Music Listeners, We Need To Fully Grasp The Cultural Knowledge Embedded In International Music Award Shows
Watching these shows isn’t just entertaining, it’s educational
I was watching the 2024 Latin American Music Awards the other day for the first time. From the sheer number of hosts (4) to the exquisite live performances, I was amazed by both its distinct cultural identity and similarity to the North American version. Over the years, I have tried to expose myself to numerous cultures through music award shows from around the world. They have positively impacted my view on countless genres and styles of music and have made me culturally sensitive as a result.
For instance, after watching the Latin American Music Awards the other night, I spent a good amount of time exploring Noel Schjaris’ sincere brand on Latin pop music. I also spent some time exploring the rich and eclectic music history of Venezuela and Mexico because those were the countries of origin for the recipients of the Latin AMA’s Legacy Award.
American music lovers have dozens of music award shows to choose from in just one year. If they want more prestige, they have the Grammys. They have the Billboard Music Awards if they wish to have more pop culture fun. If they want more soul, they have the Soul Train Music Awards.
The options are endless.
However, what if I told you those award shows were just the tip of the iceberg? What if I told you there is nearly a different award show for each country around the world? Pick a genre — any genre — and I’ll bet I can find a few award shows outside the United States that highlight said genre. Even better, I promise that there are dozens of awards shows worldwide that celebrate the work of artists you never even heard of.
From the Far East to Latin America, award shows exist to showcase the community built through the music people know and love. Some award shows are grander than others; some are still new and growing. Both award shows are worth checking out because of what they say about the fans who enjoy that music and the culture they represent to the rest of the world.
I’ve lived in several countries and enjoyed watching international award shows. They were a crucial part of my assimilation process and helped me understand the culture and people around me. I hope by the end of this piece, you are motivated to try watching and appreciating some new music award shows as well.
In this educational music piece, we will explore several international award shows and identify the specific benefits watching these shows will bring to your life. For your reference, I outlined the article below:
International Award Shows: In this section, I discuss five international music award shows. I summarize the show’s history for each award show and identify three of my favorite award show moments.
Why You Should Start Watching International Award Shows: In this section, I highlight five huge benefits of watching international award shows.
Witness The Soundtrack To People’s Lives Around The World: To close out the piece, I summarize the article and describe the additional gifts these award shows have given me in my life.
International Award Shows
International Award Show #1: Juno Awards
Summary Of The Award Show
The Juno Awards is a Canadian award show that results from conversations record label owner Sten Klees had with RPM (Canadian music magazine) founder Walt Grealis. Presented by The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and containing a Canadian Hall of Fame award ceremony, the Juno Awards is a prestigious and elite music ceremony.
Many people in Canada compare it to the Grammys for their southern neighborhoods to best understand. Since 1970, the awards show has had endless historic music moments that have made the entire country proud. It’s an easy show to jump into from an American point of view because it has a similar structure to the American music award shows.
My Favorite All-Time Highlights From The Award Show
Maestro Fresh Wes’s acceptance into the Canadian Hall of Fame induction — Maestro was the first Juno rap award recipient way back in 1990 for his album Symphony in Effect. Over thirty years later, he got to play many of his classic hits and give an energetic award speech, thanking those who helped and inspired him along the way.
Bryan Adams and Tina Turner Team Perform “It’s Only Love” — In 1985, the two rock titans joined forces to perform a spectacular rendition of their hit single. Their chemistry on stage was electric, and their passion elevated the song to new heights. In rock and roll, it doesn’t get much better than this.
K.D. Lang performs “Hallelujah” barefoot — K.D. Lang performed the legendary gospel tune Hallelujah beautifully and masterfully at the 2005 Juno Awards. You can hear a pin drop from the moment Lang opened. The crowd admired the singer in patient appreciation as she performed with gorgeous poise and stunning vocal control. Prepare to have your breath blown away when you watch this performance.
International Award Show #2: MAMA Awards
Summary Of The Award Show
The MAMA Awards went from a ceremony spotlighting the best music video achievements in South Korea to being an Asia-based award celebrating musical excellence across the continent. Hosted in several different Asian cities, the MAMAs demonstrate outstanding musical achievements annually. Although the award is not country-specific, most winners are still K-pop artists, with BTS having a considerable lead.
My Favorite All-Time Highlights From The Award Show
EXO wows the crowd with an impressive and dynamic choreography: EXO gave a standout performance in just their second year as a group at the 2013 MAMAs. From the complex and well-executed dance moves to the performances’ thoughtful theme, EXO impressed millions of watchers worldwide. While they became one of the most successful K Pop groups of their generation, this performance showed that their talent, personality, and poise were a part of their group from the beginning.
“Poison” — Um Jung Hwa — K Pop icon Um Jung Hwa stole the show at the 2006 MAMAs. Honest to her nickname, the Korean Madonna, the idol singer came across the stage in a sultry burlesque dance, playing with the crowd through provocative dancing and eye contact. Critics praised the performance for its outstanding production and similarity to Western music performances. At this show, Um Jung Hwa showcased how she’s a veteran in the music industry and the effortlessness with which she dominated a new genre in Korean pop culture.
Aespa at the 2021 MAMA Awards: Aespa had a great night at the 2021 MAMA’s, coming away with two wins, including Best New Female Artist and Best Dance Performance — Female Group. To complement the career-highlighting night, the rookie quartet idol blew the roof off the house with a glow performance of their hit single Next Level. They showed off their cool dance moves and stage presence on cinematic stage in front of thousands of screaming fans.
International Award Show #3: The Headies
Summary Of The Award Show
The Headies Awards has been the defining award show for Nigerian music since the mid-aughts. Based in Lagos, the award show features the diversity of sound and impact coming out of the West African nation.
From reggae to dancehall and afrobeats, The Headies contain genres based in and outside of the country that are made by Nigerians themselves. Every award show is fantastically entertaining and is authentically African, letting the performers and presenters speak with genuine joy and love.
My Favorite All-Time Highlights From The Award Show
Rema’s rockstar night at the 2023 Headies: Rema had a magnificent night at the 2023 Headies when he won 3 awards, including one for Best Male Artiste and Best Music Video. During his speech (5:02:40) for Best Male Artist he emphasized the importance of owning the institutions that produce afrobeats because it’s getting so popular worldwide. It’s not just enough to have festivals around the world and go to fancy Western award shows, he stated, but it’s crucial to own the art that is making an impact around the world.
D’banj’s infamous towel performance: In the early 2000s D’banj was one of the most prominent Afrobeats artists on the planet. Known for his infectious personality and nonstop set of hits, the Nigerian artist caught a lot of attention at the 2006 Headies. For his performance of “Do You Like D Koko,” which was doing well in Nigeria at the time, D’banj walked out with his dancers and a towel. Yes, a towel. Not only did the prop shock the crowd, but it also influenced another Nigerian comedian in Bovi to do the same thing in honor of the legendary act 10 years later.
Olamide vs. Don Jazzy: The tension between rival label heads can be intense. The conflict between Olamide and Don Jazzy came to a fore at the 2015 Headies when Don stormed the stage screaming, upset that his signee Lil Kesh did not win the award for Next Rated Artist. Fortunately, Adekunle Gold and his crew left the stage peacefully and allowed Don to get his complaint off in a peaceful, albeit emotionally charged manner. The moment became a classic Headies talking point for fans of the award show and even casual watchers who were immediately immersed in the conflict once they saw the video.
International Award Show #4: Latin Grammy Awards
Summary Of The Award Show
The Latin Grammys is exactly what you’d expect it to be: An award show for Latin music. Stemming from the National Recording Academy and big music industry names like Michael Greene, Rudy Pérez, and Mauricio Abaroa, the Latin Grammys grew out of necessity. Over time, it became evident to music executives that Latin music deserved more than a few categories at the American-centric Grammy Awards.
Since 2000, the Latin Grammys has grown to include music from Iberian American countries and languages, fully encapsulating many sounds from the Latin world. The prestige and professionalism of this award have created the top bar for music excellence for Latin artists.
My Favorite All-Time Highlights From The Award Show
J-Lo and Marc Antony: The former power couple turned friendly exes shared several beautiful moments at the 2016 Latin Grammys. Two moments from that memorable night stand out. The first was their lovely and intense performance of “Olvidame y Pega la Vuelta.” The second featured a crowd-pleasing kiss when J-Lo gave an introduction speech honoring Anthony for winning the notable Person Of The Year award.
Ricky Martin’s Person of the Year performance, 2006 — Ricky Martin was awarded the 2006 Person of The Year award at the Latin Grammys for his star power and philanthropic work. Starting the performance with a video of his humility through the Ricky Martin Foundation, the Puerto Rican A-lister shocked the stage with a moving rendition of Tu Recuerdo. He went on to turn up the energy that night with the upbeat and celebratory Pegate.
Celia Cruz’s acceptance speech for “La negra tiene tumbao,” 2002 — During just the third annual Latin Grammys ceremony, the queen of salsa herself gave an electrifying award speech and performance worthy of her status in the genre. Notably, this was Cruz’s last performance and acceptance speech before she passed away in 2003. You can feel her infectious charisma and lively spirit in both the performance and speech.
International Award Show #5: ARIA Music Awards
Summary Of The Award Show
Unlike the other international awards in this article, the ARIAs represent a series of consecutive events including the ARIA Hall of Fame, the Fine Arts Awards and Artisan Awards, and The ARIA Achievement Awards. The ARIAs were created 30+ years ago through the joint work of the top music record labels in Australia looking to replace the old guard in the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers and showcase a more comprehensive array of great talent in the industry.
The ARIAs are essential for boosting record sales and securing more stable ties in the music industry. For Australian artists looking to climb into the major leagues of the music industry, recognition from the ARIAs is high on many of their lists.
My Favorite All-Time Highlights From The Award Show
That One Time Silverchair Knocked Themselves Out On Stage, 1995: When the band was still teenagers and full of energy, Silverchair slayed a cover of “New Race” at the 2005 ARIA Awards. Thrashing across the stage and screaming like angry hyenas, Silverchair stood out in their exceptional performance. Towards the end of the set, drummer Ben Gillies dove headfirst into his drumset, knocking himself unconscious. What a dramatic end to a dramatic performance.
Deborah Conway with Vika and Linda Bull — ‘Release Me’ (1992): Deborah Conway took her melodic pop sound to the stage at her first ARIA Awards in 1992. The night was incredible for the rookie pop singer as she won the ultimate award for Best Female Singer. To add to the historic and career erupting night, Conway sang the hit single “Release Me” acoustically on stage with the talented Vika and Linda Bull. Conway caressed the audience with her angelic voice and hypnotizing charm as Vike and Linda Bull brought the harmonies into the gorgeous chorus.
Gurrumul — ‘Warwu’ (ft. Missy Higgins) (2011): In 2011, the precious singer-songwriter Missy Higgin joined forces with up-and-coming blues artist Gurrumul to perform one of his standout tracks, “Warwu.” Singing in Gurrumul’s native language, Higgins does a great job of uplifting the song’s message and matching Gurrumul’s peaceful and sobering tone. The extraordinary performance demonstrated the rockstar year Gurrumul was having and the collaborative power the ARIAs holds on its best nights.
Why You Should Start Watching International Award Shows
Now that we explored some of best International award shows and some of my favorite International award moments, let’s discuss the personal value of international award shows. Below are the top five benefits of watching international award shows.
Benefit #1: Great Fun And Entertaining To Watch
At the most superficial and crucial level, these awards shows are great entertainment. Enjoy the theater, art, and drama of it all. After watching a few, you’ll soon start to develop your favorite artists and begin to appreciate their music more personally.
Benefit #2: Unique Place For New Music Discovery
I’m a big advocate for breaking the chains off of music streaming algorithms. Diving headfirst into an international award where you know none of the songs is a wonderful place to start your journey towards new music discovery. Take a moment to YouTube, Shazam, or Google any songs performed or nominated at the show.
Benefit #3: Opportunity To Learn About Different Cultures
The shows aren’t just giving you new music; they are introducing you to a new culture. From how people dress to the stage design and audience behavior, pay attention to the slices of culture you’re witnessing at the award shows. Take on this challenge with wonder and awe as you step deeper into the home culture of millions living and enjoying this music daily. The music played and the artists celebrated during these award shows represent people from all countries, so please be respectful and welcoming.
Benefit 4: You’re Uplifting The Music Of Those Who, Most Of The Time, Don’t Get Much Attention In The West — Especially If You Share It And Promote It.
This value is aimed at my American readers. I want to acknowledge our privileged position as listeners regarding music exposure, Billboard chart positioning, and overall impact. In short, American (and European, for that matter) centric artists typically sell more because of the United States’s population size and music industry’s budget compared to other regions worldwide.
While that reality is becoming less and less accurate with the growing influence and commercial success of East Asian artists, the benefit of watching international award shows is still uplifting to those in music regions that receive far smaller monetary and industry support. Just mentioning an artist from, say, Madagascar or Vietnam to friends and family can help those artists, in the long run, make some gains in the inarguably the most lucrative market when it comes to music.
Benefit #5: Earn The Ability To Talk More Broadly About Music worldwide — More Sophisticated Dynamic Conversations With Your Friends And Strangers Worldwide.
I remember living in China and showing off my knowledge of Chinese music to my friends. Through watching the MAMAs and Golden Melody awards shows, I learned about the hottest artists in the region. Not only was I able to impress my students with my knowledge of BTS and BLACKPINK, who were still growing groups at the time, but I also had educated conversations with older folks with my understanding of Faye Wong and Teresa Teng.
Through these international award shows, I took the initiative to learn about past award winners and cultural figures in the country’s music history. These investigations helped me adapt to a culture and improve my relationships abroad.
Witness The Soundtrack To People’s Lives Around The World
The above international award shows give us a peak into the cultures of Latin America, West Africa, East Asia, and the Pacific islands. Hundreds of millions of people consider the above artists awarded national heroes. They also appreciate these award shows greatly, as Americans would the Grammys or Billboard Awards.
The music these artists make is the soundtrack to people’s lives worldwide. Learning and exploring all of these award shows isn’t just a decent and sweet thing to do for other people; there are tangible benefits that will help you in your life. In this piece, I’ve detailed five reasons why you should start watching international award shows today:
Great fun and entertaining to watch
Unique palace for new music discovery
Opportunity to learn about different cultures
You’re Uplifting The Music Of Those Who, Most Of The Time, Don’t Get Much Attention In The West — Especially If You Share It And Promote It.
Earn The Ability To Talk More Broadly About Music worldwide — More Sophisticated Dynamic Conversations With Your Friends And Strangers Worldwide.
I’ve taught, attended school, and worked in three continents in my 29 years. Each place I go, I get a little bit of a headstart on the country’s contemporary and classic music from watching the country’s top music award show. In this piece, I provided a starter kit to get your feet wet and encourage you to dive even deeper into the local and alternative music award shows for countries and genres you’re interested in learning more about.