The 9th annual Groove Awards was held at a spectacular gala at the KICC lawns on 1st June. The theme this year was “Let your light shine”. Safaricom was back as the main sponsor for the 7th year running and ntv took over as the media partner broadcasting the event live
DJ Soxxy once again got to play host with Victoria Rubadiri by his inside. The night was full of humor as the presenters of the awards found ways to entertain guests before unveilig the winner.
There was a marked improvement from last year as the sound was slightly better and there was more sitting space. The down side was the fact that there were fewer screens to display the event and people had to strain to see the stage.
Despite all these, people still had fun singing along to performances from Size 8, DK Kwenye Beat, Daddy Owen and other selected artists
In attendance was Cabinet Secretary for Devolution Anne Waiguru and Dennis Itumbi who both came bearing gifts from the president. A total of Kshs. 1 million was donated by the president and his deputy to all winners. They will get to choose a charity to donate the money to.
The best female artist and best male artist went home with Kshs. 200,000 each from the president. This is alongside getting a Samsung Galaxy S5 and Kshs. 20,000 worth of credit.
Special tribute was given to the Late Peter Kaberere who was feted for his work in the gospel industry. His wife was in attendance to receive the Lifetime Achievemet award.
Below is a list of the winners in each category(the winners are highlighted i bold)
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 FM
• 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
The academy selected winners in the following categories:
Song Writer of the year – Sarah K
Video Producer of the Year – Sammy Dee
Audio Producer of the year – Jacky B
The award for outstanding contributor – B.A. Kanyotu