DJ Awards - History

History

The DJ Awards each year creates an annual theme that translates into all the graphic production of the event. In its first edition in 1998, it was the “Alien Arrival”, recurrent theme due to the nature of the prize (a piece of kryptonite) and his extraterrestrial mascot "Snuffy". In this first year remarkable winners were Erick Morillo for the "house" category, Daft Punk for the Best DJ Band category and Fernandisco for the "Radio DJ" category.

In its second year it was the theme of ¨African Tribal Rhythms¨, as a source of inspiration for music producers. It emphasised the expansion of categories such as "Ambient /Experimental" or "International DJ" and winners such as Pete Tong, Roger Sanchez, Basement Jaxx all picked up their awards. Frankie Knuckles and Joe T. Vanelli were the first winners in the categories of "Outstanding Dedication" and "Outstanding Contribution" respectively.

The year 2000 hosted the third ceremony, this time under the theme of the ¨Mythological Inspiration of the Muses¨ and under new categories, renaming the category formerly known as "Ambient/Experimental" into "Chill Out" due to the increasing flow of productions in this style. Other categories and winners featured that same year were Paul Oakenfold for "Trance", Sven Väth for "Techno" or the song "Lady" by Modjo for the category "Track of the season," amongst others.

In 2001, technological advances happening in the industry did not go unnoticed to the direction of the awards, establishing the theme "Man and Machine" as a starting point. For the second time Erick Morillo won "House DJ" alongside other winners; Mixmaster Morris for "Eclectic" and Carl Cox for "Techno", and Superchumbo the winner in the category for best production.

In 2002, now the fifth edition of the awards, the ¨Vinyl¨ theme was created as a romantic sample of the DJs beginnings, at a time when the CD format was becoming a standard. Amongst the winners in that year were prominent names like Pete Tong for "Outstanding Contribution", Mambo Cafe for "Best Ibiza Bar", "It Just Won’t Do" by Tim Deluxe for "Track of the Season" or Wally Lopez as "Best Newcomer".

In 2003 it was ¨The Essence of the Universe¨, the inspired theme for the sixth edition and winners such as Steve Lawler for "Techhouse/Progressive", Junior Jack & Kid Crème for "Best Newcomer" (also winners for the "Track of the Season" with "E-Samba ") or the crowning of Manumission as the best promoter, which gave a joyful note to this gala.

2004 and ¨The Sense of Man¨ has seen crowning DJs the size of Trevor Nelson for "Urban DJ", Tania Vulcano as "Best Ibiza Resident" and Shapeshifters with their track "Lola's Theme" as "Track of the Season." The gala had started with the opening video of "Made in Dixland: Searching Krypto" realised by the Spanish DJ and producer Nando Dixkontrol, this video worked out to be one of the most memorable images of the ceremony.

In the same spirit and with the video "Made in Dixland: Ibizú" also by Nando Dixkontrol, would begin the ceremony of 2005. A ceremony that celebrated the centenary of the ¨Vacuum Tube¨ creation, one of the first aspects of primary electronics circuits. Ferry Corsten for "Trance", Steve Angello as "Best Newcomer" and Cut Killer for "Hip Hop" were some of the winners featured, with a new Honorary Award being presented to Argentine DJ Alfredo Fiorito for his historic career in the industry, one of the most special moments of that year.

In 2006 ¨Nature¨ broke through as the theme and served as an excuse to reward twice over Bob Sinclar as best House DJ and best song of the year for "World Hold On" together with his vocalist Steve Edwards. Other special moments of that year would be, after three attempts, the "Best Ibiza Resident" to the Australian Sarah Main with the highest votes in history for this category, and also the "Outstanding Contribution" given to Brasilio de Oliveira creator, among other things, of the party "La Troya".

2007 celebrated the tenth anniversary of the awards under the theme of “Time”. Using the graphic reference belonging to the Salvador Dalís painting "The Persistence of Memory", the prizes would be handed to the DJs Cristian Varela for "Techno", Mucho Muchacho for "Urban DJ" as well as David Guetta for "International DJ" amongst others.

The eleventh edition in 2008 celebrated the awards under the slogan "Do not change the climate, change yourself" with David Guetta as Best House DJ, Valentin Huedo as best Ibiza resident and crowning Mark Knight & Funkagenda with the "Track of the Season" for "Man with The Red Face".

In 2009 the twelfth edition of the awards used the theme of ¨Dreams¨ as its subject, once again the French king of DJ David Guetta won the "House" category, Sven Väth for "Techno", Sasha for "Progressive House" and Michel Cleis for his tune "La Mezcla" as "Track of the Season" were some of the winners in a year that has included even more new categories.

For 2010 the chosen theme was ¨Water¨, which urged everyone to join the onedrop organisation. Winners this year included the Swedish House Mafia boys - Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso and Steve Angello for the House category, Deadmau5 picked up best International DJ, International Festival was given to Kazantip amongst many others.

For 2011, the 14th edition of this ceremony, "fire" was the chosen theme, which respresented the "discovery that changed the world". Among the winner were, axwell for "house", for Tech house, Luciano took the award, Deadmau5 for Electro house and Carl Cox for Techno.