The Detroit Music Awards Foundation is a Michigan 501(c)(3) organization, whose mission is to recognize Detroit area musicians working on a national, regional, and local level. The Foundation supports and nurtures the musical community in Detroit and the Detroit metropolitan area to create a network for musicians that cuts across genres and styles. Initially proposed in 1988, and first presented by the Motor City Music Foundation, the multi-genre awards ceremony was established to bring recognition to Detroit area musicians. The first awards show was held at the Detroit Music Hall, and later moved to the State Theatre, now called The Fillmore Detroit. In 1998, the organization merged with the Metro Times-sponsored Detroit Music Awards to become one organization with one awards show for the Detroit Music community. Since its inception, the Detroit Music Awards has celebrated Detroit's vibrant music scene, including some of Detroit's most notable artists: Alice Cooper, Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, The Belleville Three, Big Sean, Bob Seger, CeCe Winans, The Clark Sisters, The Detroit Cobras, Diana Ross, Eminem, The Four Tops, George Clinton, Glenn Frey, The Gories, Grand Funk Railroad, Greta Van Fleet, Iggy Pop, Insane Clown Posse, Jack White, J Dilla, Kid Rock, Laith Al-Saadi, Luis Resto, Madonna, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, MC5, Mike Posner, The Miracles, Mitch Ryder, Parliament-Funkadelic, The Raconteurs, The Romantics, Royce da 5'9", Sixto Rodriguez, Smokey Robinson, The Spinners, Sponge, Stevie Wonder, The Stooges, The Supremes, Suzi Quatro, Taproot, Ted Nugent, The Temptations, Thornetta Davis, Uncle Kracker, The Verve Pipe, Vienna Teng, The Von Bondies, Was (Not Was) and The White Stripes.

Categories

Award winners are selected by music industry professionals, with award categories covering the following genres:

Awards

General

Outstanding Anthology/Compilation/Reissue

Winners and nominees

Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.

Outstanding Live Performance

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Outstanding Live Sound Technician

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Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.

Outstanding Local Record Label

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Outstanding National Major Record Label Recording

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Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.

Outstanding National Single

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Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.

Outstanding National Small/Independent Record Label Recording

Winners and nominees

Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.

Outstanding Record Producer

Winners and nominees

Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.

Outstanding Recording Studio

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Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.

Outstanding Video (Limited Budget)

Winners and nominees

Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.

Outstanding Video (Major Budget)

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Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.

Outstanding Tribute Band

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Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.

Outstanding Family Music Artist/Group

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Outstanding Family/Children's Music

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Americana

Outstanding Americana/Acoustic/Folk/Group

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Outstanding Americana/Acoustic/Folk Instrumentalist

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Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.

Blues

Classical

Country

Electronic/Dance

Gospel

Jazz

Rock/Pop/Alternative

Urban/Funk/Hip Hop

Outstanding Hip-Hop Artist/Group

Winners

Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.

Outstanding Rap Artist or Group

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Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.

Outstanding Hip-Hop DJ

Winners

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Outstanding Rap Producer/DJ

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Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.

Outstanding Rap Composer

Winners and nominees

Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.

Outstanding Hip-Hop MC

Winners

Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.

Outstanding Rap MC

Winners and nominees

Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.

Outstanding Rap Recording

Winners and nominees

Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.