THE WORLD MUSIC AWARDS
The WORLD MUSIC AWARDS honours the best-selling recording artists from every continent. The WORLD MUSIC AWARDS are presented on sales merit and voted by the public on the Internet. There is no jury involved and the Awards truly reflect the most popular artists as they are determined by the actual fans that vote and buy the records. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) provides the organization with the names of the best-selling artists from all major territories. The world’s best-selling recording-artists in each category are determined by a thorough enquiry conducted by the organization, which includes sales figures and record certifications during the past year. Awards for World’s Best Male Artist, Best Female, Best Group, Best Electronic Dance Music Artist, Best Entertainer of the Year, Best Live Act, Best Song, Best Album and Best Video are voted online by the general public.
THE LEGEND AWARD
The LEGEND AWARD was created to honour top recording artists who have made outstanding contributions to the Music Industry. Past recipients include Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Prince, Janet Jackson, Celine Dion, Carlos Santana, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Ray Charles, Barry White, Elton John, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Cher, the Bee Gees, INXS, Julio Iglesias, David Bowie, George Benson, Chris Deburgh, Cliff Richard, Status Quo, Deep Purple, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Tony Bennett, Gloria Gaynor, Chaka Khan and Patti Labelle. Two Music Industry Executives and Producers were given this Award for their outstanding contribution to the Industry. The late Whitney Houston presented it to Clive Davis, the founder of Arista and J Records, at the 2004 WMAs in Las Vegas and Mariah Carey received it on behalf of L.A. Reid, Co-Founder of Laface Records, at the 2008 WMAs in Monte-Carlo.
THE DIAMOND AWARD
The DIAMOND AWARD is presented to those select top-selling artists who have sold over 100 million Albums during their career. It is not presented every year. H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco presented the very first Diamond Award to Rod Stewart at the 2002 World Music Awards in Monte-Carlo and to Mariah Carey in 2003. Celine Dion received this prestigious award from the Oscar winning actor Michael Douglas at the 2004 WMAs in the Thomas & Mac Arena in Las Vegas. Bon Jovi received the Award from Melissa Etheridge at the 2005 WMAs in the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. Beyoncé presented the same Award to Michael Jackson at the 2006 WMAs in Earl’s Court London on his last public appearance on TV and Ringo Starr accepted it on behalf of the Beatles at the 2008 WMAs in Monte-Carlo. John Kennedy, CEO of the International Federation of the Phonographic industry, presented the Award to Ringo.