A&R Awards - The A&R Awards 2018 Categories

The A&R Awards 2018 Categories

The A&R Awards is a UK-focused event – and a little bit different to your average industry awards ceremony.

For one thing, we have three very special moments lined up on the night – not least The Sir George Martin Award. Named in honour of the legendary Beatles producer, the gong recognises an individual with a proven track record of truly artist-friendly A&R – combined with commercial success – who continues to sign contemporary hitmakers today.

In addition, there will be an A&R Icon award, presented to an individual whose actions have truly changed the game for the creative side of the music business, and whose influence continues to reverberate today.

Meanwhile, The Artist Loyalty Award celebrates a longstanding relationship between an industry exec and a standout artist – who have stood by each other through thick and thin over the years.

There’s also a host of both individual and team awards to recognise the best A&Rs currently operating in the UK industry, across genres such as Pop/R&B, Hip-hop/Grime, Electronic, Adult Contemporary and Rock/Alternative.

Team awards include Label of the Year and Independent Label of the Year, plus there’s a pair of Publisher Of The Year gongs and a Management Company of the Year prize.

The Categories

Producer Of The Year - Supported by Abbey Road Studios

Voted on by a wide range of A&R professionals in various disciplines, this award will mark out the true 'A&Rs' producer' of the past 12 months.

Songwriter Of The Year

Voted on by a wide range of A&R professionals in various disciplines, this award will mark out the true 'A&Rs' songwriter' of the past 12 months.

A&R Administrator

A&R magic doesn't just happen, you know. Many record labels and music publishers often have someone specifically tasked with making sure that recording studios are booked, talent is where they're supposed to be and budgets don't go haywire. This award is for them.

A&R Of The Year: Electronic/Dance

Recognising an A&R individual or double-act at a label, publisher or management company, this award will be judged on the development and/or signing of two songwriters / artists over the past 12 months that have gone on to enjoy noteworthy success in the genre.

A&R Of The Year: Hip-hop/Grime

Recognising an A&R individual or double-act at a label, publisher or management company, this award will be judged on the development and/or signing of at least one songwriter / artist over the past 12 months that has gone on to enjoy noteworthy success in the genre.

A&R Of The Year: Adult Contemporary

Recognising an A&R individual or double-act at a label, publisher or management company, this award will be judged on the development and/or signing of at least one songwriter / artist over the past 12 months that has gone on to enjoy noteworthy success in the genre.

A&R Of The Year: Pop/R&B

Recognising an A&R individual or double-act at a label, publisher or management company, this award will be judged on the development and/or signing of two songwriters / artists over the past 12 months that have gone on to enjoy noteworthy success in the genre.

A&R Of The Year: Rock/Alternative

Recognising an A&R individual or double-act at a label, publisher or management company, this award will be judged on the development and/or signing of two songwriters / artists over the past 12 months that have gone on to enjoy noteworthy success in the genre.

Publisher Of The Year (1)

Recognising the best music publisher involved in active A&R across two specific projects over the past 12 months - judged on critical, commercial and creative success. This award is exclusively for companies who are in direct control of fewer than 250k copyrights worldwide.

Publisher Of The Year (2)

Recognising the best music publishing team involved in active A&R across three specific projects over the past 12 months - judged on critical, commercial and creative success. This award is exclusively for companies who are in direct control of more than 250k copyrights worldwide.

Management Company (The David Enthoven Award)

Recognising the best management company involved in active artist A&R across two or more projects over the past 12 months - judged on critical, commercial and creative success. Those shortlisted will be expected to have played a role in the development of recordings.

Independent Label Of The Year

Recognising the best independent record label involved in active artist A&R across two or more album and/or EP projects over the past year. Judged on critical, commercial and creative success, the award will be voted for by an experienced and specialist panel.

Major Label Of The Year

Recognising the best major record company involved in active artist A&R across three or more album and/or EP projects over the past year. Judged on critical, commercial and creative success, the award will be voted for by an experienced and specialist panel.

The Artist Loyalty Award

A special moment: a celebration of an individual whose A&R input and loyalty has never waned throughout a successful artist's career.

A&R Icon

A bit of hush for this one, please. Recognising a legend of music business A&R, whose professional feats have influenced generations to come.

The Sir George Martin Award

A true honour for any recipient. Decided in conjunction with Sir George's estate, this award recognises an individual with a proven track record of truly artist-friendly A&R – combined with commercial success – who continues to sign contemporary hitmakers today.

Confirmed sponsors of the A&R Awards 2018 include