GET READY AFRICA! PSALM EBUBE, FRANK EDWARDS, GAISE, EBEN AND MORE FOR THE AFRICA GOSPEL AWARDS (AGMA) 2013 – ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW, PHOTOS, VIDEO & NOMINEES LIST

The Africa Gospel Music Awards (AGMAs) is back this summer with more vivacity, Spirit and Praise than ever!

To be held at the prestigious Great Hall of Queen Mary’s University, the event will undoubtedly be a night to remember and draw the huge crowds. It is famed for on Saturday 6th July 2013.

The AGMAs is an annual celebration and recognition of African Gospel music; uniting both current and legendary gospel artists from around the globe. This red carpet event celebrates its 4th anniversary this year and will feature energetic ministrations from highly talented musicians. Artistes include Tehila Crew (Nigeria) Cwesi Oteng (Ghana), Dena Mwana (DR Congo) Charisma Hanekam (South Africa) Jackie Mugabo (Rwanda/UK) Pappy Messages (DR Congo/UK), PK Boadi (Ghana/UK), Josephine Atanga (Cameroon/USA) Beatrice Muniu (Kenya/UK) Isabella Uzodike (Nigeria/UK), Isaac Frempong (Ghana/UK) Myco Chris (Uganda/UK) and JayEss, with hosts Comedian MC Mark, TV host Praise Asemota and Worship Leader Shola Victor-Sajowa.

Various awards will be presented throughout the night to individuals and organisations voted for by the public and 4 AGMA special awards interspersed with vibrant, spirit lifting ministrations guaranteed to enthral and inspire.

See full nominations list below:

DISCOVERY OF THE YEAR AWARD
Mabongi Mabaso (South Africa)
Dare David (USA)
Herty Borngreat (Ghana)
Funke Akinokun (Emirates)
Allen Majera (Uganda)
Moji Olusoji (Nigeria)
Isaac Frempong (UK)
Paapa (USA)
MOG (Holland)
Ebi Mensah (UK)
Hope Kid (Kenya)

CENTRAL AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Dena Mwana (DRC)
Timotheo Mulonda(DRC)
Bahati Alphonze (Rwanda)
Gaby Irene Kamanzi(Rwanda)
Patient Bizimana(Rwanda)
Alain Moloto(DRC)
Fabrice Nzeyimana -Burundi
Redemption Voice-Burundi
Henoc Mwamba (DRC)

ARTISTE OF THE YEAR WEST AFRICA
Psalm Ebube (Nigeria)
Onos Ariyo (Nigeria)
Cwesi Oteng (Ghana)
Gaise (Nigeria)
Frank Edwards (Nigeria)
Abdulai Bayoh (Sierra Leone)
Obi Shine (Nigeria)
Atorise Lanre (Nigeria)
Sayon T. Mayson(Liberia)
Kanvee Gaines-Adams (Liberia)
Rosemarie Baryoh (Sierra Leone)
Michael Oware (OJ) (Ghana)

USA/CANADA
Anu Osilesi
Dare David
Zenzo Matoga
Anita Etta
ToluMide
Peggy Otis
Yaw Osei Owusu
David Adesokan
Josephine Atanga
Pastor Dom

ARTISTE OF THE YEAR EAST AFRICA
Eunice Njeri (Kenya)
Christina Shusho (Tanzania)
Jimmy Gait (Kenya)
Kambua (Kenya)
Jackie Senyonjo(Uganda)
Kris Eh Baba (Kenya)
Coopy Bly-Uganda
Martha Mwaipaja-Tanzania
DK Kwenye Beat(Kenya)
Eko Dydda(Kenya)

ARTISTE OF THE YEAR EUROPE
Pappy Messages (UK)
Nana Lukezo (Belgium)
Obed Duku (Italy)
PK Boadi (UK)
Myco Chris (UK)
Elvis E (Holland)
Isabella (UK)
MOG (Holland)
Jane Doka (UK)
Attah Boafo (UK)
Dayo Bello (UK)
Masterdon (Italy)
Cynthia Ukatung (Italy)

ARTISTE OF THE YEAR SOUTHERN AFRICA
Freddy Whales (South Africa)
Ntokozo Mbambo (South Africa)
Keke Phoofolo (South Africa)
Sfiso Ncwane (South Africa)
DMK (Zambia)
Charisma Hanekam (South Africa)
Israel Mosehla (South Africa)
Mahalia Buchanan (South Africa)
Masego Motswiri (Bostwana)
Matthews Matsetse (Bostwana)
Mkhululi Bhebhe (Zimbabwe)

ARTISTE OF THE YEAR MIDDLE EAST /ASIA
Funke Akinokun (Emirates)
Bro. Philemon (China)

RADIO PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
Sunday Best Naija FM (Nigeria)
Sunset Drive Sunny FM (Ghana)
Gospel Zone with DJ Gosporella Beat 99.9 FM (Nigeria)
Ndumiso SABC (South Africa)
Siyadvumisa  Ligwalagwala FM  (South Africa)
Ekintabuli – Impact FM (Uganda)
Gospel Sunday – Milele FM
Shangilia – Hope FM
Morning Glory Show- London Christian Radio
Mercy and Grace Show – Gambia

TV PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
Footprints TV (Ghana)
Playlist (UK)
It’s Gospel Time (South Africa)
Divine Jams – Channel 44 (Uganda)
Chemin Des Artistes (UK)
Kubamba – Citizen TV(Kenya)
Tukuza – KTN(Kenya)
I Want to Sing Gospel -TVSA (South Africa)

AFRO RAP ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
David Kalilani (Malawi)
Preachers (Ghana)
50 fifty family (South Africa)
Bouqui (Nigeria)
VKP (Kenya)
Kris Eeh Baba (Kenya)
Disciple (Australia)
Gaise (Nigeria)
TB1 (Nigeria)
Andrew Bello (UK)
Lyrical Soldier (UK)
Royal Priesthood (Ghana)

AFRO JAZZ MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Kunle Ayo (South Africa)
Agboola Shadare (USA)
Isaiah Katumwa (Uganda)
Four Seasons Band (UK)
Olatuja Project (USA)
Ayo-Dele (UK)
Mike Aremu (Nigeria)
Karabo Mongatane (South Africa)
Pastor Kunle Ajayi (Nigeria)
Wandile Nkosi  (South africa)

GROUP OF THE YEAR
Tehila Crew (Nigeria)
Preachers (Ghana)
Tim Godfrey and the Xtreme Crew (Nigeria)
M.O.G. (Kenya)
BNG (Nigeria)
Celebration Choir (Zimbabwe)
Worship House (South Africa)
Threadstone -(Nigeria)
African Children’s Choir (Uganda)

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Thank You Jesus – Dena Mwana  (DRC)
Double Double-  Aaron T Aaron  (UK)
Elvis E- Love is Beautiful  (Holland)
Praise Party- Sammie Okposo  (Nigeria)
Gbare -Gbare – Dr. Kay   (Nigeria)
Always Pray for You- Nosa (Nigeria)
Onyedikagi -Tim Godfrey (Nigeria)
Joy- Karabo Mongatane  (South Africa)
Imela- Cute Sagay (Nigeria)
Imela- Nathaniel Bassey ft Enitan Adaba
My Days- Preachers ft Isaac Ogoe  (Ghana)

EVENT OF THE YEAR
Funke Akinokun ‘Live in Dubai’ (Dubai)
Cwesi Oteng ‘Mercy Project’ Concert (Ghana)
Sonnie Badu ‘Let It Rain’ Concert (Ghana)
Shola Victor-Sajowa ‘Live in London’ Concert (UK)
Groove Awards- (Kenya)
Crown Gospel Awards (South Africa)
Uche Live Recording (USA)
Festival of Worship and Praise (Italy)
Yaw Owusu ‘My Reasonable Act Live’ (USA
Olive Awards –Uganda
Talanta Awards – USA

PRODUCER Of THE YEAR
Dee Jones (USA)
Nathan FLO Akiremi (Nigeria)
Wole Oni (Nigeria)
Bongani Mahlaole (South Africa)
KODA (Ghana)
Nacy (Ghana)
Jonathan Zion Hamilton (South Africa)
Tolucci (Nigeria)
Bizzy B (Kenya)
Dr. Eddie (Kenya)
Shabach (UK)
Tolu Okeowo (UK)
Rotimi Keys (Nigeria)

SONG OF THE YEAR

This category is sponsored by PREMIER GOSPEL.

Always Pray for You- Nosa (Nigeria)
Kabiyesi- Cwesi Oteng (Ghana)
High -Onos Ariyo (Nigeria)
Big God – Sammie Okposo  (Nigeria)
Only You- Nikki Laoye (Nigeria)
Breath on Me – Ntokozo Mbambo (South Africa)
Inxaniwe – Ntokozo Mbambo (South Africa)
Nobody- Living Faith Connections Featuring Evans Ogboi  (UK)
I’m on point- Frank Edwards (Nigeria)
Celebrate – Bouqui ft the Truth (Nigeria)
Mbona- Daddy Owen ft. Dennoh (Kenya)
Appointment- Jimmy Gait Featuring Cece (Kenya)

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Sanctioned by FLO (Nigeria)
The Statement by Sammie Okposo (Nigeria)
Urban Prayers – Rigga (Kenya)
Mercy Project by Cwesi Oteng (Ghana)
Filled by Ntokozo Mbambo (South Africa)
Exodus (The Preview) David Kalilani (Malawi)
Phenomenon– Eben (Nigeria)
BMF – Rise Up (Kenya)
Nuru – Mercy Wairegi(Kenya)
Winnie Mashaba – Bophelo Ke Leeto(South Africa)

FEMALE ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Ntokozo Mbambo (South Africa)
Hlegiwe Mhlaba  (South Africa) Masego Motswiri –(Bostwana)
Onos Ariyo  (Nigeria)
Mahalia Buchanan (South Africa)
Kambua (Kenya)
Kanvee Gaines-Adams(Liberia)
Helen Yawson (Ghana)
Ohemaa Mercy (Ghana)
Lara George (Nigeria)

MALE ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
Israel Mosehla (South Africa)
Kekeletso Phoofolo (South Africa)
Eko Dydda-Kenya(Kenya)
Jimmy Gait-Kenya(Kenya)
Cwesi Oteng (Ghana)
Frank Edwards (Nigeria)
Wilson Bugembe(Uganda
Atta Boafo (UK)
DSP Kofi Sarpong (Ghana)
Joe Praize (Nigeria)

SPECIAL AWARDS

*AGMA INSPIRATION AWARD
*TRAILBLAZER AWARD
*CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROMOTION OF AFRICAN MUSIC
*LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

While speaking on his nomination, Gospel Rock artiste Eben, whose album Phenomenon was nominated in the Album Of The Year category, said it was a great and awesome feeling to be nominated, especially as he did not expect it.

Meanwhile, Joe Praize described his nomination as something God did, rather than his own efforts as he just enjoys worshiping and praising God while awards pursue him.

Frank Edwards, who is nominated in three categories including Artiste Of The Year said he felt encouraged and humbled and the nominations has inspired him to do more.

“Well I feel honoured, encouraged and humbled. It makes me want to do more, even though the reason I do what I do is not for the awards. But when you get nominated like this, it means people appreciate what you do. Thumbs up to the awards’ body.”

When asked how he feels about being the only Nigerian, apart from Joe Praize in the Artiste Of The Year category,

“Yeah, well…. I’m currently holding the award and I just may take it again,” he said

Gospel rapper Gaise who has been nominated for Artiste of the Year (West Africa) as well as Afro Rap Artiste of the Year said he was really happy that his music was getting attention on a larger platform.

Nigerian gospel diva Onos Ariyo who has been nominated in 3 categories: Artiste of the Year (West Africa), Song of the Year and Female Artiste of the Year, described her feeling as one of excitement and gratitude to God for being recognised.

“I’m very excited, I’m very grateful to God for being recognised in those 3 categories, I feel excited and really really honoured. [There are] so many great things happening [to me] this year, Thanks be to God.”

Psalm Ebube, of the Kabio Osi fame described his nomination as a result of God’s favour he also said that it was good that gospel music of Nigerian origin was gaining recognition across the world.

Date: Saturday 6th June, 2013

Venue: Great Hall of Queen Mary’s University

Ticket: VIP Single £40 | VIP Group of 10 £360 | Regular £20

Watch highlights from the 2012 edition of the AGMA Awards