Nominees for the Groove Awards Rwanda, the annual gospel music awards, have been revealed. The list of nominees for the 5th edition of Groove Awards is now out with a number of entries pointing to a promising future of Rwanda’s gospel music industry. However, the list does not feature names of gospel artistes plying their trade outside the City of Kigali. Dianah Kamugisha is among the nominees. This year’s awards are themed ‘Together we Can’, and are aimed at recognising the best performing personalities in the gospel music industry. The nominees are not only gospel artistes but also media houses and media personalities with an outstanding role in promoting gospel music and endearing it to the public. 2017 Groove Awards prize’s new look. Pastor John Kaiga, the Chairperson of Groove Awards Rwanda, assured of transparency in the awards, pointing out that the winners will be selected on merit. “We want to ensure transparency by making sure that those who will be recognised will deserve the awards. It is something we will make sure is done,” he said. “Gospel music should not only play a spiritual role among Christians but it should also impact the artiste’s physical welfare as a lucrative trade,” Kaiga added. Over the years, Rwandan gospel artistes have often complained about not being paid for their work and being expected to perform for free, despite investing heavily in their work. He said Groove Awards are there to encourage gospel artistes to do quality music with a message that can spiritually heal or empower people and at the same time praise God. The nominees were unveiled after three weeks of nomination process from gospel music journalists and the contestants’ fans across the country. The gala was marked by different performances. The voting process by the public started immediately after the nominees were unveiled and will continue till December 17 at midnight before the winners are announced a few hours later. Noel Ndikumana, the Chairperson of this editions Groove Awards panelists, presenting the new-looking prize- Eddie Nsabimana One can vote their favourite gospel artiste by SMS by typing the word ‘Groove’ and leave space then the contestant’s code and send to 5000, or vote online via www.grooveawards.co.rw and follow the options. Singer Patient Bizimana (C) was also in attendance. Public votes will have 40 per cent against panelists’ 60 per cent. Female Gospel artiste Aline Gahingayire (right) attended the nominations gala at Ubumwe Grande Hotel on Friday. Eddie Nsabimana Awards winners will be announced at a gala slated for December 17 at Kigali Serena Hotel. A band of dancers performing during the 2017 Groove Awards nomminations gala. Eddie Nsabimana Nominations were announced in 13 categories as seen below. Beauty for Ashes’ Olivier Kavutse attended the nomminations gala. Gospel Radio show of the yearGospel Image Show (Radio Musanze)Intashyo (Radio Umucyo)Magic Gospel Show (Magic FM)Imbaraga zo Guhimbaza (Life Radio)Himbaza show (City Radio) Hip Hop song of the YearIkiganza cy’ Uwiteka – The Pink ft Gabby KamanziImana Y’Ukuri – Deo ImanirakaramaIntwari – Toussaint ShemaUmukunzi Wanjye – Rev. Kayumba ft Diana KamugishaYaguhenda – MD Worship Song of the YearCalvary – Healing Worship TeamHari Ubuzima – Israel MbonyiIbyo Ntunze – Bosco NshutiImvugo Yiwe – Gentil BigiziNarakubonye – Papy Clever Christian Website of the YearAgakiza.comIbyiringiro.comIbyishimo.comIsezerano.comIyobokamana.com Dance Group of the YearHealing Stars Drama TeamShekinah Drama TeamShining Stars Drama TeamThe Blessing FamilyThe Soldiers of Jesus Christ Video of the YearHaleluya – Billy JakesIkiganza – The PinkImvugo Yiwe – Gentil BigiziK’Umusozi – Diana KamugishaYesu Ni Sawa – Beauty For Ashes TV Show of the YearBe Talented – Authentic TVGospel Celebrities – TV7Himbaza Gospel Show – Isango TVPower of Praise – Royal TVShalom Gospel Show – TV1 Radio Presenter of the YearAnge Daniel Ntirenganya – Radio UmucyoFelix Mbabazi – City RadioBienvenue Ndacyayisenga – Life RadioPatience Ishimwe – RBA MusanzePeace Nicodem Nzahoyankuye – Magic FM New Artiste/ Group of the YearApophia PoshJado SinzaProsper NkomeziToussaint ShemaYves Rwagasore Choir of the YearGisubizo MinistriesHealing Worship TeamPower of the Cross MinistriesShalom ChoirTrue Promises Ministries Song of the YearImvugo Yiwe – Gentil BigiziNdaguhetse – Gisubizo MinistriesSinzibagirwa – Israel MbonyiSuper Power – Power of the Cross MinistriesYesu Ni Sawa – Beauty For Ashes Female Artiste of the YearAssumpta UmuganwaDinah UweraDiana KamugishaStella ManishimweThe Pink Male Artiste of the YearArsene TuyiGentil BigiziIsrael MbonyiBosco NshutiPapy Clever
