15 Independent Music Awards You Can Submit To As An Independent Artist

For independent artists, awards can serve a purpose beyond adding another badge to an Instagram bio. The right nomination or win can become a useful piece of career collateral, giving artists something credible to include in an EPK, pitch to media, share with booking teams, or use when introducing their music to a new audience.

More importantly, major-label representation isn't a requirement for every awards program. There is an entire ecosystem of independent, international, and genre-specific awards accepting work from artists operating outside the traditional label system.

Some focus on the recording itself. Others recognize songwriting, performance, music videos, cultural communities, or an artist's broader career. Eligibility also varies considerably, so artists should always check the current submission rules before entering.

Here are 15 music awards and competitions independent artists should have on their radar.

Hollywood Independent Music Awards

The Hollywood Independent Music Awards were built specifically around the independent music community. Based in Hollywood, HIMA recognizes emerging and established artists alongside songwriters, composers, producers, independent labels, publishers, and other recording professionals from around the world.

The organization places particular emphasis on music created outside the major-label system, making it one of the more directly relevant awards programs for independent artists looking to build industry recognition.

InterContinental Music Awards

The InterContinental Music Awards take a particularly international approach, recognizing musicians from around the world while placing an emphasis on cultural diversity, international visibility and artist development.

The competition welcomes independent and emerging musicians across numerous genres and disciplines, including songwriters, composers, performers, producers and instrumentalists. For artists attempting to build audiences beyond their home market, its international positioning makes it worth watching.

The Josie Music Awards

The Josie Music Awards have become one of the larger awards programs dedicated specifically to independent music. Artists can be recognized across categories including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, EP of the Year, Music Video of the Year, Songwriter and Rising Star, alongside numerous genre-specific categories.

Unlike competitions focused solely on individual songs, the Josies extend into broader career recognition, making the program relevant to artists who have already begun developing a catalog and professional presence.

Unsigned Only Music Awards

The name pretty much explains the appeal. Unsigned Only is designed specifically for artists operating outside major-label deals. Rather than judging songwriting alone, the competition focuses on the complete artist, giving musicians another opportunity to have their work evaluated without needing major-label backing.

For artists deliberately building their careers independently, it is one of the most directly relevant competitions on this list.

John Lennon Songwriting Contest

For artists whose strongest asset is the song itself, the John Lennon Songwriting Contest is worth separating from conventional artist awards.

Founded in 1997 and made possible by Yoko Ono Lennon, the international songwriting competition covers categories including rock, pop, hip-hop, country, jazz, R&B, folk and electronic music.

Rather than rewarding an artist's popularity or career momentum, songwriting competitions can give emerging musicians another route to recognition based primarily on the material they're creating.

Global Music Awards

Global Music Awards is an international competition recognizing independent musicians across a particularly broad range of styles and disciplines.

Its categories and recognition span contemporary music, jazz, classical, world music, experimental projects and other forms of recorded music.

For independent artists working outside mainstream commercial genres, the breadth of the competition is particularly useful. Not every worthwhile awards program is built around pop, rock and hip-hop.

AIM Independent Music Awards

The AIM Independent Music Awards are one of the more established names connected to the UK's independent sector. The awards champion independent artists, labels and industry figures while recognizing breakthrough talent alongside standout albums, EPs, tracks, music videos and broader achievements across independent music.

Artists should pay close attention to individual category requirements, as eligibility can differ significantly depending on the award.

ISSA Awards

The International Singer-Songwriters Association Awards celebrate independent artists and music creators from the United States and around the world.

Recognition spans entertainers, vocalists, bands, musicians, and other categories, making the program especially relevant to singer-songwriters building careers without traditional major-label infrastructure.

For artists developing both their songwriting and performance identities, it provides another avenue for recognition within the independent community.

International Acoustic Music Awards

Not every independent artist is making heavily produced pop, rap, or electronic music. The International Acoustic Music Awards give acoustic-focused musicians a competition built specifically around their lane.

The program spotlights acoustic-driven independent music across genres including folk, Americana, country, roots, instrumental, and singer-songwriter.

It's a particularly relevant option for musicians whose recordings are centered on songwriting, live instrumentation, and stripped-back production.

Munich Music Video Awards

A strong visual can have a life completely separate from the song it was created to promote.

The Munich Music Video Awards is an international program centered on music videos and visual storytelling, showcasing artists and filmmakers from around the world.

For independent musicians investing heavily in cinematic videos, conceptual visuals, or distinctive creative direction, music video competitions can extend the lifespan of a release while giving the visual another promotional angle.

Native American Music Awards

The Native American Music Awards occupy a much more specific space than the general independent competitions on this list.

The awards celebrate Indigenous music and artists across North America, recognizing both traditional and contemporary releases spanning rock, hip-hop, country, folk, blues, and other genres.

For eligible Indigenous artists, culturally focused awards can provide recognition within a community and industry ecosystem that broader music competitions may not adequately represent.

International Portuguese Music Awards

The International Portuguese Music Awards recognize music created by artists of Portuguese ancestry from around the world.

Rather than being geographically limited to Portugal, the awards cover Portuguese-language music alongside a broad range of contemporary genres created throughout the global Portuguese community.

It's another reminder that independent artists should look beyond general music awards and research opportunities connected to their culture, region, and community.

Canadian Independent Music Awards

For Canadian artists, independent music recognition closer to home is also worth watching.

Canadian independent music programs spotlight emerging and established talent operating outside the major-label system, helping artists build recognition within one of the world's most active music markets.

Canadian artists should monitor current categories, eligibility requirements and submission periods, as these can change between award cycles.

UK Country Music Awards

Country's independent ecosystem stretches far beyond Nashville. The UK Country Music Awards recognize artists and releases making an impact within independent country music, with a particular focus on talent connected to the UK country scene.

For country artists attempting to expand internationally, specialized genre recognition can sometimes be more strategically valuable than entering a completely genre-agnostic competition.

Music Video Awards

Music Video Awards provide another route for musicians whose visual identity has become as important as the recording itself.

The international competition focuses on underground and emerging talent, with categories recognizing not only the overall music video but directing, cinematography, originality, animation, choreography and style.

That makes the opportunity relevant not only to artists, but also to the independent directors, cinematographers and creative teams responsible for bringing their releases to life.

Awards Should Be Part of the Strategy, Not the Strategy

Submitting to awards can absolutely be worthwhile, but independent artists should be selective.

A trophy by itself isn't a career plan. Look at who runs the program, previous winners, eligibility requirements, judging process, industry involvement, submission fees, and what recognition actually provides before entering.

The smarter approach is to target awards that make sense for your music and where you're trying to go. A songwriter may get more value from a songwriting competition. A visually driven alternative artist might prioritize music video awards. An artist building internationally could focus on programs with global categories.

Treat nominations and wins as another piece of the bigger picture: something that can strengthen your press story, EPK, booking pitch, and industry credibility while the music continues doing the heavy lifting.