Welsh Music Prize vox pop: your winner

A high profile panel of judges has awarded the Welsh version of the Mercury Music Prize to the Super Furry Animals frontman.

The first Welsh Music Prize was awarded to Gruff Rhys on Friday, in a ceremony at Cardiff’s Kuku Club as part of Sŵn Festival 2011.

Winning the award for his album Hotel Shampoo, Rhys looked genuinely surprised as he got on stage and told the audience he hadn’t expected to win, and that everyone nominated deserved it.

Simon Casey selling his hats on Queen Street: He doesn't know any Welsh bands

Nominees included Manic Street Preachers and emerging artists such as Y Niwl. The winner was decided by a panel including NME deputy editor Mike Williams and Ashli Todd from Spillers Records.

We went out in Cardiff City Centre and asked people who they would award their own Welsh Music Prize to and why?

The MMP filmed at the ceremony. Watch their video here.

Read our preview here.

Kyle Crowley, 23, retail worker

I’m massively into Lung; you’ve got that dark aggressive side to dubstep and he makes that other side.

Lowri Griffiths, 19, retail worker, Cardiff

Stereophonics. I Kelly Jones’ voice and I saw them live and they were really, really good. They filled the Millennium Stadium.

Francis Moore Colyer, 21, musician/music teacher

Johnny Cage and the Voodoogroove. They’ve got the idea of mixing of genres and styles that I think is really important in today’s music scene.

Sophie Pengelly, 17, retail worker, Cardiff

I’d give it to Kids In Glass Houses; they don’t sound like anyone else I hear.

Tom Gamblin, 23, business owner

I grew up with Funeral For a Friend, Lost Prophets all those Welsh bands, but I think it’s nice to see people like Sub Focus [actually from London] getting recognition.

Simon Casey, 39, self employed, Wiltshire

I don’t know any welsh musicians or bands, they need to promote themselves better.