View source for DJ Awards

{{Short description|Spanish electronic music awards}}
{{rewrite|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox award
| name           = DJ Awards
| current_awards = 22nd Edition DJ Awards
| image          = DJ Awards Logo.svg
| caption        = 
| awarded_for    = Achievements awarded in the [[Electronic music|Electronic dance music industry]] 
| country        = [[Ibiza]], Spain
| network        = 
| year           = {{Start date and age|1998|9|25|df=y}} (as DJ Awards)
| website        = {{url|http://djawards.com/}}
}}
'''DJ Awards''' is a celebration of [[electronic music]], and aims to recognise and honour [[Disc jockey|DJs]] and individuals who have influenced [[electronic dance music]] worldwide.

Held annually in [[Ibiza]] at the end of the summer season, DJ Awards has retained the same ethos since its conception. The fundamental philosophy is not that of a competition, as we are dealing with an art form whose merits are purely subjective, and therefore who can say what is the best. Rather DJ Awards seeks to shine a light on key talents in the industry.

DJ Awards was formed in 1998 by [[José Pascual]] and [[Lenny Ibizarre]]. The ceremony is held once a year at a well known venue in Ibiza. Since 2018 the event has been held at Heart Ibiza. Previous editions were held at the Pacha club in Ibiza, Spain. The awards ceremony takes place towards the end of the Ibiza season. The awards are known internationally in the electronic dance music community as [[Academy Awards|the Oscars]] of the DJ industry. The event attracts a broad selection of international industry professionals and the awards reflect the wide range of creative talent of the DJs. The ethos behind the annual ceremony is for it "to be seen not as a competition, but instead, a celebration of the electronic dance music scene, that conveys the artistic ability of DJs to a global music audience". A different theme is chosen each year that is important to the organisers, which is then translated into an individual graphical and visual representation of that theme for each ceremony. The awards have managed to retain their status as one of the most important accolades that an artist can win or be honoured.

Past winners have included [[Armin van Buuren]], [[Carl Cox]], [[Richie Hawtin]], [[Roger Sanchez]], [[Danny Tenaglia]], [[Black Coffee (DJ)|Black Coffee]], [[Solomun (musician)|Solomun]], [[Jamie Jones (DJ)|Jamie Jones]], [[Hernán Cattáneo|Hernan Cattaneo]], DjkMrpink, [[Stephan Bodzin]], [[DJ Koze]], [[Frankie Knuckles]], [[Tiësto]], [[Sasha (DJ)|Sasha]], [[Tony De Vit]], [[Deadmau5]], and many more.

==History==
In the inaugural edition in 1998, the chosen theme was  “Alien Arrival”, due to the nature of the prize (a piece of [[kryptonite]]) and its [[extraterrestrial life|extraterrestrial]] mascot "Snuffy". In this first year the winners were [[Erick Morillo]] for the "[[House music|house]]" category, [[Daft Punk]] for the Best DJ Band category and Fernandisco for the "Radio DJ" category, with an honorific special award for the late [[Tony De Vit]].<ref name="DJ Awards-Past-Editions-1998-current">{{cite web|last1=Krarup|first1=Lenny|last2=Pascual|first2=Jose|title=DJ Awards Past Editions 1998-current|url=https://djawards.com/past-editions/|website=DJ Awards|publisher=DJ Awards SAL|access-date=13 December 2017|location=Ibiza, Spain}}</ref>

The second edition in 1999 explored the theme of ¨African Tribal Rhythms¨, as a source of inspiration for music producers. It emphasised the expansion of categories such as "Ambient /Experimental" or "International DJ" and winners such as [[Pete Tong]], [[Roger Sanchez]], [[Basement Jaxx]] all picked up awards. [[Frankie Knuckles]] and Joe T. Vanelli were the first winners in the categories of "Outstanding Dedication" and "Outstanding Contribution" respectively.<ref name="DJ Awards-Past-Editions-1998-current"/>

The year 2000 hosted the third ceremony, this time under the theme of the ¨Mythological Inspiration of the Muses¨ and under new categories, renaming the category formerly known as "[[Ambient music|Ambient]]/Experimental" as "[[Chill-out music|Chill Out]]" due to the increasing flow of productions in this style. Other categories and winners featured that same year were [[Paul Oakenfold]] for "[[Trance music|Trance]]", [[Sven Väth]] for "[[Techno]]" and the song "Lady" by [[Modjo]] for the category "Track of the season" amongst others.<ref name="DJ Awards-Past-Editions-1998-current"/>

For the fourth ceremony in 2001 technological advances happening in the industry did not go unnoticed in the direction of the awards, establishing the theme "Man and Machine" as a starting point. For the second time [[Erick Morillo]] won "House DJ" alongside other winners: [[Mixmaster Morris]] for "[[Eclecticism in music|Eclectic]]" and [[Carl Cox]] for "Techno", and [[Superchumbo]] the winner in the category for best production. The category of Drum and Bass was won by [[Peshay]].<ref name="DJ Awards-Past-Editions-1998-current"/>

In 2002, the fifth edition of the awards, the theme was "[[Vinyl record|Vinyl]]".  It was created as a romantic example of the DJs' beginnings, at a time when the CD format was becoming the standard. Amongst winners that year were prominent names such as [[Pete Tong]] for "Outstanding Contribution", Mambo Cafe for "Best Ibiza Bar", "[[It Just Won't Do]]" by Tim Deluxe for "Track of the Season" or Wally Lopez as "Best Newcomer".<ref name="DJ Awards-Past-Editions-1998-current"/>

In 2003, the theme chosen for the sixth edition was "The Essence of the Universe"; winners included [[Steve Lawler (DJ)|Steve Lawler]] for "[[Techhouse]]/[[Progressive (album)|Progressive]]", [[Junior Jack]] and [[Kid Crème]] for  "Best Newcomer" (also winners for the "Track of the Season" with "E-Samba") and the crowning of Manumission as the best promoter, which gave a joyful note to this gala.<ref name="DJ Awards-Past-Editions-1998-current"/>

In 2004, the seventh edition was "The Sense of Man"; awarded DJs were [[Trevor Nelson]] for "Urban DJ", Tania Vulcano as "Best Ibiza Resident" and [[Shapeshifters]] with their track "Lola's Theme" as "Track of the Season".{{Clarify|reason=|date=July 2017}} The gala had started with the opening video of "Made in Dixland: Searching Krypto" realised by the Spanish DJ and producer Nando Dixkontrol; this video turned out to be one of the most memorable images of the ceremony.<ref name="DJ Awards-Past-Editions-1998-current"/>

The ceremony of 2005 (eighth edition) celebrated the centenary of the "Vacuum Tube" creation, one of the first aspects of primary electronics circuits. [[Ferry Corsten]] for "Trance", [[Steve Angello]] as "Best Newcomer" and [[Cut Killer]] for "[[Hip Hop]]" were some of the winners featured, with a new Honorary Award being presented to Argentine DJ [[Alfredo Fiorito]] for his historic career in the industry, one of the most special moments of that year.

In 2006 for the ninth edition ¨Nature¨ broke through as the theme and served as an excuse to reward twice over [[Bob Sinclar]] as Best House DJ and Best Song of the Year for "World Hold On" together with his vocalist [[Steve Edwards (singer)|Steve Edwards]]. Other special moments of that year would be, after three attempts, the "Best Ibiza Resident" to the Australian [[Sarah Main]] with the highest votes in history for this category, and also the "Outstanding Contribution" given to Brasilio de Oliveira creator, among other things, of the party "La Troya".<ref name="DJ Awards-Past-Editions-1998-current"/>

2007 saw the celebration of the Awards' tenth anniversary under the theme of "Time". Using the graphic reference belonging to the [[Salvador Dalí]]s painting "[[The Persistence of Memory]]", the prizes were handed to the DJs Cristian Varela for "[[Techno]]", [[Mucho Muchacho]] for "Urban DJ", and [[David Guetta]] for "International DJ", amongst others.<ref name="DJ Awards-Past-Editions-1998-current"/>

The eleventh edition in 2008 celebrated the awards under the slogan "Do not change the climate, change yourself" with [[David Guetta]] as Best House DJ, Valentin Huedo as best [[Ibiza]] resident and crowning [[Mark Knight (DJ)|Mark Knight]] & Funkagenda with the "Track of the Season" for "Man with The Red Face".<ref name="DJ Awards-Past-Editions-1998-current"/>

2009 was the twelfth edition of the awards and used the theme of ¨Dreams¨ as its subject.  Once again the French king of DJ David Guetta won the "House" category, and [[Sven Väth]] for "Techno", [[Sasha (DJ)|Sasha]] for "Progressive House" and Michel Cleis for his tune "La Mezcla" as "Track of the Season" were some of the winners in a year that has included even more new categories.{{Citation needed|date=July 2017}}

For the thirteenth edition in 2010, the chosen theme was ¨Water¨, which urged everyone to join the onedrop organisation. Winners this year included the [[Swedish House Mafia]] boys – [[Axwell]], [[Sebastian Ingrosso]] and [[Steve Angello]] – for the House category, [[Deadmau5]] picked up best International DJ, International Festival was given to Kazantip amongst many others.<ref name="DJ Awards-Past-Editions-1998-current"/>

In 2011, the fourteenth edition of this ceremony, "[[fire]]" was the chosen theme, which represented the "discovery that changed the world". Among the winners were, [[Axwell]] for "[[house music|house]]", for [[Tech house]], [[Luciano (DJ)|Luciano]] took the award, [[Deadmau5]] for [[Electro house]] and [[Carl Cox]] for [[Techno]].<ref name="DJ Awards-Past-Editions-1998-current"/>

The 2012, and the fifteenth edition,<ref>{{cite web|title=2012 DJ Awards announce afterparty lineup|url=http://www.residentadvisor.net/news.aspx?id=17680|website=www.residentadvisor.net|publisher=resident advisor webzine|access-date=30 September 2015}}</ref> saw light as chosen as the theme, taking it right back to the beginning...Big Bang! Winners included [[Armin Van Buuren]] (Trance & International), Chase & Status (Dubstep/Bass), [[Maceo Plex]] (Deep House), [[Arty (musician)|Arty]] (Newcomer), plus in the Special awards collecting for (Ibiza DJ) Andy Baxter, Tomorrowland won (International Festival) and for Live Performance a new category [[Lenny Kravitz]] for his performance at the 2012 Ibiza 123 Festival.<ref name="DJ Awards-Past-Editions-1998-current"/>

In 2013, the sixteenth edition<ref>{{cite web|last1=Graff|first1=Gary|title=erry Greenberg, Former Atlantic Prez and Chic Breaker, to Launch New EDM Label Pacific Electronic Music|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/record-labels/5733072/jerry-greenberg-former-atlantic-prez-and-chic-breaker-to|website=Billboard.com|publisher=Billboard|access-date=19 April 2015}}</ref> the theme was the element of Earth. Winners presented with the Kryptonite award included Luciano for Tech House; Deep House went to Solomun. And Hot Natured for Electronic Live Performance. Cristian Varela for Techno, and Newcomer went to Uner. Armin Van Buuren who again won two awards scooping Trance and International DJ and Electro House went to Hardwell. The Lifetime Achievement went to Jerry Greenberg, and Outstanding Contribution went to Kathy Sledge (Sister Sledge).<ref name="DJ Awards-Past-Editions-1998-current"/>

For the seventeenth edition in 2014 the chosen theme was [[Love]] and some of the winners<ref>{{cite web|title=DJ Awards 2014 Winners Announced|date=24 September 2014|url=http://www.trancefixxed.co.uk/news/dj-awards-2014/|publisher=[TranceFixxed]|access-date=25 October 2014|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111204910/http://www.trancefixxed.co.uk/news/dj-awards-2014/|url-status=dead}}</ref> included [[Carl Cox]] who picked up two awards for Best International DJ and Best Techno DJ, [[Skrillex]]<ref>{{cite web|title=DJ AWARDS 2014 ANNOUNCES WINNERS, INCLUDING SKRILLEX, DIPLO, ARMIN & CARL COX|url=http://edm.com/articles/2014/9/23/DJ-Awards-2014-Winners-Ibiza|website=edm.com|publisher=23 September 2014|access-date=19 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019212748/http://edm.com/articles/2014/9/23/DJ-Awards-2014-Winners-Ibiza|archive-date=19 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> picked up the award for Best Drum & Bass/Dubstep DJ, and [[Disclosure (band)|Disclosure]] won Best Live Electronic Performance. Some of the Special Awards given on the night went to [[DJ Harvey]] for his Outstanding Contribution to EDM, Best Ibiza DJ to Iban Mendoza and Track of the Season went to [[Patrick Topping]].<ref name="DJ Awards-Past-Editions-1998-current"/>

In 2015, the eighteenth edition was held and the theme for the year was “Meet on the Beat” among the winners were Spanish DJ, Cuartero took the best Newcomer award, [[Hardwell]] picked up two awards in the electro/progressive house, and international categories. South Africa was voted best dance nation and South African DJ [[Black Coffee (DJ)|Black Coffee]] won the best breakthrough award.<ref>{{cite web|title=DJ Awards News, 2015 Winners|url=http://djawards.com/2015-dj-awards-winners/|website=djawards.com|date=29 September 2015|publisher=DJ Awards|access-date=6 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=piedl|first1=Alana|title=2015 DJ Awards Winners Revealed|url=http://www.edmtunes.com/2015/09/2015-dj-award-winners-revealed/|website=www.edmtunes.com|date=30 September 2015|publisher=EDMtunes Webzine, 30 September 2015|access-date=6 November 2015}}</ref>

The 2016 ceremony was the 19th edition <ref>{{cite web|title=DJ Awards 2016 Winners and Nominees|url=http://djawards.com/past-editions/dj-awards-2016/|website=djawards.com|publisher=DJ Awards|access-date=18 October 2016}}</ref> of DJ Awards held on 3 October at [[Pacha Group|Pacha Club]] the theme this year was “Let's Dance” (Tribute to David Bowie) among others the new winners this year were DJ Anna from Brazil,  [[Carl Cox]], [[Black Coffee (DJ)|Black Coffee]], [[Claptone]],  [[The Martinez Brothers]], Matador and [[Mihalis Safras]].<ref name="DJ Awards-Past-Editions-1998-current"/>

For the twenty-first edition held in 2018, the best Deep House DJ was the South African [[Black Coffee (DJ)|Black Coffee]], the best Techno DJ was [[Joseph Capriati]], the best Tech House DJ was [[Patrick Topping]], House Master was [[Roger Sanchez]] (United States), Best Trance DJ was [[Paul van Dyk]] (Germany), best Newcomer DJ was [[Alex Kennon]], best Bass DJ was [[Andy C.]], best International DJ was [[Carl Cox]] (England), Best House Artist was the English [[CamelPhat]], Best Progressive House DJ was the Argentine [[Hernan Cattaneo]]. Argentina was also elected Best Dance Nation of 2018.

In 2019, the 22nd edition, the theme chosen was "Plastic No More". the best Deep House DJ was [[Maya Jane Coles]] (England), the best House DJ was [[Kerri Chandler]] (United States), the best International DJ was [[Carl Cox]] (England), best Progressive House was [[Hernan Cattaneo]] (Argentina), best Tech House DJ was [[Michael Bibi]], best Newcomer artist was [[ONYVAA]], best Melodic House & Techno was [[Maceo Plex]] (United States), best Electronic Live Performer was [[Stephan Bodzin]] (Germany), best Afro House artist was Da Capo, best Deep Tech was Butch, and best Trance artist was [[Aly & Fila]] (Egypt).

==Awards categories (competitive)==

DJ Awards release every year online (via www.djawards.com) a list of categories and nominees which reflect the current [[electronic music]] industry. All nominees are recommended by a panel of 100 music industry professionals<ref>{{cite web|title=Interview with Lenny Ibizarre, one of the founders of the DJ Awards, Ibiza|url=http://houseplanet.dj/2010/08/12/interview-with-lenny-ibizarre-one-of-the-founders-of-the-dj-awards-ibiza/|website=House Planet DJ|publisher=House Planet News EDM|access-date=19 April 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304104210/http://houseplanet.dj/2010/08/12/interview-with-lenny-ibizarre-one-of-the-founders-of-the-dj-awards-ibiza/|url-status=dead}}</ref> who are broadly representative of the ''International Dance Music'' sectors: music media specialists, DJs' managers, agents, promoters, technology manufacturers and DJs themselves. The panel changes annually, and it selects the nominees for each category within the DJ Awards. These are then announced publicly, and the public are then invited to vote through the organisation's website or via [[Social media|Social Media Networks]] to help decide the final winners at a gala event held in the world-famous club [[Pacha Group|Pacha]] in Ibiza.

'''Current Best DJ categories '''

{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}
*[[Electro house#Big room|Big room house]]
*[[House music|House]]
*[[Electro house]]
*[[Techno]]
*[[Trance music|Trance]]
*[[Tech house]]
*[[Deep house]]
*[[Drum & bass|Bass]]
*[[Electronica]]
*Newcomer 
*Breakthrough 
*International 
{{div col end}}

'''Live performance category'''

{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}
*[[Electronic music|Electronic]]
{{div col end}}

==Award categories (non-competitive)==

The Special Awards is in a non-competitive category where nominees and winners are selected by a specialist panel of judges it is not open to a public vote and they operate much in the same way as the [[British Academy Film Awards#Other|BAFTA non-competitive accolades]] these awards alternate and are not always given every year.

'''Current special awards'''
{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}
*[[Ibiza]] DJ
*Ibiza Club Night
*Ibiza Live Performance
*Track of the Season
*Producer
*Electronic Music Pioneer
*Record label of the Year
*International Festival
*Dance Nation of the Year
*Media
*Cutting Edge Technology
{{div col end}}

'''Highest Special Awards'''

{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}
*Honorific
*Outstanding Dedication
*Outstanding Contribution
*Outstanding Achievement
*Lifetime Achievement
{{div col end}}

==Previous award categories==

'''Previous Best DJ/Best of categories'''

{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}

*Eclectic House
*[[Progressive house|Progressive]]
*[[Urban music|Urban]]
*[[Minimal music|Minimal]]
*[[Innovator]]
*[[Radio DJ]]
*Band of the Year
*[[Ambient music|Ambient]] experimental
*[[Drum 'n' bass]] [[trip hop]]
*[[Remix]] of the Year
*Leader of the New Breed
*[[Chillout music|Chillout]]
*Drum 'N' Bass & Beats 
*[[Psychedelic Trance]]
*[[Drum 'n' bass]]& Dub Step
{{div col end}}

==Category naming process==
The organizers have renamed a number of awards that cover generally the same umbrella electronic music genre for example between 1998 and 1999 they introduced a category for Ambient Experimental DJ in 2000 the previous nominees from the former category then appeared in a new category for Chillout DJ, this category was dropped and a new one introduced for Best Eclectic/Experimental DJ until 2002 again some of the previous DJ's appeared in this category this then ceased and a similar new category begins called Best Downtempo and Eclectic in 2008. The confusion in the naming process selected by the organizers also appeared to happen for the musics genres bass, break beat, drum & bass and trip hop.

==Venue==
Since its creation in 1998, up until 2017, the DJ Awards have been held every year at [[Pacha Group#Pacha Ibiza|Pacha Ibiza]]. For the awards 20th anniversary, the ceremony was held at the newly opened [[Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel#Hï Ibiza|Hï Ibiza]] nightclub. Since 2019, the awards have moved to Heart Ibiza.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://djawards.com/about-the-dj-awards/|title=About the DJ Awards|access-date=2020-04-29|archive-date=2020-08-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811104503/https://djawards.com/about-the-dj-awards/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Trophy==
The DJ Awards trophy is a piece of green [[Kryptonite]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Byers|first1=Ally|title=THE RESULTS ARE IN: 2012 IBIZA DJ AWARDS|url=http://www.mixmag.net/words/news/the-results-are-in-2012-ibiza-dj-awards|website=Mixmag|publisher=Mix Magazine UK|access-date=20 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150117201225/http://mixmag.net/words/news/the-results-are-in-2012-ibiza-dj-awards|archive-date=17 January 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The word Kryptonite descends from the [[Greek language|Greek]] Kryptos (secret or hidden element), as the force hidden behind the complex language of the turntables which generate vibration and feeling, and which the DJ guides the crowd into a state of consciousness high.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}

In an interview in the September 2007 with Spanish music magazine "Deejay", José Pascual co-founder of the awards, was asked why he chose kryptonite as the model for the trophy, and he replied, "I would say that she chose us. We wanted the trophy to be something else, something with meaning. We liked the idea that it would be of natural crystal and after a survey of people around us, we chose this for its energetic component, for transparency, for ease of transport ... Somebody thought it was like Superman’s kryptonite, the alien element that removed his power to give it to the DJ. Furthermore, the etymology of the word tells us that 'Kryptos' comes from hidden message and "Nite" from night, a message closely related to DJ, so organically everything came together"{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}
==Mascot==
The DJ Awards had a mascot named [[:es:DJ Awards#La Mascota - .22Snuffy.22|Snuffy]], which is a cross between the famous symbol associated with [[acid house]] (the "bloodied" [[smiley]]) and an alien ("little green man").  Snuffy was retired in 2012 and the events have not had a mascot since then.

==Winners and nominees==

{{main article|List of DJ Awards winners and nominees}}

==See also==

*[[DJ Mag]]azine
*[[International Dance Music Awards]]
*[[Winter Music Conference]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.djawards.com DJ Awards Official website]
*http://djawards.com/past-editions/

{{Navboxes
| title =  [[List of DJ Awards winners and nominees|DJ Awards categories and winners 1998 present]]
| list =
{{DJ Award for Ambient, Chill Out, Down Tempo and Eclectic, Experimental DJ|state=collapsed}} 
{{DJ Award for Best Breakthrough DJ|state=collapsed}} 
{{DJ Award for Best Deep House DJ|state=collapsed}} 
{{DJ Award for Best Drum & Bass, Bass, Beats, Trip Hop DJ|state=collapsed}}
{{DJ Award for Best Electro DJ|state=collapsed}}
{{DJ Award for Best Garage, Hip Hop, R & B, Underground, Urban DJ|state=collapsed}}
{{DJ Award for Best House DJ|state=collapsed}} 
{{DJ Award for Best International DJ|state=collapsed}} 
{{DJ Award for Best Progressive and Progressive House DJ|state=collapsed}} 
{{DJ Award for Best Newcomer DJ|state=collapsed}}
{{DJ Award for Best Tech House DJ|state=collapsed}} 
{{DJ Award for Best Tech House Progressive DJ |state=collapsed}}
{{DJ Award for Best Techno DJ |state=collapsed}}
{{DJ Award for Best Trance DJ |state=collapsed}}
{{DJ Award Special Award for Outstanding Achievement|state=collapsed}} 
{{DJ Award-Special Award for Outstanding Contribution |state=collapsed}}
{{DJ Award-Special Award for Outstanding Dedication |state=collapsed}}
{{DJ Award-Special Award for Lifetime Achievement |state=collapsed}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dj Awards}}
[[Category:DJing]]
[[Category:Spanish music awards]]
[[Category:International music awards]]