Time for last year’s BEST OF list! The following are my personal nominees along with the justification for each one:

Best female artist: Sepideh
(For a solid integrity and strong album)

Best male artist: Idin
(For a thriving ambition and progressive album)

Best newcomer: Navid and Omid
(For a thought-thorough debut)

Best stage-performer: Andy
(For a still solid showmanship)

Best Iran-based artist: Reza Yazdani
(For redefining Persian ROCK)

Best album: Kiosk - Eshghe Sorat
(For an ongoing exploration and crossbreeding)

Best music producer: Roma Kanyan
(For the most progressive and versatile approach)

Most promising new act: Rayan Nima
(For the best independent production)

Best music video: Kamran and Hooman - Dooset Daaram (director: Vahik)
(For a conceptually clever and stylistically exclusive production)

Best album cover: Sepideh - No Fear (designer: Siros Kerdouni)
(For a daring image and edgy design)

Best record label: Avang Music Co.
(For a consistent selection and release of strong albums)