The WORLD MUSIC AWARDS honours the best-selling recording artists from every continent. The WORLD MUSIC AWARDS are presented on sales merit and voted by the public on the internet. There is no jury involved and the Awards truly reflect the most popular artists as they are determined by the actual fans who vote and buy the records. The national member groups of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) provide the organization with the names of the best-selling artists from the major territories. The world's best-selling recording-artists in each category are determined by a thorough enquiry conducted by the organization which includes sales figures and record certifications in 2012. Awards for World's Best Male Artist, Best Female, Best Group, Best Electronic Dance Music Artist, Best Entertainer of the Year, Best Live Act, Best Song, Best Album and Best Video are voted online by the general public.
The DIAMOND AWARD is presented to those select top-selling artists who have sold over 100 million Albums during their career. It is not presented every year. H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco presented the very first Diamond Awardto Rod Stewart at the 2002 World Music Awardsin Monte-Carlo and to Mariah Carey in 2003. Celine Dion received this prestigious award from the Oscar winning actor Michael Douglas at the 2004WMAs in the Thomas & Mac Arena in Las Vegas. Bon Jovi received the Award from Melissa Etheridge at the 2005 WMAs in the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. Beyoncé presented the same Award to Michael Jackson at the 2006 WMAs in Earl's Court London on his last public appearance on TV and Ringo Starr accepted it on behalf of the Beatles at the 2008 WMAs in Monte-Carlo. The Award was presented to Ringo by John Kennedy, CEO of the International Federation of the Phonographic industry.
The LEGEND AWARD was created to honour top recording artists who have made outstanding contributions to the Music Industry. Past recipients include Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Prince, Janet Jackson, Celine Dion, Carlos Santana, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Ray Charles, Barry White, Elton John, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Cher, the Bee Gees, INXS, Julio iglesias, David Bowie, George Benson, Chris Deburgh, Cliff Richard, Status Quo, Deep Purple, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Tony Bennett, Gloria Gaynor, Chaka Khan and Patti Labelle. Two Music Industry Executives and Producers were given this Award for their outstanding contribution to the Industry. The late Whitney Houston presented it to Clive Davis, the founder of Arista and J Records, at the 2004 WMAs in Las Vegas and Mariah Carey received it on behalf of L.A. Reid, Co-Founder of Laface Records, at the 2008 WMAs in Monte-Carlo.
The WORLD MUSIC AWARDS is the most exciting music ceremony and receives incredible media interest from around the planet. Since its inception in 1989 it has continuously pulled in a stellar line-up. The WORLD MUSIC AWARDS has also been instrumental in helping many upcoming artists achieve global success. It puts artists in front of a huge global TV audience and is beamed to 180 countries reaching a billion viewers.
