The exclusive annual stage of the EIMA Awards®, leading to the highest title of all: EIMA Awards® Grand Laureate.
Where Gold Medal Winners Become EIMA Awards® Grand Laureates.
Every year, the EIMA Awards® celebrate excellence in music through four seasonal competitions — Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn. At the close of the competition year, every Gold Medal recipient becomes eligible for the most distinguished recognition of all.
THE BIG 5 is not a category of its own — it's the identifying name of this final annual stage, where selected Gold Medal winners are elevated to the title of EIMA Awards® Grand Laureate.
The most outstanding album released during the year.
Excellence in songwriting and emotional impact.
Distinguished among all Gold Medal recipients.
Virtuosity, technical mastery, artistic expression.
Creativity, innovation and sound quality.
Eligible Gold Medal recipients from all four seasonal editions compete for the highest achievement in each of the five categories.
A panel of experienced music professionals evaluates every eligible work, applying the same criteria used throughout the seasonal competitions: artistic quality, originality, creativity, technical excellence and production value.
One EIMA Awards® Grand Laureate is designated per category — only five artists worldwide, each year.
Except for the specific eligibility requirements above, all other rules and conditions of the EIMA Awards® General Rules remain fully applicable — see the official Rules page.