# Malta Music Awards

Malta Music Awards (MMA) is an annual music awards ceremony held since October 20, 1995, and organised by Mega Music Malta in collaboration with Public Broadcasting Services and Magic Malta. The aims of the Malta Music Awards include promotion of local artists and awarding their achievements during the previous year, honouring artists for their contributions towards local music throughout their life-long careers, encouraging new talent, promoting of Maltese music, helping artists to better their standards, honouring Maltese artists for achieving international success, supporting local talent generally, showcasing local talent to help its growth and achieving international success, and increasing the public's interest in the local music industry.
Notable local singers, bands, authors, and composers who have won awards at these ceremonies include Chiara, Debbie Scerri, Emma Muscat, Fabrizio Faniello, Freddie Portelli, Ira Losco, Mary Spiteri, Olivia Lewis, Philip Vella, Red Electric, The Travellers, and Winter Moods.

## Categories

Award categories of the Malta Music Awards have changed over the years and have included:
* Best Album
* Best Album in Maltese
* Best Alternative
* Best Author
* Best Band
* Best C.D.
* Best C.D. Compilation
* Best C.D. in Maltese
* Best C.D. Sleeve
* Best Composer
* Best Dance
* Best Female Singer
* Best Group
* Best Hip Hop/RN'B
* Best Lyrics
* Best Male Singer
* Best Maltese Lyrics
* Best Metal
* Best Newcomer
* Best Recording Engineer
* Best Solo
* Best Song
* Best Song in Maltese
* Best Song Writer
* Best Video
* Career in Music Recognition
* Breakthrough Artist Award
* Classical Music Award
* International Award
* Life Achievement Award
* Most Promising Artist

## Ceremonies
### Malta Music Awards 1995

The first edition of the Malta Music Award was held on October 20, 1995, at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.
| Category | Winners | Other Nominees |
| Best Male Singer | Alex Schembri | Enzo Guzman Mike Spiteri Mark Tonna |
| Best Female Singer | Mary Spiteri | Miriam Christine Borg Georgina Claudette Pace |
| Best Group | The Characters | Limestone Kick Lord Adder X-Tend |
| Best CD | The Truth - The Characters | A Million A Day – Limestone Kick Għal Dejjem – Freddie Portelli Roses, Stars, and Love Songs - Mike Spiteri |
| Best Composer | Ray Agius | Paul Abela Dominic Galea Philip Vella |
| Best Author | Joe Friggieri | Charles Flores Ray Mahoney Alfred Sant |
| Best CD Sleeve | The Truth - The Characters | A Million a Day – Limestone Kick Bigfoot – T.F.M. Il-Bużnanna – Joe James Woman – Alex Schembri |
| Best Recording Engineer | David Vella | Charles Dalli Robert Longo Philip Vella |
| Best Newcomer | Miriam Christine Borg | Tarcisio Barbara Mark Tonna Debbie Scerri |
| Best Compilation | Għanja tal-Poplu: L-20 Edizzjoni - YTC | Festival Song For Europe '95 Merħba – Victor Fenech Eruption – Storm Records |
| Best Maltese Lyrics | Le - Lyrics by Walter Micallef | Ismagħni Ftit Ħabib – Lyrics by Sunny Aquilina Pajjiż tal-Mickey Mouse – Lyrics by Martin Attard X'Jimpurtani – Lyrics by F. F. Caruana |
| Best CD in Maltese | Għal Dejjem - Freddie Portelli | Għanja Ġdida – Fr David X'Għandna mid-Dinja – The Greenfields X'Sar Mill-Ħolm – Tony Camilleri |
| Best Image | Mary Spiteri | Alex Schembri Joe Brown X-Tend |
| Life Achievement Awards | Oreste Chircop Alfred Mizzi Paul Arnaud | |
| International Awards | Baby D Mark Storace Krojus | |
| Appreciation towards the most active musician | Joe Brown | George Curmi Carmine Lauri |

### Malta Music Awards 1996

| Category | Winners |
| Best Male Singer | Mike Spiteri |
| Best Female Singer | Debbie Scerri |
| Best Band | Limestone Kick |
| Best CD | Passport - Alfred Rapa |
| Best CD Compilation | Burdati - Alfred C. Sant |
| Best CD in Maltese | Burdati - Alfred C. Sant |
| Best Recording Engineer | Robert Longo |
| Best Maltese Lyrics | L-Iljieli Sbieħ li Għaddew - Joe Friggieri |
| Best Composer | Paul Abela |
| Best Author | Alfred C. Sant |
| Best CD Sleeve | All About Yourself |
| Classical Music Award | Mro. Joe Vella |
| Life Achievement Award | Paul Asciak Oscar Lucas |
| International Achievement Award | Miriam Gauci |

### Malta Music Awards 1997

The 1997 Malta Music Awards were held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.
| Category | Winners |
| Best Newcomer | Leontine |
| Best CD | Power Play – X-Tend |
| Best CD Compilation | Home Made Jams |
| Best Lyrics | It-Teatru – Enzo Gusman |
| Best CD Sleeve | Home Made Jams - Matthew Mangion |
| Best Male Singer | Alfred Rapa |
| Best Female Singer | Debbie Scerri |
| Best Band | Winter Moods |
| Best Author | Ray Mahoney |
| Best CD in Maltese | Ward Aħmar Għal Ommi – Alfred Rapa |
| Best Recording Engineer | Philip Vella |
| Best Composer | Ray Agius |
| Classical Music Award | Carmine Lauri (Violin) |
| International Award | Sharleen Spiteri (Texas) |

### Malta Music Awards 1998

The 1998 Malta Music Awards were held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre on the 23rd of October.
| Category | Winners |
| Best Male Singer | Fabrizio Faniello |
| Best Female Singer | Chiara |
| Best Group | Characters |
| Best C.D. | Rockomotive – Blade |
| Best C.D. Compilation | Song for Europe |
| Best C.D. in Maltese | Kuntrasti – New Chapter |
| Best Video | Rain |
| Best Composer | Ray Agius |
| Best Author | Mario Fenech Caruana |
| Best Recording Engineer | David Vella-Howard |
| Best Maltese Lyrics | Kuntrasti – Josef Delicata |
| Best C.D. Sleeve | Rockomotive – Blade (Ian Buhagiar) |
| Most Promising Artist | Olivia Lewis |
| Classical Music Award | Simon Schembri |

### Malta Music Awards 1999

The Malta Music Awards 1999 were held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.

### Malta Music Awards 2001

The Malta Music Awards 2001 were held on October 20 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.
| Category | Winners |
| Best Male | Fabrizio Faniello |
| Best Female | Ira Losco |
| Best Band | Winter Moods |
| Most Promising Artist | Glen Vella |
| CD Album | Winter Moods |
| CD in Maltese | Enzo Gusman |
| Best Author | Philip Vella |
| Best Composer | Dominic Galea |
| Special Recognition | Etnika |

### Malta Music Awards 2003

The 2003 edition of the Malta Music Awards was held on October 20 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.
| Category | Winners |
| Best Male | Fabrizio Faniello |
| Best Female | Ira Losco |
| Best Album | Butterfly House – Winter Moods |
| Best Club DJ | Ruby |
| Best Hip Hop / RnB | Hooligan |
| Best Video | This Year's Love – Beangrowers |
| Best Album Producer | David Vella for the album SCAR |
| Best Single | Room 7 – Scream Daisy |
| Best Upcoming Club DJ | Konrad SK |
| Best Dance Producers | Kashmir |
| Best heavy Rock Band | Forsaken |
| Best Artist Image | Ira Losco |
| Best Newcomer | Hooligan |
| Best Band | Winter Moods |
| Best Sleeve Artwork | Perfect Existence – Sigo |
| Best Live Band | Scream Daisy |
| Best Fan Award | Maria Azzopardi |
| Best Artist's Website | www.mattfenech.com |

### Malta Music Awards 2007

The Malta Music Awards 2007 were held on October 20 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.
| Category | Winners |
| Best CD Cover | Chasing Pandora |
| Best Hip Hop/R n' B Artist | Sixth Sinfoni |
| Best Song Writer | Ivan Grech |
| Best Artist Website | Chasing Pandora |
| Lifetime Achievement | George Curmi |
| Best Dance Production | Toby |
| Best Artist Image | Chasing Pandora |
| MTA Presentation of Best Local Export | Ira Losco |
| Best Female Artist | Ira Losco |
| Vodafone Ringtone Award | Winter Moods |
| International Achievement Award | Joseph Calleja |
| Best Song | Marigold – Winter Moods |
| Best Newcomer | Tribalai |
| Best Video | Pretty – Scream Daisy |
| Best Male Artist | Ivan Filletti |
| Best Band | Winter Moods |
| Best Album | Accident Prone – Ira Losco |

### Malta Music Awards 2008

The Malta Music Awards 2008 were held on October 20 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.
| Category | Winners |
| Best Image | Niki Gravino |
| Best Song | Niki Gravino |
| Best CD Cover | Niki Gravino |
| Best Songwriter | Niki Gravino |
| Best Album | Ira Losco |
| Best Male Artist | Niki Gravino |
| Best Female Artist | Ira Losco |
| Best Band | Winter Moods |
| Best Local Export | Beangrowers |
| Best Video | Beangrowers |
| Best Hip Hop & R/B | Cristabelle |
| Best New Artist | Airport Impressions |
| Best Dance Production | Tenishia |
| Legends Award | Winter Moods |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Mary Spiteri |

### Malta Music Awards 2009

The 2009 edition of the Malta Music Awards was held at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre on December 5.
| Category | Winners |
| Best Band | Tribali |
| Best Male | Kevin Borg |
| Best Female | Carrie Haber |
| Best Album | The Elephants of Lanka – Tribali |
| Best CD Cover | The Elephants of Lanka – Tribali |
| Best Artist Website | www.iralosco.com – Ira Losco |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Freddie Portelli |
| International Lifetime Achievement Award | Robin Gibb |
| Recognition Award | Mike Reed |
| Best New Artist | Red Electrick |
| Best Song | Borderline – Airport Impressions |
| Best Song Writer | Carrie Haber |
| Best Video | Lucija u Samuel – No Bling Show |
| Best Artist Image | Tribali |
| Best Dance Production | Marigold – Tenishia vs Winter Moods |
| Best Hip Hop/R n' B | No Bling Show |
| Best Heavy Metal Band | Forsaken |

### Malta Music Awards 2010

The Malta Music Awards of 2010 were held on November 27 at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre. This edition marked 15 years since the first edition of the Awards.
| Category | Winners | Other Nominees |
| Best Dance Production | Stranger to myself - Tenishia ft Aneym | Winter Moods – Tenishia remix Making you mine – Jo Micali feat U-Bahn & Chess Under the water – Joseph Armani ft. Eugiene Nois |
| Best Video | Who the heck is Rek? - Red Electrick | Walk with me – Airport impressions My Neverland – Wintermoods Tears in your eyes - K.O.I |
| Best Heavy Metal Band | Nomad son | Loathe Frenzy Mono Memento Nostri |
| Best New Artist | Mikaela | For strings Inn K.O.I Dolls for idols |
| Best Male Artist | Aaron Benjamin | Glen Vella Thomas Hedley Muxu |
| Best Image | Chasing Pandora | Stolen Creep Indigo Red Electrick |
| Best Female Artist | Kristina Casolani | Mikaela Eleanor Cassar Claudia Faniello |
| Best Hip Hop / R&B Artist | Dimal ft Madee | Kristina Casolani Thea Muxu |
| Best CD Cover | O.B.E - Frenzy Mono | These are the roots – Indigo O.B.E – Frenzy Mono Vine lady – Red Electrick |
| Best Album | Argento - Winter Moods | Breaking Radio silence – Scar Vine Lady – Red Electrick The Driver and the dance – Chasing Pandora |
| Best Songwriter | Ivan Grech | Chasing Pandora Airport Impressions Red Electrick |
| Best Website | www.mementonostri.com - Memento Nostri | www.claudiafaniello.com – Claudia Faniello www.aaronbenjamin.co.uk – Aaron Benjamin www.eleanorcassar.com – Eleanor Cassar |
| Best Band | Winter Moods | Chasing Pandora Red Electrick Airport Impressions |
| Best Song | My Neverland - Winter Moods | Walk with me – Airport Impressions Preety Rival – Ellie & the Oscars Who the heck is Rek? – Red Electrick |

### Malta Music Awards 2011

The 2011 Malta Music Awards were held on November 26 at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre.
| Category | Winners |
| Best Artist Image | No Snow No Alps |
| Best Website | www.airportimpressions.com – Airport Impressions |
| Best Heavy Metal Band | Beheaded |
| International Achievement | Marty Rivers |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Charles Gatt |
| Best New Artist | Cruz |
| Best Male Artist | Ivan Filletti |
| Best CD Cover | Romantik Politik – No Snow No Alps |
| Dance Productions Recognition | Jewel Kid |
| Best Video | One Life – Glen Vella |
| Best Upcoming Artists | Dry Connections |
| Best Female Artist | Mikaela |
| Best Album | Airport Impressions |
| International lifetime Achievement | Billy Ocean |
| Best Band | Airport Impressions |
| Malta's Export Artist Recognition | Mikaela |
| International Breakthrough | Tenishia |
| Best Song | Freedom – Airport Impressions |

### Malta Music Awards 2012

The 2012 edition of the Awards was planned for November 24 at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre in Ta’ Qali.

### Malta Music Awards 2013

This edition of the MMA was held at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre on February 3.
| Category | Winners | Other nominees |
| Best Solo Artist | Brooke | Aaron Benjamin Hooligan Muxu |
| Best Band | Red Electrick | Bletchley Park Scar Tribali |
| Best Song | Paul - Red Electrick | Our Time – 3 Artists Tight Red Dress – Bletchley Park Fairytale – Brooke What I’d Give – Ira Losco |
| Best Album | The Traveller - Tribali | My Body Fighting – Bletchley Park Unplugged Sessions – Red Electrick Grandiloquence – Stalko |
| Best HipHop/RnB Artist | Hooligan | DK & Bobby Muxu Sempliciment Tat-Triq |
| Best New Artist | Stalko | Cryptic Street FellowFish Planet Seed |
| Best Video | What I’d Give - Ira Losco | Fairytale – Brooke This is the Night – Kurt Calleja So Over – The Shh |
| Best Metal Band | Beheaded | Insurgence Myopic Destiny Weeping Silence |
| Career Recognition Award | Duo Blank | |
| International Achievement Award | Gaia Cauchi | |
| Kompetizzjoni Aġenzija Żgħażagħ | Ylenia Vella | |

### Malta Music Awards 2014

The 2014 ceremony was held at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre on 9 February.
| Category | Winners | Other nominees |
| Best Solo Artist | Ira Losco | Chess Gianluca Lyndsay |
| Best Band | Red Electrick | Airport Impressions NoSnow/NoAlps The Crowns |
| Best Song | The Runaway – Red Electrick | Daphne – Lyndsay Hymns of June – Airport Impressions Me Luv U Long Time – Ira Losco Start the Revolution – The Rifffs |
| Best Album | The Fire – Ira Losco | All Things with Love – The Shh Someone Else – The Crowns Summer Lovers – Skimmed |
| Best New Artist | PlanZero | Andi Maxine Pace Norbert |
| Best Video | Me Luv U Long Time – Ira Losco | Hymns of June – Airport Impressions Marija s-Sabiħa – No Bling Show Tomorrow – Gianluca The Runaway – Red Electrick |
| International Achievement Award | Gaia Cauchi | |
| Recognition Award | Gillian Attard | |

### Malta Music Awards 2020

The 2020 edition of the Malta Music Awards marked twenty five years of award shows. The ceremony was held at The Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre on 7th March 2020.
| Category | Winners | Other nominees |
| Best Song (Listeners Choice Award) | Iljuni Fis-Silġ - The Travellers | Hey Now – Ira Losco Ft. Owen Leuellen Don’t Let The Sun Go Down – Toby Ft. Matthew James Idwk – Kevin Paul Chameleon – Michela Still Got Fight – The New Victorians Dive In – Red Electric Cannonball – Ira Losco Ft. Michela Why Should I? – Gaia High – Matthew James |
| Best Band | Red Electric | Airport Impressions The Crowns The Travellers |
| Best Solo | Ira Losco | Amber Ivan Grech Matthew James Sam Christie |
| Best Album | Tragic Optimistic - Red Electric | Blue Tangerine – Blue Tangerine Next In Line – The Crowns We Are – Footprints |
| Breakthrough Artist of the Year | Michela | Gaia Luke Chappell Kevin Paul Vinyl Paradise |
| Best Song in Maltese | Qalu Li Raw - Nadine Axisa | Il-Bir – Djun Int U Jien – Sterjotipi Iljuni Fis-Silġ – The Travellers Nieqaf Ftit – Bernie And Pod |
| Best Metal | Beheaded | Clubmurder Saħħar It Came From The Desert |
| Best Hip Hop/R n' B | Eddie Fresco | Hooli Zac Kapitlu Tlettax |
| Best Dance | Micimago | Where It's Att Joseph Armani Neon Culture |
| Best Song Writer | Corazon | Alexia Baldacchino Miriam Christine Matthew James |
| Best Album in Maltese | Il-Ħoss Tal-Għabex - Nadine Axisa | Qilla Tal-Qrun – Saħħar Għall-Bejgħ – Corazon Il-Ħlas – Djun |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | The Greenfields | No other nominees |
| International Achievement Award | Emma Muscat | No other nominees |
| Career in Music Recognition Award | Toni Sant Ray Mifsud Bonnici | No other nominees |
| Aġenzija Żgħażagħ Award | Maria Debono - Black Out | Mark Ciantar – Whatever Comes Next Maya Morrow – Stop Wasting Your Time Lara Micallef – Sleep |