The 9th annual Groove Awards nomination night was held at a star-studded red carpet event at the Arboretum on Tuesday 29 March. This year’s theme is: Let your light Shine.
The event was once again hosted by DJ Soxxy with entertainment in the form of comedy from comedians Jalang’o, Eric Omondi, Abel Mutua from Hapa Kule and actress Naomi Wnajiku. It was a colourful event that was a step-up from last year’s nomination night that seemed a bit dull with recycled jokes. With the funny clips and jokes this time round, the nomination night was captivating.
The 9th edition of the awards come with some changes. This time round, there are no categories for Best Ugandan, Tanzanian, Rwanda and Burudni. THE academy has instead consolidated countries and has regional awards. There will instead be the Best East and Central African artist, Best South African artist and Best Nigerian artist of the year awards.
The category for best audio and video producer of the year also seem to have been scraped off
To vote for favorite nominees send the word GROOVE followed by a space and the artist’s code to 811 or go to www.grooveawards.co.ke
Here is the full list of nominees
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Bahati
• Dk Kwenye Beat
• Jimmy Gait
• Kris Eeh Baba
• Pitson
• Rufftone
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Eunice Njeri
• Gloria Muliro
• Janet Otieno
• Mercy D Lai
• Sarah K
• Size 8
GROUP OF THE YEAR
• Adawnage
• BMF
• Christ Cycoz
• Kelele Takatifu
• Nicholas Harmonies
• S.O.C
NEW ARTIST/NEW GROUP OF THE YEAR
• Benachi
• Danny Gift
• Diddi Kimer
• Grace Mwai
• Lady Bee
• LJay Maasai
SONG OF THE YEAR
• Asusu – Dk Kwenye Beat
• Lingala Ya Yesu – Pitson
• Machozi – Bahati
• Mateke – Size 8
• Msaidizi – Gloria Muliro
• Napokea Kwako – Janet Otieno ft. Christina Shusho
WORSHIP SONG OF THE YEAR
• Hakuna Silaha – Sarah K
• Holy God – Chomba
• Ni Juu Yako – Frank
• Niumbie na Roho Mtakatifu – Pastor Musembi
• Ulibeba – Eunice Njeri
• Uwepo – Mercylinah
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
• Kirathimo – Grace Mwai
• Msaidizi – Gloria Muliro
• Nisamehe -Mercy D Lai
• Pacato – Pst. Musembi
• Silaha – Sarah K
• Uwepo Wako – Mercylinah
HIPHOP SONG OF THE YEAR
• Mede (Mapepo) – Kris Eeh Baba & Friends
• One Way – Sanka
• Rise & Shine – Kelele Takatifu & Christ Cycoz
• Sir – Eko Dydda
• Testimony – Kennedy Krezi
• Wannabe – Dee & Holy Dave
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
• Asusu – DK Kwenye Beat
• Kazi Ya Msalaba – Daddy Owen ft. Danny Gift
• Machozi- Bahati
• Mateke – Size 8
• Sambaza – Alice Kamande
• Signature – Jimmy Gait
COLLABO OF THE YEAR
• Kazi Ya Msalaba – Daddy Owen ft. Danny Gift
• Laleiyo – Ljay Maasai ft Shiro Wa GP
• Mungu Baba – Rufftone & GSU
• Napokea Kwako – Janet Otieno ft. Christina Shusho
• Ngai Ti Mundu – Betty Bayo & Mr. Seed
• Rise & Shine – Kelele Takatifu & Christ Cycoz
RAGGA/REGGAE SONG OF THE YEAR
• Addicted – JFAM
• Big God – Dafari
• Glorious – Guardian Angel Ft. Jay & Tahilla
• Live Up – HopeKid
• Soldier – Mr. Vee
• Worship You – BMF ft. Mercy Wairegi
DANCE GROUP OF THE YEAR
• All Stars
• De Tour
• Flamers
• Genje
• Gospel Warriors
• Tremors
GOSPEL RADIO SHOW OF THE YEAR
• Gospel Sunday-Milele
• Gospel Switch – Truth FM
• Inuka-Hot 96
• Mwamba Show – HBR
• Shangilia – Hope FM
• Tukuza – Radio Maisha
GOSPEL TV SHOW OF THE YEAR
• Angaza – KBC
• Crossover 101- NTV
• Gospel Sunday – (Kubamba & Rauka) CTV
• Password – NTV
• The Switch – K24
• Tukuza – KTN
RADIO PRESENTER OF THE YEAR
• Allan T – HBR
• Amani Aila – Hope FM
• Anthony Ndiema – Radio Maisha
• Kambua – Hot 96
• Lawrence Thuku – Truth FM
• Selly Amutabi – (Tambira) QFM
DJ OF THE YEAR
• DJ GG
• DJ Krowbar
• DJ Mo
• DJ Sadic
• DJ Sanch
• DJ Touch
CENTRAL SONG OF THE YEAR
• Ahiurania – ND Githuka
• Busy busy – Betty Bayo
• Kirathimo – Grace Mwai
• Ndikaria Thithino Yene – Waweru Karanja
• Nyungu Ya Ngai – Shiru Wa GP
• Queen – Loise Kim
EASTERN SONG OF THE YEAR
• Amaitha Kanw’ai – Eunice Kyalo
• Kinyuriru – Ndilima
• Kitole – Stephen Kasolo
• Malovoto – Phylis Mutisya
• Mwaka Mweu – Justus Myelo
• Ngumbau – Wilberforce Musyoka
NYANZA SONG OF THE YEAR
• Dala Mosingi – Muthoka
• Dongo Dongo – Geraldine Oduor
• Ekina – Mary Kerubo
• Kende Kende – Tetete
• Thuond Mula – Christine Otieno
• Yesu Olocho – Prisca Onyango
RIFT VALLEY SONG OF THE YEAR
• Kongoi Baba – Moses Sirgoi
• Laleiyo – LJay Maasai ft Shiro wa GP
• Olenkodikod – Diddi Kimer
• Otononse – Lillian Rotich
• Sigiriet – Joel Kimeto
• Sobei Cheiso – Emmy Kosgei
PWANI SONG OF THE YEAR
• Ahadi Za Bwana – Pst. Anthony Musembi
• Bwana Wa Mabwana -Princess Farida
• Milele – Marion Shako
• Mwaminifu – Kristine Ndela Ft. Rozina
• Nisamehe – Mercy D Lai
• Tam Tam – Masha Mapenzi
WESTERN SONG OF THE YEAR
• Endiriranga – Ben Bahati
• Humbe Obulamu – Tetron Alubiri
• Khwekanile – Geofrey Kwatemba
• Mwami we tsimbavasi – Carol Martins
• Nyasaye Papa – Damso Mutsotso
• Shibenyanata – Joseph Shisia
WESTERN AFRICA ARTIST
• Cwesi Oteng – Ghana
• Frank Edwards- Nigeria
• Izzy Beat – Nigeria
• Nathaniel Bassey – Nigeria
• Sinach – Nigeria
• Uche – Nigeria
SOUTHERN AFRICA ARTIST
• Abel Chungu – Zambia
• Benjamin Dube – South Africa
• Joyous Celebration – South Africa
• MAG 44 – Zambia
• Pompi – Zambia
• Solly Mahlangu – South Africa
EASTERN & CENTRAL AFRICA ARTIST
• Christina Shusho – Tanzania
• David Kasika – Congo
• Exodus – Uganda
• Gaby Kwairizie – Rwanda
• Rose Muhando – Tanzania
• Solomon Mkubwa – Tanzania