Categories

Best Production Music Track

Defined as an original or arranged track released for licensing in the respective genre for which relevance is ascribed by keywords and/or meta-tags containing that genre name.

Best Ambient Track.
Ambient music usually takes the form of slow instrumental music which uses repetitive, gentle, soothing sound patterns that can generate a sense of calmness and often lacks the presence of any structured beat or melody. Ambient music focuses on creating mood or atmosphere using textural layers of sound without prevalent musical tropes, rewarding both passive and active listening.

Best EDM Track.
Electronic dance music (EDM) is also referred to as dance or club music and is high-energy dance music with high bpm / high energy with pulsating rhythms / percussive electronics at the forefront. This music is particularly popular in nightclubs, raves and festivals. The EDM "genre" is an expansive one, including house, techno, trance, drum and bass and dubstep. For the avoidance of doubt, so-called "trap music" should be included in the category of "hip-hop" below.

Best Folk Track.
Folk music is usually characterized by acoustic instruments, simple chord progressions and time signatures. The genre usually includes meaningful, thoughtful lyrics often focusing on social issues. The roots of this genre are in "traditional" folk, but this category also includes acoustic, bluegrass, Celtic, roots, and more contemporary folk.

Best Hip Hop/Rap Track.
Hip hop music is used synonymously with the term Rap music and consists of a stylized rhythmic music that is often accompanied by vocal "rapping" although rapping is not required). The music is often defined by rapping, rhythmic beats or bass lines, synthesized beats and sounds and / or rhythmic beatboxing.

Best Best R&B/Soul Track.
R&B and Soul includes those rhythm and blues elements that incorporate keys, strings and brass. We're talking saxophones and piano.

Best Jazz Track.
Jazz music is usually characterized by free-form expression without regular meter, beat and formal structures. It generally includes propulsive syncopated rhythms, polyphonic ensemble playing, varying degrees of improvisation, and often deliberate distortions of pitch and timbre. This category can also include traditional jazz, so-called "Dixieland" jazz or progressive jazz fusion.

Best Pop Track.
Pop music is "popular" music that one might hear on mainstream pop radio (for example). While this category occasionally shares elements with other genres, the category is usually noted for its short to medium-length songs, basic verse-chorus format, as well as a focus on repeated choruses, themes, melodies and "hooks".

Best Rock Track.
Rock music is broadly characterized by electric guitars and vocals. The category can include blues, southern rock, punk and psychedelic rock with often stripped-down, energetic music routinely focused on social issues. Rock music has also been associated with political activism as well as changes in social attitudes to race, sex and drug use, and is often seen as an expression of youth revolt against adults and the societal norms.

Best Alternative Track.
Alternative music includes so-called grunge, punk and new wave. Its distinction from mainstream rock in that the genre laid the groundwork for more underground or independent artists that receives college recognition (as opposed to mainstream) ) and is generally-speaking more challenging music melodically, lyrically or sonically, with lyrics often dealing with challenges faced as a teen and young adulthood (eg, acceptance, image, cliques, etc,...).

Best Orchestral Track.
This music must make use of a full orchestra. All sections must be included - strings, brass, woodwinds and percussion. Any style of music is acceptable so long as the piece features the entire symphonic orchestra.

Best Vocal Track.
This music must have a vocalist or vocalists as the primary, featured musical element. Any style or genre and any accompaniment (or no accompaniment) is acceptable.

Best World Track.
This music must be rooted in what is commonly understood as World Music, that is - music that is indigenous to a specific locale. Examples - Chinese opera, zydeco, salsa, samba, bluegrass.

Best Dark/Mysterious Track.
This is music that would be used as underscore to highlight tension, trouble, impending doom etc...

Best Investigative/Crime Track.
A track whose intended use is in programming that highlights investigation and crime as is commonly understood within television and film.

Best Film Trailer Track.
Music that is created or not created for use in a film trailer.

Best Non Categorical/Wildcard Track.
This is purposely music that defies category. The listener must be able to say that they cannot find a style/genre that this piece belongs to.

Best Country Track.
Music that is rooted in the Nashville sound. This can include country & western, country rock and other popular country styles.


Best Use of Production Music

Defined as the uniquely effective use of an original or arranged library track that compellingly enhances the visual storytelling of the respective production type.

Awards will be given to the best track in each of the following production categories:

Best Use of Production Music In Commercial Advertisement.
Music (vocal or instrumental) that best supports the marketing or promotion of goods or services through media of television.

Best Use of Production Music In On-Air/OTT Promo.
Music (vocal or instrumental) that best supports the promotion of On-Air Promos that air on OTT media.

Best Use of Production Music In Theatrical/VIDEO GAME Trailer.
Music (vocal or instrumental) that best supports the promotion and Marketing of a Trailer or Video Game Trailer on Television or Theatrical venue.

Best Use of Production Music As Theme Song In TV Program.
Music (vocal or instrumental) that used as a notable theme for a Television Program.

Best Use of Production Music In Online/Digital Advertising.
Music (vocal or instrumental) that is best used to promote a commercial aired on Online/Digital Advertising.

Best Use of Production Music In OTT Programming.
Music (vocal or instrumental) that is best used in a program that is aired on OTT programming.


Best Production Music Library Artist


Best PML Indie/VOCAL Artist.

Best PML Pop Artist.

Best PML Rock/Alternative Artist.

Best PML Hip Hop/Rap ARTIST.

Best PML R&B/Soul Artist.

Best PML Country Artist.

Best PML Jazz Artist.

Best PML Folk/Americana Artist.


Best Cover Art

Best Cover Art. Either a JPG or PDF upload is required for this category.


Hall of Fame Award

Given to an individual of a current or pre-existing production music library whose work has made significant contributions towards the advancement of the production music industry.

Ambassador Award

Given to an individual from any field who has devoted exceptional service towards ensuring a thriving and sustainable production music industry.