The rise of ‘Gosposecular’ musician has of late been a great concern and threat to the gospel music industry.
And this includes controversial artistes like Willy Paul whose lifestyle has lately raised eye-brows.
The biggest East African Gospel Award, Groove Awards, is finally back. But these time with more strict regulations.
The Award is now seeking to lock out a number of musicians through their General Ground Rules for all categories which stipulate that the music must be positive gospel music, of good sound quality and must have been commercially released in Kenya within the Eligibility Year (April 1st 2018 to March 31st 2019) through recognized distribution channels.
In addition, for one to be nominated, the artist must live a Christian lifestyle.
The Artist and Song of the Year categories are arguably the most competitive categories and for this year, the nomination criteria for both has been switched up.
For the Artist of the Year, the artist should be hugely popular and have considerable appeal across the country and must have at least two songs that have received significant airplay across various mainstream media platforms.
To qualify for nomination for the Song of the Year, the song should be hugely popular and have a national appeal, must have received significant media rotation across different mediums and must be either the English or Swahili language.
Here is a detailed guideline for the nomination criteria:
The Teens’ Choice Song of the Year: The song should be hugely popular and have specific appeal to the teen market and must have received significant media rotation across different mediums.
Breakthrough Artist of the Year: The Artist must have created musical content that received significant mass public appeal within the eligibility period: have gotten their first breakthrough within the eligibility period: not have been nominated for a Groove Award before, other than as a featured artist.
Hip-Hop Song of the Year: The song must contain at least 80percent rap.
Reggae/Ragga Song of the Year: Instrumentation of the song must primarily consist of the specified genre (a ragga/reggae beat).
Praise & Worship Song of the Year: The song can be sung congregationally for praise & worship.
Collabo of the Year: The song must be hugely popular; have received significant media rotation across different mediums; the song must be undisputedly co-shared and all featured artists must be Gospel musicians.
Music Video of the Year: The picture quality of the video must be clear and of high production quality; The video must display high standards of creativity and originality; The corresponding video producer will also receive an award
Dance Style/Song: The dance style must be attributed to a particular song; The dance style must be hugely popular and have mass appeal
Radio Presenter/Radio show of the year: The personality must be either a presenter, DJ or VJ on an existing mainstream Radio station or online radio station.
The radio show must have been on a music and entertainment Gospel radio program or an online radio station during the eligibility period.
TV Presenter/TV show of the year: The personality must be either a presenter, DJ or VJ on an existing mainstream TV station or online TV station
The TV show must have been on a music and entertainment Gospel TV program or an online TV station during the eligibility period.
Hypeman / MC of the Year: The Hypeman/MC must have regularly performed or hosted popular Gospel music events during the eligibility period
Breakthrough DJ of the Year: The DJ must have gotten their breakthrough within the eligibility period; have performed at various known Gospel events or regularly featured on a radio/TV show in mainstream media and have not received a prior Groove Award nomination.
Regional Categories: One must be from the specified region either by birth or residence: One must perform in a language that is common to that region: This category accommodates choirs, groups, collabos and solo artists: The style of the song must be indigenous to that area.
With that, Groove 2019 season is officially open.
Head on to grooveawards.co.ke/nominations and let your voice be heard by nominating your favourite artists.