The nominees of the Groove Awards 2017, a Kenyan Gospel music awards show, were announced last night at The Chandaria Center Auditorium, University of Nairobi Towers. This year marks the 12 year the Safaricom sponsored awards have been held.
This year’s nominees include Daddy Owen, Eko Dydda, Guardian Angel, Alice Kimanzi, Evelyn Wanjiru, Mercy Masika, Kelele Takatifu and Kambua.
Nominated artists will perform during the Groove Tours that will begin on 14th May and will take place in towns such as Machakos, Eldoret and Karatina.
Title sponsor Safaricom has invested over KShs 100 million in the awards over the years. The winners gala event will be 1st June 2017 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.
Fans can vote for the favourite musicians by dialing *811# and following the prompts, or via groove.co.ke. Public voting is now open and will run until midnight, 31st May 2017.
Find a full list of the Groove Awards 2017 nominees below:
Ragga/Reggae song of the year
General – Hopekid
Godly Love – Mannaseh
Holy Ghost Party – Alemba, Dj Sadic & Guardian
Light it Up – Garvey Royal Ft. Majic Mike
Paza Sauti – TPK Sons Ft. Coopy Bly & Dj Sadic
Talk – Warda
New Artist/Group of the year
Ben C
Dar Mjomba
Sharon
Slejj
Stonee Jiwe
Weezdom
Song of the year
Bamba Mbaya – Kelele Takatifu
BazoKizo – Collo & Bruz Newton
Huyu Yesu – Mercy Masika & Angel Benard
Kutembea Nawe – Rebecah Dawn
Pale Pale – Size 8
Thitima Anthem – Kymo & Stigah
Album of the year
Ambition – Recapp
Matendo – Evelyn Wanjiru
Wimbo Mpya – Florence Mureithi
We Will Rule – Mwanga Band
Natamani Nikuone – Laura Karwirwa
Check also SOMA OLX Awards
Southern Africa artist of the year
Pompi – Zambia
Tembalami – Zimbabwe
Zimpraise – Zimbabwe
Lebo Sekgobela – South Africa
Khaya Mtethwa – South Africa
Chileshe Bwalya – Zambia
Eastern counties song of the year
Yesu Nde Compe – Stephen Kasolo
Wi Munene – Sophie Nyoroka
Nguma – Wilberforce Musyoka
Musili Wa Kati – Pastor Dan Mutemi
Munyanya Waw’o – Justus Myelo
Inkatho – Sherry Pam
Dj of the year
Dj GeeGee
Dj MO
Dj Mzito
Dj Ruff
Dj Sadic
Dj Sam Omol
Rift Valley counties song of the year
Taai – Emmy Kosgei
Shilishil – Stephen Leken
Etadamua – Maryanne Naipasoi Tutuma
Atiriren – Maggy Cheruiyot
Achame Jeso – Cathy Komen
Abaibai Ane – Moses Sirgoi
Western Africa artist of the year
Ada – Nigeria
Sinach – Nigeria
Preachers – Ghana
Frank Edwards – Nigeria
Ohemaa Mercy – Ghana
Joe Praize – Ghana
Eastern and Central Africa artist of the year
Ahavah Gospel Singers – Ethiopia
Angel Benard – Tanzania
Gisubizo Ministries – Rwanda
Goodluck Gozbert – Tanzania
Levixone – Uganda
Mireille Basirwa – DRC
Worship song of the year
Jehova – Frank
Kutembea Nawe – Rebekah Dawn
Let Praises Rise (Cover) by Alice Kimanzi
Tuma Mvua – David Adede ft. Sarah
Patakatifu Pako – Erick Smith
Umetukuka – Israel Ezekia
TV show of the year
Tukuza – KTN
The Switch – K24
Angaza – KBC
Crossover 101 – NTV
Rauka – Citizen
Pambazuka – Citizen
Video of the year
Anatimiza – Kambua
I live for you – Adawange
Overflow – Alemba & Dj Sadic ft. Sammy Dee
Western Counties song of the year
Were Wakama Ya – Pastor Robert Lumbasi
Wireve – Betty Amulele
Amba Khu Yesu – Grace Sunday
Reke Sieve – Humphrey Onzere
Omwami – Violet Wanjala ft. Rufftone
Khubira Byosi – Timothy Kitui ft. Ole Willy
Coastal Counties song of the year
Yuko Nawe – Mercy D Lai
Yule Yule – Yvonne Aphia
Umenifaa – Eve Bahati
Nikone – Masha Mapenzi
M’barikiwa – Princess Farida
Kaza Roho – Princess Farida & Micha
Collabo of the year
Wewe ni Mungu – Daddy Owen ft. Rigan Sarkozi
Kuna Day (Remix) – Jimmy Gait & Friends
Huyu Yesu – Mercy Masika & Angel Benard
Hatutasumbuka Tena – Stephen Kasolo ft Rose
Boom Aye – Majic Mike ft Kambua
Bazo Kizo – Collo & Bruz Newton
Hip-hop song of the year
You – Churchill King & Recapp
Yesu Ndio Kusema – Scooby
World Wide – Recapp
Vidole – Eko Dydda
Ushai Notice – Holy Dave
Thitimaahh – Stone Jiwe
Male Artist of the year
Pitson
Daddy Owen
Pastor Anthony Musembi
Kris Eeh Baba
Guardian Angel
Eko Dydda
Female Artist of the year
Alice Kimanzi
Kambua
Size 8
Mercy Masika
Princess Farida
Evelyn Wanjiru