It was a night filled with pomp and colour.The 11th Annual Groove Awards Nomination Ceremony was held at Kenya National Theatre on April 26th, 2016.This nomination night brought together gospel artistes to celebrate and recognize those impacting the Gospel industry. This year’s nominees were unveiled during the ceremony. The newly-wed Daddy Owen dominated the nomination this time round with five nomination slots in the categories Male Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Video of the Year, Collabo of the Year and Afro-pop Song of the Year.
New mum, Size 8, garnered herself three nominations, while Eko Dydda and Kelele Takatifu followed closely with two nominations each.
Surprisingly, two of the biggest gospel musicians, Bahati and Willy Paul have not been nominated in any category.Bahati was not present for the nomination night. The two artistes have been involved in online war of words and exchange of accusations for quite some time.
Here is the Groove Awards 2016 nominees list:
Male Artist of the year
Daddy Owen
Eko Dydda
Guardian Angel
JFAM
Ljay Maasai
Pitson
Female Artist of the Year
Eunice Njeri
Evelyn Wanjiru
Gloria Muliro
Janet Otieno
Mercy Masika
Size 8
Song of the Year
Afadhali Yesu- Size 8
Ndio Yako- Gloria Muliro
Ngori- Kelele Takatifu
Niache Niimbe- Pitson
Nikupendeze- Mercy Masika
Vanity- Daddy Owen
Group of the Year
24 Elders
Christ Cyxoz
Kelele Takatifu
Recapp
SOC
TPK Sons
Collabo of the Year
5 Stones- Recapp FT. Rigga
Ayaya- Magic Mike and Kris Erroh
Happy Day- Mr. Seed & Pitson
Okokroko- 24 Elders and Daddy Owen
Tulia- Everlyne Wanjiru and Vicky Kitonga
Wave- JFAM and Omari
Worship Song of the Year
Hakuna kama Wewe- Lady B
Jina La Yesu- Frank
Kimbilio- Abedy Ngosso
Nikufahamu- Evelyn Wanjiru
Uka – Eunice Njeri
Wewe Ni Zaidi- Eric Smith
TV Show of the Year
Angaza (KBC)
Crossover 101 (NTV)
Kubamba (Citizen TV)
Rauka (Citizen TV)
The Switch (K24)
Tukuza (KTN)
Gospel Radio Show of the Year
Gospel Night Live- Ghetto FM
Gospel Sunday- Miele FM
Gospel Switch- Truth FM
Pambazuka – Citizen Radio
Shangilia- Hope FM
Tambira – Q FM
Gospel Radio Presenter of the Year
Amani Aila- Hope FM
DJ Ruff- Ghetto Radio
Eva Mwalili- Milele FM
Joyce Gituro- Radio Citizen
Lawrence Thuku- Truth FM
Selly Amutavi Kadot- Q FM
DJ of the Year
DJ GG
DJ Krowbar
DJ Mo
DJ Ruff
DJ Sadic
DJ Tabz
Video of the Year
5 Stones- Recapp
Afathali Yesu- Size 8
Haina Budi- Eko Dydda
Natamani Nikuone- Laura Karwirwa
Roho Wako- Janet Otieno
Vanity- Daddy Owen
Talent to Watch
DK Covenant
Dj Katta
DJ Mzito
Hype Ballo
Hype Gudah
Timeless Noel
Hip-Hop Song of the Year
5 Stones- Recapp
Dead and Gone- Shem
Easy- Maluda Ft. Juliani
It’s Time- P31
Nina One- Eko Dydda
Serrre- MC LC
Ragga/ Reggae Song of the Year
Calling- Mr. Googs and Christo Fabulous
Control- Dafatari
Give Thanks- Guardian Angel
Mention Jesus- JFAM
Ngong Ngong- TPK Sons
Wave- JFAM & Omari
New Artist/ Group of the Year
Bonz Mzalendo
Cliche
Eric Smith
Laura Karwirwa
Mash Mwana
P31
Southern Africa Artist of the Year
Abel Chungu (Zambia)
Benjamin Dube (South Africa)
Joyous Celebration (South Africa)
Magg 44 (Zambia)
Pompi (Zambia)
Tembelami (Zimbabwe)
Western Africa Artist of the Year
Frank Edwards (Nigeria)
Nathaniel Bassey (Nigeria)
Onos Brisibi (Nigeria)
Sinach (Nigeria)
The Preachers (Ghana)
Tim Godfrey (Nigeria)
Eastern Counties Song of the Year
Ivinda ya Kukilwa- Michael Mutuku
Kathiiwa Tata- Justus Myello
Kathina Yingi Ninalea- Eunice Kyalo
Mbua Nene- James Mwongela
Ngai Niwukilasya- Stephen Kasolo
Simu Mundu- Pst. Dan Mutemi
Afro-Pop Song of the Year
Ayaya- Majic Mike & Kris Erroh
Mutuku- SOC ft. Levixone
Ngori- Kelele takatifu
Rejea – Guardian Angel
Some More- Christ Cyxoz
Vanity- Daddy Owen
Coastal counties song of the year
Dhoruba- Mercy D.Lai
Jehova Yu Mwema- Pst. Anthony Musembi
Pamoja- Michael Yena
Sauti Za Furaha- Evelyne Ndege
Ushindi- Faith Mwikali
Yule Yule- Yvonne Aphia
Rift Valley Counties Song of the Year
Ashe Mpapa- Pst. Samuel Somorei
Assets- Moses Sirgoi
Chamyet- Lilian Rotich
Ebenezer- Edna Lotole
Mututan- Carlos kaptich
Sigogo- Ljay Maasai
Nyanza Counties Song of the Year
Abasani B’ Omusunte- Fenny Kerubo
Jerusalem Oiki – Maureen Awour
Nyasaye MArahuma- Eunice Ongoma
Omosae Omonda- Lydia Scarlet Nyairabu
Yeso Tara- Ev. Douglas Otiso
Yesu Iber- Evaline Muthoka
Central Song of the Year Nominees
Githe Tiwe- Phylis Mbuthia
Ihinda- Shiru Wa GP
Irathiro- Austin Muturi
Kirathimo- Sammy Irungu
Matata- Charles Wachira
Ngai Ageka- Njuguna Gichecha