The Detroit Music Awards Foundation is a Michigan 501(c)(3) organization, whose mission is to recognize Detroit area musicians working on national, regional, and local levels. The Foundation supports and nurtures the musical community in Detroit and the Detroit metropolitan area to create a network for musicians that cuts across genres and styles.
Initially proposed in 1988, and first presented by the Motor City Music Foundation, the multi-genre awards ceremony was established to bring recognition to Detroit area musicians. The first awards show was held at the Detroit Music Hall, and later moved to the State Theatre, now called The Fillmore Detroit. In 1998, the organization merged with the Metro Times-sponsored Detroit Music Awards to become one organization with one awards show for the Detroit Music community.
Since its inception, the Detroit Music Awards has recognized artists associated with the Detroit music scene, including: Alice Cooper, Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, The Belleville Three, Big Sean, Bob Seger, CeCe Winans, The Clark Sisters, The Detroit Cobras, Diana Ross, Eminem, The Four Tops, George Clinton, Glenn Frey, The Gories, Grand Funk Railroad, Greta Van Fleet, Iggy Pop, Insane Clown Posse, Jack White, J Dilla, Kid Rock, Laith Al-Saadi, Luis Resto, Madonna, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, MC5, Mike Posner, The Miracles, Mitch Ryder, Parliament-Funkadelic, Protomartyr, The Raconteurs, The Romantics, Royce da 5'9", Sixto Rodriguez, Smokey Robinson, The Spinners, Sponge, Stevie Wonder, The Stooges, The Supremes, Suzi Quatro, Taproot, Ted Nugent, The Temptations, Thornetta Davis, Uncle Kracker, The Verve Pipe, Vienna Teng, The Von Bondies, Was (Not Was), and The White Stripes.
Categories Award winners are selected by music industry professionals, with award categories covering the following genres: Americana/Folk/Acoustic Blues Jazz Gospel Country Classical Rock/Pop R&B/Hip-Hop Electronic World
Awards
General Outstanding Anthology/Compilation/Reissue Winners and nominees Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold. YearArtistRef2004Bob Seger2005The Best of the Funk Brothers by The Funk Brothers2006Curtain Call: The Hits by Eminem200720th Century Masters - Millennium Collection: The Best of Iggy Pop by Iggy Pop2008Here, My Dear by Marvin Gaye (Motown/UMe)2009Motown: The Complete Number 1's by Motown/Universal2010Early Seger, Volume 1 by Bob Seger (Hideout Records)2011The Best of Aretha Franklin: Quadrophonic Mix by Aretha Franklin (Rhino Handmade)2012Live Bullet by Bob Seger (Capitol Records)2013Searching for Sugar Man: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Rodriguez (Light in the Attic/Legacy)201450th Anniversary: Singles Collection 1962-1972 by Four Tops (Motown/UMe)2015Revolutionary Action by Scott Morgan (Easy Action)2016Live at the Gold Dollar Vol. III by The White Stripes (Third Man Records)2017Acoustic Recordings 1998–2016 by Jack WhiteLive at the Gold Dollar 9-16-99 by Jack White and the BricksLife, Love and Leaving by The Detroit CobrasLive at the Gold Dollar 11-25-98 by The GoLive From the Gold Dollar Vol. III by The White StripesThe Peel Sessions by The White StripesThe Green Book by TwiztidLive at the Gold Dollar 1-16-98 by Two-Star Tabernacle2018Kick Out the Jams by MC5Live With the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra by Aretha Franklin2 + 2 = ? by Bob SegerHot Coffey in the D: Burnin' at Morey Baker's Showplace Lounge by Dennis CoffeySaturday Night Special by Lyman Woodard OrganizationThe Stooges by The Stooges2019Atlantic Singles Collection 1967/70 by Aretha FranklinHeavy Music: The Complete Cameo Recordings 1966-67 by Bob Seger & the Last HeardOne Night at Morey's 1968 by Dennis CoffeyEarly Recordings: Detroit & Beyond Vol. 1 & Vol 2 by John Lee HookerOut of the Closet by Trash BratsMotor City Gems by WHFR2020Live at Baker's 2006 by Dennis CoffeyStrawberry Cheesecake EP by Algebra MothersAmazing Grace: The Complete Recordings by Aretha FranklinYou're the Man by Marvin GayeMotown: The Complete No. 1'sXX by The White Stripes
Outstanding Live Performance Winners and nominees Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold. YearArtistRef2004Detroit Women In R&B2005Detroit Women2006Detroit Women with Motor City Express2007Brothers Groove2008The Hard Lessons20092010Hot Club of Detroit2011Howling Diablos2012Satori Circus2013The Ruiners2014The Infatuations2015Howling Diablos2016The Infatuations2017Thornetta DavisChrissii KeyCorktown PopesElsie BinxJagged EdgeRio and the Rockabilly RevivalThe SeatbeltsWarhorses2018Jill Jack BandArtificial AgentChrissii KeyRTG Righteous Through GodThe LudditesThe RuinersWarhorses2019Thornetta DavisChrissii KeyGasoline GypsiesKris Kurzawa GroupLaith Al-SaadiMotor City HornsTheatre Bizarre OrchestraWarhorses2020Motor City Josh & The Big 3Buggs Beddow & The Good StuffChrissii KeyCorktown PopesJill JackSean Blackman's In TransitWarhorses
Outstanding Live Sound Technician Winners and nominees Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold. YearArtistRef2004Neil T Sever2005Neil T Sever20062007Donnie Davenport2008Neil T Sever200920102011Peter Jay2012Neil T Sever2013Peter Jay20142015Neil T Sever2016Tom Lubinski2017Peter JayAdam BusuttilBill KozyBryan ReillyC. B. "Craiger" SiasKevin SharpeNeil T SeverPeter Jay2018Neil T SeverAdam BusuttilBill KozyC. B. "Craiger" SiasDave MisevethPeter Jay2019Neil T SeverBill KozyChris PanackiaMikey WooPeter JayRob Muccino2020Kelly TuckerAdam BusuttilBill KozyGlenn PrestonMike CarrPeter Jay
Outstanding Local Record Label Winners and nominees Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold. YearArtistRef2005Time Beach Records2006Mack Avenue Records200720082009No Cover Productions2010Mack Avenue Records201120122013Funky D Records20142015Detroit Music Factory2016Detroit Music Factory2017Funky D RecordsDetroit Techno MilitiaDrum DancerGot The Key RecordsJett Plastic RecordingsM1 RecordsNo Cover ProductionsSmokin' Sled Dog Records2018Detroit Music FactoryDetroit Techno RecordsFunky D RecordsGot The Key RecordsJett Plastic RecordingsSmokin Sleddog Records2019Funky D RecordsDetroit TechnoGot The Key RecordsJett Plastic RecordingsMiddle Finger MusicPlanet E2020Detroit Music FactoryDetroit TechnoFunky D RecordsGot The Key RecordsJett Plastic RecordingsReel II Real
Outstanding National Major Record Label Recording Winners and nominees Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold. YearArtistRef2004The White Stripes2005Encore by Eminem2006A Time to Love by Stevie Wonder2007Face the Promise by Bob Seger2008Rock n Roll Jesus by Kid Rock (Top Dog/Atlantic)2009Consolers of the Lonely by The Raconteurs2010Preliminaries by Iggy Pop (Astrel Works/Virgin)2011Recovery by Eminem (Shady/Aftermath/Interscope)2012Hell: The Sequel by Bad Meets Evil (Shady/Interscope)2013Blunderbuss by Jack White (Third Man/XL)2014The Marshall Mathers LP 2 by Eminem (Shady/Aftermath/Interscope)2015Ride Out by Bob Seger (Capitol)2016First Kiss by Kid Rock (Warner Bros.)2017Post Pop Depression by Iggy PopTwenty88 by Big Sean and Jhené AikoLa Petite Mort or a Conversation with God by King 810Man About Town by Mayer HawthorneAt Night, Alone by Mike Posner2018From the Fires by Greta Van Fleet (Republic)Paranormal by Alice Cooper (earMUSIC)I Knew You When by Bob Seger (Capitol)Let Them Fall in Love by CeCe Winans (PureSprings EMI Gospel)Revival by Eminem (Shady/Aftermath/Interscope/Goliath)Sweet Southern Sugar by Kid Rock (BBR Music Group)2019Anthem of the Peaceful Army by Greta Van FleetMusic Is Life by David McMurrayKamikaze by EminemBoarding House Reach by Jack WhiteI Was Born In Detroit by Mike PosnerAll the Time by The Temptations2020Breadcrumbs by Alice CooperStacked by Kash DollMadame X by MadonnaA Real Good Kid by Mike PosnerKeep Going by Mike PosnerFrom Michigan, With Love by Quinn XCII
Outstanding National Single Winners and nominees Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold. YearArtistRef2004The White Stripes2005"You're My Everything" by Anita Baker2006"Blue Orchid" by The White Stripes2007"Wait for Me" by Bob Seger2008"Icky Thump" by The White Stripes2009"All Summer Long" by Kid Rock2010"Smile" by Uncle Kracker2011"Not Afraid" by Eminem2012"The Walk" by Mayer Hawthorne2013"I'm Shakin'" by Jack White2014"Come in From the Rain" by Sponge2015"Detroit Made" by Bob Seger2016"That Black Bat Licorice" by Jack White2017"The Letter" by Laith Al-Saadi"Bounce Back" by Big Sean"Go (Let Me Save You)" by Citizen Zero"Campaign Speech" by Eminem"Gardenia" by Iggy Pop"You Are the Sunshine of My Life" by Jack White"Love Like That" by Mayer Hawthorne"Tabernackle" by Royce da 5'9""City Lights"/"Love Is the Truth" by The White Stripes/Jack White2018"Highway Tune" by Greta Van Fleet"Paranoiac Personality" by Alice Cooper"Busload of Faith" by Bob Seger"Never Have to Be Alone" by CeCe Winans"Walk on Water" by Eminem"Asshole Blues" by Iggy Pop2019"When the Curtain Falls" by Greta Van Fleet"Finding Out" by Bob Seger"Get Your Shirt" by Iggy Pop & the Underworld"Connected by Love" by Jack White"American Rock 'n' Roll" by Kid Rock"Earned It" by The Temptations2020"Lover, Leaver" by Greta Van Fleet"Freedom Ain't Freel" by Dave McMurray"Pawn Shop Blues" by Eliza Neals"Living With Ghosts" by John 5"Carrie Got Married" by Mike Skill"Help Me Stranger" by The Raconteurs
Outstanding National Small/Independent Record Label Recording Winners and nominees Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold. YearArtistRef2004The Romantics2005Seldom Blues by Alexander Zonjic2006Car Wash by Howling Diablos2007Hot Club of Detroit by Hot Club of Detroit2008Spill At Will by Paradime (Beats At Will)2009George Clinton & his Gangsters of Love by George Clinton (Shanachie)2010The Gentleman Is Back by Johnnie Bassett (Mack Avenue)2011It's About That Time by Hot Club of Detroit (Mack Avenue)2012Dennis Coffey by Dennis Coffey (Strut)2013I Can Make it Happen by Johnnie Bassett (Sly Dog)2014Ready to Die by Iggy Pop & The Stooges (Fat Possum)2015Secret Evil by Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas2016Grab the Next Train EP by Marshall Crenshaw (Red River Entertainment) |- | rowspan="9" align="center" |2017 |- style="background:#B0C4DE" |Acoustic In Idaho by Jack WhiteWanna Go Back to Detroit City by Andre WilliamsState of Mind by Citizen ZeroAtrocity Exhibition by Danny BrownFresh Blood for Tired Vampires by Electric SixThe Diary by J DillaPretending 2 Run by TilesChariot by Victoria Reed2018Sonic Ranch by Whitey Morgan and the 78'sThe Lucky Ones Forget by Craig Brown BandCaptives of the Wine Dark Sea by DisciplineBroke Royalty by Flint EastwoodEnter the Kingdom by Frontier RuckusCold Like War by We Came as Romans2019Things Have Changed by Bettye LaVetteSomething's Happening! A Christmas Album by CeCe WinansThe Handbook (This Is a Coping Mechanism for a Broken Heart) by Flint EastwoodOn the Edge by Frijid PinkDub Encounters by Iggy Pop with Underworld TeatimeIt's Alive by John 52020Free by Iggy PopWhat More by The Detroit CobrasStay Down/Lightning Bird by The Detroit Cobras/Kenny TudrickPawn Shop Blues by Eliza NealsDetroit Breakout by Mitch RyderNo Control by Suzi Quatro
Outstanding Record Producer Winners and nominees Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold. YearArtistRef2004Brian "Roscoe" White2005Martin "Tino" Gross20062007Martin "Tino" Gross2008Nolan Mendenhall2009Al Sutton20102011Martin "Tino" Gross201220132014Al Sutton2015Martin "Tino" Gross2016Martin "Tino" Gross2017Thornetta DavisAl SuttonAndy PatalanBryan ReillyChuck AlkazianDave Feeny"Motor City Josh" FordTony Hamera2018"Motor City Josh" FordAl SuttonChuck AlkazianKevin SharpeMartin "Tino" GrossTony Hamera2019Tony "T-Money" GreenAl SuttonChuck AlkazianDave Feeny"Motor City Josh" FordMartin "Tino" Gross2020Chuck AlkazianBrian "Roscoe" WhiteBryan Reilly"Motor City Josh" FordMartin "Tino" GrossTony "T-Money" Green
Outstanding Recording Studio Winners and nominees Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.