IDMA Tallies Votes for 2008 Dance Awards

On the 23rd of January 2008, online voting has comeBeach, Miami. The IDMA falls into one of the six days
to a halt for IDMA (International Dance Awards). Theof the dance music seminars. Other events happening
votes will be tallied for this year’s premier awardsduring the six days will be a session on how to make
show for the dance music industry. The count has notyour own music label, a DJ spin off and workshops on
been reported, but last year there were over 10, 000remixing.
ballots ranging from all over the world. The votes go toThe DJ spin off will be co-hosted by DJ Shortee and
the most innovative and elite artists, producers,Felix Sam. The DJs will battle it out for first place in
promoters, re-mixers and record labels in the industry.two separate categories: beat matching and
IDMA is hosted by WMA (Winter Music Conference),scratching. Some of the areas that judges will be
a networking event held in the US. WMA attractslooking for include technical abilities, blending, creativity
professionals from over 60 countries, globally, bringingand showmanship. Leading audio and apparel
them together.manufactures, which are sponsoring the event, will be
There are over 40 categories that voters can registerproviding the prizes.
their favourite dance artist to. Last year Put YourDuring the week that WMC holds the event in Miami,
Hands Up 4 Detroit, by Freddie Le Grand, took awaytop DJs that have entered for the awards will be doing
three awards. The categories he won in werelive performances in the area. For five nights, specific
“Best Underground Dance Track”, “Bestvenues will have non-stop club events, with both
Break Through Artist” and “Best Breaks/Electrofamous and up-and-coming DJs from around the
Sound.”world.
Marcus Adams directed the music video for the soundDuring the day, there will be a record collectors exhibit
track. There are two versions of the video, a regularand trading at the WMC host site, the Miami Beach
track and late night with extended footage. The videoResort and Spa. Record collectors from all over the
features a science lab with female robots creatingworld will be able to buy, sell and trade their vinyls.
multiple male androids. The male androids undergo aWMC are providing listening stations for testing and
test by the female robots. At the end, a male androidreviewing the records.
clicks what is going on and escapes, causing the wholeOverall, the week promises to be dance-tech packed,
laboratory to shut down.from parties at night to shows during the day. The
The soundtrack was used for Eminem’s Detroitawards will have a pre-cocktail event and will be
based hip-hop crew, D-12. They created a vocalfollowed by an after party, with top DJs doing their
version over the soundtrack for their record. Le Grandstuff on the mixers.
has made three compilation albums: The Ministry ofCeleste is a reviewer for popular Dance Music News
Sound, Sessions and Top of the Clubs 33.portal, where you can get the latest news on your
The awards are to be held in March this year at Southfavourite dance music artists.