The 9th ZAI Awards, honoring the best in the Slovak music industry for individual achievements for the year of 1998, took time and place on February 26, 1999, at the New Scene Theater in Bratislava. The ceremony was held in association with the local Music Fund (HF) and, for the first time, with the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Slovakia (SNS IFPPI). For that reason, the accolades were renamed after the Artmedia Music Academy, established by ZAI and the related company. The winners received a plaque with a five-pointed golden star. Host of the event was Peter Kočiš.

Richard Müller

IMT Smile

Vidiek

Other nominees included also Street Dancers, Peter Lipa, Adriena Bartošová and No Name.

• Hladík, Dalibor (February 3, 1999). "Hudobná akadémia zverejnila nominácie na ceny za rok 1998, ktoré udelí 26. februára v Bratislave". SME (in Slovak). Petit Press. sme.sk. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
• Hladík, Dalibor (March 1, 1999). "Štyri ceny Hudobnej akadémie skončili v rukách Richarda Müllera, Free Faces si po svoje neprišli". SME (in Slovak). Petit Press. sme.sk. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
• Hladík, Dalibor (March 1, 1999). "Ceny Hudobnej akadémie za rok 1998". SME (in Slovak). Petit Press. sme.sk. Retrieved April 14, 2015.

• ZAI Awards > Winners (Official site)
• Artmedia Awards > 1998 Winners (at SME)