German Music Award Canceled Amid Anti-Semitism Controversy

Rap prize to duo whose tracks refer to Auschwitz and Jewish moneylenders prompts annual event’s demise

BERLIN—The organizers of Germany’s version of the Grammys, the Echo, said on Wednesday they would no longer bestow the high-profile awards, two weeks after one of this year’s prizes went to a rap duo that peppers its lyrics and videos with anti-Semitic words and images.

The decision came after several past Echo laureates, including Argentine-born conductor Daniel Barenboim, the musical director of the Berlin State Opera, said they were returning their awards in protest at the accolade granted to German rappers Kollegah and...