PRESTIGIOUS HAITIAN MUSIC AWARDS (PHMA)
2027 CRITERIA BY CATEGORY
1. CONCERT EVENT OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- Overall quality and success of the concert
- Artistic quality and lineup
- Production and organization
- Audience attendance and engagement
- Venue capacity and suitability
- Promotion and marketing
- Audience experience
- Results and overall impact
Minimum Eligibility:
The event must be a professionally organized concert held during the established eligibility period.
2. DJ OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- DJ performance and technical ability
- Music selection and programming
- Creativity and originality
- Audience engagement
- Consistency of performances
- Contribution to Haitian music
- Professionalism and industry impact
Minimum Eligibility:
The DJ must have been professionally active during the established eligibility period.
3. EP OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- Overall musical quality
- Creativity and originality
- Production quality
- Songwriting and composition
- Vocal/instrumental performance
- Consistency of the project
- Audience and industry impact
Minimum Eligibility:
The EP must contain 3–6 songs and have a duration of approximately 15–30 minutes.
4. FEMALE BACKGROUND VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
(KONPA BANDS ONLY)
Evaluation Criteria:
- Vocal quality
- Harmony and vocal support
- Stage presence
- Consistency
- Professionalism
- Contribution to the band’s sound
- Live performance ability
Minimum Eligibility:
The nominee must perform as a female background vocalist with a Konpa band during the established eligibility period.
5. GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- Vocal and musical excellence
- Quality of Gospel repertoire
- Live performance
- Creativity
- Consistency
- Audience impact
- Contribution to Haitian Gospel music
Minimum Eligibility:
The artist must have demonstrated significant Gospel music activity during the eligibility period.
6. HAITIAN-AMERICAN WRITER OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- Quality of writing
- Creativity and originality
- Cultural contribution
- Influence and impact
- Professional achievement
- Relevance to Haitian-American culture or community
Minimum Eligibility:
The writer must have produced published, produced, or publicly recognized work during the eligibility period.
7. HAITIAN-CANADIAN BAND OF THE YEAR
(MONTREAL)
Evaluation Criteria:
- Musical excellence
- Live performance
- Originality
- Professionalism
- Audience engagement
- Recording/release activity
- Contribution to Montreal’s Haitian music community
Minimum Eligibility:
The band must be based in or primarily active in Montreal and demonstrate significant activity during the eligibility period.
8. HAITIAN-CANADIAN FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
(MONTREAL)
Evaluation Criteria:
- Vocal and artistic performance
- Musical quality
- Creativity
- Live performance
- Audience impact
- Professional achievement
- Contribution to the Haitian-Canadian music community
Minimum Eligibility:
The artist must be based in or primarily active in Montreal and demonstrate significant musical activity during the eligibility period.
9. HAITIAN-CANADIAN MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
(MONTREAL)
Evaluation Criteria:
- Artistic excellence
- Vocal and musical performance
- Creativity
- Live performance
- Audience engagement
- Professional achievement
- Cultural contribution
Minimum Eligibility:
The artist must be based in or primarily active in Montreal and demonstrate significant musical activity during the eligibility period.
10. HAITIAN COMEDIAN OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- Originality
- Creativity
- Humor and entertainment value
- Stage performance
- Audience engagement
- Professionalism
- Cultural relevance
- Overall impact
Minimum Eligibility:
The comedian must have been actively performing or creating comedy during the eligibility period.
11. HAITIAN INSTAGRAM INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- Content quality
- Creativity
- Audience engagement
- Consistency
- Influence
- Haitian cultural contribution
- Positive community impact
Minimum Eligibility:
The nominee must maintain an active Instagram presence and demonstrate meaningful audience engagement during the eligibility period.
12. INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- Artistic excellence
- Contribution to Haitian music
- Collaboration with Haitian artists
- Engagement with Haitian audiences
- Cultural impact
- International influence
Minimum Eligibility:
The artist must have made a significant contribution to Haitian music or culture during the eligibility period.
13. KONPA ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- Musical quality
- Production quality
- Songwriting and composition
- Vocal/instrumental performance
- Consistency of the album
- Creativity
- Cultural and industry impact
Minimum Eligibility:
The project must contain at least 7 songs, have a minimum duration of 30 minutes, and at least 50% of the songs must be Konpa.
14. KONPA ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- Vocal performance
- Musical excellence
- Live performance
- Creativity
- Consistency
- Audience impact
- Contribution to Konpa music
Minimum Eligibility:
The artist must have at least 3 Konpa songs on an eligible project released during the established eligibility period.
15. KONPA BAND OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- Musical excellence
- Live performance
- Vocal and instrumental quality
- Stage presence
- Consistency
- Creativity
- Audience engagement
- Overall contribution to Konpa
Minimum Eligibility:
The band must demonstrate significant professional activity during the eligibility period.
16. KONPA MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- Direction
- Cinematography
- Storytelling
- Creativity
- Editing
- Visual production
- Artistic vision
- Overall impact
Minimum Eligibility:
The video must accompany an eligible Konpa song released during the eligibility period. The original criteria specifically prioritize the artistic work of the video director.
17. LIVE KONPA MUSIC OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- Live musicianship
- Vocal performance
- Musical arrangement
- Sound quality
- Stage presence
- Audience engagement
- Overall live experience
Minimum Eligibility:
The performance must have taken place during the established eligibility period and qualify as a live Konpa musical performance.
18. MUSIC COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- Quality of collaboration
- Vocal or musical interaction
- Creativity
- Chemistry between artists
- Production quality
- Audience and industry impact
Minimum Eligibility:
The collaboration must include at least two artists exchanging vocal performances. Under the original criteria, the artists must not belong to the same musical group.
19. MUSIC OF THE YEAR – KONPA
Evaluation Criteria:
- Musical quality
- Vocal/instrumental performance
- Songwriting
- Production
- Creativity
- Originality
- Audience impact
- Overall contribution to Konpa
Minimum Eligibility:
The song must be a Konpa song released during the established eligibility period.
20. PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR – ARTIST
Evaluation Criteria:
- Quality of live performances
- Number and consistency of performances
- Audience attendance
- Stage presence
- Professionalism
- Promoter satisfaction
- Performance impact
Minimum Eligibility:
- Minimum 12 performances during the eligibility period
- Performances at balls, festivals, or special events
- At least one event as the main/featured artist
- Notable performances at venues accommodating more than 1,000 people
- Free events do not qualify
21. PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR – BAND
Evaluation Criteria:
- Musical performance
- Stage presence
- Consistency
- Audience engagement
- Professionalism
- Promoter satisfaction
- Overall performance impact
Minimum Eligibility:
- Minimum 12 performances
- Performances at balls, festivals, or special events
- At least one event as the main/featured band
- Notable performances at venues accommodating more than 1,000 people
- Free events do not qualify
22. RAP KREYÒL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- Lyrics and songwriting
- Flow and delivery
- Production
- Creativity
- Originality
- Consistency
- Cultural impact
- Overall project quality
Minimum Eligibility:
At least 7 songs, minimum 30-minute duration, with at least 50% Rap Kreyòl.
23. RAP KREYÒL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- Rap performance
- Lyricism
- Flow and delivery
- Creativity
- Originality
- Live performance
- Audience impact
- Contribution to Rap Kreyòl
Minimum Eligibility:
At least 3 Rap Kreyòl songs, or an eligible Rap Kreyòl EP or album, released during the eligibility period.
24. RAP KREYÒL MUSIC OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- Lyrics
- Flow and delivery
- Production
- Creativity
- Originality
- Cultural relevance
- Audience impact
Minimum Eligibility:
The song must qualify as Rap Kreyòl and must have been officially released during the eligibility period.
25. RAP KREYÒL MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- Direction
- Cinematography
- Storytelling
- Creativity
- Editing
- Visual quality
- Artistic vision
- Overall impact
Minimum Eligibility:
The video must accompany an eligible Rap Kreyòl song released during the eligibility period.
26. RISING & EMERGING HAITIAN SOLO ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- Emerging talent
- Artistic potential
- Creativity
- Musical quality
- Audience growth
- Professional development
- Originality
- Industry potential
Minimum Eligibility:
The nominee must be an emerging Haitian solo artist with meaningful musical activity during the eligibility period.
27. SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- Competitive achievement
- Athletic performance
- Championships or awards
- Records and milestones
- Consistency
- Professionalism
- Overall impact
Minimum Eligibility:
The athlete must have achieved notable competitive or professional accomplishments during the eligibility period.
28. SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- Competitive achievement
- Athletic performance
- Championships or awards
- Records and milestones
- Consistency
- Professionalism
- Overall impact
Minimum Eligibility:
The athlete must have achieved notable competitive or professional accomplishments during the eligibility period.
29. VARIETY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- Musical quality
- Songwriting
- Production
- Creativity
- Vocal/instrumental performance
- Consistency
- Audience impact
Minimum Eligibility:
At least 7 songs, minimum 30-minute duration, with at least 50% Variety music.
30. VARIETY MUSIC OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- Musical quality
- Creativity
- Originality
- Production
- Performance
- Songwriting
- Audience impact
Minimum Eligibility:
The song must be Variety music and must not be primarily classified as Konpa or Rap.
31. VARIETY MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- Direction
- Cinematography
- Storytelling
- Creativity
- Editing
- Production quality
- Artistic vision
Minimum Eligibility:
The video must accompany an eligible Variety song. The artistic work of the video director is a primary consideration.
32. VARIETY SOLO ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Evaluation Criteria:
- Artistic performance
- Vocal quality
- Creativity
- Originality
- Live performance
- Consistency
- Audience impact
Minimum Eligibility:
The artist must have at least 3 Variety songs, an eligible EP, or an eligible Variety album released during the eligibility period.
33. WEB & TRADITIONAL RADIO PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
(USA / CANADA / PARIS / HAITI)
Evaluation Criteria:
- Broadcasting excellence
- Communication skills
- Audience engagement
- Consistency
- Professionalism
- Influence
- Promotion of Haitian music
- Contribution to Haitian culture
- Digital and traditional media impact
Minimum Eligibility:
The nominee must have been active in traditional radio, web radio, podcasting, or digital media and must serve audiences in the USA, Canada, Paris, or Haiti during the eligibility period.
RECOMMENDED JUDGING FRAMEWORK
To make the PHMA judging process more professional and consistent, judges score eligible nominees using a 100-point system:
| Evaluation Area | Points |
|---|---|
| Artistic / Professional Excellence | 25 |
| Quality & Creativity | 20 |
| Impact & Influence | 20 |
| Consistency & Achievement | 15 |
| Audience Engagement | 10 |
| Cultural Contribution | 10 |
| TOTAL | 100 |
Important: Category-specific eligibility requirements must be satisfied before a submission can be evaluated. A high score cannot compensate for failure to meet the minimum eligibility requirements.
PHMA may adjust the weighting for specialized categories when necessary.