Anticipation is high and excitement fills the air as the 2010 Groove Awards draws near. As always, we will give our predictions on who we think will win the various categories then compare later with the actual winners. The big question is, how do we arrive at this? There are many factors that we consider. Some include radio airplay; if an artist's song is not playing on radio, then their chances of winning decrease by as much as 50%. Its not only enough to get airplay, the song also has to be on high rotation. That's why a song like Pages za Bible would knock out System ya Kapungala even though the later has proven the test of time. Newer artists who cause a stir in the industry also tend to take up most of the awards they are nominated in as witnessed in the 2009 awards where Kambua won Best Female artist. This year, we believe Eko Dydda will do it.

Artists with a strong stage presence also boost their chances of winning as fans feel they can somehow connect with the artist. Self promotion has a positive effect especially on Facebook as one's friends can easily vote for the artist once they see their status soliciting for votes. This has to be in moderation as there may be a tendancy to annoy the same people you're trying to reach. One would also come out as too desperate for the win if they keep at it everyday.

We also believe popularity is not an automatic ticket. There are some artists we believe would have won if they at least urged their fans to vote them in. Of course there are categories we outrightly guessed. Then there are other categories with artists we believe deserve to win but we feel will not because of factors described above among others. Fans supporting (for lack of a better term) 'weaker' artists might drum up support and defeat the popular artist especially if the category seems unanimously going to that artist. Hip Hop Song of the Year is one category we would like to consider unanimous.

Lastly, this is not a scientific poll, neither is it an endorsement of the chosen artists. We are just having fun. Give your predictions or comments below.

 

2010 Groove Awards Predictions (Predicted winners are in Red)

1. Male Artist of the Year
1A - Allan Aaron
2A - Ben Githae
3A - Daddy Owen
4A - Holy Dave
5A - Jimmie Gait
6A - Juliani

2. Female Artist of the Year
2A - Betty Bayo
2B - Emmy Kosgei
2C - Eunice Njeri
2D - Esther Wahome
2E - Marion Shako
2F - Joan Wairimu

3. Group Of The Year
3A - B.M.F
3B - Cabbassa
3C - Chit Chat
3D - D-Serve
3E - M.O.G
3F - Wernono Family

4. New Artist / Group Of The Year
4A - Alemba
4B - Alice Kamande
4C - Eko Dydda
4D - Jeromarsh
4E - Kriss Eeh Baba
4F - Masha Mapenzi

5. Song Of The Year
5A - Huratiti - Jimmie Gait
5B - Kiriro - Daddy Owen feat Allan Aaron & Kerah
5C - Mabataro - Ben Githae
5D - Niko Na Reason - Holy Dave & Eko Dydda
5E - Pamela - Ringtone & SK Blue
5F - Taunet Nelel - Emmy Kosgei

6. Worship Song Of The Year
6A - Maneno - Betty Bayo
6B - Mimi Siyawezi - Abeddy Ngoso ft. Sarah K
6C - Nafsi Yangu - Martha
6D - Nipe Nguvu - Caro Nyce
6E - Wewe Ni Bwana - Enid Moraa
6F - Wewe Pekee - Alice Kamande

7. Album Of The Year
7A - All I Can Say - Webi
7B - I Can Do It - Holy Dave
7C - System Ya Kapungala - Daddy Owen
7D - Someday - M.O.G
7E - Taunet Nelel - Emmy Kosgei
7F - 10 Ideas - Wernono Family

8. Hip-Hop Song Of The Year
8A - Born Again Soldier - Hey-Z
8B - Glorious - Bupe
8C - Songa - Astar feat Kerah
8D - Niko Na Reason - Holy Dave & Eko Dydda
8E - Prodigal Son - Wernono Family
8F - Stronger - Ngashville

9. Audio Producer Of The Year
9A - Bizzy B (Lampstand Media)
9B - Blackman
9C - Dr. Eddie
9D - John Nyika
9E - Mike "Sakata" Olome
9F - Sammy Gitonga (Dede Records)

10. Video Producer Of The Year
10A - Chris Ruhiu (Sisimka)
10B - Mike Olome (Sakata)
10C - Muigai Ndung'u (Mchoro Pictures)
10D - Prince Makaya (GNPI Africa)
10E - Paul Mukoma (Princecam)
10F - R-Kay (Moja Entertainment)

11. Song Writer Of The Year
11A - Astar
11B - Benjamin Webi
11C - D-Serve
11D - Jimmie Gait
11E - Juliani
11F - Pete Odera

12. Video Of The Year
12A - Buzzin - Chit Chat
12B - Kiriro - Daddy Owen ft. Allan Aaron, Kerah
12C - Mtoto Wa Sonko - DNA ft. Kambua, Isaac Kahurah
12D - Pamela - Ringtone & SK Blue
12E - Songa - Astar
12F - Wewe Pekee - Alice Kamande

13. Collabo Of The Year
13A - Fanana Naye - Ngashville feat Dunco &Ba Mdogo
13B - Kiriro - Daddy Owen ft. Allan Aaron, Kerah
13C - Mtoto Wa Sonko - DNA feat Kambua & Isaac Kahurah
13D - Niko Na Reason - Holy Dave & Eko Dydda
13E - Pamela - Ringtone & SK Blue
13F - Pages Za Bible - Alemba ft. Juliani & DJ Sadic

14. Dance Group Of The Year
14A - Cream Dancers
14B - Dice
14C - Ignitaz
14D - Nana Dancers
14E - Saintz
14F - Spartans

15. Worship Team / Choir Of The Year
15A - AFLEWO
15B - Harvest Worship Team
15C - JCC Worship Team
15D - Mavuno Worship Team
15E - NPC Men's Chorale
15F - Voices United Choir (VUC)

16. Live Band Of The Year
16A - Bloodshed
16B - Gerriey Wainaina
16C - Praise Avenue
16D - Rock of Ages
16E - Ruhammah
16F - Zidi The Band

17. Gospel Radio Show Of The Year
17A - Activate - Hope FM
17B - Jam 316 - Radio 316
17C - Shangilia - Hope FM
17D - The Mixx - Truth FM
17E - Trinity Connect - Homeboyz Radio
17F - Itaha Gospel Show - Kameme FM

18. Gospel TV Show Of The Year
18A - Angaza - KBC
18B - Gospel Garage - K24
18C - Gospel Rhythms - Citizen TV
18D - Off The Hook - KTN
18E - One Voice - NTV
18F - Shake - Family TV

19. Radio Presenter Of The Year
19A - Anthony Ndiema - Hope FM
19B - James Okumu - Hope FM
19C - Justus Owaka - Hope FM
19D - Lucy Wa Ngunjiri - Kameme FM
19E - Mike Gitonga - Radio 316
19F - Eudias Kigai - Milele FM

20. DJ Of The Year
20A - DJ Krowbar
20B - DJ Johnie Celeb
20C - DJ riQ
20D - DJ Mo
20E - DJ Soxxy
20F - DJ Sanch

21. Pwani Song Of The Year
21A - Jina La Yesu - Marion Shako
21B - Sly Old Fox - Kimsa ft. Bantu
21C - Kaa Umeokoka - Bantu
21D - Mwachie Yesu - Gabriel Mwamuye
21E - Shika Upanga Wako - Alfred Mutawali
21F - Umenitoa Shimoni - Anastacia Mukabwa

22. Rift Valley Song Of The Year
22A - Jesrusalem - Grace Kipsang
22B - Long'enyo Kiptaiyat - Maggy Seurei
22C - Ma mee Nguno - Lilian Rotich
22D - Shakenisho - Daniel Toninio
22E - Tilil Kipsengwet - Pst. Joel Kimeto
22F - Taunet Nalel - Emmy Kosgei

23. Western Song Of The Year
23A - Bana Befwe - Hey-Z & K-Zee ft. Rufftone
23B - Ng'ona Engila - Naomi Nyongesa
23C - Nyasaye Were - Ev. & Mrs. George Wando
23D - Omufumu - Emalindi Faith Singers
23E - Papa Wanje - Man Ingwe
23F - Shibenyanga Ta - Ev. Joseph Shisia

24. Eastern Song Of The Year
24A - Chochote - Jojo ft. Kera
24B - Gituri Gungi - Sammy MG
24C - Kyama Kinene - Dorcas Ndambuki
24D - Mutui Museo - Victor Mbuvi
24E - Ni Uniciragia - Ken Kagundu
24F - Woona Waathimwa - Peace Mulu

25. Nyanza Song Of The Year
25A - Ahsante - Izraelites
25B - Mayienga - Dr. Patrick Oyaro
25C - Samson - Ev. Douglas Otiso
25D - Tenena Bokongo -Ali Tosha
25E - Yesu Kedo - Geraldine Odour
25F - Yesu Malo - Paul Odour

26. Central Song Of The Year
26A - Githuki Ni Githunduku - Wakabura Joseph
26B - Kiriro - Daddy Owen ft, Allan Aaron, Kerah
26C - Mabataro - Ben Githae
26D - Ndukandure Na Marakara - Muigai Wa Njoroge
26E - Nii Ni Ameni - Sarah Kiarie
26F - 11th Hour - Betty Bayo

27. Artist Of The Year (Uganda)
27A - Aneti Mutabya
27B - Exodus
27C - God's Image
27D - Isaac Katumwa
27E - Judith Babirye
27F - Wilson Bugembe

28. Artist Of The Year (Rwanda)
28A - Aime Uwimana
28B - Albert Shala
28C - Alexis Dusabe
28D - Diane Nkusi
28E - Patrick Nyamitari
28F - The Sisters

29. Artist Of The Year (TZ)
29A - Christina Shusho
29B - Bahati Bukuku
29C - Boniface Mwaitegi
29D - Rose Muhando
29E - Samwel Mkubwa
29F - Upendo Nkone

30. East Africa Diaspora Artist
30A - D.M.E - Massachusetts (UG)
30B - God's Replica - Dallas (TZ)
30C - Julius Kamau - Massachusetts (KE)
30D - Kiki Mutungi - Atlanta (KE)
30E - Lilian Odera - Florida (KE)
30F - Minister Cathy - Massachusetts (KE)

31. Artist Of The Year (BUR)
31A - Appolinaire Habonimana
31B - Fabrice Nzeyimana
31C - Fortran Bigirimana
31D - Komezagusenga
31E - Niyukuri T. Douglas
31F - Willy Uwizeye

Continue voting on www.grooveawards.co.ke Voting closes on 30th April 2010.