World Music Awards 2012

The World Music Awards is an annual event held mostly in Monaco, although past venues have included London and Los Angeles, to celebrate international recording artists and their contribution to the world of modern music. The Awards were created 21 years ago this year, 2010, by John Martinotti with patronage by his Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco.

The Awards are based on worldwide sales figures as reported by the IFPI. All proceeds go to the charity Monaco Aide and Presence Foundation which provides aid in under developed countries around the world including Africa, Asia, Brazil and Eastern Europe.

Awards presented on the night include Best Selling Artist, Best Selling Single and Best Selling Album. There are also the Legend Award, Chopard Diamond Award and Millennium Awards.

Past winners of the Legend Award include Barry White, Elton John, Madonna, Whitney Houston, David Bowie, Carlos Santana and Beyonce.

The Chopard Diamond Award is given to artists who have broken the 100 million albums mark and has been awarded to a short and elite list of people; Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Bon Jovi, Michael Jackson and The Beatles.


The Millennium Award is presented to the best selling artist of all time and to date the very short list includes just two artists; Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey.

The World Music Awards takes place every year and is mostly held in Monte Carlo around the time of the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix and the Cannes Film Festival. They are part of a giant and sensational launch to the Cote d'Azur Summer season when the celebrity count is at it's highest and the glad rags are dusted off for another fun summer in the South of France.