In 1997 the 1st. edition of CUBADISCO International Fair delivered for first time the CUBADISCO Award to the participant companies. The Ebony Phonograph was established as the top prize of the competition.

This Award has been summoned every year in more than 25 categories embracing all musical genres, graphic arts, notes and artistic and musical productions, and more recently video productions related to the phonographs presented in the contest.

The Awarding Committee heading by musician Jesús Gómez Cairo and the Juries of every specialty are formed by the highest professionals like: musicians, image and sound experts, musicologists, critics, researchers, radio and television programs directors, journalists and specialized journals directors. The Nomination and Awarding work is carried out with the highest professional rigor as well as the selection of the Special Awards and the Great CUBADISCO Award.

In the year 2001 the Honour Prizes were established. They have been delivered to Cuban and foreign personalities with an outstanding career due their contribution to the musical creation and promotion which are very important for our cultures, among them we can highlight: Harold Gramatges, Leo Brouwer, Chucho Valdés, Frank Fernández, Pablo Milanés, Silvio Rodríguez, Celina González, Luis Carbonell, Manuel Duchesne Cuzán, Adalberto Alvarez, Joan Manuel Serrat, Vicente Garrido, Esther Borja, Oscar Chávez, Daniel Viglieti and Juan Formell.