9th ZAI Awards
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 and, for the first time, with the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Slovakia. 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.
Winners
Main categories
| Vocal Artist | Vocal Ensemble |
★ Richard Müller | ★ IMT Smile |
| Instrumental Artist | New Artist |
★ Andrej Šeban | ★ Free Faces |
| Cover Art | Song |
★ Jozef Červeň – Almost True Story | ★ "Nočná optika" – Richard Müller |
| Record | Album |
★ Almost True Story – Ivan Jombík | ★ Nočná optika – Richard Müller |
| Producer | Music Video |
★ Richard Müller – Nočná optika
| ★ "Môžeš závidieť" – Karol Vosátko |
Other nominees included also Street Dancers, Peter Lipa, Adriena Bartošová and No Name.