ZAI Awards

ZAI Awards
ZAI Awards trophy from 2013
Awarded for	Excellence in the Slovak music industry
Venue	V–klub, Bratislava
Country	Slovakia
Presented by	Union of Authors and Performers (ZAI) Music Fund Slovakia (HF) IFPI Slovakia (SNS IFPI)
Formerly called	Grammy Awards (1996–1997) Artmedia Awards (1998–2000) Aurel Awards (2001–2007)
First awarded	1991
Television/radio coverage
Network	STV (1990–1999) Markíza (2000)

The ZAI Awards (Hudobný fond or HF) are a Slovak music accolade presented by Zväz autorov a interprétov populárnej hudby (ZAI) to recognize outstanding achievements in the industry for the preceding year in the region. In the early phase, the annual ceremonies were held in association with the local Music Fund (HF) and International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Slovakia (SNS IFPI). For that reason, their follow-up equivalents were frequently renamed; once after the American Gramies (1996–1997).

Following a 1997 protest of the U.S. NARAS management against the Czech music awards, also called likewise, the Slovak organization decided to change the adopted name too, renaming then trophies after the Artmedia Music Academy (1998–2000), also established by ZAI.^[1]

In 2001, the event was separately rebranded by SNS IFPI for the Aurel Awards (2001–2007), for a change, prior to their hiatus. Restored by the ZAI union in 2011 under their original title, the current awards are presented on a biennial basis, honoring mostly the hosting achievements in the music genre since. As of 2015, twenty annual ceremonies were held, with thirteen credited to ZAI, and seven to now discontinued SNS IFPI.

• 1990–2000: ZAI Awards
  • 1996–1997: As Grammy Awards (Grammy West '96 ▪ Grammy Slovakia '97)
  • 1998–2000: As Artmedia Awards
• 2001–2007: Aurel Awards held instead
• 2008–2010: Not held
• 2011–present: ZAI Awards (held biennially)

V–klub, the most recent venue of the ZAI awards. An old music club located at the National Public Center (NOC) in the Old Town, Bratislava, is often nicknamed "Véčko".

• Vocal Artist or Ensemble • Held since, excluding 1998–2000 and 2011.
• New Artist • Held since, excluding 2011.
• Album • Held since 1991, excluding 2011.
• Radio Station • Held since 2011.
• Radio Host • Held since 2011.
• Music Festival • Held since 2011.
• Music Club • Held since 2011.
• Music Presenter • Held since 2011.

Special awards

• Hall of Fame • Lifetime achievement award, formerly known as Grand Prix (1990–2000), given for outstanding contributions to the industry, mainly for performing.

The listed years are of official release, annual ceremonies are held the following year.

• Slávik Awards

• Vološčuková, Denisa (January 18, 2002). "Tučniak Aurel poctí muziku". SME (in Slovak). Petit Press. sme.sk. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
• Verdi, Rob (April 9, 2003). "Hudobné ceny Akadémie od Gramy po Aurela a Anděla". Music Scaper (in Slovak). MS - Hudobný priestor. musicscaper.sk. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
• Jaslovský, Marián (February 23, 2006). "Aurel - vynovené hudobné ceny". SME (in Slovak). Petit Press. sme.sk. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
• Boronkayová, Felícia (October 19, 2013). "Slávika po 15 rokoch vypustili z klietky, odchádza slovenská hudba do ilegality?". Život (in Slovak). Ringier Axel Springer Slovakia. zivot.cas.sk. Retrieved April 14, 2015.

• 1990–2000 > ZAI Awards > Winners (at ZAI.eu.sk)