Maso Awards are around the corner scheduled to take place on the 12 of December, 2026 at Apllo Auditorium, Blantyre. Nominations are in progress and will close on 23 october, 2026. Voting for short listed nominees will start from 7 November to 4 December. Below is the full list of categories and critera;
MUSIC CATEGORIES
1. Best Artist (Male)
• Description: Honors the most outstanding male music artist of the year.
• Criteria:
o Must be a Malawian male artist, based locally or abroad.
o Released at least two popular songs(audio+video) during the year.
o Demonstrates significant streaming numbers, radio airplay, and social media engagement.
o Active in live performances and booked to perform at atleast 10+ events.
o Strong social media brand presence and public support.
o Having his own annual show and charity initiative is an added advantage
2. Best Artist (Female)
• Description: Recognizes the most exceptional female artist of the year.
• Criteria:
o Must be a Malawian female music artist, based locally or abroad. o Released at least two popular songs(audio+video) during the year.
o Demonstrates significant streaming numbers, radio airplay, and social media engagement.
o Active in live performances and booked to perform at atleast 10+ events.
o Strong social media brand presence and public support.
3. Best New Artist (Male) |
• Description: Also known as emerging or upcoming artist category. Celebrates a breakthrough male music artist who emerged prominently during the year. The category is divided into heavy weight and light weight upcoming artists. Heavy weights can be nominated for other big categories, whereas light weight stands a chance of being nominated in the same category twice.
• Criteria:
o Male artist who debuted or gained significant recognition during the year.
o Released at least one popular song (audio +video).
o Demonstrates potential for longevity in the music industry.
o Booked to perform at atleast 5 events
o Strong social media brand presence and public support.
o Can be a previous nominee of the same category provided he didn’t.
4. Best New Artist (Female)
• Description: Also known as emerging or upcoming artist category. Celebrates a breakthrough male music artist who emerged prominently during the year. The category is divided into heavy weight and light weight upcoming artists. Heavy weights can be nominated for other big categories, whereas light weight stands a chance of being nominated in the same category twice. Celebrates a breakthrough female artist who emerged prominently during the year.
• Criteria:
o Female music artist who debuted or gained significant recognition during the year.
o Released at least one popular song (audio+video).
o Demonstrates potential for longevity in the music industry.
o Active in live performances and performed in atleast 3 shows.
o Strong social media brand presence and public support.
5. Best Song of the Year (Singer, Songwriters & producer Award)
• Description: Awards the most impactful and popular song released during the year. Dedicated to singer, songwriter and producer of the song)
• Criteria:
o Released within the award Calendar.
o Achieved significant airplay, streaming numbers, and public acclaim.
o Demonstrates lyrical quality, production excellence, and cultural relevance.
6. Best Collaboration
• Description: Recognizes the most successful collaborative effort by two or more artists.
• Criteria:
o Features two or more artists.
o Released within the award calendar..
o Achieved notable popularity and showcases synergy between collaborators.
o Achieved significant airplay, streaming numbers, and public acclaim.
7. Best Album
• Description: Honors the most outstanding album released during the year.
• Criteria:
o Released within the award calendar..
o Demonstrates cohesiveness, thematic depth, and production quality.
o Achieved significant streams, sales and public support.
8. Best Hip-Hop Act
• Description: Celebrates excellence in hip-hop music by an artist or group.
• Criteria:
o Active in the hip-hop genre during the award year.
o Released impactful music with lyrical prowess and cultural relevance.
o Engaged in performances and maintained a strong presence in the hip-hop community.
o Strong social media brand presence and public support.
o Released at least one popular song (audio+video)
9 Best Trap Act
• Description: Celebrates excellence in Trap music by an artist or group.
• Criteria:
o Active in the hip-hop genre during the award year.
o Released impactful music with lyrical prowess and cultural relevance.
o Engaged in performances and maintained a strong presence in the hip-hop community.
o Strong social media brand presence and public support.
o Released at least one popular song (audio+video)
10. Best Dancehall Act
• Description: Recognizes the top-performing dancehall artist or group.
• Criteria:
• Active in the dancehall genre during the award year.
• Released popular tracks and demonstrated vibrant performance energy.
• Contributed to the growth and popularity of dancehall music.
• Strong social media brand presence and public support.
• Released at least one popular song (audio+video).
11. Best RnB/Pop Act
• Description: Honors the leading artist in RnB or Pop music.
• Criteria:
• Active in the RnB or Pop genre during the award year.
• Released melodious and commercially successful songs.
• Demonstrated vocal excellence and audience appeal.
• Released at least one popular song (audio+video).
12. Best Afro Soul Act
• Description: Celebrates the best in Afro Soul music.
• Criteria:
• Active in the Afro Soul genre during the award year.
• Released soulful music that blends African rhythms with contemporary sounds.
• Showcased depth in lyrical content and musical arrangement.
• Released at least one popular song (audio+video).
• Strong social media brand presence and public support.
13. Best Local Sound Act
• Description: Recognizes artists or groups that sing local Malawian sound.
• Criteria:
o Incorporated local instruments, languages, and rhythms in their music.
o Contributed to the preservation and innovation of Malawian musical heritage.
o Released at least one popular song (audio+video).
o Strong social media brand presence and public support.
14. Best Stage/Live Performance
• Description: Awards the artist with the most captivating live performances.
• Criteria:
o Demonstrated exceptional energy, audience engagement, and stage presence.
o Performed at multiple events with consistent excellence.
o Released at least one popular song (audio+video).
o Strong social media brand presence and public support.
15. Best Producer
• Description: Honors the producer behind outstanding music productions in the year of the awards.
• Criteria:
o Produced recognisable hit songs (atleast 2) or recognisable albums during the award year.
o Showcased innovation, sound quality, and versatility in production.
o Maintains a strong brand presence on social media and public support.
16. Best Music Video (A singer and directors award)
• Description: Recognizes the most visually compelling music video.
• Criteria:
o Released within the award year.
o Demonstrated creativity, storytelling, and high production values.
o Achieved significant airplay, streaming numbers, and public acclaim.
17. Best Video Director
• Description: Celebrates the director behind exceptional music videos.
• Criteria:
o Directed music videos (atleast 2) that achieved significant acclaim.
o Exhibited creativity, vision, and technical proficiency.
o Achieved significant airplay, streaming numbers, and public acclaim.
o Was active and relevant within the year.
o Strong social media brand presence and public support.
18. Best Club DJ
• Description: Honors the male DJ who energized club and stage scenes with outstanding mixes.
• Criteria:
o Performed at various venues, showcasing versatility and crowd engagement.
o Demonstrated skill in blending tracks and setting the mood and achieve significant public acclaim.
o Should have performed in atleast two popular events in that year.
o Should a strong brand presence on social media.
19. Best Gospel Act (Male)
• Description: Honors the most impactful male gospel music artist.
• Criteria:
o Released spiritually uplifting music during the award year.
o Demonstrated vocal excellence and ministry impact.
o Achieved significant airplay, streaming numbers, and public acclaim.
o Active in live performances and performed in atleast 10+ events.
o Should have brand presence on social media.
20. Best Gospel Act (Female)
• Description: Honors the most impactful female gospel artist.
• Criteria:
o Released spiritually uplifting music during the award year.
o Demonstrated vocal excellence and ministry impact.
o Achieved significant airplay, streaming numbers, and public acclaim.
o Active in live performances and performed in atleast 5+ shows.
o Strong brand presence on social media.
21. Best Gospel Song
• Description: Recognizes the most inspiring gospel song of the year.
• Criteria:
o Released within the award year.
o Touched lives and received widespread acclaim.
o Achieved significant airplay, streaming numbers, and public acclaim.
o Demonstrates lyrical quality, production excellence, and cultural relevance.
22. Best Physically Challenged Personality (A DiNi Award)
Description: Recognises persons with physical disabilities who are making a meaningful contribution to the creative industry through fields such as fashion, music, visual arts, sculpture, and other forms of artistic expression.
Criteria:
• Demonstrated originality, creativity, and meaningful impact through their artistic work.
• Actively participated in or showcased their work publicly or digitally during the award year.
• Demonstrated continued involvement and commitment to their chosen creative field.
• Served as an inspiration or positive influence within the creative community and beyond.
• Demonstrated professionalism, resilience, and excellence in their artistic practice.
FASHION AND LIFESTYLE
23. Best Model
• Description: Honours a model who has demonstrated exceptional performance, professionalism, creativity, and influence within Malawi’s modelling and fashion industry, while contributing to the growth and visibility of the profession.
• Criteria:
• Demonstrated excellence and consistency in modelling, including runway, editorial, commercial, beauty, or other relevant modelling work.
• Strong professionalism, discipline, and work ethic.
• Strong digital presence
• Has achieved notable recognition, opportunities, or accomplishments within the modelling industry.
• Demonstrated a positive professional image and reputation.
• Has contributed to the growth, visibility, or development of modelling and fashion in Malawi.
• Demonstrates the ability to inspire or influence emerging models.
SOCIAL MEDIA CATEGORIES
24. Best Male Content Creator (Skits)
• Description: Honors the most influential male digital creator.
• Criteria:
• Produced creative, engaging, and original content.
• Demonstrated creativity, consistency, and audience growth.
• Strong influence and impact on social media.
25. Best Female Content Creator (Skits)
• Description: Honors the most influential female digital creator.
• Criteria:
• Produced creative, engaging, and original content.
• Demonstrated creativity, consistency, and audience growth.
• Strong influence and impact on social media.
VISUAL ARTS’ CATEGORY
26. Best Visual Artist
• Description: Celebrates excellence in visual arts
• Criteria:
• Demonstrated originality, creativity, and impact through painting or drawings.
• Exhibited work publicly or digitally during the award year.
• Made a contribution to the art community. .
✍🏾 POETRY CATEGORY
27. Best Poet (English)
• Description: Recognizes outstanding poetry performance or publication in English.
• Criteria:
o Released original, impactful poetry through events or media.
o Demonstrated strong language, rhythm, and expression.
o Reached a wide or notable audience.
o Released atleast one poem.
28. Best Poet (Vernacular)
• Description: Celebrates poetry delivered in local Malawian languages.
• Criteria:
o Released original, impactful poetry through events or media.
o Demonstrated strong language, rhythm, and expression.
o Used vernacular to express culture, identity, and societal themes.
o Performed or published work during the year.
o Connected deeply with the audience through language and themes.
o Released atleast one poem.
HONORARY CATEGORIES
29. The Maso Lifetime Achievement Award
• Description: Honours an artist or creative professional who has demonstrated decades of exceptional contribution, excellence, and influence in the arts and entertainment industry, leaving a lasting legacy in their field.
• Criteria:
Must have a long-standing career and significant body of work in their field.
• Demonstrated sustained excellence and dedication to the arts and entertainment industry over the years.
• A legacy of impact, innovation, and meaningful contribution to their field.
• Demonstrated commitment to mentoring, developing, or inspiring emerging artists and creatives.
• Respected by peers, audiences, and industry stakeholders for their contribution and professionalism.
• Their work should have made a recognisable and lasting contribution to Malawi's arts and entertainment landscape.
• May be awarded to a living or deceased individual.
30. The Maso Icon Award (1)
• Description: Honours a Malawian individual whose outstanding contributions through humanitarian work, entrepreneurship, leadership, or philanthropy have made a meaningful and lasting impact on communities and the development of Malawi.
• Criteria:
• Must be a Malawian, living in Malawi or abroad.
• May be awarded to a living or deceased individual.
• Must have demonstrated significant and sustained involvement in humanitarian, philanthropic, entrepreneurial, or community-development initiatives.
• Should have a strong and verifiable track record of positive contributions to society.
• Should demonstrate integrity, ethical conduct, and a positive public reputation.
• The individual's contribution should have had a measurable or recognisable impact on individuals, communities, industries, or Malawi's development.
Nominations are being done via: www.maso-awards.live/nominate
