Every role plays an intricate part in the success of an artist, a brand, a business … a public presence. Our goal is to showcase each element that contributes to the overall success of the unique that helps them connect with the masses!
General Rules
- Nominations will be accepted from January 1 – November 15th
- All nominations will be subject to General Terms & Conditions PLUS
- Eligibility & Requirements for each Category
- Categories with less than 10 eligible nominations will be excluded from Final Stages
- Nominations are NOT considered ACTIVE until accepted by Nominee.
To submit suggestions for new categories & recognitions – just contact us!
ALL Roads Lead to the Gala
We’ve got an ENTIRE YEAR of events & outreach planned, prepping for the 2025 APEX Award Gala taking place in NYC, January 17th, 2026 – hosted by the one & only XOJO with live performances by your 2025 APEX finalists & recipients.
Showcase your brand at the APEX Gala while supporting a great cause.
Connect with the APEX team to customize a collab project to support the local community organization of your choice!
The ALBUM that dominated all others with a full-body experience from start to finish! Tracks that escalated the nerves, beats that hit the soul, production that preserved the vibe with storytelling that brought you into a difference zone. The Album of the Year APEX Award recognizes a true piece of work that kept the bar high for '25. More than just a dope album - THIS album was a project that was executed by true craftsmen, collectively. This category represents the heart, hustle & vision that defines a timeless masterpiece.
Shining the spotlight on the indie artist that owned the year and made their presence known from the very first announcement. The Artist of the Year stayed consistent & focused both on and off stage. In addition to mastering their craft, this artist connected with their fans and communities throughout the year. An artist that is for other artists; that creates as many opportunities as they do streams. All while utilizing their voice to strengthen others.
Transforming sound into pure magic by shaping tracks that resonate deeply and stand out in the indie music world - this is the behind the scenes genius who supplies technical mastery with creative vision - turning raw recordings into sonic masterpieces.
Crowning the artist who never enters the arena without razor sharp bars, unmatched wit, and an undeniable energy force that just shuts em down, every damn time. The lyrical warrior that thrives on the spot and under pressure - finessing opponents, owning the mic and commanding respect.
Recognizing the collab that shook the culture, resonated with the fans AND will forever be added to playlist rotation - this award represents THAT project and honors THOSE artists that came together and effortlessly just gave us what was needed.
Honoring the visionary that never misses when it comes to capturing the essence and life of any visual production. The mastermind behind the camera that just has THAT EYE for creative genius.
Celebrating the innovator that goes above & beyond the music to uplift and inspire their communities. An artist that utilizes their platform to spark positive change, whether through activism, mentorship or initiatives that bring people together.
Their ability to take you on a lyrical journey with all the details and feels while transporting you into their zone to they tell it. The Conscious Storyteller rhymes with purpose and a mission to weaponize their words to provoke the power of thought ... with a 100%. success rate!
The first individual that you think of when you hear 'indie' + 'hip hop' in the same sentence. That individual that HAS, IS & WILL forever be 'team underground'. A VOICE within and for the community that when it speaks, we listen. The Cultural Impact APEX Award represents the individual that REPRESENTS the community whenever and wherever their OWN journey takes them. They are a solid example.
Honoring the individual that is the essence of kindness, integrity and authenticity within the indie music community and beyond. A person that both as an individual and a professional is just an overall dope ass force. An unquestionable impact on any project they touch or room they occupy. The Dope Ass Human is acknowledged as more than just talent & presence - but core character. This recognizes the individual that uplifts, leads and supports with heart and passion.
You just never know what this APEX is going to do but you know for damn sure they always doin' something! The Hustler of the Year represents the grind, resilience and unstoppable drive of an indie artist; a creative AND an entrepreneur. Defining and redefining what it truly means to HUSTLE when it comes to their individual, professional and personal growth!
That ONE song that comes on and makes the room go CRAZY - yea, THAT SONG! The drop that send a surge through the speakers that instantly changes the vibe and unifies the audience.
A wordsmith that turns rhymes into spells, captivating listeners with an unmatched pen game and the most wicked delivery. This lyricist doesn’t just write - they conjure - weaving words into an art that challenges the mind and reality of the audience.
Celebrating the strategist, they make the connections and motivate while navigating the indic music world with precision and passion for their artist(s). Whether behind the scenes or on the front lines - this manager is there; supporting and facilitating magic for their team.
The mastermind that turns ideas into movements and audiences into loyal communities. The Marketing Genius APEX Award celebrates the professional who knows how to not only craft the perfect message, but, build a buzz that connects the indie music community with long lasting impact. A visionary that never misses when it comes to crafting campaigns that resonate, educate and engage.
| Keeping indie music thriving by amplifying the voice of the community, breaking stories and connecting the fans. The Media Influence APEX Award honors the individual that utilizes their platform to champion the underground scene, shining the light on the local magic makers. |
The power of music therapy is one of the core concepts of the APEX Awards. The individual exemplifies the true meaning of the mission by consciously utilizing their craft and presence to advocate for mental health. Whether engaging in hard convos head on or supporting community organizations with resources - the Mental Health Advocate APEX Award represents the presence of music and the arts in productive self care and self acceptance. Their efforts in humanizing the concept of mental health and presence on the front lines of awareness makes a huge difference in saving lives, one project at a time! >> LEARN MORE <<
These Partners in Rhyme know how to feed off of each other and deliver a unified message. This category honors the team that sets the bar, again and again, side by side.
Delivery may play a huge role in the power of music therapy BUT it all starts with the ability to convey emotions through words the way this songwriter formulates their magic through lyrics.
The VOICE of the indie music community, this podcast personality/team has separated themselves from all others by maintaining a platform that keeps the community in the know about EVERYTHING straight from the sources. The Podcast Pioneer APEX Award acknowledges the media APEX that knows WHO to tap in with. WHAT to ask. WHEN things are going down in real time. WHERE to be and WHY y'all should be paying attention. They've become a solid source in the community for local artists, businesses and fans alike to stay connected and aware.
>> LEARN MORE <<
The Powerhouse Producer is the genius you hear and see everywhere. Delivering a vibe you can recognize from the jump with all the elements you didn't know you needed. They recognize the little things that go a LONG way and take you on a ride.
The ULTIMATE verse that became the gift that keeps on giving. The power-packed lyrical assassination of 16 bars that dropped this year. THAT verse!
>>> LEARN MORE <<<
An exclusive nomination category that recognizes artists from the technical side. The APEX nominees honored in this category have been recognized and nominated by an active nominee for the Powerhouse Producer APEX Award. Upon acceptance of their nomination, each producer was asked to nominate an artist they've previously worked with that exemplifies the meaning of an APEX, as they understand it. You never know how much WORK it can be when you combine energies and talent to CREATE the MAGIC we hear in the final result... but producers do!
You just know when you see this name on the flyer that stage is getting TORE DOWN! The Stage Assassin APEX Award focuses on the indie artist/group that bring nothing but HIGH ENERGY to the stage whether there is one person in the audience or thousands. The artist(s) that consistently bring the room to life and deliver a SHOW and a half each and every time they hit the stage.
Celebrating the lifetime achievements of underground artists, THIS artist/creative is synonymous with the culture. THIS individual has been on the scene causing chaos since DAY ONE. Eat, sleep, breathe, and bleed for the community … THEM!
>>>> LEARN MORE <<<<
THAT neighborhood gem that opens their doors to the music indie scene and keeps the community safe and welcome with open arms.
Everyone knows the DJ not only sets the pace but maintains the vibes as the liaison between creatives and audiences. Honoring the DJ that defined the soundscapes of the year, The Vibe Curator APEX Award is dedicated for the maestro of music therapy that facilitates the magic with every spin.
The visuals that left us in awe - plain and simple. THE video that was executed so masterfully that you had to look up the project team - just to get the background scoop!
You cannot help but think of THIS artist when it comes to the topic of vocals. THAT voice that captivates an audience, soothes the soul and challenges the laws of sound.