The DJ Awards has unveiled its 2025 genre-specific, voted for categories and nominees, with public voting open now.
Founded in 1998, the DJ Awards returned in triumphant fashion to Ibiza in 2024 after a four-year hiatus. It is an independent and non-pay-to-play platform that recognises and celebrates talent on merit alone. Unlike some popular polls, DJ Awards’ nominations are all presented by a fully independent Grand Jury of industry experts and insiders who come from over 50 leading music brands and businesses. This means they truly dig deep into the various different genres and sub-genres of DJ culture to give a full, authentic and proper representation in the dance music industry.
After last year’s successful relaunch, the DJ Awards has quickly been re-established as an important part of the international dance calendar. Last year’s genre specific winners included Black Coffee (Afro), Sam Divine (House), Armin van Buuren (Trance), CamelPhat (Progressive House), Chase & Status (D&B), Fisher (International DJ), WhoMadeWho (Organic House), and Luciano, who received the Ibiza Icon Award.
Now, the 2025 edition builds on that momentum with a wide-ranging selection of categories spanning genres, geographies and industry influence, as well as a new commitment to raise the number of female nominees in each genre category to at least 2.Â
Brand-new for this year is the Balearic category which is so key to the sound of Ibiza and will honour DJs who embody the genre-defying, sun-drenched energy synonymous with the White Isle’s famous musical spirit, as well as Hard Dance/Bounce, which has had a huge revival in the last 12 months. These additions again highlights the DJ Awards’ commitment to recognising key subcultures across the electronic landscape.
As well as Balearic, the categories this year include Afro, Breakthrough, Drum & Bass, Garage/Bassline, Hard Dance/Bounce, Hard Techno, House, International DJ, Latin/Reggaeton, Live Act, Newcomer, Prog/Melodic, Tech House, Techno and Trance.
As always, the DJ Awards also feature a number of Industry and Special Recognition Awards, which are proposed by a jury of music professionals before a winner is announced ahead of the award show. These include Track of the Summer, Party of the Summer, Icon Award, Lifetime Achievement, Eye On: MENA, DJ Livestream of the Year, and Play It Back – Social Impact Award.
The venue for this year’s ceremony will be revealed in the coming weeks, with further announcements to follow regarding the Industry Awards and special performances, so keep your eyes peeled.
Head on over to djawards.com to see the full list of nominees and place your votes.