The DJ Awards, the longest-running celebration of global electronic music culture, has announced its 2025 genre-specific categories and nominees, alongside the launch of public voting beginning Thursday, August 21.
Founded in 1998, the DJ Awards made a triumphant return to Ibiza in 2024 after a four-year hiatus. The organization continues to pride itself on being an independent, non–pay-to-play platform that honors talent purely on merit. Unlike some commercial polls, the DJ Awards nominations are determined by an independent Grand Jury of industry insiders from over 50 leading music brands and businesses worldwide. This ensures the nominees authentically reflect the many genres and subcultures that define today’s dance music landscape.
Following last year’s highly successful relaunch, the DJ Awards have reclaimed their place as a vital fixture on the international dance calendar. The 2024 genre winners included Black Coffee (Afro), Sam Divine (House), Armin van Buuren (Trance), CamelPhat (Progressive House), Chase & Status (Drum & Bass), Fisher (International DJ), WhoMadeWho (Organic House), and Luciano, who received the Ibiza Icon Award.
The 2025 edition expands even further with an inclusive and diverse range of categories spanning genres, geographies, and industry impact. This year also introduces a renewed commitment to increasing female representation, ensuring at least two female nominees per genre category.
Brand-new for 2025 are two exciting additions: Balearic, honoring DJs who embody the genre-defying, sun-soaked energy of Ibiza, and Hard Dance/Bounce, reflecting the subculture’s explosive resurgence over the past year. These new categories underscore the DJ Awards’ dedication to spotlighting key movements shaping the global electronic scene.
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Alongside Balearic, the 2025 categories include Afro, Breakthrough, Drum & Bass, Garage/Bassline, Hard Techno, House, International DJ, Latin/Reggaeton, Live Act, Newcomer, Prog/Melodic, Tech House, Techno, and Trance, with full nominee lists available online.
In addition to the genre-based honors, the DJ Awards will present several Industry and Special Recognition Awards selected by the Grand Jury. 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, with winners announced ahead of the ceremony.
The venue for the 2025 DJ Awards ceremony will be revealed in the coming weeks, alongside announcements for the Industry Awards and special performances.
Public voting is now open — make your voice heard and celebrate the artists shaping the future of electronic music.