Award Categories

Bouyon Artist of the Year

Honors the artist who has shown exceptional creativity, consistency, and crowd impact within the Bouyon genre. Judges evaluate stage performance, lyrical content, originality, production quality, and overall influence in advancing Bouyon music.

DJ of the Year

Recognizes a DJ who has dominated live events or airwaves through skill, creativity, and audience engagement, promoting and elevating Dominican and regional music.

Photographer  Videographer of the Year

Recognizes outstanding visual creatives who have captured Dominica's music culture through photography or film, showcasing creativity, quality, and storytelling excellence.

Music Engineer of the Year

Recognizes the individual whose technical expertise, precision, and creativity in sound engineering have elevated the quality and impact of recorded music through excellence in mixing, mastering, and recording.

Soca Artist of the Year

Awarded to the Soca artist demonstrating energy, originality, and wide audience appeal. Recognizes lyrical creativity, hit releases, stage presence, and contribution to the festive and unifying spirit of Soca music.

Cadence-Lypso Artist of the Year

Recognizes the artist best representing Dominica's signature sound through authentic rhythm, composition, and vocal performance. This category celebrates respect for tradition, innovation, live performance, and contribution to preserving Cadence-Lypso heritage.

Male Artist of the Year

This award recognizes a male artist whose work has demonstrated outstanding musical excellence, impact, and consistency during the eligibility period. Nominees should show strong vocal or instrumental performance, originality, stage presence, audience engagement, and cultural relevance. The winner will be an artist who elevated Dominican music through recorded releases, live performances, and/or major contributions to the art form.

Social Media Influencer of the Year

Awarded to an individual whose online presence and content have significantly promoted Dominican music, artists, and culture, creating engagement and national pride.

Rising and Emerging Artist or Band of the Year (2025)

Honors a new or breakthrough Dominican artist or band that has demonstrated exceptional promise, creativity, and momentum, representing the next generation of musical talent shaping the island's future.

Junior Male Artist of the Year

Celebrating the emerging talent of a young male artist (typically 5–19 years old) who has shown promising artistic development, creativity, and performance skills. Nominees should have released music, performed publicly, or significantly advanced their craft during the eligibility period. The winner will represent the future of Dominican music and inspire other young talents.

Gospel Artist of the Year

Celebrates the Gospel artist whose music has inspired and uplifted audiences through strong lyrical messages, vocal excellence, arrangement, and ministry outreach. Includes both traditional and contemporary Gospel expressions.

Female Artist of the Year

This award recognizes a female artist whose work has demonstrated outstanding musical excellence, impact, and consistency during the eligibility period. Nominees should show strong vocal or instrumental performance, originality, stage presence, audience engagement, and cultural relevance. The winner will be an artist who elevated Dominican music through recorded releases, live performances, and/or major contributions to the art form.

Band of the Year

Awarded to the band demonstrating exceptional musicianship, performance chemistry, creativity, and fan connection, highlighting their contribution to Dominica's live music culture.

Manager of the Year

Honors the manager who has effectively guided an artist or band's career through professionalism, branding, and strategic growth, contributing to their overall success.

Junior Female Artist of the Year

Celebrating the emerging talent of a young female artist (typically 5–19 years old) who has shown promising artistic development, creativity, and performance skills. Nominees should have released music, performed publicly, or significantly advanced their craft during the eligibility period. The winner will represent the future of Dominican music and inspire other young talents.

Calypso Artist of the Year

Recognizes the Calypsonian who uses lyrical storytelling and social commentary to entertain and educate. Focuses on song composition, message, performance delivery, and overall impact during the Calypso season.

Reggae/Dancehall Artist of the Year

Celebrates the artist making outstanding contributions to Reggae or Dancehall through lyrical content, rhythm, musical production, and cultural message, with influence locally and regionally.

Producer of the Year

Honors the producer who has demonstrated exceptional sound design, creativity, and versatility across projects, shaping the year's musical landscape through innovation and quality.

Songwriter of the Year

Awarded to the songwriter whose lyrics display depth, originality, emotion, and storytelling excellence, leaving a lasting impact on audiences and the industry.

Promoter/Event of the Year

This award recognizes the promoter, organization, or event that demonstrated outstanding excellence in event production, audience engagement, cultural impact, and overall execution during the eligibility period. It highlights individuals or teams who elevated Dominica's entertainment landscape through innovation, professionalism, and meaningful contributions to the creative industry. 

Collaboration of the Year

Recognizes a successful partnership between artists or producers resulting in a standout release, emphasizing chemistry, balance of talents, creativity, and overall impact.

Music Video of the Year

Celebrates excellence in visual storytelling and production, recognizing outstanding cinematography, editing, direction, and creativity in bringing a song's message to life.

Kompa/Zouk Artist of the Year

Honors artists representing the Kompa or Zouk genres with musical authenticity, lyrical quality, and cross-cultural influence, highlighting their ability to connect Creole communities through sound.

Album of the Year

Awarded to the best complete musical project released during the eligibility period, showcasing excellence in production quality, lyrical depth, arrangement, and creative direction as a unified body of work.