The winners of this year’s Groove Awards were unveiled on Sunday night in Kigali.
This annual ceremony saw many up-and-coming artistes and worship teams awarded for the first time.
Serge Iyamuremye was the night’s winner, bagging two top awards; ‘Worship Song of the Year’ and ‘Video of the Year’.
Bosco Nshuti was awarded ‘Male Artiste of the Year’ while Aline Gahongayire bagged ‘Female Artiste of the Year’. Gentil Misigaro won ‘Diaspora Artiste of the Year’.
Ambassadors of Christ Choir won ‘Choir of the Year’ while Goshen Choir won ‘Upcountry Choir of the Year’.
The ceremony which took place at Kigali Marriott Hotel was graced by pastors, gospel artistes, producers, DJs and the public. This year’s theme was ‘Re-ignite and build’ to inspire partners in the gospel music industry to work together and develop it. The theme was drawn from Nehemiah 2:17-18.
Unlike the previous edition, the 2018 Groove Awards had a new format, and winners were determined by a panel of judges instead of the public. Also, new categories such as ‘Collabo Song of the Year’, ‘Group of the Year’, ‘Afro-Pop Song of the Year’, ‘Upcountry Artiste of the Year’ and ‘Upcountry Choir of the Year’ were added.
According to Noel Nkundimana, the chairman of the Groove Awards panel, the winners were selected based on their work, including songs, popularity and concerts.
Evans Mwenda, commonly known as DJ Spin, the head of Groove Awards Rwanda, said the competition aims at supporting, elevating and developing artistes’ talent.
Also, the night featured performances by Aline Gahongayire, The Pink, Eddie Mico, Dorcas, Colombus, NPC, Shema, Freddy Don, Oliver the Legend, Emmy Payton, Holy Move of Praise Drama Team and the Sparks Drama Team.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
Male artiste of the Year: Nshuti Bosco
Female artiste of the Year: Aline Gahongayire
Choir of the Year: Ambassador of Christ Choir
New Artiste, New Group of the Year: Trinity Worship Center
Ministry / Group of the Year: Healing Worship Team
Song of the Year: Turakomeye by Alarm Ministries
Worship Song of the Year: Biramvura by serge Iyamuremye
Hip hop Song of the Year: intwaro z’Imana by The Pink
Collabo Song of the Year: Indahiro by Aime Uwimana featuring Israel Mbonyi
Afro pop Song of the Year: Naganze remix by Colombus
Dance Group of the Year: Healing Stars Drama Team
Christian Website of the Year: Iyobokamana.com
Radio Presenter of the Year: Vainqueur Calvin Mutsinzi
Radio Show of the Year: The Gospel Zone, Authentic Radio
TV show of the Year: RTV Sunday Live
Upcountry Artist of the Year: Ezra Joas
Upcountry Choir of the Year: Goshen Choir
Outstanding Contributor: Apostle Alice Mignone
Songwriter of the Year: Issa Noel Kalinijabo
Diaspora Artiste of the Year: Gentil Misigaro
Audio Producer of the Year: Boris pro
Video Producer of the Year: Fefe
Video of the Year: Yari Njyewe by Serge Iyamuremye
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