Mercy Masika walked away with Artist of the Year and Female Artist of the Year at the 2008 Groove Awards. Kanjii won Male Artist of the Year and M.O.G scopped Group of the Year as the biggest night in Kenya's gospel music finally went down on Sun 4th May 2008 at the KICC Plenary hall, Nairobi. After two long years, the Christian awards ceremony was back, bigger and better and was put together by DJ Kev and his MoSound Entertainment company. This time around, unlike past years, prizes accompanied the winners' trophies ranging from several flat screen plasma TVs to gift hampers. By 2pm most of the nominees were seated at the VIP section as the audience was trickling in. By 2:30pm the hall was full and anxiety filled the air.

The national anthem marked the official start of the event. Organizers introduced the MCs for the day who were none other than Esther Arunga (KTN) and Churchill. The event’s program in a nutshell was a mixture of two types of sets. There was a set of performances followed by a set of awards. The performances were exhilarating as artists gave their best although the sound system kept fluctuating. Some of the performers of the evening included the Wernono Family, The African Children's Choir, Zaidi ya Mziki, Mavuno Worship Team, Holy Dave, Hip Hope, Eunice Njeri, Marion Shako, Emmy Kosgei and Mercy Masika. Comedian Walter Mong'are aka Nyambane aka Baby Nyambs of the Redykyulass trio also performed with Tusker Project Fame finalist Linda Muthama.

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Nominees were looking good in suits and formal dress although some appeared not to have gotten the "memo". K-Krew's DJ Johny Celeb was in a Navy blue suit, DJ Soxxy rocked a grey suit and Njugush was in a sort of cream suit with a black tie. DJ Moz was looking ‘fresh and clean’ in a white outfit. The Mavuno group checked in together rocking white tops and blue jeans. DJ Lenium flew in all the way from ‘Coasto’ for the event. Marion Shako, also from the Coast was looking good in a maroon outfit which looked kinda ‘indian’ and some gold jewelry. Marion has sold thousand of CDs and is currently among the biggest gospel artists this year. Ringtone checked in with his souped up Toyota Celica accompanied by Silk. Silk’s dad Bill Newbill was also there to give his daughter support. Holy Dave pulled a stunt. He checked in wearing a customized Jamhuri Wear hoodie and jeans only to come up on stage in a suit accompanied by Juliani who was also rocking a three piece grey suit. Arthur K of NTV's The Stomp was also in the building. DJ Jey of Badilika Dee Jays was in a striped three piece suit which looked nice with his dreadlocks hanging. We can’t forget R-Kay who checked in with a white suit with his wife Susan and son Prince (who was also a nominee in the children's category). Esther Wahome was at the VIP area looking gorgeous as usual with a red outfit. Big Ted also checked in with a white outfit.

There were also several sponsors including Safaricom, Alvaro (KBL’s new non-alcoholic drink), LG, Co-operative Bank, Cellulant, Span Image, Miadi, Baraka FM, Homeboyz Radio and of course KenyanGospel.com among others. Only a few categories got plasma TVs from LG and Blackberry phones. We hope that Groove Awards will consider giving rewards to the winners and even give a recording deal or a one song recording deal to the winner of the Most Promising Artiste Award. However, bigups to the Groove Awards committee for your efforts.

GROOVE AWARDS 2008 WINNERS

1. Artiste of the Year - Mercy Masika
2. Group of the Year - M.O.G
3. Male Artiste of the Year - Kanjii
4. Female Artiste of the Year - Mercy Masika
5. Most Promising Artiste - Eunice Njeri
6. Song of the Year - Under the Rock (Mavuno Worship Team)
7. Album of the Year - Mavuno Worship Project
8. Video of the Year - Zaidi ya Mziki
9. Children Song of the Year - Sunflower Kids
10. Worship song of the Year - Ahadi Zake (Marion Shako)
11. Choir of the Year - Mavuno Worship Team
12. Dance Group of the Year - Maximum Melodies
13. Gospel DJ of the year - DJ Moz
14. Rap / Hiphop Song of the Year- Mtaa Mentality (Juliani)
15. Best Traditional Gospel Song - Katau Banda (Emmy Kosgei)
16. Gospel Radio Show of the Year - Kubamba (Hope FM)
17. Presenter of the Year Radio / TV - Njugush (Homeboyz Radio)
18. Gospel TV show of the Year - The Stomp
19. Producer of the Year - R-Kay
20. Song-Writer of the Year - Marion Shako
21. Peace Award - Wakenya Pamoja
22. Lifetime Achievement Award - Angela Chibalonza

View complete list of the nominees here

To Dowload albums from winners Mercy Masika, Zaidi ya Mziki, Maximum Melodies and more click here

48 hours before the event, we published our predictions of the winners and we did not do that badly. We nailed Album of the Year, Video of the Year, Choir of the Year, Gospel DJ of the Year, Gospel Radio Show of the Year, Presenter of the Year, Producer of the Year, Peace Award and Lifetime Achievement Award.

VIEW PICTURES OF THE EVENT HERE