The family of a Scottish singer whose album has posthumously been longlisted for a coveted award say she would be “dancing with delight”.
Beldina Odenyo Onassis died in 2021, but her sister Leah McAleer has been working to ensure her music was released following her death.
The album from Ms Onassis, Heir Of The Cursed, has now been longlisted in the Scottish Album of the Year (Say) Awards.
Family’s promise to spread her songs
Ms McAleer said: “On 8th November 2018 Beldina texted me and said she was going to make the best album, and then we would tour the world.
“On 7th December 2021 I promised her that we would spread her songs as wide as words and music can travel.
“Since then we have worked together to release her album Heir Of The Cursed, each of us committed to keeping those promises.
“It is heartbreaking and heartfilling to have this album on The Say Awards 2026 Longlist.
“I know wherever Beldina is she is dancing with delight, but her quote is probably unprintable.”
Other longlisted albums
Other albums featured in the Say longlist include Biffy Clyro’s Futique, Emma Pollock’s Begging The Night To Take Hold, Sonedo’s From Here On Out, and The Twilight Sad’s It’s the Long Goodbye.
The winner will receive a £20,000 prize and coveted title, with the 20 entrants spanning several genres.
Some 303 albums were submitted, and feature artists from across the country.
Industry reaction
Robert Kilpatrick, chief executive and creative director of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) said: “It’s hard to believe that 2026 marks The Say Award’s 15th year, with over £425,000 in prize money distributed to Scottish artists to date – and soon to be more.
“As ever, the 20-strong Longlist showcases a bold, intimate, powerful and ever-evolving recorded output from across our country – one that continues to inspire, captivate, challenge and connect.
“Music is at the heart of our cultural identity, and each year The Say Award Longlist gives us the opportunity to reflect on both who we are and who we’re becoming as a nation.
“I’m incredibly proud of the value we continue to place on music, and on the album as an artform.
“Congratulations to all of this year’s nominees.
“We look forward to celebrating their records, the soundtrack and stories of our lives, as we return to Dundee’s Caird Hall for this year’s Ceremony on Thursday 5 November.”
Alan Morrison, head of music at Creative Scotland, added: “The 20 works of human brilliance that make up this year’s Say Award Longlist are an antidote to the negative impacts of generative AI to the music industry.
“These heartfelt statements of artistic expression in album form will make you cry, sigh, dance and cheer – the full spectrum of emotions that only music can inspire.
“With attention-grabbing debuts standing shoulder-to-shoulder alongside future classics by favourite bands, it’s clear that 2026 has shaped up to be a special vintage year.”
The Say Award ceremony will take place at Dundee’s Caird Hall on Thursday November 5. Tickets for the ceremony are now on sale via www.sayaward.com.
