The Ministry of Creative Industries has officially launched the Antigua and Barbuda National Music Awards (ABNMAs), set to celebrate the nation’s musical talent on February 2, 2025.

The inaugural awards will honour musicians across three primary categories: Musician of the Year Awards, Special Recognition Awards, and Lifetime Achievement Awards.

The comprehensive program aims to recognize and celebrate musical contributions across instrumental, steelpan, vocal performances, and music production.

Eligibility spans multiple categories, with the Musician of the Year award open to Antiguan and Barbuda citizens for contributions made between December 2023 and November 2024.

Special Recognition Awards will acknowledge musicians, organizations, and support groups with over a decade of service, while the Lifetime Achievement Award requires a minimum of 20 years of musical contribution.

Performance categories include steel pan, vocal performances, best recording artist, DJ of the year, and Band of the year. Technical categories will also recognize Producer of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.

Interested participants can submit nominations from November 25 until the December 22 deadline.

Nomination forms will be available through the Ministry of Creative Industries, with online submission options provided.