Rwanda’s premier music awards are back, and with a bang! The Salax Awards, organised by the Ikirezi Group, begun in 2008 to recognise the works of outstanding musicians in different categories.While speaking to journalists, Emma Claudine Ntirenganya, the head of Ikirezi Group said, "This year’s event has come with a number of changes. There are categories that we recognised last year that you’ll not see. But again, we’ve also introduced new categories this year.”Among the changes made this year is the exclusion of Best Audio and Best Video Director, two categories that had been introduced last year. Instead, the awards organisers have brought in a new category, ‘Diaspora Recognition Award’."We have come to notice that there are many Rwandan musicians who are making and producing hit tracks from abroad. Since their songs are followed by many fans here, we had to recognize their hard work,” Ntirenganya said.These musicians will compete in a number of categories that include; Artist of the Year, Best Male Artist, Best Female Artist, Best New Artist, Best Traditional artist, Best Afro beat Artist, Best Hip-Hop Artist, Best RnB Artist, Best Gospel Artist, Best Group, Song of The YearBest album, Best Video and Diaspora Recognition Award.The organisers also revealed that voting for your favourite musician will be done by SMS and Internet after journalists and radio DJs have decided which musicians will compete in every category. Tom Close (2008), The Ben (2009), Tom close (2010) and King James (2011) are the past winners.This year’s Salax Awards ceremony is slated for March 9 at the Kigali Serena Hotel. They are sponsored by the Ministry of Sports and Culture.