Controversial Gospel Artistes Willy Paul and Bahati have managed to sneak their way back into the Groove Awards after being omitted for the past two years due to varied reasons.
Willy Paul’s Jigi Jigi video, directed by Sammy Dee, landed a nomination for ‘Music Video of the Year’ while Bahati’s collaboration with new kid David Wonder, Ndogo Ndogo, was nominated for ‘Song of the Year,’ as well as ‘Collabo of the Year. ’
The nominees for the 13th annual Groove Awards were unveiled at an exclusive red carpet event held at the Movenpick Hotel on Wednesday evening,
Scoring the highest number of nods is Shoot Satan hitmaker Jabidii, who led with an impressive 7 nominations including Song of the Year and Teens Choice Song of the Year (in which he received 2 nominations) Breakthrough Artist of the year, Collabo of the year and Dance style/song of the Year in which he also received 2 nominations.
Gloria Muliro followed closely with 6 nominations in Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, twice under the Praise and Worship song of the Year, Collabo of the Year and Western Counties song of the Year categories.
‘Male artist’, ‘Female artists’ and ‘Group of the year’ categories were this year revamped and collapsed into one category – Artist of the Year – becoming the most coveted award of the season.
The contenders in the ‘Artist of the year’ category include the reigning Female and Male artists of the year – Mercy Masika and Eko Dydda respectivelyas well as Guardian Angel, Moji Short Babaa, Gloria Muliro and hip-hop group Recapp.
This year, Groove Awards involved the public in the nomination process and generated a lot of excitement amongst stakeholders and the industry, giving greater ownership and participation to music fans across the country.
“The announcement of the nominees follows a rigorous process of reviewing 143,684 submissions that the public put in. This year, the process was refreshed to involve the public for the first time in the nominations process and the feedback has been overwhelming,” said Groove panel Chairman Charles Kairu.
The theme of this year’s awards show is: “Rebuild, Restore, Reclaim.”
Public voting will begin at 10am on Friday June 8, 2018, and will run until the midnight of June 23, 2018.
This year’s winners will be announced on June 24, 2018, at the Gala Awards ceremony to be held in Nairobi.
A winner’s concert is slated shortly after the awards ceremony on July 8, 2018, at The Embu Municipal Council Stadium and will see all winners meeting their fans to celebrate their wins whilst appreciating their support during the nomination and voting process.
Below is the full list of the 2018 Groove Awards nominees;
Artist of the Year
Ekko Dydda
Gloria Muliro
Guardian Angel
Mercy Masika
Moji Shortbabaa
Recapp
Song of the Year
Kuzitoka – Moji Shortbabaa, Producer Saint P
Nadeka – Guardian Angel, Producer VickyPondis
Narudisha – Gloria Muliro, ProducerBwenieve
Ndogondogo – David Wonder &Bahati, Producer Paulo
Odi dance – Timeless Noel, Jabidii & Hype Ochi, Producer David Saidi
Shule Yako – Mercy Masika, ProducerTeddy B
Teens Choice song of the Year
Chini Ya Mwamba – Master piece
Gathigiriri – Kaymo & Stigah
Kula Neno – Timeless Noel, Jabidii & Hype Ochi
Pull Up – Mr Seed
Shoot Satan- Jabidii
Tunaskuma – Majic Mike
Break Through Artist of the Year
Bire the Vocalist
David Wonder
FMP
Havoc
Jabidii
Masterpiece
Hiphop Song of the Year
Cheki Vile – Ekko Dydda
Kamanda Full -Kamlesh Kagaba
Loving 254 – Rigga
Niko Kwa Mtaa – Maluda
Sishikiki – Stone Jiwe
Wacha – Reccap
Reggae/ Ragga song of the Year
Godly Love Remix – Mannaseh & Friends
Hide and seek – Alemba & Hopekid
NyamNyam- Dafari
One day – Warda
Shoot Satan – Jabidii
What a Man – Havoc
Praise and Worship Song of the Year
Egemeo – Godwill Babbete
Hossana – Frank
Huniachi- Reuben Kigame ft Gloria Muliro
Jehovah – Sarah K
Kaa Nami – Pst. Anthony Musembi
Narudisha – Gloria Muliro
Namba Moja – Eric Smith
Wanishangaza – Eunice Njeri
Wewe ni Mungu – Neema K
Yahweh – Alice Kimanzi & Bethu
Collabo Of the Year
Hajawai niangusha – Guardian Angel, Moji Shortbabaa & DK Kwenye Beat
Huniachi – Reuben Kigame & Gloria Muliro
Ndogo Ndogo – David Wonder & Bahati
Kwa Magoti – Noushka ft. Daddy Owen
Odi dance – Timeless Noel, Jabidii & Hype Ochi
Pigana Nao – Stephen Kasolo ft. Martha Mwaipaji
Subiri – Mercy Masika, Everlyne Wanjiru & Emmy Kosgei
Ujulikane – Laura Karwirwa & Alice Kimanzi
Music Video Of the Year
AmkaUcheze – Janet Otieno & Weezdom, Video Producer Sammy D
Count Your Blessing – Kambua, Video Producer Sammy D
Jigi Jigi – Willy Paul, Video Producer Sammy D
Kwa Magoti – Noushka & Daddy Owen, Video Producer X Antonio
Lihimidi Jina Lake – Joyce Omondi, Video Producer Trey Jueiz
Shine – Hopekid, Video Producer Sammy D
Dance Style/ Song of the year
Ebisiyah – Gudah Man
Gathigiriri – Kaymo&stigah
Kula Neno (KDF) – Timeless Noel, Jabidii & Hype Ochi
Odi Dance – Timeless Noel, Jabidii & Hype Ochi
Zigwembe- Bruz Newton
Media Personality of the Year
Amani Aila
Anthony Ndiema
Dj Gee Gee
Dj Mo
Dj Ruff
DjSadic
DjSoxxy
Tina Nzuki
Hypeman/ MC of the Year
Guddah Man
MC Acts
MC Ivy
MC Neb
MC Price
Timeless Noel
Breakthrough DJ Of the Year
Dan Tha DJ
DJ Bob
DJ Klifftah
DJ Nicks
DJ Nitrax
DJ Terrots
Western Counties Song of the Year
Epapa Njichusya Iroho – Timothy Kitui
Ingabo – Gloria Muliro
Khu Musalaba – Florence Andanyi
Omukuri Wanje – Grace Sunday
Omwami – Pst. Newton Inzai
Unzitsisulilanga – Sally Siboyi
Eastern Counties Song of the Year
Kiugo Kimwe – Sherry Pam
Kiwango Kingi- Wilberforce Musyoka
Mummy – Purity Kateiko
Musyai Nasuviwe – Eunice Kyalo
Ndina Sponsor – Justus Myello
Ndoomba- Gmx The Baite
Rift Valley Counties Song of the Year
Arusi – Cyrus Koech
Atiriren – Maggy Cheruyot
Legetyo – MwalimuKendagor
Ogas Okwek – Eunice Langat
Ongechomyen – Mum Cherop
Coastal Counties Song of the Year
Amelipa- Princess Farida
Ateregesha – Mercy D Lai
Mungu Yu Mwema – Laban Mwang’ombe
Shukuru – Cate Njane
Sitahau – Eve Bahati
Watangoja Sana – Annastacia Mukabwa
Central Counties Song of the Year
Githima- John Praise Waweru
Gutanatuka – PhylisMbuthia
Irema- Shiru Wa Gp
Kiugo – Original Racheal Ngigi
Ngai Murathimi – Ruth Wanuyu
Ngita Ya Daudi – Sammy Irungu
Nyanza Counties Song of the Year
Chung YamoYesu- Josephine Marry
Come to me – Fenny Kerubo
Minto – Douglas Otiso
Ololweny Yesu- Evaline Muthoka
Waruaki – John Okidi
Wir Mari – Jalogo Elijah