Gosh, Emilia. In the tightest of Best Music Poll categories, some might say Emilia Dahlin snuck up from behind to grab victory away from former Best Female Vocalists Andi Fawcett (BMP 3 and 4) and Sara Cox (BMP5), and from perennial hip-hop diva Sontiago, who had a breakout album this year and was nominated in four categories. But you’d be hard pressed to find someone who wasn’t completely captivated by her as she climbed the stairs to grab her first-ever Bimpy. Dahlin radiates confidence and star-power, and she’s been quietly, and sometimes not so quietly, building her core fanbase for the past three years. She put out a self-titled full-length of her own this past year, too, that showed monumental progress from her early days of solo performance.

Neither has Dahlin restricted herself to the Portland scene. She’s been active in getting out to the colleges, where kids are impressionable, passionate about their music, looking for a role model, and owners of high-speed Internet access in their bedrooms at all times. Never underestimate the power of a Web site and Internet campaign in the Best Music Poll.

Not that Dahlin isn’t deserving, either. Where once she might have taken a rap for copping DiFranco style, she’s now fashioned a jazzy sound of her own, complete with rhythm section, and her songs have become more aggressive and political. She’s got something to say, and you won’t stop her from saying it. Plus, she’s pretty damn cute and has the biggest smile this side of the Androscoggin, which has never been shown to be a hindrance in the rock and roll game.

If you’re in Portland and this is serving as your introduction to Emilia Dahlin, you haven’t been paying close enough attention. Money says you’ll be checking out her next show.

Runners up: Sara Cox, Sontiago