World Music Awards
The World Music Awards was an international award show founded in 1989 under the patronage of Albert II, Prince of Monaco, and co-founder/executive producer John Martinotti. Most years, the event was held in Monte Carlo. Awards were presented to the world's best-selling artists in several categories and to the best-selling artists from each major territory. Past winners have included Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Shakira, Gloria Gaynor, Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, and Beyoncé.
The original trophy was a plaque depicting a mermaid, in a presentation case. Between 1990 and 1994, it was a golden treble clef with a globe in the middle. From 1995 on, it was a gold-plated Atlassian figure holding up the Earth above his head.
The event was last held in 2014, though its website remains live. The Global Recording Artist of the Year award, established in 2014 by IFPI, nowadays covers parts of what were the main categories of the World Music Awards.
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Winners
1989
- Female Artist of the Year: Belinda Carlisle
- Male Artist of the Year: Steve Winwood
- Group of the Year: Gipsy Kings
- Song of the Year: Milli Vanilli – "Girl You Know It's True"
- Music Video of the Year: Enya – "Orinoco Flow"
- World's Best-Selling French Artist: David Hallyday
- World's Best-Selling Irish Artist: Enya
- World's Best-Selling Italian Artist: Fausto Leali & Anna Oxa
- Legend Award : Barry White
- Legend Award : Ringo Starr
- Legend Award : Julio Iglesias
1990
Source:- World's Best-Selling African Artist: Johnny Clegg
- World's Best-Selling Australian Artist: Kate Ceberano
- World's Best-Selling Austrian Artist: Rainhard Fendrich
- World's Best-Selling Belgian Artist: Soulsister
- World's Best-Selling Canadian Artist: Jeff Healey Band
- World's Best-Selling Danish Artist: Sanne Salomonsen
- World's Best-Selling Dutch Artist: Gerard Joling
- World's Best-Selling Finnish Artist: Kirka
- World's Best-Selling French Artist: Gipsy Kings
- World's Best-Selling German Artist: Sandra
- World's Best-Selling Greek Artist: Demis Roussos
- World's Best-Selling Irish Artist: Chris de Burgh
- World's Best-Selling Israeli Artist: Ofra Haza
- World's Best-Selling Italian Artist: Pooh
- World's Best-Selling Asian Artist: Southern All Stars
- World's Best-Selling Latin Artist: Luis Miguel
- World's Best-Selling Norwegian Artist: Dance with a Stranger
- World's Best-Selling Portuguese Artist: Amália Rodrigues
- World's Best-Selling Russian Artist: Vladimir Presnyakov Jr.
- World's Best-Selling Spanish Artist: Mecano
- World's Best-Selling Swedish Artist: Jerry Williams
- World's Best-Selling Swiss Artist: Yello
- World's Best-Selling UK Artist: Tanita Tikaram
- Legend Award : Bob Geldof
- Legend Award : Chris de Burgh
- Legend Award : David Bowie
1991
- Best-Selling Recording Artist: Phil Collins
- International Newcomers: Londonbeat
- Best-Selling African Recording Artist: Johnny Clegg
- Best-Selling Australian Recording Artist: Kylie Minogue
- Best-Selling Austrian Group: Erste Allgemeine Verunsicherung
- Best-Selling Belgian Group: Technotronic
- Best-Selling British Female Recording Artist: Lisa Stansfield
- Best-Selling Canadian Group: Jeff Healey Band
- Best-Selling Finnish Recording Artist: Kirka
- Best-Selling French Female Recording Artist: Patricia Kaas
- Best-Selling German Recording Artist: Matthias Reim
- Best-Selling Greek Recording Artist: Nana Mouskouri
- Best-Selling Irish Recording Artist: Sinéad O'Connor
- Best-Selling Italian Recording Artist: Gianna Nannini
- Best-Selling Soviet Recording Artist: Valery Leontiev
- Best-Selling Spanish Group: El Último de la Fila
- Best-Selling Swedish Recording Artist: Tomas Ledin
- Legend Award: : Cliff Richard
- Legend Award: :Elton John
- Legend Award : Status Quo
1992
Sources:- International New Artist: Cathy Dennis
- International New Group: C+C Music Factory
- Best-Selling African Artist: Rozalla
- Best-Selling American Artist: Garth Brooks
- Best-Selling Australian Group: INXS
- Best-Selling Austrian Artist: Jazz Gitti & Her Disco Killers
- Best-Selling Belgian Group: Vaya Con Dios
- Best-Selling British Group: Simply Red
- Best-Selling Canadian Female Artist: Céline Dion
- Best-Selling Danish Group: Cut 'N' Move
- Best-Selling Finnish Artist: Arja Koriseva
- Best-Selling French Artist: Patrick Bruel
- Best-Selling German Group: Scorpions
- Best-Selling Greek Artist: Nana Mouskouri
- Best-Selling Irish Artist: Enya
- Best-Selling Italian Artist: Marco Masini
- Best-Selling Japanese Artists: Chage and Aska
- Best-Selling Latin American Artist: Luis Miguel
- Best-Selling New Zealand Artist: Margaret Urlich
- Best-Selling Norwegian Artists: A-ha
- Best-Selling Russian Artist: Oleg Gazmanov
- Best-Selling Spanish Artist: Sergio Dalma
- Best-Selling Swedish Artist: Eva Dahlgren
- Best-Selling Swiss Artist: Andreas Vollenweider
- Legend Award : INXS
- Legend Award : Olivia Newton-John
1993
Sources:- World's Best-Selling Pop and Overall Artist: Michael Jackson
- World's Best-Selling Classical Artist: Luciano Pavarotti
- World's Best-Selling Country Artist: Garth Brooks
- World's Best-Selling Hard Rock Artist: Guns N' Roses
- World's Best-Selling Rock Artist: Eric Clapton
- International New Artist: Billy Ray Cyrus
- International New Group of the Year: Boyz II Men
- World's Best-Selling African Artist: Dr. Alban
- World's Best-Selling American Artist: Michael Jackson
- World's Best-Selling Australian Artists: INXS
- World's Best-Selling Belgian Artists: Vaya Con Dios
- World's Best-Selling British Artist: Eric Clapton
- World's Best-Selling Canadian Artist: Bryan Adams
- World's Best-Selling Danish Recording Artist: Hanne Boel
- World's Best-Selling Dutch Artists: 2 Unlimited
- World's Best-Selling French Artist: Mylène Farmer
- World's Best-Selling German Artist: Westernhagen
- World's Best-Selling Greek Artist: Yanni
- World's Best-Selling Irish Artist: U2
- World's Best-Selling Italian Artist: Zucchero Fornaciari
- World's Best-Selling Latin American Artist: Jon Secada
- World's Best-Selling Japanese Artists: Chage and Aska
- World's Best-Selling Norwegian Artists: A-ha
- World's Best-Selling Russian Artist: Laima Vaikule
- World's Best-Selling Spanish Artist: Julio Iglesias
- World's Best-Selling Swedish Artist: ABBA
- World's Best-Selling Swiss Artist: Stephan Eicher
- Legend Award : Luciano Pavarotti
- Legend Award : Michael Jackson
- Legend Award : Rod Stewart
- Legend Award : Tina Turner
1994
Sources:- World's Best-Selling Overall Recording Artist: Whitney Houston
- World's Best-Selling Country Artist: Garth Brooks
- World's Best-Selling Hard Rock Artist: Meat Loaf
- World's Best-Selling Jazz Artist: Kenny G
- World's Best-Selling Latin Recording Artist: Gloria Estefan
- World's Best-Selling Pop Artist: Whitney Houston
- World's Best-Selling Pop Newcomers: Ace of Base
- World's Best-Selling R&B Artist: Whitney Houston
- World's Best-Selling R&B Newcomer: Toni Braxton
- World's Best-Selling Rock Artist: Eric Clapton
- World's Best-Selling Rock Newcomers: Spin Doctors
- World's Best-Selling African Recording Artist: Dr. Alban
- World's Best-Selling American Recording Artist: Whitney Houston
- World's Best-Selling Asian Recording Artists: Chage and Aska
- World's Best-Selling Australian Recording Artists: Crowded House
- World's Best-Selling Benelux Recording Artists: 2 Unlimited
- World's Best-Selling British Recording Artist: Eric Clapton
- World's Best-Selling Canadian Recording Artist: Bryan Adams
- World's Best-Selling French Recording Artist: Jordy
- World's Best-Selling German Recording Artists: Scorpions
- World's Best-Selling Greek Recording Artist: Yanni
- World's Best-Selling Irish Recording Artists: U2
- World's Best-Selling Italian Recording Artist: Eros Ramazzotti
- World's Best-Selling Russian Recording Artist: Alexander Malinin
- World's Best-Selling Scandinavian Recording Artists: Ace of Base
- World's Best-Selling Spanish Recording Artist: Miguel Bosé
- World's Best-Selling Swiss Recording Artist: Stephan Eicher
- Legend Award : Plácido Domingo
- Legend Award : Prince
- Legend Award : Ray Charles
- Legend Award : Whitney Houston
1995
Sources:- World's Best-Selling Female Artist: Céline Dion
- World's Best-Selling Pop Artist: Mariah Carey
- World's Best-Selling Pop Group: Ace of Base
- World's Best-Selling Pop Newcomer: Sheryl Crow
- World's Best-Selling R&B Artist: Boyz II Men
- World's Best-Selling Country Artist: Garth Brooks
- World's Best-Selling Jazz Artist: Tony Bennett
- World's Best-Selling Latin Artist: Luis Miguel
- World's Best-Selling Rock Artist: Bon Jovi
- World's Best-Selling African Artist: Youssou N'Dour
- World's Best-Selling Australian Artist: INXS
- World's Best-Selling Benelux Artist: 2 Unlimited
- World's Best-Selling Canadian Artist: Bryan Adams
- World's Best-Selling French-Canadian Artist: Céline Dion
- World's Best-Selling French Artist: Patricia Kaas
- World's Best-Selling German Artist: Westernhagen
- World's Best-Selling Greek Artist: Yanni
- World's Best-Selling Irish Artist: The Cranberries
- World's Best-Selling Italian Artist: Laura Pausini
- World's Best-Selling Japanese Artist: TRF
- World's Best-Selling Russian Artist: Dmitry Malikov
- World's Best-Selling Scandinavian Artist: Ace of Base
- World's Best-Selling Spanish Artist: Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos
- World's Best-Selling Swiss Artist: DJ BoBo
- World's Best-Selling UK Artist: Pink Floyd
- World's Best-Selling US Artist: Mariah Carey
- Legend Award: Stevie Wonder
- Legend Award: Tony Bennett
1996
Sources:- World's Overall Best-Selling Male Recording Artist: Michael Jackson
- World's Overall Best-Selling Female Recording Artist: Mariah Carey
- World's Overall Best-Selling Group: Hootie & the Blowfish
- World's Best-Selling Male Country Artist: Garth Brooks
- World's Best-Selling Female Country Artist: Shania Twain
- World's Best-Selling Latin Artist: Selena
- World's Best-Selling Latin Group: Mamonas Assassinas
- World's Best-Selling Male Pop Artist: Michael Jackson
- World's Best-Selling Female Pop Artist: Mariah Carey
- World's Best-Selling Pop Group: TLC
- World's Best-Selling Male R&B Artist: Michael Jackson
- World's Best-Selling Female R&B Artist: Mariah Carey
- World's Best-Selling R&B Group: TLC
- World's Best-Selling Rap Artist: Coolio
- World's Best-Selling Female Rock Artist: Alanis Morissette
- World's Best-Selling Rock Artist/Group: Hootie & the Blowfish
- World's Best-Selling Female New Artist: Alanis Morissette
- World's Best-Selling Newcomers: Hootie & the Blowfish
- World's Best-Selling African Recording Artist: Lucky Dube
- World's Best-Selling American Group: Hootie & the Blowfish
- World's Best-Selling American Male Recording Artist: Michael Jackson
- World's Best-Selling American Female Recording Artist: Mariah Carey
- World's Best-Selling Australian Recording Artist: Tina Arena
- World's Best-Selling Benelux Recording Artist: André Rieu
- World's Best-Selling British Recording Artist: Seal
- World's Best-Selling Canadian Recording Artist: Céline Dion
- World's Best-Selling Chinese Recording Artist: Jacky Cheung
- World's Best-Selling French Group: Deep Forest
- World's Best-Selling German Group: Real McCoy
- World's Best-Selling Italian Recording Artist: Zucchero Fornaciari
- World's Best-Selling Russian Recording Artist: Philipp Kirkorov
- World's Best-Selling Scandinavian Artist/Group: Ace of Base
- World's Best-Selling Spanish Group: Los del Rio
- World's Best-Selling Swiss Recording Artist: DJ BoBo
- World's Best-Selling Album of All Time: Michael Jackson – Thriller
- Legend Award : Diana Ross
1997
Sources:- World's Overall Best-Selling Recording Artist: Céline Dion
- World's Overall Best-Selling Group: Fugees
- World's Best-Selling Alternative Artist: Alanis Morissette
- World's Best-Selling Alternative Group: Oasis
- World's Best-Selling Classical Artist: Vanessa-Mae
- World's Best-Selling Female Newcomers: Spice Girls
- World's Best-Selling Jazz Artist: Kenny G
- World's Best-Selling Latin Group: Los del Rio
- World's Best-Selling Latin Recording Artist: Julio Iglesias
- World's Best-Selling Male Newcomer: Robert Miles
- World's Best-Selling Pop Artist: Céline Dion
- World's Best-Selling Pop Group: Fugees
- World's Best-Selling R&B Artists: Fugees
- World's Best-Selling Rap Artists: Fugees
- World's Best-Selling Rock Artist: Alanis Morissette
- World's Best-Selling Rock Group: Oasis
- World's Best-Selling African Recording Artist: Khaled
- World's Best-Selling American Recording Artists: Fugees
- World's Best-Selling Australian Recording Artist: Peter Andre
- World's Best-Selling Benelux Recording Artist: Helmut Lotti
- World's Best-Selling Brazilian Group: Carrapicho
- World's Best-Selling British Recording Artists: Oasis
- World's Best-Selling Canadian Recording Artist: Céline Dion
- World's Best-Selling Chinese Recording Artist: Jacky Cheung
- World's Best-Selling French Recording Artist: Florent Pagny
- World's Best-Selling German Recording Artists: Die Toten Hosen
- World's Best-Selling Greek Recording Artist: Vangelis
- World's Best-Selling Irish Recording Artists: The Cranberries
- World's Best-Selling Italian Recording Artist: Eros Ramazzotti
- World's Best-Selling Japanese Recording Artist: Namie Amuro
- World's Best-Selling Russian Group: Agatha Christie
- World's Best-Selling Scandinavian Recording Artists: Ace of Base
- World's Best-Selling Spanish Group: Los del Rio
- World's Best-Selling Swiss Recording Artist: DJ BoBo
- Legend Award : Bee Gees
- Legend Award : Lionel Richie
1998
Sources:- World's Best-Selling R&B Artist: Mariah Carey
- World's Best-Selling Rap Artist: Puff Daddy
- World's Best-Selling Pop Artist/Group: Spice Girls
- World's Best-Selling Rock Artist/Group: No Doubt
- World's Best-Selling Dance Artist/Group: Backstreet Boys
- World's Best-Selling Country Artist: LeAnn Rimes
- World's Best-Selling Latin Artist: Luis Miguel
- World's Best-Selling Latin Female Artist: Shakira
- World's Best-Selling Classical Artist: Andrea Bocelli
- World's Best-Selling New Artist: Puff Daddy
- World's Best-Selling New Group: Hanson
- World's Best-Selling African Artist/Group: Wes
- World's Best-Selling American Artist/Group: LeAnn Rimes
- World's Best-Selling Australian Artist/Group: Savage Garden
- World's Best-Selling Benelux Artist/Group: André Rieu
- World's Best-Selling Brazilian Artist/Group: Só Pra Contrariar
- World's Best-Selling British Artist/Group: Spice Girls
- World's Best-Selling Canadian Artist/Group: Céline Dion
- World's Best-Selling Eastern European Artist/Group: Golden Ring
- World's Best-Selling French Artist: Pascal Obispo
- World's Best-Selling French Album: Era
- World's Best-Selling German Artist/Group: Tic Tac Toe
- World's Best-Selling Greek Artist/Group: Yanni
- World's Best-Selling Irish Artist/Group: U2
- World's Best-Selling Italian Artist/Group: Andrea Bocelli
- World's Best-Selling Japanese Artist/Group: Glay
- World's Best-Selling Middle Eastern Artist/Group: Amr Diab
- World's Best-Selling Scandinavian Artist/Group: Aqua
- World's Best-Selling Spanish Artist/Group: Monica Naranjo
- World's Best-Selling Swiss Artist/Group: DJ BoBo
- Legend Award : Mariah Carey
2000
Sources:- World's Best-Selling Pop Male Artist: Ricky Martin
- World's Best-Selling Pop Female Artist: Britney Spears
- World's Best-Selling Pop Group: Backstreet Boys
- World's Best-Selling Latin Artist: Ricky Martin
- World's Best-Selling Dance Group: Backstreet Boys
- World's Best-Selling R&B Artist: Mariah Carey
- World's Best-Selling R&B Group: Backstreet Boys
- World's Best-Selling Reggae Artist/Group: Bob Marley vs. Funkstar De Luxe
- World's Best-Selling New Male Artist: Lou Bega
- World's Best-Selling New Female Artist: Christina Aguilera
- World's Best-Selling African Artist: Femi Kuti
- World's Best-Selling American Group: Backstreet Boys
- World's Best-Selling Arabic Artist/Group: Taha, Khaled, Faudel
- World's Best-Selling Asian Artist: Hikaru Utada
- World's Best-Selling Australian Recording Artist: Tina Arena
- World's Best-Selling Australian Group: Savage Garden
- World's Best-Selling Benelux Group: Vengaboys
- World's Best-Selling British Artist/Group: Jamiroquai
- World's Best-Selling Canadian Artist: Céline Dion
- World's Best-Selling French Recording Artist/Group: Notre-Dame de Paris
- World's Best-Selling German Artist: Lou Bega
- World's Best-Selling Greek Artist: Notis Sfakianakis
- World's Best-Selling Irish Recording Artist: Ronan Keating
- World's Best-Selling Italian Group: Eiffel 65
- World's Best-Selling Russian Recording Artist: Kristina Orbakaite
- World's Best-Selling Scandinavian Artist/Group: Roxette
- World's Best-Selling Swiss Recording Artist: DJ BoBo
- Best-Selling Pop Male Artist of the Millennium: Michael Jackson
- Best-Selling Pop Female Artist of the Millennium: Mariah Carey
2002
Sources:- World's Best-Selling Male Artist: Shaggy
- * Nominees: Enrique Iglesias, Robbie Williams, Michael Jackson
- World's Best-Selling Female Artist: Enya
- * Nominees: Britney Spears, Dido, Alicia Keys
- World's Best-Selling Group: Destiny's Child
- World's Best-Selling New Artist: Alicia Keys
- * Nominees: Nelly Furtado, Gorillaz
- World's Best-Selling R&B Male Artist: Shaggy
- World's Best-Selling R&B Female Artist: Alicia Keys
- World's Best-Selling R&B Group: Destiny's Child
- World's Best-Selling Classical Artist: Andrea Bocelli
- World's Best-Selling Dance Artist: Dido
- World's Best-Selling Dance Group: Destiny's Child
- World's Best-Selling Latin Male Artist: Enrique Iglesias
- World's Best-Selling Latin Female Artist: Jennifer Lopez
- World's Best-Selling New Age Artist: Enya
- World's Best-Selling Pop Male Artist: Shaggy
- World's Best-Selling Pop Female Artist: Dido
- World's Best-Selling Pop Group: Destiny's Child
- * Nominees: Backstreet Boys, NSYNC
- World's Best-Selling Rap Artist: Ja Rule
- * Nominees: Eminem, Jay-Z
- World's Best-Selling Rap Group: Outkast
- World's Best-Selling Rock Artist: Linkin Park
- World's Best-Selling Australian Artist: Kylie Minogue
- World's Best-Selling Chinese Artist: Nicholas Tse
- World's Best-Selling French Artist: Alizée
- World's Best-Selling German Artist: Michael Cretu
- World's Best-Selling German Group: No Angels
- World's Best-Selling Greek Artist: Despina Vandi
- World's Best-Selling Italian Artist: Andrea Bocelli
- World's Best-Selling Japanese Artist: Ayumi Hamasaki
- World's Best-Selling Middle Eastern Artist: Amr Diab
- World's Best-Selling Russian Artist: Kristina Orbakaitė
- World's Best-Selling Swiss Artist: DJ BoBo
- Legend Award: Gloria Gaynor
Special awards
Legend Award
The Legend Award honored top recording artists who had made outstanding contributions to the music industry. Notable winners of the award included:- Barry White
- Bee Gees
- Beyoncé
- Bob Geldof
- Carlos Santana
- Céline Dion
- Chaka Khan
- Cher
- Chris de Burgh
- Cliff Richard
- Clive Davis
- David Bowie
- Deep Purple
- Destiny's Child
- Diana Ross
- Elton John
- Flo Rida
- George Benson
- Gloria Gaynor
- INXS
- Janet Jackson
- Jennifer Lopez
- Julio Iglesias
- L.A. Reid
- Laura Pausini
- Lionel Richie
- Luciano Pavarotti
- Mariah Carey
- Mary J. Blige
- Michael Jackson
- Olivia Newton-John
- Patti LaBelle
- Placido Domingo
- Prince
- Ray Charles
- Ricky Martin
- Ringo Starr
- Rod Stewart
- The Rolling Stones
- Sakis Rouvas
- Scorpions
- Status Quo
- Stevie Wonder
- Tina Turner
- Tony Bennett
- Whitney Houston
Diamond Award
The Diamond Award honored top-selling artists who had been certified as selling over 100,000,000 albums throughout their career. It was awarded to six recipients:- 2001: Rod Stewart
- 2003: Mariah Carey
- 2004: Céline Dion
- 2005: Bon Jovi
- 2006: Michael Jackson
- 2008: The Beatles/Ringo Starr
Millennium Award
Two special awards were presented in 2000 to honor the best-selling recording artists at that time. The awards were presented to Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey in the male and female artist award categories, respectively.Charity
In the early years, proceeds from the show went to the Princess Grace Foundation for humanitarian and cultural charity. In later years, each edition of the World Music Awards built a hospital, school, or orphanage through the Monaco Aide et Presence Foundation and/or the Combonian Missionary Association, which both assist underdeveloped areas in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and South America. There are 23 operational centres still saving lives and providing shelter and education for those in need:Hospitals
- Phulbani, India
- Rominh, Cambodia
- Port-Bouët, Abidjan, Ivory Coast – serves a population of over 170,000 inhabitants
- Butare, Rwanda
- Ed Daein, Sudan
- Rwarangabo, Burundi
- Kiota, Niger
- Akamasoa, Madagascar
- Mokattam, Egypt – complete renovation and extension of existing hospital
- Maroa, Venezuela
- Coimbatore, India
- Zebizekou, Ivory Coast
- Songon, Ivory Coast
- Kankelena, Mali
- Fetabanoye, Niger
- Akamasoa, Madagascar
- Coimbatore, India – two homes for abandoned children
- Kalutara, Sri Lanka – home for handicapped girls
- Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Akamasoa, Madagascar – twelve homes
- Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – home for abandoned children
- St. Louis, Haiti