frequently asked questions
who can submit?
Gospel Artists, Producers, Record Labels...et cetera...,Radio Stations/Tv Stations, Radio Shows and Tv Shows in Antigua & Barbuda, the Caribbean Region and others parts of the world.
Submissions are made by the ABGMA Committee, Industry Professionals and via a paid Submission process through our website.
Submissions are made by the ABGMA Committee, Industry Professionals and via a paid Submission process through our website.
What is the submission period?
Submission period usually occurs between August - to February of the following year. However, it is subject to change. So do check for updates on your site.
is there a submission fee?
Yes, a Non-refundable Submission is required for all persons who are desirous in participating in the ABGMA. This part of the process allows Artists, Media et cetera who may not be known to the Committee, some Industry Professionals and the Judging Panel, the opportunity to get their music, music video, short film, journalism work, radio show, tv show et cetera reviewed by some of the best in the industry across different cultures.
who chooses the finalists?
The Top Five (5) to Six (6) nominees are selected by a Review Board through a Ranking and Voting process. Following that, the Finalists are then announced publicly (usually a week after) and the general public is able to Vote via this website during the specified voting period in selected Public Voting Categories.
are multiple votes allowed?
Yes. Persons who vote in the Public Voting Categories are allowed to vote more than once throughout voting period until 11:30pm AST (Atlantic Standard Time) on the day of the Deadline.
How is the winner decided?
Voting Averages of Judges Panel Vote in respective categories and both the Average of the Judges Panel and Public Votes where applicable. The Award will go to the person with the highest voting average.
How are music categories judged?
Music Categories are Judged based on Performance, Production and Composition, Originality.
how are media categories judged?
Media Categories are Judged based on Creativity, Originality, Content Quality, Relevance, Social Appeal & Impact, Presentation, Production.
when are nominees announced?
All Nominees who advance to Round 2 will be notified via email and given a period time to accept their Nomination. After Nominees have been verified there will be a Live Streaming Broadcast on the So Arise Tv platform on the proposed Nomination Day (Check the website for the announced date). Following the broadcast each Nominee Poster with their Category Nomination will be posted on our Facebook & Instagram Pages.
what do you get when you win?
The Top Finalists in each Category will be announced on the evening of the ABGMA. Award Winners in the various Categories will be given a physical Award. If you are winner of an ABGMA and you were not present at the Award Ceremony or did not send a representative, the Award can be mailed to you at your own expense. The ABGMA will make contact and further arrangements will be made to facilitate this. However, we do strongly encourage all Finalists and Nominees to attend in person.
does the abgma cover expenses for artists who would like to attend the awards?
No. The Artist/Artists Management is responsible for Airfare/Accommodation of Artist/s and/or Representative/s desirous of attending the ABGMAs. Recommendations can be made however, in regards to finding a place to stay. Feel free to contact us for any more information.
how is an artist ABLE TO PERFORM AT THE ABGMA
Performance Slots are selected by the ABGMA Committee from Nominees and other Artists of interest to the ABGMA to perform. If you would like to acquire one of the Performance Slots at the ABGMA Artist Showcase, Pre-Show or Main Event send us a request at abgmawards@gmail.com. Do know that a Performance Slot Fee applies.
submissions for 2023 are now closed!
53 abgma categories
National award categories
1. National Artist Of the Year
2. National Song Of the Year
3. National Album of the Year
4. Best Vocal Performance
5. National Songwriter Of the Year
6. National Radio Station Of the Year
7. National Gospel Station Of the Year
8. New National Artist Of the Year
2. National Song Of the Year
3. National Album of the Year
4. Best Vocal Performance
5. National Songwriter Of the Year
6. National Radio Station Of the Year
7. National Gospel Station Of the Year
8. New National Artist Of the Year
INTERNATIONAL MUSIC AWARDS CATEGORIES
1. Best Reggae
2. Best Soca
3. Best Urban/R&B/Pop
4. Best Afro Beat
5. Best Praise/Worship
6. Best Contemporary
7. Best House/Electronic/Dance
8. Best Hip-Hop
9. Best Dancehall
10. Best Collaboration/Group/Duo
11. International Psalmist of the Year Male
12. International Psalmist of the Year Female
13. Inspirational Song of the Year
14. Best Music Video
15. Best Music Video Director
16. Song of the Year
17. Songwriter of the Year
18. Album Of The Year
19. Best New Artist
20. So Arise Gospel Top 20 Chart Song of The Year [Song with most entries within the current award calendar year]
22. Regional Artist Of the Decade
23. International Artist Of the Decade
24. Song Of the Decade
25. Producer Of the Year
2. Best Soca
3. Best Urban/R&B/Pop
4. Best Afro Beat
5. Best Praise/Worship
6. Best Contemporary
7. Best House/Electronic/Dance
8. Best Hip-Hop
9. Best Dancehall
10. Best Collaboration/Group/Duo
11. International Psalmist of the Year Male
12. International Psalmist of the Year Female
13. Inspirational Song of the Year
14. Best Music Video
15. Best Music Video Director
16. Song of the Year
17. Songwriter of the Year
18. Album Of The Year
19. Best New Artist
20. So Arise Gospel Top 20 Chart Song of The Year [Song with most entries within the current award calendar year]
22. Regional Artist Of the Decade
23. International Artist Of the Decade
24. Song Of the Decade
25. Producer Of the Year
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA AWARDS CATEGORIES
1. Best Radio Show- Entertainment
2. Best Radio Show - Inspirational
3. Best Radio Show -Social
4. Best Radio Show - Talk
5. Best Radio Station
6. Radio Host of the Year
7. Best Tv Show-Entertainment
8. Best Tv Show - Talk
9. Best Tv Show- Inspirational
10. Best News Media
11. Best Online News Media
12. Best Journalist (News/Current Affairs)
13. Best Sports Journalist
14. Best Media Network
15. Best Tv Show Host
16. Best Documentary/Short Film
17. Best Regional Media
18. Best Editor (Radio/Tv/News)
19. Best Investigative Reporter
20. Best Digital Magazine
2. Best Radio Show - Inspirational
3. Best Radio Show -Social
4. Best Radio Show - Talk
5. Best Radio Station
6. Radio Host of the Year
7. Best Tv Show-Entertainment
8. Best Tv Show - Talk
9. Best Tv Show- Inspirational
10. Best News Media
11. Best Online News Media
12. Best Journalist (News/Current Affairs)
13. Best Sports Journalist
14. Best Media Network
15. Best Tv Show Host
16. Best Documentary/Short Film
17. Best Regional Media
18. Best Editor (Radio/Tv/News)
19. Best Investigative Reporter
20. Best Digital Magazine
inteRnational media award categories
Open to Media from around the world. Content submitted is not restricted to only faith-based content, however submissions must not conflict with Christian values.
how to submit your music [single, video, album]
1. Below the page are three (3) options.
Option 1: Submission of one (1) Media Entry (Radio/Tv/News/Creative) [Submission Fee $20 USD]
Option 2: Submission of one (1) Single or Music Video [Submission Fee $20 USD]
Option 3: Submission of three (3) or more Singles and/or Videos and/or Album [Submission fee $80 USD]
2. Select Option one (1) if you are submitting a Media Entry.
3. Select Option two (2) if you are submitting one (1) single or (1) video for nomination.
4. Select Option three (3) if you are submitting 3 singles minimum (3) or (5) maximum, and/or Music Videos for an Album/Video nomination.
5. After selecting Option one (1) or two (2) you will be directed to a Page to complete the Submission Form and then proceed to make your payment via Paypal. You do not need a Paypal Account to make the Payment.
6. If you selected Option three (3) you will be directed to a Page where you can choose to Upload 3 Songs, 5 Songs or Music Videos. Once completed We will send you a confirmation email and the details to finalize your payment.
Option 1: Submission of one (1) Media Entry (Radio/Tv/News/Creative) [Submission Fee $20 USD]
Option 2: Submission of one (1) Single or Music Video [Submission Fee $20 USD]
Option 3: Submission of three (3) or more Singles and/or Videos and/or Album [Submission fee $80 USD]
2. Select Option one (1) if you are submitting a Media Entry.
3. Select Option two (2) if you are submitting one (1) single or (1) video for nomination.
4. Select Option three (3) if you are submitting 3 singles minimum (3) or (5) maximum, and/or Music Videos for an Album/Video nomination.
5. After selecting Option one (1) or two (2) you will be directed to a Page to complete the Submission Form and then proceed to make your payment via Paypal. You do not need a Paypal Account to make the Payment.
6. If you selected Option three (3) you will be directed to a Page where you can choose to Upload 3 Songs, 5 Songs or Music Videos. Once completed We will send you a confirmation email and the details to finalize your payment.
bulk submission guidelines
Record Labels/Artists/Producers/Ministries and the like are able to make "Bulk Submissions" however there are specific guidelines to consider.
- There is a 3 Song Minimum per Artist, which means that the $80 USD applies to a Minimum of 3 Singles or Combination of Song/Video per Artist and a Maximum of 5 Singles or Combination of Song/Video.
- A Record Label that has three (3) or more Artists Submitting Singles from the same Album each Artist must have 3 - 5 Singles or Song/Video Combination to use the "Bulk Submission". The $80 USD fee applies per Artist with 3 - 5 Submissions each.
- If a Record Label/Artist/Producer/Ministry has three (3) to five (5) maximum individual Submissions that are not necessarily from the same Album then the "Bulk Submission" can be used. However if it is less than three (3) the Single Submission must be used for each Single from the Artists. For any further clarifications holla at us : soarisemusicinternational@gmail.com
International MEDIA Submission onlyYou are permitted to submit your Media Entry in the International Media Categories, if you are a Radio/Tv/News/Creative (Videographer/Photographer, Graphic Designer) residing outside of the island of Antigua/Barbuda.
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International artist SINGLE
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International Artist
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additional guidelines for your submission
- If you are submitting an Album, Submit no more than five (5) songs from the album and choose the 5 [Max] Single/ Video Submission Option.
- If you are submitting more than one Media Entry choose the Media Option and Submit for each entry separately. Do not use Bulk Option for Multiple Media Entries.
- Your Single, Album, Music Video, must be Recorded, Released and Published between January 1st 2021 to January 31st 2023 to be considered in the 2023 ABGMA. Also the entry cannot be one that has been Nominated before in the ABGMA
- Songs must be published on Digital Platforms and available for streaming and purchase.
- For all Radio and Tv Show Submissions in the selected Categories Submit a 15 minute clip (.mp3 (for Radio Shows, .mp4 for Tv Shows) for each category Submission.
