It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for: your votes are in and we’re ready to announce the winners of the 2024 Drumeo Awards!
Thanks to you, we can acknowledge and showcase some of the most accomplished players in the drumming community this year.
From skilled virtuosos and teachers to talented entertainers, we put 75 amazing drummers on the ballot – and you submitted hundreds of thousands of votes for the ones you thought deserved the most recognition.
We nominated drummers from 15 different countries including the US, Canada, Italy, Germany, Columbia, Serbia, Spain, and England.
Scroll down to find out who won, or learn about all the 2024 Drumeo Awards nominees.
And if you missed the awards show live stream, rewatch it right here:
The Drummer Of The Year Award is our biggest award. It goes to a drummer who checked all the boxes this year with recording projects, live or streaming events, online presence, and all-around excellence in their contributions to music.
Your vote made it loud and clear: El Estepario Siberiano was your favorite.
In 2024, he formed the band The Cost, collaborated with notable artists like Serj Tankian, and released several viral videos that highlight his exceptional skill.
The winner of this award played on a single track or a full album that made an outstanding contribution to their style – or to music in general – via the drums.
You voted for Saviors, the new album from Green Day featuring Tré Cool’s drumming prowess, as your drum recording of the year.
The winner of this award put on a legendary, must-watch performance this year, either with a full band at an event or in a solo studio video.
Well, in the midst of one of the biggest drum chair flip-flops in history, Eloy Casagrande put on a legendary performance in the middle of the desert to make his debut as the new drummer for Slipknot.
Pop drummers have to deliver perfection night after night. The winner of this award had a successful year live and/or in the studio crafting today’s new hits.
Queen Cora Coleman had an impressive year, touring with Chante Moore, serving as Assistant Musical Director for CMT’s Smashing Glass gala, and delivering a standout performance as a featured drummer on Late Night with Seth Meyers.
Jazz drumming requires deep study of master drummers that came before and this year’s winner is at the top of their game.
In 2024, Ulysses taught the first-ever 30-Day Jazz course with Drumeo, created a viral video that featured his Generation Y band covering a Nirvana song, and launched the new Louis Armstrong Broadway musical, A Wonderful World.
Country drummers are the soul of Country music. Though they may have chops, the winner of this award focuses on supporting the song, often making very subtle choices to make it feel just right.
Cody Ash had a big year on even bigger stages as he toured with rising country star Jelly Roll.
R&B and Hip-Hop Drumming requires finesse, often emulating a programmed drum beat that takes a high level of skill to make it groove just right. The winner of this award is at the cutting edge of today’s fastest-growing genres.
Renowned for his speed, precision, and dynamic performances, Eric spent his year touring the world with artists like Eros Ramazzotti and Andrey Chmut, performing at drum clinics and festivals, and creating inspiring short-form content.
The winner of this award will have had a busy and impactful year, primarily in the soul and/or funk genres.
Stanton had a very busy 2024, touring with Galactic, running his Spirit of New Orleans Drum Camp, and doing various clinics and events, including a visit to Drumeo.
The winner of this award can do it all, crossing stylistic boundaries by combining elements from funk, jazz, rock, and metal.
With the debut of his solo album, Mark, Guiliana continues to push boundaries and create new frontiers in music, showcasing his unique sound and artistry.
Progressive drummers play on the edge of what’s possible on the instrument. Layered polyrhythms, advanced independence, and strong musicianship set these drummers apart.
Mike made a highly anticipated return to Dream Theater in 2024, recording their upcoming album and embarking on a worldwide tour. He also made waves with some of the year’s most viral drum content.
Metal drumming requires equal portions of precision, stamina, and brute force. This year’s winner had a successful year recording and/or touring with their band.
In 2024, Eloy Casagrande officially joined Slipknot. Need we say more?
The winner of this award will have had a great year as a Rock Drummer – a hard hitter who provides the energy for the most influential rock artists and bands.
Pearl Jam shook the music scene with Dark Matter, a critically acclaimed album powered by Matt Cameron’s signature groove and boundless creativity.
This award goes to a drummer who has built their profile independently, has created a strong online community on YouTube, and is constantly inspiring or entertaining people with their drum videos, playing, and/or personality.
For the second year in a row, El Estepario defends his title of YouTube Drummer Of The Year, having officially surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube. Can he make it a three-peat?
This award goes to a drummer who’s built a strong online community on Instagram, has created a strong brand for themselves, and constantly inspires, educates, or entertains.
Buckets the Drummer is a street performer known for his high-energy drumming, utilizing buckets and other unconventional percussion instruments. He has built a large social media following thanks to his distinctive style and captivating street performances in various cities.
This award goes to a drummer who’s a standout on TikTok and who has used the platform to entertain or inspire the next generation of drummers.
This year’s winner is Raja Meissner! Her energetic and genre-blending covers of popular songs have garnered a large following for her impressive technical skills and entertaining videos.
An in-house panel chose the next five award-winners as examples of drummers who embody the spirit of each award’s namesake.
One of the most accomplished and well-known drummers of the 20th century, Buddy Rich is still a household name because of his virtuosic talents and his accomplishments as a bandleader. The recipient of this ‘hall of fame’ award has made their name synonymous with drumming over decades of excellence. This may be through any combination of performance, recording, teaching, or all of the above.
We chose Alex Van Halen as the recipient of this year’s Buddy Rich Award. As the co-founder of the legendary rock band Van Halen, Alex is known for his powerful and innovative drumming style. He played a pivotal role in shaping the band’s sound, heavily influencing the hard rock and heavy metal genres. His work on classic albums such as 1984 and Van Halen have cemented his status as one of the greatest rock drummers of all time.
Viola Smith was a pioneer in expanding the boundaries of drumming. From her unprecedented, massive drum set (including two elevated gong drums) to playing beyond the age of 100, she was an innovator who carved her own path in the drumming community – especially during an era when she wasn’t encouraged to do so.
This award is given to a trailblazing drummer who has shown innovation and creativity in how they approach the drum set.
Ramon Montagner is a Brazilian drummer and educator known for his mastery of Brazilian rhythms, jazz, and fusion drumming. He has performed with numerous prominent Brazilian artists and has released solo works showcasing his technical prowess and creativity. Always pushing the boundaries, Ramon has pioneered innovative techniques, including advanced applications of the push/pull method and playing with two sticks in one hand.
Louie Bellson has long been credited as the first drummer to popularize double bass playing. Before metal and rock came to be, Louie transferred his skills and sounds from hands to feet, finding new ways to express rhythms on the low end. This award is presented to a drummer who has displayed excellence and creativity in double bass drumming.
Tomas Haake is the drummer for the Swedish extreme metal band Meshuggah. Known for his complex rhythms and polyrhythmic grooves, Haake has been instrumental in defining the sound of Meshuggah, one of the most influential metal bands in the progressive and djent genres. “Bleed” is a modern-day masterclass in double bass drumming.
Tony Williams was just 17 years old when he played on Miles Davis’ revolutionary album, Seven Steps To Heaven. This award is presented to a drummer who has already made a memorable impact at a young age. The winner will have made valuable contributions to drumming and/or inspired others with their music.
Shane Hawkins, the son of late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, carries on his father’s legacy. He’s been performing with Chevy Metal, the cover band founded by Taylor. Shane has also made notable guest appearances with the Foo Fighters, including an emotional performance at London’s Wembley Stadium in June 2024.
Formerly the Jim Chapin Award, the Dom Famularo Award is presented to an educator who has displayed excellence in inspiring & informing drummers everywhere. This could be through education in an academic setting, contributions through a published book, or an online course/channel.
Gregg Bissonette is a renowned American drummer known for his versatility across a wide range of genres, including rock, jazz, and big band. He has performed with artists such as David Lee Roth, Santana, and Ringo Starr, where he is a key member of Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band.
As a respected drum educator, Gregg is known for his engaging teaching style and comprehensive instructional content. He has authored educational books and appeared in numerous instructional videos, sharing his expertise in various drumming styles, from rock and jazz to Latin and big band. He is also a sought-after clinician, inspiring drummers worldwide through masterclasses and events.
Thanks so much for voting, sharing, and participating in the Drumeo Awards – you’ve helped us honor and highlight some of today’s most impactful and hardworking drummers. See you later this year for the 2025 awards season!
Drumeo Team - We're professional, award-winning drummers and drum teachers, coaches, recording artists, and content specialists who are passionate about drums and helping drummers around the world. This post was written and/or edited by Sam Landa, Brandon Toews, Jared Falk, Dave Atkinson, or another pro on our team (which has a combined 1000+ years of drumming experience). Are you looking for inspiration, education, and support to take your playing to the next level? Join the Drumeo community today!
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