Billboard nominates music app awards

Billboard has announced that it will be giving awards out for iOS music apps (of all things). At the Music App Summit on October 5th, Billboard will choose winning iOS apps in six different categories, from Best Artist App and Best Music Creation App to Best Branded Music App. You can find the full list of nominees after the break, and there are some recognizable names on there, including a Phish touring app, TUAW favorite I am T-Pain, and the now Disney-owned Tap Tap Revenge.

Winners will be announced at the summit, and they will be selected by a panel of judges that includes (not kidding about this) MC Hammer and a bunch of CEOs and marketing folks. It seems silly (and let's face it... it is), but Billboard is a big deal in the music industry, and this means that the dinosaur-like recording giants are at least starting to notice the effect that apps have on artist profiles. Plus, it's good to see LaDiDa get a little more attention -- I liked that one.

Best Artist App
Linkin Park 8-Bit Rebellion by Artificial Life, Inc. in conjunction with Warner Bros. Records
I Am T-Pain by Smule
TouchChords: Jimmy Vaughan by Curious Brain

Best Music Streaming App
Rhapsody by Rhapsody
MOG by MOG
Thumbplay by Thumbplay, Inc.

Best Touring App
Live Phish by nugs.net
R5 by Ticketfly
Bonnaroo by Aloompa

Best Music Creation App
LaDiDa by Khush, Inc.
AmpliTube iRig by IK Multimedia
MorphWiz by Wizdom Music

Best Music Engagement App
Tap Tap Revenge 3 by Tapulous
SoundHound Infinity by Soundhound, Inc
Mix Me In2 Taylor Swift by Fried Green Apps

Best Branded Music App
50s Sound Lab, Vitamin Water by Skyrockit
ZOOZbeat Sprite by ZOOZ Mobile, Inc.
Gibson Learn & Master Guitar by Gibson Guitar