The Prix Constantin is an annual French music prize awarded to the best album of an artist who has come to prominence during the course of the past year. It was inaugurated in 2002, following the example of the Mercury Music Prize, as an attempt to bring to light artists who have not had major media coverage ("the talents of today and tomorrow"). It is therefore open to individuals or groups who have not yet had a gold album, with the exception of the nominated album. Its basic purpose is to help newer artists who are not very popular to gain publicity. All albums produced in France in the past year are admissible, without restriction on the nationality or language of expression of the artist. The winner is decided by a jury, headed by a musician, which contains representatives from the press, radio, television and record stores.
The Prix Constantin is named after the record industry figure Philippe Constantin, who died in 1996.
Winner: Selah Sue – Selah Sue
Nominees:
Alex Beaupain – Pourquoi battait mon cœurBrigitte – Et vous, tu m'aimes ?Cyril Mokaiesh – Du Rouge et des PassionsLisa Portelli - Le RégalSly Johnson - 74Bertrand Belin - HypernuitCascadeur - The Human OctopusL - InitialeThe Shoes - Crack my BonesWinner: Hindi Zahra – Handmade
Nominees:
Arnaud Fleurent-Didier – La reproductionCamelia Jordana – Camelia JordanaFéfé – Jeune à la retraiteGush – Everybody's godStromae – StromaeBen l'Oncle Soul – Ben l'Oncle SoulCarmen Maria Vega – Carmen Maria VegaFéloche – La vie CajunZaz – ZAZWinner: Emily Loizeau – Pays Sauvage
Nominees:
Babx – Cristal BallroomBirdy Nam Nam – Manual for Successful RiotingDiving with Andy – Sugar SugarDominique A – La MusiqueFredo Viola – The TurnHugh Coltman – Stories from the Safe HouseOrelsan – Perdu d'avancePiers Faccini – Two Grains of SandYodelice – Tree of LifeWinner: Aṣa – Aṣa
Nominees:
Arman Méliès – CasinoBarbara Carlotti – L'IdéalCocoon – My Friends All Died in a Plane CrashJoseph D'Anvers – Les jours sauvagesJulien Doré – ErsatzMoriarty – Gee Whiz But This Is a Lonesome TownThe Dø – A MouthfulThomas Dutronc – Comme un manouche sans guitareYael Naïm and David Donatien – Yael NaimWinner: Daphné – Carmin
Nominees:
AaRON – Artificial Animals Riding On NeverlandFlorent Marchet – Rio BarilJustice – †Kaolin – Mélanger les couleursKeny Arkana – Entre ciment et belle étoileKeren Ann – Keren AnnOurs – MiRenan Luce – RepentiRose – RoseWinner: Abd Al Malik – Gibraltar
Nominees:
Anis – La chanceAyo – JoyfulClarika – JokerEmily Loizeau – L'autre bout du mondeGrand Corps Malade – Midi 20Jehro – JehroKaterine – Robots après toutOlivia Ruiz – La femme chocolatPhoenix – It's Never Been Like ThatWinner: Camille – Le fil
Nominees:
Amadou & Mariam – Dimanche à BamakoAnaïs – The Cheap ShowBazbaz – Sur le bout de la langueBertrand Betsch – Pas de bras, pas de chocolatPauline Croze – Pauline CrozeAlbin de la Simone – Je vais changerAlexis HK – L’homme du momentFranck Monnet – Au grand jourNosfell – Pomaïe klokochazia balekWinner: Cali – L'amour parfait
Nominees:
Pierre Bondu – Quelqu'un quelque partJeanne Cherhal – Douze fois par anDaniel Darc – Crève coeurFeist – Let It DieFlorent Marchet – GargilesseJP Nataf – Plus de sucreRidan – Le rêve ou la vieTété – A la faveur de l'automneRokia Traoré – BowmboïWinner: Mickey 3D – Tu vas pas mourir de rire
Nominees:
A.S. Dragon – SpankedBenjamin Biolay – NégatifCarla Bruni – Quelqu'un m'a ditDiam's – Brut de femmeAlexis HK – Belle VilleMalia – Yellow DaffodilsMassilia Sound System – OccitanistaRaphael – La réalitéEmilie Simon – Emilie SimonWinner: Avril – That Horse Must be Starving
Nominees:
Bumcello – Nude for loveBénabar – BénabarDanyel Waro – BwarouzDionysos – Western sous la neigeGotan Project – La Revancha del TangoLe Peuple de L'Herbe – P, H test/twoRenaud Papillon Paravel – La surface de réparationTiken Jah Fakoly – FrançafriqueVincent Delerm – Vincent Delerm