AWARD CATEGORIES
GENERAL FIELD
Recognizing the highest level of achievement across all eligible Emerging Music, regardless of genre.
THE ELLISONS
Record of the Year
Song of the Year
Album of the Year
AI Creative Direction
R&B / SOUL FIELD
Music grounded in rhythm, emotion, storytelling, vocal expression, and the evolving traditions of R&B and Soul.
THE ELLISONS
Contemporary R&B
Traditional / Classic Soul
Alternative R&B / Soul
POP FIELD
Music built around memorable melodies, strong hooks, contemporary production, and broad musical appeal.
THE ELLISONS
Contemporary Pop
Alternative Pop
GOSPEL / CHRISTIAN FIELD
Faith-centered music spanning traditional foundations, contemporary expressions, worship, Gospel Hip-Hop, and Southern Gospel.
THE ELLISONS
Traditional Gospel
Contemporary Gospel
Gospel Hip-Hop/Rap
Praise & Worship
Country/Southern Gospel
HIP-HOP / RAP FIELD
Music driven by lyricism, rhythm, cultural expression, production, and the evolving language of Hip-Hop and Rap.
THE ELLISONS
Traditional Hip-Hop / Rap
Contemporary Hip-Hop / Rap
Alternative Hip-Hop / Rap
AFRICAN MUSIC FIELD
Music shaped by the diverse sounds, rhythms, traditions, and contemporary movements emerging from across the African continent and its global influence.
THE ELLISONS
Afrobeats
Amapiano
African Gospel
African Contemporary Music
COUNTRY FIELD
Music rooted in Country traditions, storytelling, musicianship, and contemporary expressions of the genre.
THE ELLISONS
Traditional Country
Contemporary Country
Alternative Country
ROCK / ALTERNATIVE FIELD
From guitar-driven traditions to experimental and boundary-pushing sounds, this field honors the individuality and creative freedom at the heart of Rock and Alternative music.
THE ELLISONS
Rock
Alternative Rock
DANCE / ELECTRONIC FIELD
From club and dance music to experimental electronic sounds, this field celebrates music built around rhythm, movement, technology, and electronic production.
THE ELLISONS
Dance Recording
Electronic Recording
Experimental Electronic
JAZZ FIELD
From traditional Jazz foundations to contemporary and experimental expressions, this field celebrates improvisation, musicianship, composition, and the evolving sound of Jazz.
THE ELLISONS
Traditional Jazz
Contemporary Jazz
Experimental / Alternative Jazz