#SHOWBIZ: AIM24 returns with new categories and greater rewards

KUALA LUMPUR: The 24th edition of Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM) is back this Sept 13 at the Arena Of Stars in Resorts World Genting.
AIM 24 was announced by the Recording Industry Association of Malaysia's (RIM) chairman Rosmin Hashim at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian Club here today, and it will be broadcast live at 9pm from Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM).
Rosmin said that the nation's premiere music awards show, which has upheld artistic merit and industry standards since 1993, continues to evolve in tandem with the country's rich and diverse music scene, and will be introducing three new award categories.
They are the Best Unity Song that recognises musical works that promote Bangsa Malaysia, the Best Traditional Song which honours compositions rooted in traditional music, and the Best Collaboration By A Local Artiste And Foreign Artiste/Composer which shines a spotlight on Malaysian artistes who go global.
Rosmin said that in a significant boost to the industry, the Communications Ministry will be awarding RM700,000 to 11 award winners.
"These funds are part of My Creative Ventures' (MyCV) Creative Content Fund to support the production, promotion and distribution of creative content of high commercial and artistic value," he said.
RTM television programme division director Reza Sariman Othman said: "We are pleased to work with RIM and serve as the official broadcaster of Malaysia's premiere music awards show.
"We strongly believe in the power of music as a cultural force and a unifying element in society."
The nominations for awards are for songs in Malay, English, Chinese and Indian, released from July 1, 2022 to Dec 31, 2024.
The submission of nominations ends at 5pm on July 4.
There are 31 award categories in three segments namely the main categories, the pre-award categories, and the Sri Wirama Award for lifetime achievement in music.
The main categories are Best New Artiste, Best Male Vocalist, Best Female Vocalist, Best Group, Best Band, Best Duo/Collaboration, Best Music Video, Best Original Soundtrack, Best Rock Song, Best Pop Song, Best Hip-Hop Song, Best Electronic/Dance Song, Best English Song, Best Chinese Song, Best Indian Song, Best Malay Song By A Foreign Artiste, Best Collaboration By A Local Artiste And A Foreign Artiste/Composer, Best Nasyid Song, Best Ethnic Song, Best Unity Song, Best Traditional Song, Album Of The Year and Song Of The Year.
The pre-award categories are Best Album Cover, Best Engineered Song, Best Engineered Album, Best Musical Arrangement In A Song, Most Streamed Song, Most Watched Music Video On YouTube and Most Viewed Song On TikTok.
The final five nominees for each category will be announced in August.

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