FAQ - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
who can submit?
Submissions are made by the ABGMA Executive, ABGMA Selection Committee, ABGMA Membership Academy Voting Members and other Industry Professionals. 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 are open for consideration.
What is the submission period?
Submission period is January 1st 2025- April 30th 2026. This is the period in which Submissions will be accepted. You must become a member of the ABGMA Membership Academy in order to make submissions.
WHAT IS THE ELIGIBILITY PERIOD?
Eligibility Period: The Period between which a Music Recording or Music Video must be released and published on Digital and Streaming Platforms to be considered for Nomination.
HOW DO I BECOME A NOMINEE?
After the Submission Period is concluded each entry will be reviewed by the ABGMA Executive and Entry Verification Board. All Entry details will be checked and verified. The Top 10 in each Category will move into the First Ballot for Nomination Consideration. The next Round will be the Public Vote. Following, is the 2nd Ballot and the Voting Academy Members will Vote according to an established criteria. The Top 4-5 Official Nominees/Finalists or in some cases 6 with the highest voting averages will then be announced in September ( includes Island Groove Awards, Media Awards & Gospel Music Awards).
public voting
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?
The entry with the highest average of the ABGMA Selection Committee, Voting Members Academy and the Public Vote will be the Winner in each respective Category. In the event of a tie, each entry will receive the Award and ABGMA Certificate of Honour.
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. Official Nominees will be announced via a Live Streaming Broadcast on the So Arise TV platform on the proposed Nomination Day in September. (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 ABGMA Platform and all Finalists will be notified via Email. Award Winners will be announced on the evening of the respective ABGMA Event. Each Winner will be given a physical Award and an ABGMA Certificate of Honour. If you are a 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. Artist 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. Nominees and Finalists attending the Awards will receive an All Access Pass to all ABGMA Events.
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.
88 CATEGORIES
National GOSPEL award categories (antigua/barbuda only)
1. National Artist Of the Year
2. National Song Of the Year
3. National Album of the Year
4. National Songwriter Of the Year Male
5. National Songwriter Of the Year Female
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. National Songwriter Of the Year Male
5. National Songwriter Of the Year Female
6. National Radio Station Of the Year
7. National Gospel Station Of the Year
8. New National Artist Of the Year
INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL 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/Electric/Dance
8. Best Hip-Hop
9. Best Dancehall
10. Best Collaboration/Group/Duo
11. Global Artist of the Year Male
12. Global Artist 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. Spoken Word/Poetry
22. Regional Artist Of the Decade
23. Global Artist Of the Decade
24. Song Of the Decade
25. Producer Of the Year
26. Best Lyric Video
27. Best Gospelyso
28. Best Global Latin Performance
2. Best Soca
3. Best Urban/R&B/Pop
4. Best Afro Beat
5. Best Praise/Worship
6. Best Contemporary
7. Best House/Electric/Dance
8. Best Hip-Hop
9. Best Dancehall
10. Best Collaboration/Group/Duo
11. Global Artist of the Year Male
12. Global Artist 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. Spoken Word/Poetry
22. Regional Artist Of the Decade
23. Global Artist Of the Decade
24. Song Of the Decade
25. Producer Of the Year
26. Best Lyric Video
27. Best Gospelyso
28. Best Global Latin Performance
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
21. Best Technical Editor (Radio/Tv/News)
22. Best Program Director (Radio/Tv/News)
23. Best Cinematography (Short Film)
24. Best Screen Writer (Short Film)
25. Best Director (Short Film)
26. Best Lead Actor/Actress (Short Film)
27. Best Supporting Actor/Actress (Short Film)
28. Best Social Media Influencer
ISLAND GROOVE AWARDS CATEGORIES (antiguans/barbudans only)
1. Best Groovy Soca
2. Best Ragga Soca (fusion of Reggae/Soca)
3. Best Reggae
4. Best Dancehall
5. Best Calypso Traditional
6. Best Calypso Contemporary
7. Best Folk/Patriotic Song
8. Best Alternative/Soul/Jazz/R&B
9. Best Composer (Soca)
10. Best Composer (Calypso)
11. Best Composer (Reggae)
12. Best Songwriter
13. Best Producer
14. Song Of The Year
15. Artist Of The Year
16. Best New Artist
17. Best Music Video
18. Best Lyric Video
19. Best Music Video Director
20. Album Of The Year
21. Best Cover Art Album/Single/EP
22. Best Calypso Christmas Song Composer
23. Best Contemporary Christmas Song Composer
24. Best Hip-Hop