2018 GROOVE AWARDS SEASON KICKS OFF

 

Nairobi, (May 21, 2018) - The 2018 Groove Awards with Safaricom is officially here, marking 13 years of historic achievements in the gospel music industry.

With a new theme dubbed “Rebuild. Restore. Reclaim”, Groove Awards returns with a refreshed look and feel, an engaging calendar of events, and exciting new processes. Groove Awards with Safaricom continues to be the region’s premier Gospel Award ceremony, and has always sought to promote and connect Gospel artists across Africa and foster unity among industry stakeholders, all the while raising the quality and standards of the local music industry.

The 2018 season kicks off on the 23rd of May 2018 at the “GROOVE CAMP”, an annual event that brings together various artists and Gospel industry stakeholders from across the country with the aim of enhancing each artist’s talents to reach their full ministry and artistic potential. Groove Camp has been one of the most important arms of the Groove process where artists spend time in mentorship, praise and worship sessions as well as bonding in outdoor gaming activities.

Nominations for this year’s awards kicks off in earnest on the 24th of May 2018, with exciting new changes introduced to both nomination processes and award categories. Driven by a strong desire to give greater ownership and participation to music fans across the country, 2018 will see the public invited to be part of the nomination process.

By logging on to www.grooveawards.co.ke between the 24th and 31st of May 2018, fans will have the opportunity to directly nominate their favourite songs and favourite artists in the respective categories. Artists and musical works that meet the criteria and receive the highest number of unique nominations, will be shortlisted, and a full list of nominees will be made available on the 6th of June 2018 at the Groove Nomination Night.

Voting will then be open to the public until midnight on the 23rd of June 2018, and will be followed by the high profile red carpet 13th Annual Groove Awards gala on the 24th of June 2018. The 2018 awards categories have been refreshed to take into consideration industry research and insights, better reflect the changing landscape of the local Gospel industry as well as take cognisance of global music trends. This year, statuettes will be handed out across 22 categories in the areas of artistry, song-writing, dance, production, and media, with the marquee award handed out in the new “Artist of the Year” category.

It has often been said that music is the language of the spirit, and that where words stop, music starts. We are excited that for the past 13 years, Groove has been at the forefront of using music to shape the culture of a generation, and bring joy and hope to millions of people across this nation and beyond. 2018 will be no different, and with the informed changes and innovations in store, we are certain it will be an exciting year

Pastor David Kuria, team lead at Groove Awards.

On the thematic direction, Kuria added, “Our theme this year is informed by Nehemiah 2:17-18 regarding the building and restoration of the wall of Jerusalem. We live in a time where everywhere we look, we see the devastating effects of our world’s brokenness; whether in our families, relationships, schools and workplaces, and national and international politics. Our call is to use music, and every other tool at our disposal, to speak a messages that will provide the restoration that our culture and our society so desperately needs.”

For more information on the awards, categories, events and others, log on to www.grooveawards.co.ke.

 

About Groove Awards

Since 2004, Groove Awards with Safaricom has celebrated excellence in gospel music in Kenya and across Africa. The awards, entering their 13th year in Kenya (and 6th in Rwanda), are this nation’s most prestigious and recognized Gospel music awards, enjoying regional resonance and relevance. Groove seeks to promote gospel music as a message of hope and an avenue to address issues affecting young people across the African continent with a key focus on its main objective – “Shaping culture through positive content and entertainment”. Groove Awards has seen over 1,800 artists/groups nominated and almost 400 Groove statuettes presented to gospel musicians in Kenya and beyond.

Stay connected

Follow us on twitter @GrooveAwardsKE for nominations, tours and awards news and announcements. Like our Instagram and Facebook pages, GrooveAwards and join the conversation with the Groove Awards on hashtag #GrooveKE. For more information, please contact the Groove team on info@grooveawards.co.ke, or call us on 0708808080.