to visit artist pages or hear the songs. Do you agree with the winners?

Les Palmarès (prize list) Winners are marked with an asterisk.

Artiste féminine française de l’annéeTal*Céline DionZahoJeniferImanyLouane Emera

Artiste masculine française de l’annéeMaître GimsKendji GiracBlack MSoprano*Christophe MaéJulien Doré

Révélation française de l’annéeRidsaSlimaneJulJainClaudio CapéoAmir (check out this post!)*

Groupe / duo / français de l’annéeL.E.JLes 3 mousquetairesFréro Delavega*JulMaître GimsKids United

Chanson française de l’annéeclick the title to hear the songJ’ai cherché by Amir*Le Diable ne s’habille plus en Prada by SopranoIl est où le bonheur by Christophe MaéCome by JainSapés Comme Jamais by Maître Gims & Niska

Clip de l’annéeWork by RihannaHello by AdeleCome by JainIl est où le bonheur by Christophe Maé*Up&Up by Coldplay

DJ de l’annéeDavid Guetta*FederDJ SnakeKygoMartin GarrixKungs