Award show held in Michigan, US
This article needs to be updated . Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (June 2020 )
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.[ 1]
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 .
Award winners are selected by music industry professionals, with award categories covering the following genres :[ 2]
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(March 2022 )
Outstanding Anthology/Compilation/Reissue[ edit ]
Winners and nominees [ edit ]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold .
Winners and nominees [ edit ]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold .
Year
Artist
Ref
2004
Detroit Women In R&B
2005
Detroit Women
2006
Detroit Women with Motor City Express
2007
Brothers Groove
[ 3]
2008
The Hard Lessons
2009
2010
Hot Club of Detroit
2011
Howling Diablos
2012
Satori Circus
2013
The Ruiners
2014
The Infatuations
2015
Howling Diablos
[ 3]
2016
The Infatuations
2017
Thornetta Davis
[ 3] [ 4]
Chrissii Key
Corktown Popes
Elsie Binx
Jagged Edge
Rio and the Rockabilly Revival
The Seatbelts
Warhorses
2018
Jill Jack Band
Artificial Agent
Chrissii Key
RTG Righteous Through God
The Luddites
The Ruiners
Warhorses
2019
Thornetta Davis
Chrissii Key
Gasoline Gypsies
Kris Kurzawa Group
Laith Al-Saadi
Motor City Horns
Theatre Bizarre Orchestra
Warhorses
2020
Motor City Josh & The Big 3
[ 5] [ 6]
Buggs Beddow & The Good Stuff
Chrissii Key
Corktown Popes
Jill Jack
Sean Blackman's In Transit
Warhorses
Outstanding Live Sound Technician [ edit ]
Winners and nominees [ edit ]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold .
Year
Artist
Ref
2004
Neil T Sever
2005
Neil T Sever
2006
2007
Donnie Davenport
[ 3]
2008
Neil T Sever
2009
2010
2011
Peter Jay
2012
Neil T Sever
2013
Peter Jay
2014
2015
Neil T Sever
[ 3]
2016
Tom Lubinski
2017
Peter Jay
[ 3] [ 4]
Adam Busuttil
Bill Kozy
Bryan Reilly
C. B. "Craiger" Sias
Kevin Sharpe
Neil T Sever
Peter Jay
2018
Neil T Sever
Adam Busuttil
Bill Kozy
C. B. "Craiger" Sias
Dave Miseveth
Peter Jay
2019
Neil T Sever
Bill Kozy
Chris Panackia
Mikey Woo
Peter Jay
Rob Muccino
2020
Kelly Tucker
[ 5] [ 6]
Adam Busuttil
Bill Kozy
Glenn Preston
Mike Carr
Peter Jay
Outstanding Local Record Label [ edit ]
Winners and nominees [ edit ]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold .
Year
Artist
Ref
2005
Time Beach Records
2006
Mack Avenue Records
2007
[ 3]
2008
2009
No Cover Productions
2010
Mack Avenue Records
2011
2012
2013
Funky D Records
2014
2015
Detroit Music Factory
[ 3]
2016
Detroit Music Factory
2017
Funky D Records
[ 3] [ 4]
Detroit Techno Militia
Drum Dancer
Got The Key Records
Jett Plastic Recordings
M1 Records
No Cover Productions
Smokin' Sled Dog Records
2018
Detroit Music Factory
Detroit Techno Records
Funky D Records
Got The Key Records
Jett Plastic Recordings
Smokin Sleddog Records
2019
Funky D Records
Detroit Techno
Got The Key Records
Jett Plastic Recordings
Middle Finger Music
Planet E
2020
Detroit Music Factory
[ 5] [ 6]
Detroit Techno
Funky D Records
Got The Key Records
Jett Plastic Recordings
Reel II Real
Outstanding National Major Record Label Recording [ edit ]
Winners and nominees [ edit ]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold .
Outstanding National Single [ edit ]
Winners and nominees [ edit ]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold .
Outstanding National Small/Independent Record Label Recording[ edit ]
Winners and nominees [ edit ]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold .
Outstanding Record Producer [ edit ]
Winners and nominees [ edit ]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold .
Year
Artist
Ref
2004
Brian "Roscoe" White
2005
Martin "Tino" Gross
2006
2007
Martin "Tino" Gross
[ 3]
2008
Nolan Mendenhall
2009
Al Sutton
2010
2011
Martin "Tino" Gross
2012
2013
2014
Al Sutton
2015
Martin "Tino" Gross
[ 3]
2016
Martin "Tino" Gross
2017
Thornetta Davis
[ 3] [ 4]
Al Sutton
Andy Patalan
Bryan Reilly
Chuck Alkazian
Dave Feeny
"Motor City Josh" Ford
Tony Hamera
2018
"Motor City Josh" Ford
Al Sutton
Chuck Alkazian
Kevin Sharpe
Martin "Tino" Gross
Tony Hamera
2019
Tony "T-Money" Green
Al Sutton
Chuck Alkazian
Dave Feeny
"Motor City Josh" Ford
Martin "Tino" Gross
2020
Chuck Alkazian
[ 5] [ 6]
Brian "Roscoe" White
Bryan Reilly
"Motor City Josh" Ford
Martin "Tino" Gross
Tony "T-Money" Green
Outstanding Recording Studio [ edit ]
Winners and nominees [ edit ]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold .
Year
Artist
Ref
2004
Roscoe's Recording
2005
The Tempermill Studios
2006
Studio A
2007
Studio A and The Tempermill Studios
[ 3]
2008
Studio A
2009
The Tempermill Studios
2010
Rustbelt Studios
2011
Harmonie Park
2012
2013
The Tempermill Studios
2014
Rustbelt Studios
2015
Pearl Sound Studios
[ 3]
2016
Pearl Sound Studios
2017
The Tempermill Studios
[ 3] [ 4]
Big Sky Recording
Funky D Studios
Metro 37 Recording
Roscoe's Recording
Rust Belt Recording Studio
Sound Shop Studio
The Loft
2018
The Tempermill Studios
Funky D Studios
Metro 37 Studios
Pearl Sound Studios
Rustbelt Studios
The Sound Shop
2019
Rustbelt Studios
Funky D Studios
Pearl Sound Studios
Sound Shop Studio
The Disc
The Loft
2020
The Tempermill Studios
[ 5] [ 6]
Big Sky Recording
Pearl Sound Studios
Rustbelt
Sound Shop Studio
The Loft
Outstanding Video (Limited Budget)[ edit ]
Winners and nominees [ edit ]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold .
Year
Artist
Ref
2005
"Around Your Love " by Nicole Jeffers
2006
"Rattle Your Cage " by Detroit Women and Motor City Express
2007
"Swing One " by Hot Club of Detroit
[ 3]
2010
"Motown Still Our Town " by Paul Miles
2011
"Slow Curve " by The Muggs
2012
"Mr. Right Now " by Howling Diablos
2013
"Eat Your Heart Out " by The Ruiners
2014
"Yesterday Morning " by The Infatuations
2015
"What You've Given " by Ben Sharkey
2016
"Funk Hand " by Howling Diablos (dir. Tony D'Annunzio )
2017
"Sister Friend Indeed " by Thornetta Davis
[ 3] [ 4]
"Detroit Guy" by Bugs Beddow & The Good Stuff
"Vermin Mentality" by Child Bite
"360" by Chrissii Key
"Hey There Miss" by Eric Smith
"Trouble In Paradise" by Kaleido
"6 to Midnite" by The Muggs
"Weightless" by Tiles
"Flint Talkin Blues" by Tino G
"Cold In Detroit" by Tosha Owens
2018
"I Believe (Everything Gonna Be Alright) " by Thornetta Davis
"Devil in the White Dress" by Artificial Agent
"Friendship Never Dies" by Danny D and the Vagabonds
"Say You Will" by Elsie Binx
"Queen" by Flint Eastwood
"Detroit Strong" by Tosha Owens
2019
"Freaks & Nonbelievers " by Gasoline Gypsies
"Roll This Way" by Ali McManus
"Summer Song" by Bob & April
"Selfie" by Chit
"Monster" by Flint Eastwood
"The Man Who Built Your Hot Rod" by Horse Cave Trio
2020
"One Nation: Detroit's Tribute to the Funk " by Detroit Academy of Arts & Sciences Choir
[ 5] [ 6]
"Out of My Control" by Chrissii Key
"Why" by Julianne Ankley
"Limbo" by Steffanie Christi'an
"This Part of Town" by The Beggars
"I Had Problems Last Week" by Tino G's Dumpster Machine
Outstanding Video (Major Budget)[ edit ]
Winners and nominees [ edit ]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold .
Outstanding Tribute Band [ edit ]
Winners and nominees [ edit ]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold .
Year
Artist
Ref
2012
Danny D & the Vagabonds (Rod Stewart tribute)
[ 3]
2013
Fifty Amp Fuse: Your Generation
2014
Fifty Amp Fuse: Your Generation
2015
Whoremones (All Girl Ramones )
2016
Fifty Amp Fuse
2017
Bobby Murray Presents "The Music of Etta James "
[ 3] [ 4]
Air Margaritaville
Danny D and the Vagabonds
In the Flesh
Live Bullet Detroit
Magic Bus
Mega 80's
Motor City All Stars
The Whoremones
2018
Magic Bus
Bon Johnsons
Crazy Babies
Major Dudes
Rattlesnake Shake: A Peter Green /Fleetwood Mac Tribute
Wreking Crue
2019
Major Dudes - A Steely Dan Tribute
Crazy Babies
Danny D & the Vagabonds
Magic Bus
Rockstar 80's Band
Wreking Crue - The Mötley Crüe Experience
2020
Major Dudes - A Steely Dan Tribute
[ 5] [ 6]
Crazy Babies
Dr. Pocket
Rockstar
The Santana Project
Wreking Crue
Outstanding Family Music Artist/Group[ edit ]
Winners and nominees [ edit ]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold .
Year
Artist
Ref
2017
The Verve Pipe
[ 3] [ 4]
Candy Bandits
Cast Iron Cornbread
Finvarra's Wren
Gemini
Groove Council
Metro Detroit Jazz Voices
The Farleys
Outstanding Family/Children's Music[ edit ]
Winners and nominees [ edit ]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold .
Year
Artist
Ref
2018
Chrissy Morgan and Sandy Mulligan
[ 3] [ 4]
Candy Bandits
Gemini
Mr. Bob's Rubber Band
Stuart Benbow
The Farleys
2019
Miss Paula and the Candy Bandits
Bob & Coltrane
Cast Iron Cornbread
Gro-Town
2020
Miss Paula and the Candy Bandits
[ 5] [ 6]
Bob & Coltrane
Gemini
Gro-Town
Mr. Bob's Rubber Band
People's Choice Award
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Artist/Group
Nuandré
The Infatuations
The Infatuations
Mike Leslie Band
Steve Scott Country
Sponsor
VitaminWater
VitaminWater
VitaminWater
VitaminWater
Opportunity Detroit
Outstanding Americana/Acoustic/Folk/Group[ edit ]
Winners and nominees [ edit ]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold .
Outstanding Americana/Acoustic/Folk Instrumentalist[ edit ]
Winners and nominees [ edit ]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold .
Year
Artist
Ref
2004
Jeremy Kittel (fiddle)
[ 3]
2005
David Mosher (mandolin/guitar)
2006
Billy Brandt (guitar)
2007
Paul Miles (Guitar)
2008
Billy Brandt (Guitar)
2009
Sarana VerLin (Violin)
2010
Carolyn Striho (Piano / Guitar)
2011
Sarana VerLin (Violin)
2012
Billy Brandt (Guitar/ Mandolin)
2013
Billy Brandt (Guitar / Mandolin)
2014
Scott Dailey (Guitar)
2015
Audra Kubat (Guitar)
2016
Dave Feeny (Pedal steel/guitar) (American Mars and David Bierman Overdrive)
2017
Brett Lucas
2018
Brett Lucas (Guitar)
2019
Billy Brandt (Multi)
Dave Falk (Dobro)
[ 4]
Bob Monteleone (Guitar)
Pete Peltier (Guitar)
Devin Scillian (Guitar)
Ron Wolf (Percussion)
2020
Chris Codish (Multi)
[ 5] [ 6]
Billy Brandt (Multi)
Dave Falk (Dobro)
Erik Gustafson (Guitar)
Mary McGuire (Guitar)
Bob Monteleone (Guitar)
Pete Peltier (Guitar)
Rock/Pop/Alternative[ edit ]
Outstanding Hip-Hop Artist/Group[ edit ]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold .
Outstanding Rap Artist or Group [ edit ]
Winners and nominees [ edit ]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold .
Outstanding Hip-Hop DJ [ edit ]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold .
Outstanding Rap Producer/DJ[ edit ]
Winners and nominees [ edit ]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold .
Year
Artist
Ref
2015
Volcano
[ 3]
2016
Tony "T-Money" Green
2017
Tony "T-Money" Green
[ 3] [ 4]
DJ Invisible
Doc Illingsworth
Freezabag
Jake Bass
Nate Harasim
Nick Speed
Volcano
2018
Gabe Gonzalez
Freezabag
Hush
Mark Milez a.k.a. Profit
Nick Speed
Twiztid
2019
Tony "T-Money" Green
Foul Mouth
Freezabag
Jake Bass
Mark Milez a.k.a. Profit
Tim Blackman
2020
Tony "T-Money" Green
[ 5] [ 6]
Ilajide
Jake Bass
MCV Mowl
REDD
Tim Blackman
Outstanding Rap Composer [ edit ]
Winners and nominees [ edit ]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold .
Year
Artist
Ref
2015
Mark Milez a.k.a. Profit
[ 3]
2016
Hush
2017
Tony "T-Money" Green
[ 3] [ 4]
Chrissii Key
Eddie Logix
Khary Frazier
Mark Milez a.k.a. Profit
Pierre Anthony
Sean Forbes
Volcano and The New Radio Standard
2018
Sean Forbes
Chrissii Key
Hush
Mahogany Jones
Mark Milez a.k.a. Profit
Supa Emcee
2019
Supa Emcee
Jake Bass
Mark Milez a.k.a. Profit
REDD
Shogun
Tim Blackman
2020
REDD
[ 5] [ 6]
Foul Mouth
Illy Maine
Jake Bass
K-Squeez
Tim Blackman
Outstanding Hip-Hop MC [ edit ]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold .
Winners and nominees [ edit ]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold .
Year
Artist
Ref
2015
Hush
[ 3]
2016
Mark Milez a.k.a. Profit
2017
Hush
[ 3] [ 4]
Chrissii Key
Christina Criss
Khary Frazier
K-Squeez
Mark Milez a.k.a. Profit
Pierre Anthony
Volcano
2018
Mahogany Jones
Doc Waffles
Kash Doll
Mark Milez a.k.a. Profit
Miz Korona
Sean Forbes
2019
Sean Forbes
Big Gov
Leaf Erickson
Mark Milez a.k.a. Profit
Supa Emcee
REDD
Supa Emcee
2020
Leaf Erikson
[ 5] [ 6]
Baybro
Bryan "Powerdise" Davis
Icewar Vezzo
Jashua Smith
K-Squeez
Outstanding Rap Recording [ edit ]
Winners and nominees [ edit ]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold .
Year
Artist
Ref
2015
"Motor City Miracles " by Mark Milez a.k.a. Profit
[ 3]
2016
"Detroit-vs-Everybody " by Big Herk , Big Gov , Chedda Boy Malik , Poppa D , Awesome Dre , Wil Louchi , Dirty Bird , Poe Whosaine , Latavia Parker and Seven the General
2017
"The Ghetto " by Tony "T-Money" Green
[ 3] [ 4]
"From the Way" by Christina Criss
"Say Ho!" by Def By Stereo featuring DMC
"Free" by Khary Frazier, Scott Dailey and Carolyn Striho
"Bump and Grind" by K-Squeez featuring Voyce
"Gettin' $$" by Magnanomus featuring Volcano and Powerdise (of Critical Bill)
"Sugar Water" by Mahogany Jones
"Vibe With You" by Mark Milez a.k.a. Profit
"First Day Out" by Tee Grizzley
2018
"D Cyphered " by Nick Speed
"Gettin' $$" by Magnanomus featuring Volcano and Powerdise (of Critical Bill)
"Legend in the Making" by Mark Milez a.k.a. Profit featuring Powerdise
"Set Fire" by Miz Korona
"Digital Vodoo" by The R.O.C.
"The Continuous Evilution of Life's ?'s " by Twiztid
2019
"Summer Night " by Mark Milez a.k.a. Profit
"Line King" by Aztek The Barfly
"Betrayal" by Big Gov featuring Pierre Anthony
"Chopped Suei" by Chise 3269
"No Free Tickets" by REDD
"Heavy on Your Mind" by Roadwork Crew
"Cha$e the Bag" by Seven the General
2020
"Drip 2 Clean " by REDD
[ 5] [ 6]
"No One Is Coming" by Baybro
"It Comes in Threes" by The Chinchillionaires
"A Canvas of Hope" by Leaf Erickson
"Bottom of the Bottle" by K-Squeez
"I'm Free" by Ryn Scott featuring Jon Connor
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