Trumpet Awards to honour Africa's gospel talent

The inaugural TAGMA has 21 categories, recognising singers, producers, writers, promoters and managers in over 20 countries. In the running for Best Gospel Artist are Sonnie Badu (Ghana), Yvan Samuel Mauro (Benin), Rebecca Malope (South Africa) and Uche (Nigeria). Also recognized in separate Male and Female categories are Patricia King (Nigeria), Gloria (Kenya), Isabella (Nigeria/UK), Sammy Okponso (Nigeria) and Joe Mettle (Ghana). Soweto Gospel Choir (South Africa), Ambassadors Of Christ (Rwanda), Newlife Ambassadors (Kenya) and Africa Gospel Singers (Burundi) are up for Best Gospel Group.

Due to perform on the night are stars from across the continent: local favourites Benjamin Dube, Mabongi Mabaso and Mahalia Buchanan, Nigerians James Okon and Uche, Joe Mettle from Ghana, Kenya’s Daddy Owen, Shongwe (Swaziland) and Toggie (Zimbabwe).

The event is staged by World Gospel Powerhouse, also hosts of the Crown Gospel Music Awards. The company is based in Durban. South Africa.

 “TAGMA is more than just an award bestowed on deserving artists, it’s about development of gospel talent, exposing the underdogs of the gospel industry to the world. It’s about flying the African flags high!” said Zanele Mbokazi of WGP. 

The organisers aim to make TAGMA an annual event held every May to commemorate Africa Month, and for the awards to be hosted in different African countries. The event comes three days after Africa Day on 25 May, and the day after the Africa Day concert in Johannesburg. Days later the annual Groove Awards take place in Nairobi, Kenya.

Nominated gospel artists are judged by a panel of specialists from around the continent to select a winner.  The full list of Trumpet Africa Gospel Music Awards nominees reads as follows:

Best Gospel Song

• ‘Wahamba Nathi’ – Solly (South Africa)
• ‘My God Is Goodo’ – Uche (Nigeria)
• ‘Nobody Can Say No’ – Sammy Okposo (Nigeria)

Best Gospel Artist

• Sonnie Badu (Ghana)
• Yvan Samuel Mauro (Benin)
• Rebecca Malope (South Africa)
• Uche (Nigeria)

Online Gospel Radio

• Praiseworld – Nigeria
• Hope 93.3 – Kenya, Ghana Christian Radio – Ghana
• Radio Christian Voice 105.3 Fm (Zambia)

Female Gospel Artist

• Rebecca Malope (South Africa)
• Patricia King (Nigeria)
• Gloria (Kenya)
• Isabella (UK/Nigeria)

Male Gospel Artist

• Sammy Okponso (Nigeria)
• Joe Mettle (Ghana)
• Sonnie Badu (Ghana)
• Yvan Samuel Mauro (Benin)

Best Gospel Group

• Soweto Gospel Choir (South Africa)
• Ambassadors Of Christ (Rwanda)
• Newlife Ambassadors (Kenya)
• Africa Gospel Singers (Burundi)

Best Gospel Collaboration

• Wumi And Victizzle - Dance For You (Nigeria)
• Bonnie Deuschle And The Celebration Choir (Zimbabwe)
• Benachi Ft. Kaberere - Mwanak (Kenya)
• Toggy Chivaviro And Friends - Ebenezer (Zimbabwe)

Best Gospel Album

• Benjamin Dube - Sanctified In His Presence (South Africa)
• Uche - The Glory Experience/ Live In Houtson (Nigeria)
• Saun P - Channel Of Blessings (South Africa)
• Onos Brisibi Jehova - Ebenezer (Nigeria)

Best Gospel Event

• Experience (Nigeria)
• Groove (Kenya)
• Crossover Service (Uganda)
• Unity Oil Thanksgiving (Ghana)

Best Gospel Radio Programme

• Get Lifted – Zi Fm (Zimbabwe)
• Gospel Sunday – Milele Fm (Kenya)
• Vuka Mphefumulo Wami - VOC (Swaziland)
• Moment Of Deliverance – Radio Christian Voice (Zambia)

Online Gospel Platform 

• Loyiso – Open Book (South Africa)
• Gateway Online News (South Africa)
• John Shabani.Blogspot.Com (Tanzania)
• Gospel Hot Spot (Nigeria)

Best Gospel TV Programme

• Cross Over 101 (Kenya)
• Just Gospel (Botswana)
• The Train Urban Gospel (Namibia)
• Morning Praise (Zimbabwe)

Best Traditional Gospel Song

• Toggy – 'Ebenezar' (Zimbabwe)
• Enkay (Nigeria)
• Shongwe & Khuphuka (Swaziland)
• Worship House (South Africa)

Best Contremporary Gospel Song

• Kenny Sam – 'Imali' (Nigeria)
• True Promise – 'Mana Urera' (Burundi)
• Reigning Sisters (Ghana)
• Tim Godfrey – 'Agidigba' (Nigeria)

Gospel Rap/Hip-hop

• Mawat (South Africa)
• Bahati (Kenya)
• Rizen Rizon (Zambia)
• Daddy Owen (Kenya)

Best Praise Song

• Nancy – 'Mulwele' (Zambia)
• Tumaini Choir – 'Arusha Akuna Mungu Hama Wewe' (Tanzania)
• Schekina – 'Adorons Jesus' (Ivory Coast)
• Gae’l – 'Medley' (DR Congo)

Best Worship

• Sammie Okposo (Nigeria)
• Mahalia – Holy Is Our God (South Africa)
• Sifaniso – You Are Worthy (South Africa)
• Sinach – The Name Of Jesus (Nigeria)

For more details visit the Trumpet Awards website.