The Path to the Trophy: The Primary Requirements for the 2026 Submissions.
Residency:
You must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident and have resided in Canada for at least 6 months of the eligibility period. Be ready to provide a birth certificate, passport, or PR card upon request.
Release Window:
Your music must have been released between November 1, 2024, and November 30, 2025. The product (Single, EP, Video, or Album) must be available for retail or online sale in Canada. National distribution is not required, but you must provide proof of the public release date.
Our Adjudication Process
STAGE 1. Submissions
March 1 - May 1
The search for the North’s best begins. Entries are welcomed from Artists, Producers, Managers, Labels, and Radio Stations ready to make history.
STAGE 2: The Top 10
Verification/Excellence
Our Nomination Selection Committee—a roundtable of industry experts—filters every entry to identify the 10 strongest contenders in each category.
STAGE 3: The Final 5
Jury Adjudication
A specialist Jury Panel audits the Top 10, distilling the field into the Elite Final 5. These nominees are unveiled to the public as the year’s definitive voices.
STAGE 4: The Winners
The Gala Reveal
Our jurors cast their final ballots under strict embargo. Results are locked in the vault until the moment the envelope is opened live at the Gala Ceremony.
The Reggae North Standards
PRESERVING COMPETITION
To ensure a meaningful victory, categories require a minimum of 5 eligible entries. Should a category fall short, the RNMA may merge entries into the next most relevant field to maintain the spirit of competition.
PROTECTED RESULTS
Integrity is our foundation. To protect the professional standing of every artist, vote counts remain strictly confidential. Results are never disclosed, ensuring the focus remains on the celebration of excellence.
EXPERT ADJUDICATION
Our Jury is composed of specialists with deep-rooted knowledge of Reggae and Dancehall sub-genres. They are entrusted with the dual responsibility of ballot tabulation and final, expert adjudication.
Frequently asked questions
Submissions are “open-source,” meaning they can be submitted by the Artist directly, or by their Manager, Label, Publicist, Producer, or even a Radio Station. However, we recommend coordinating to ensure only one entry is submitted per category.
To be eligible for the 2026 RNMA, you must have resided in Canada for at least six months during the eligibility period (Nov 1, 2024 – Nov 1, 2025). If you are a Canadian citizen but have been touring or living abroad for the entire year, you may not qualify for this cycle..
While we strongly encourage all nominees to join us at the Rose Theatre on September 27, your win is based on your musical merit, not your attendance. We will announce the winner regardless, and the trophy will be held for you. As a courtesy, we ask that you left us know if you are unable to attend the Gala.
Yes. You may submit a track to as many relevant categories as apply (e.g., Song of the Year and Best Music Video). However, the Jury reserves the right to move a submission if they feel it is better suited for a different genre category.
The Final Checklist
High-Resolution Photo
One professional portrait for promotional use.
Studio-Quality Audio:
High quality MP3 files of your release.
The Artist’s Story:
A concise, modern biography (max 200 words) highlighting your 2025 impact.
Category Alignment:
Review the "Category Vitality" standard to ensure your work fits your chosen lane.