Indiana-based singers, bands and other musicians can submit their music to be considered for the 2026 Naptones music awards.
Troy Freeman, CEO of the local music video and Q&A series Select Few Sessions, wants artists and fans to think of the awards as the Grammys, but in Indianapolis.
“The Naptones are an opportunity to put the musicians of our state on a pedestal,” Freeman, 27, said. “I take the music scene and recognition of artists here in this state very seriously.”
In March, the first Naptones took place at P30. Ten artists took home 13 awards. Rebel Noire and the Accomplices won “Single of the Year” for their song “Awestruck” and Akili Ni Mali, who won “Album of the Year,” for her album “Changes.”
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Photos: The Naptones music awards celebrate local artists
Event organizer TroyTrackSelect announced winners across 13 categories March 22 at P30.
Musicians, who must live in Indiana, can submit a single and a full-length album or EP to nine categories: Blues, country, folk/Americana, jazz, pop/EDM, R&B, rap, rock/punk/metal and reggae. Only music released in 2025 will be considered.
A listening committee of five people in the Indianapolis arts community will review each submission. The team will nominate three artists per category. Freeman said they’re looking for songwriting ability, creativity and innovation.
Three years ago, Freeman, who works as an engineer, started journaling about the idea of hosting an awards show. It was because he often heard artists complain about the lack of support in Indiana.
“There’s a mindset that some people who live here have … if they want to be something that they have to go somewhere else,” he told Mirror Indy. “I want them to know that they can do it (in Indianapolis).”
Interested in submitting your music? The submission deadline is Dec. 31. Finalists in each category will be notified in mid-January.
The 2026 Naptones awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, March 29, at Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre. Tickets are $15 and will go on sale in early January.
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Mirror Indy reporter Mesgana Waiss covers arts and culture. Contact her at 317-667-2643 or mesgana.waiss@mirrorindy.org.
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