Everyone hates the D&B Awards, don’t they. You hate the artists and labels begging for votes on Twitter, you hate it when the same old names win every award, you hate seeing people you’ve never heard of pick up prizes for music you didn’t know existed, the whole thing makes you cringe. I’m cringing my face off just writing this. But here’s the reason I think you should vote.

Rewards from music are few and far between these days, especially for new artists, and especially if those new artists write music that’s off the beaten track. A little encouragement can make the difference between an artist deciding to keep working at the music to bring you little nuggets of joy or them giving in to the grind of real life and letting the music stop.

Casting a vote for the artists of your choice costs you nothing but can have a really positive impact on them and their work. I’ve seen it with my own eyes.

Whether you pick them for Best Producer, Best Newcomer, Best Album or Best DJ, I’d love you to vote for our label’s album act this year, Conduct, because I believe their music is outstanding and I know how hard they work.

But even if you don’t vote for them, cast a vote for another artist who you believe represents new, original, exciting talent.

Grit your teeth through the cringe. Don’t sit back and let the same old names win.