The 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Awards gave us legends, laughter and, of course, a Holy Ghost party from start to finish!
Kirk Franklin Keeps the Crowd Laughing
Kirk Franklin fulfilled his duties as host by keeping the crowd entertained with a mix of relatable church memories and viral moments. He also took a few light-hearted jabs at some of his fellow artists in attendance.
One of the funniest moments came when Franklin and Marvin Sapp revisited a viral church offering moment, with Franklin calling out, “I’ve closed the doors, man!”
Tye Tribbett Opens the Show
Tye Tribbett teamed up with Ablaze Youth Choir to open the show, performing “Victory” and “I Want It All Back.”
The performance was a fitting showcase of Tribbett’s impact on the next generation of gospel artists, right down to the stylish stage attire.
Highest Honors Of The Night
Grammy Award winner Darrel Walls reminded everyone of the power of perseverance. The former Walls Group frontman won the Artist of the Year Award and used his acceptance speech to share a message of encouragement: “You will see the goodness of the land.”
The simple yet profound statement resonated with the crowd.
Another of the evening’s biggest honors went to Tasha Cobbs Leonard, who received the Aretha Franklin Icon Award.
Pastor John P. Kee Closes the Show
Pastor John P. Kee closed out the show with a nostalgic medley of some of his biggest hits. The arrangement left the crowd ready for Sunday service.
Overall, the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Awards was an incredible celebration of gospel music, honoring its past, present and future.
Check out the full list of winners below!
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Darrel Walls ~ Heart of Mine ~ Tyscot Records / Gumbo Studios
SONG OF THE YEAR
– Promises (Live) ~ Alescia Knowles-Smith ~ EvoWorld Entertainment
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Jonathan McReynolds ~ Still (Live) ft. Jamal Roberts ~ Motown Gospel, Life Room Label
ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Lisa Knowles Smith ~ Revival: Live in Dallas ~ EvoWorld Entertainment
DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
– Lisa Knowles Smith & The Brown Singers ~ Revival: Live in Dallas ~ EvoWorld Entertainment
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Ablaze ~ Ablaze ~ Independent
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Live in New York ~ Vincent Bohanan & SOV ~ Independent
CHOIR OF THE YEAR *TIE*
– JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise ~ The Live Reunion: Washington, DC ~ Motown Gospel, Jamestown Music
– Vincent Bohanan & SOV ~ Live in New York ~ Independent
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
– Alescia Knowles-Smith & Frederick Perry ~ Revival: Live in Dallas ~ EvoWorld Entertainment
CONTEMPORARY DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
– Jonathan McReynolds ft. Jamal Roberts ~ Still (Live)~ Motown Gospel, Life Room Label
TRADITIONAL DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
– Brandon Camphor & One Way ~ In Christ Alone ~ TOMii Entertainment
CONTEMPORARY MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Darrel Walls ~ Heart of Mine ~ Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studio
TRADITIONAL MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– John P. Kee ~ Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee Part I ~ Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records
CONTEMPORARY FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Erica Campbell ~ Trust and Obey – London ~ My Block Records Inc.
TRADITIONAL FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Blanche McAllister-Dykes ~ Words ~ Platoon
CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Fred Hammond Presents Sensere: The Soul Of Future Worship Vol. II ~ Sensere ~ Wrightsound M&E
TRADITIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Jekalyn X The Legends ~ Jekalyn Carr ~ Waynorth Music
URBAN SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
– On The Way Remix ft. Erica Campbell ~ Adia ~ Rock City Media Group
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
– Find Jesus ~ Deitrick Haddon ~ ManHaddon Ministries/Tyscot Records
TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR
– John P. Kee & New Life ~ Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee Part I ~ Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records
CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR
– Vincent Bohanan & SOV ~ Live in New York ~ Independent
TRADITIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Jekalyn Carr ~ Jekalyn X The Legends ~ Waynorth Music
SPECIAL EVENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Bishop S.Y. Younger Presents: Almost Home – A Ramp Record with Friends ~ Bishop S.Y. Younger ~
Ramp Records, Under Exclusive License to MNRK Records LP
RAP HIP HOP GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Reconstruction ~ Lecrae ~ Reach Records
YOUTH PROJECT OF THE YEAR
– Pure N Heart; Alphaeus Anderson Presents Pure N Heart Celebrate Jesus 20yrs; Music2ChangeU
QUARTET OF THE YEAR
– Lisa Knowles Smith & The Brown Singers ~ Revival: Live in Dallas ~ EvoWorld Entertainment
RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
– PJ Morton ~ Heart of Mine ~ Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studios
PRAISE AND WORSHIP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Promises ~ Todd Dulaney ~ DulaneyLand Music, FairTrade Services
PRAISE AND WORSHIP SONG OF THE YEAR
– Your Name ~ Jovonta Patton ~ Newton Street Entertainment/Integrity
RAP/HIP HOP SONG OF THE YEAR
– Movin ~ JustCordell ~ Rock City Media Group
HBCU CHOIR OF THE YEAR
– The Fort Valley State University Choir ft. Loren Michelle & Tiffany Boone
