Africa-Press – Botswana. Nominees for this year’s Gospel Music Awards have been unveiled.
Chairperson of gospel music awards Phempheretlhe Bafana Pheto said during a media briefing that the event was scheduled for October 21 at Molapo Showcase Piazza in Gaborone.
“The awards are meant to motivate gospel singers to continue making gospel music and to preach the message of Christ to all through song,” he said.
The award ceremony will be held under the theme: Soul Soothing Song.
He said gospel music was important because of its progressive history, sense of belonging, peace and solidarity it gives to communities.
The awards organiser, Charity Keobokile-Opelo stated that the nomination considered artistes whose entry was an album, single or song that in the professional opinion of the judges was better than any other album or song entered in the 2023 Gospel Music Awards.
“At least four top artists are nominated per category of 20 and excellence was adjudicated on technical production, musicality and content, packaging, creativity and entertainment value,” she said.
Meanwhile, nominees for best gospel group are Tehillah Royal Music-Spirit Being, Makawana a Wesele-10th Anniversary, Jabulani Gospel Group-Joshua and Jwaneng Assembly of God-The Great Harvest.
Best Traditional Nominees include Makawana a Wesele-Bakreste se robaleng, Ounah-Revival Season 3, Evangelist letso Mphela-Ndi wanga Morena and Obakeng-Dedications.
For Best Disabled Artist the nominees are; Arabang Magada and Mopati Tshupelo whilst Best Gospel Single include Ke sena Wena by Ounah, Tse ntle Tsotlhe by Boago Fenju, The Great Harvest by Jwaneng Assembly of God, Victory by Lesego Ikgopoleng and Are naya mohau by Sesame.
The Best Gospel Newcomer nominees are; Prudence Boka Ratsebe-The revival, Tehillah Royal Music-Spirit being, Kamsy-Melody and Tumelo Awee-Abotle and the category of Best Gospel Producer has the likes of Mr Allie, Stone Bw and Ernest Seakgosing.
Best Gospel International Artist nominees are; Godfrey Mahlangu with Taba tsa ha eke lesedi (South Africa), ATI Wendlassida-ID SEGLE (Burkina Faso), Edwin Mosweu-O mohau (South Africa), Kamayo Morvane-Revelation (Cameroon), Marlon Hove-The dusty streets of Njube (Zimbabwe), Katlego Moshe-Qhobosheane (Lesotho) and Nikiema Wendinyide-Laisse Dieu faire (Burkina Faso).
Best Contemporary Gospel nominees; Boka Ratsebe Prudence-The revival, Tehillah Royal Music-Spirit Being, Boago Fenju-Psalms and hymns, Lesego Mothibedi-Upward push and Sesame-A re naya mohau.
Best Gospel Video nominees are; Thibela ikotsi by Kennedy Onkemetse, O lefika laaka by Boago Fenju, Jeso o tla ntsholetsa by Jinja Jee, The greatest harvest by Jwaneng Assembly of God, A re naya mohau by Sesame.
Best Gospel Collaboration nominees are; Ounah with Ke sena wena, Rejoice Senabjwe with Ina le le maatla, Kabelo Eric with You are good and Stone Bw with A nkhurumetsa.
Best Gospel Song of the Year nominees are; Diamogele from The Revival by Boka Ratsebe, Motlhodi from Spirit Being by Tehillah Royal Music, Ke sena wena by Ounah and Nkamogele by Obakeng.
Best Male Gospel Artist nominees are Obakeng, Ounah, Kabelo Eric and Tumelo Awee Samuel whilst best female gospel artist nominees are Boago Fenju, Boka Ratsebe, Rejoice and Sesame.
Best Gospel Album of the year nominees are The Revival by Boka Ratsebe, Psalms and Hymns by Boago Fenju, Spirit Being by Tehillah Royal Music and Revival Season 3 by Ounah.
Best Packaged Album nominees are; The Revival by Boka Ratsebe, Spirit Being, vol 1 by Tehillah royal Music, Shoni Vuruke by Kaybee and Your Words by Grace Rythem. The best gospel legendary artist has been left out to be the director’s decision.
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