2012 Category Criteria

2012 Category Criteria

College Radio Show of the Year

Nominees will be chosen by the public on-line and by a nationally selected Stylus committee with experienced knowledge in this genre. This category is a National award. This award will be presented to the best College Radio Show. There will be six (6) nominated DJs for this category.

To be eligible for this category:

• The show must be on a University or College radio station and heard on radio
• All genres of mixshow music is eligible including but not limited to Dance, Pop, House, Electro, Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae & Soca
• Internet Mixshows are NOT eligible

Radio Mixshow DJ of the Year

Nominees will be chosen by the public on-line and by a nationally selected Stylus committee with experienced knowledge in this genre. This category is a National award. This award will be presented to the best Radio Mix Show DJ. There will be six (6) nominated DJs for this category.

To be eligible for this category:

DJ Mixtape of the Year

This category will be submission based. Nominees will be chosen by a nationally selected Stylus committee. This category is a National award. This award will be presented to a DJ for Canadian Mixtape not Mixtape DJ. There will be six (6) nominees for this category. Winners will be chosen online during the 2012 Stylus Awards voting period

To be eligible for this category:

• Mixtape must have been released between February 1st 2011 – January 9th 2012
• Mixtape must include full artwork and tracklisting
• Tribute (aka “Best of”) mixtapes are eligible but must include previously released material
• Only one submission is eligible per DJ

Female DJ of the Year

Nominees will be chosen by the public on-line and by a nationally selected Stylus committee with experienced knowledge in this genre. This category is a National award. This award will be presented to the best Female DJ. There will be six (6) nominated DJs for this category

To be eligible for this category:

• You must be a female DJ
• All genres of Club Music is eligible including but not limited to: Dance, Pop, House, Electro, Hip Hop, R&B, and Reggae
• Radio DJs are eligible for this category

Club Reggae DJ of the Year

Nominees will be chosen by the public on-line and by a nationally selected Stylus committee with experienced knowledge in this genre. This category is a National award. This award will be presented to Canada’s favourite Club Reggae DJ/Soundcrew. There will be six (6) nominees for this category

To be eligible for this category:

• The DJ MUST play eighty (80) percent or more of Reggae/Dancehall music in the majority of their gigs.
• Those that play a minimum of one Reggae/Dancehall set will not be eligible for this Award.
• Radio only DJs/Soundcrews are not eligible for this category
• The term Reggae also includes Dancehall Music

Soca DJ of the Year

Nominees will be chosen by the public on-line and by a nationally selected Stylus committee with experienced knowledge in this genre. This category is a National award. This award will be presented to Canada’s favourite Soca DJ/Soundcrew. There will be six (6) nominated DJs for this category

To be eligible for this category:

• The DJ MUST play eighty (80) percent or more of Soca and Soca related music in the majority of their gigs.
• Those that play a minimum of one Soca set will not be eligible for this Award.

Fan Choice Club DJ of the Year

This award will be presented to the fan’s top pick for Club DJ of the Year via online voting. This category is a National category and has limited restrictions to the genre of music played (i.e. DJ can play dance, hip hop, house, techno, electro, pop etc). There will be eight (8) nominated DJs for this category and fans will choose only the winner (not the nominees). Winners will be chosen online during the 2012 Stylus Awards voting period.

Nominees will be chosen by a nationally selected Stylus committee that will base their votes on the following criteria:

• DJ Skills
• Influence in the club music culture
• Number of Club appearances in their city, country and internationally
• Popularity amongst fans and industry tastemakers
• Marketing and Promotion Presence

Club MC of the Year

Nominees will be chosen by the public on-line and by a nationally selected Stylus committee with experienced knowledge in this genre. This category is a National award. This award will be presented to Canada’s favourite Club/Party MC. There will be six (6) nominees for this category

Vancouver DJ of the Year

Nominees will be chosen by the public on-line and by a nationally selected Stylus committee with experienced knowledge in this genre. This category is not a National award. This award will be presented to Vancouver’s favourite DJ. There will be six (6) nominees for this category

To be eligible for this category:

• DJs must be based out of Vancouver and play in their city regularly
• All genres of club music is eligible including but not limited to Dance, Pop, House, Electro, Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae and Soca
• Club and/or Radio DJs are eligible for this category
• DJs based outside of Vancouver but in British Columbia are not eligible for this category

Toronto DJ of the Year

Nominees will be chosen by the public on-line and by a nationally selected Stylus committee with experienced knowledge in this genre. This category is not a National award. This award will be presented to Toronto’s favourite DJ. There will be six (6) nominees for this category

To be eligible for this category:

• DJs must be based out of Toronto and play in their city regularly
• All genres of club music is eligible including but not limited to Dance, Pop, House, Electro, Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae, & Soca
• Club and/or Radio DJs are eligible for this category
• DJs based outside of Toronto but in Ontario are not eligible for this category

Montreal DJ of the Year

Nominees will be chosen by the public on-line and by a nationally selected Stylus committee with experienced knowledge in this genre. This category is not a National award. This award will be presented to Montreal’s favourite DJ. There will be six (6) nominees for this category.

To be eligible for this category:

• DJs must be based out of Montreal and play in their city regularly
• All genres of club music is eligible including but not limited to Dance, Pop, House, Electro, Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae and Soca
• Club and/or Radio DJs are eligible for this category
• DJs based outside of Montreal but in Quebec are not eligible for this category

East Coast DJ of the Year  (Nova Scotia, PEI, New Brunswick and Newfoundland)

Nominees will be chosen by the public on-line and by a nationally selected Stylus committee with experienced knowledge in this genre. This category is not a National award. There will be six (6) nominees for this category

To be eligible for this category:

• DJs must be based out of Nova Scotia, PEI, New Brunswick and Newfoundland
• All genres of club music is eligible including but not limited to Dance, Pop, House, Electro, Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae and Soca
• Club and/or Radio DJs are eligible for this category

West Coast DJ of the Year  (British Columbia, Alberta, & Saskatchewan *not including Vancouver)

Nominees will be chosen by the public on-line and by a nationally selected Stylus committee with experienced knowledge in this genre. This category is not a National award. There will be six (6) nominees for this category

To be eligible for this category:

• DJs must be based out of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan
• All genres of club music is eligible including but not limited to Dance, Pop, House, Electro, Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae and Soca
• Club and/or Radio DJs are eligible for this category
• DJs based in Vancouver are not eligible for this category

Central DJ of the Year  (Manitoba, Ontario, & Quebec * not including Montreal and Toronto)

Nominees will be chosen by the public on-line and by a nationally selected Stylus committee with experienced knowledge in this genre. This category is not a National award. There will be six (6) nominees for this category

To be eligible for this category:

• DJs must be based out of Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec
• All genres of club music is eligible including but not limited to Dance, Pop, House, Electro, Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae and Soca
• Club and/or Radio DJs are eligible for this category
• DJs based in Toronto and Montreal are not eligible for this category

House DJ of the Year

Nominees will be chosen by the public on-line and by a nationally selected Stylus committee with experienced knowledge in this genre. This category is a National award. This award will be presented to the best Canadian House DJ. There will be six (6) nominees for this category

To be eligible for this category:

• The DJ MUST play eighty (80) percent or more of House Music including Underground, Soulful, Disco Loops, Garage, Euro, & Tribal in the majority of their gigs.
• Radio and/or & Club DJs will be eligible for this award.
• Those that play a minimum of one House Music set will not be eligible for this Award.

Club Dance DJ of the Year

Nominees will be chosen by the public on-line and by a nationally selected Stylus committee with experienced knowledge in this genre. This category is a National award. This award will be presented to the best Canadian Dance/Club DJ. There will be six (6) nominees for this category.

To be eligible for this category:

• The DJ MUST play eighty (80) percent or more of Dance/Pop music including Top 40 Dance, Urban, Progressive, & Electro music in the majority of their gigs.
• Only club DJs will be eligible for this award.
• Those that play a minimum of one TOP 40 “style” set will not be eligible for this Award.

Underground Hip Hop DJ of the Year

Nominees will be chosen by the public on-line and by a nationally selected Stylus committee with experienced knowledge in this genre. This category is a National award. This award will be presented to Canada’s favourite Underground Hip Hop DJ. There will be six (6) nominees for this category

To be eligible for this category:

• The DJ MUST play eighty (80) percent or more of Underground/Independent/Canadian Hip Hop music in the majority of their gigs.
• Those that play a minimum of one Underground Hip Hop set will not be eligible for this Award.
• Club, Radio and Mixtape DJs are eligible for this category

Canadian Hip Hop Single of the Year

This category will be submission based. Nominees will be chosen by a nationally selected Stylus committee.

This category is a National award. This award will be presented to the artist for Canadian Hip Hop Single. There will be eight (8) nominated Artists for this category. Winners will be chosen online during the 2012 Stylus Awards voting period

To be eligible for this category:

• Song must have been released between February 1st 2011 – January 9th 2012
• Song must be an actual released single (i.e. no album cuts are eligible) to radio or available for purchase
• Song must fit into a traditional “Hip Hop” genre (to be determined by committee)
• Only one submission is eligible per artist (does not include features)

Canadian R&B Single of the Year

This category will be submission based. Nominees will be chosen by a nationally selected Stylus committee.

This category is a National award. This award will be presented to the artist for Canadian R&B Single. There will be eight (8) nominated Artists for this category. Winners will be chosen online during the 2012 Stylus Awards voting period

To be eligible for this category:

Song must have been released between February 1st 2011 – January 9th 2012

• Song must be an actual released single (i.e. no album cuts are eligible) to radio or available for purchase
• Song must fit into a traditional “R&B” genre (to be determined by committee)
• Only one submission is eligible per artist (does not include features)

Canadian Producer of the Year

This category will be submission based. Nominees will be chosen by a nationally selected Stylus committee. This category is a National award. This award will be presented for the best Canadian Produced single. There will be six (6) nominated singles for this category. Winners will be chosen online during the 2012 Stylus Awards voting period

To be eligible for this category:

• Song can be performed by a Canadian or International artist but MUST feature a Canadian producer and/or beat.
• Single must have been released between February 1st 2011 – January 9th 2012
• The song must be a released single and have received radio airplay. Album cuts not released as singles are NOT eligible
• Producer in this category is defined as a person who a) worked with the artist to create a song and was present in the studio for the recording session b) provided a pre-produced instrumental track for an artist to record his/her vocals over the track, and/or with fifty (50) percent or more contribution.

DJ Remix of the Year

This category will be submission based. Nominees will be chosen by a nationally selected Stylus committee. This category is a National award. This award will be presented to a DJ for their remix. There will be six (6) nominated DJs for this category

Winners will be chosen online during the 2012 Stylus Awards voting period

To be eligible for this category:

• Remix must have been released between February 1st 2011 – January 9th 2012
• Please note this award will be presented to the DJ featured on the remix and not the artist
• White labels and Bootlegs are eligible for this category

Video DJ of the Year

Nominees will be chosen by the public on-line and by a nationally selected Stylus committee with experienced  knowledge in this genre.  This category is a National Award.  The category will be presented to Canada’s best video DJ.  There will be six (6) nominated DJs for this category.

To be eligible for this category:

• The DJ MUST play fifty (50) percent or more of  videos in the majority of their gigs.
• Radio and/or & Club DJs will be eligible for this award.
• All genres of club music DJs are eligible including but not limited to Dance, Pop, House, Electro, Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae, & Soca.

Electro DJ of the Year

Nominees will be chosen by the public on-line and by a nationally selected Stylus committee with experienced knowledge in this genre. This category is a National award. This award will be presented to the best Canadian Electro DJ. There will be six (6) nominees for this category

To be eligible for this category:

• The DJ MUST play eighty (80) percent or more of Electro style music in the majority of their gigs.
• Radio and/or & Club DJs will be eligible for this award.
• Those that play a minimum of one Electro set will not be eligible for this Award.

Artist Mixtape of the Year

This category will be submission based. Nominees will be chosen by a nationally selected Stylus committee. This category is a National category. This award will be presented to the artist for their Mixtape. There will be six (6) nominated Artists for this category. Winners will be chosen online during the 2012 Stylus Awards voting period

To be eligible for this category:

• Mixtape must have been released between February 1st 2011 – January 9th 2012
• Mixtape must include full artwork and tracklisting
• Tribute (aka “Best of”) mixtapes are not eligible
• Only one submission is eligible per Artist
• Please note this award will be presented to the Artist featured on the mixtape and not the DJ

Fan Choice Artist of the Year

This award will be presented to the fan’s top pick for Artist of the Year via online voting. This category is a National category and has limited restrictions to the genre of music played (i.e. Artists can play dance, hip hop, R&B, pop etc.) There will be eight (8) nominated Artists for this category. Winners will be chosen online during the 2012 Stylus Awards voting period

Nominees will be chosen by a nationally selected Stylus committee that will base their votes on the following criteria:

• Released Singles
• National Radio Spins
• Digital Singles and Album Sales
• Popularity amongst fans and industry tastemakers
• Marketing and Promotion Presence

Canadian Dance/Club Single of the Year

This category will be submission based. Nominees will be chosen by a nationally selected Stylus committee. This category is a National award. This award will be presented to the artist for Canadian Dance/Pop Single. There will be eight (8) nominated Artists for this category. Winners will be chosen online during the 2012 Stylus Awards voting period

To be eligible for this category:

• Song must have been released between February 1st 2011 – January 9th 2012
• Song must be an actual released single (i.e. no album cuts are eligible) to radio or available for purchase
• Song must fit into a traditional “Dance/Pop” genre (to be determined by committee)
• Only one submission is eligible per artist (does not include features)

Two Hall of Fame Inductions

**NEW CATEGORY ALERT**

Breakthrough DJ of the Year (formally Rated Next DJ of the Year)

Nominees will be chosen by the public on-line and by a nationally selected Stylus committee with experienced knowledge in this genre. This category is a National award. This award will be presented to a Canadian DJ who has made an impressive breakthrough year. There will be six (6) nominees for this category.

To be eligible for this category:

• DJs must have experience working in clubs and/or radio (not including podcasts/internet radio)
• All genres of club music DJs are eligible including but not limited to Dance, Pop, House, Electro, Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae & Soca
• Club and/or Radio DJs are eligible for this category

Video of the Year

Nominees will be chosen by the public on-line and by a nationally selected Stylus committee with experienced knowledge in this genre. This category is a National award. This award will be presented to the best Director and Artist. There will be six (6) nominated DJs for this category.

To be eligible for this category:

• Video must be by a Canadian Artist
• All genres of club music are eligible including but not limited to Dance, Pop, House, Electro, Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae & Soca