AMI Awards Chairman Reveals Key Criteria for Nomination Assessment, Not Just About Going Viral

Kapanlagi.com - The Indonesian Music Awards (AMI) Awards returns this year with a lineup of big-name musicians as nominees. Many of them have works that are very familiar to the public thanks to their popularity on social media platforms like TikTok.

This raises the question, how significant is the influence of a song's virality in the nomination process for this most prestigious music award in the country?

Read other news about the AMI Awards 2025 at Liputan6.com, let's go! If not now, when?

1. Response to Viral Music Issues

AMI Awards 2025 Press Conference © KapanLagi.com/Fikri Alfi Rosyadi

In response to this curiosity, Candra Darusman, as the Chairman of the Indonesian Music Award Foundation (YAMI), provided his explanation. In a press conference held in the Senayan area of Jakarta on Thursday (13/11/2025), he elaborated on the position of the AMI Awards amid the massive phenomenon of viral music.

2. Not the Only Determining Factor

Candra acknowledged that the members of the AMI Awards jury cannot be detached from the trends currently developing in society, including on digital platforms. Nevertheless, he emphasized that statistical figures or levels of virality are not the only determining factors for a work to be worthy of nomination.

"Indeed, those numbers are not directly needed in the end. So, there are several members in AMI, and they also follow what is trending on social media in their daily lives," said Candra Darusman.

"So directly we don't directly (determine from social media). But it cannot be denied that AMIA members are exposed to it in their daily lives," he added.

3. Have an Indirect Influence

Chairman of the AMI Awards 2025 © KapanLagi.com/Fikri Alfi Rosyadi

In other words, the popularity of a work on social media does have an indirect influence because the judges, who are comprised of music industry players, are also exposed to those songs. However, this does not guarantee that a work will automatically pass through the strict nomination filter.

4. Quality as the Main Reference

Candra Darusman reiterates that quality remains the main reference in the judges' assessment. In addition, the AMI Awards has a responsibility to appreciate all music genres in Indonesia, including categories that may not have a high level of virality on social media but possess quality works.

"Yes, once again AMI does not only look in that direction, but there are also categories like keroncong and others, and we want to appreciate that. So it’s not just about what’s viral, but more about the quality of what’s there," Candra explained further.

5. Holding on to Principles

Nominations for the AMI Awards 2025 © KapanLagi.com/Fikri Alfi Rosyadi

This statement emphasizes that the AMI Awards remains steadfast in its principles to be a barometer of the overall quality of Indonesian music, not just what is currently trending. Appreciation is given to the best works from various genres without exception.

6. The Peak Night of AMI Awards

Meanwhile, the peak night of the AMI Awards, which this year marks its 28th edition, will once again be enlivened by performances from the best Indonesian musicians from various generations and genres.

The peak event of the 28th AMI Awards will be broadcast live through the Official YouTube channel of the Anugerah Musik Indonesia (AMI) Awards from Ciputra Artpreneur, Jakarta, on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.

7. Q&A AMI Awards 2025

The Grand Night of the AMI Awards 2025 © KapanLagi.com/Fikri Alfi Rosyadi

Q: What is the main key to the nomination assessment of the AMI Awards?

A: The quality of music is the main key, not virality on social media.

Q: Does virality on social media affect nominations?

A: Virality is taken into account, but it is not the main determinant in the nomination selection.

Q: How many categories are there in the AMI Awards?

A: The AMI Awards has more than 60 award categories.

Q: Does the AMI Awards appreciate less popular music genres?

A: Yes, the AMI Awards values the diversity of music genres, including those that are not viral.

(kpl/far/rsp)