NAIROBI - Daddy Owen, Betty Bayo, Anastacia Mukabwa and DJ Sadic lead the pack with four nominations each for the 2011 Groove Awards. Those with three nominations are Kevohyout, BMF, Alemba, Paul Mwai, Jimmie Gait, Marion Shako and Rufftone. The well organized unveil was done at the Louse Leakey on 29th March 2011.

There are 29 categories down from 31 last year. Categories ommited this year are Live Band of the Year, Diaspora Artiste of the Year, Worship Team / Choir of the Year and Song Writer of the Year. New Categories added are Ragga / Reggae Song of the Year and Artist of the Year (Southern Sudan).

Popular artists missing on the list are gospel group M.O.G, Eko Dydda, Wernono Family, Holy Dave, Esther Wahome, Kambua and Emmy Kosgei although technically, the last three appeared in Daddy Owen's Saluti Collabo that has three nods.

Artists with two nominations include Juliani, Man Ingwe, Alice Kamande, Hellena Ken, Eunice Njeri, Maximum Melodies, Andy Mburu, Izzo, Kiproh, MC Dice, Denis Mutara, Bupe, Dr Eddie, Mr T, Allan Aaron, DJ GG and Rose Muhando

The awards ceremony will take place on 30th April 2011 and voting will close the previous day at midnight. This year, the show has a 'made for TV' format in that the presentation and performances will focus on viewers watching the show on TV. The show is organized by Mo Sound Entertainment.

To vote for your favourite gospel artiste, send an SMS with the nominee code to 4402 or log on to www.grooveawards.co.ke Nominee codes are next to the artiste names below. Exampe. To vote for Daddy Owen for Male Artiste of the Year, SMS '1a' to 4402

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
1a. Daddy Owen
1b. Jimmi Gait
1c. Juliani
1d. Kevohyout
1e. Man Ingwe
1f. Paul Mwai

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
2a. Alice Kamande
2b. Anastacia Mukabwa
2c. Betty Bayo
2d. Hellenah Ken
2e. Eunice Njeri
2f. Marion Shako

DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR
3a. Adawnage Band
3b. Alemba & Sadic
3c. BMF
3d. D-Serve
3e. Maximum Melodies
3f. Tetete

NEW ARTIST/GROUP OF THE YEAR
4a. Andy Mburu
4b. DK
4c. Izzo
4d. Kiproh
4e. Marvelous
4f. MC Dice

SONG OF THE YEAR
5a. I live for You – BMF
5b. Kiatu Kivue – Anastacia Mukabwa
5c. Manyunyu – Jimmi Gait and Rufftone
5d. Saluti – Daddy Owen and Friends
5e. Siyabonga – Betty Bayo
5f. Tigana na adu – Dennis Mutara

WORSHIP SONG OF THE YEAR
6a. Ananijali – Andy Mburu
6b. I’m in the Race- Paul Mwai
6c. Haujanisahau – Lydia Joy Kaimuri
6d. Munyunyizi Wangu – Sarah K
6e. Nashukuru – Mercylinah
6f. Sitarudi Kuwa Vile – Hellenah Ken

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
7a. Determination – Kevohyout
7b. Manze ni God – Maximum Melodies
7c. Natamani – Eunice Njeri
7d. Racing Up – Paul Mwai
7e. Shukrani – Marion Shako
7f. Siyabonga - Betty Bayo

HIP HOP SONG OF THE YEAR
8a. ADIOS - Astar
8b. Alter Ego - XPO
8c. Dance – Bupe
8d. Hello – Juliani
8e. On and on – MC Dice
8f. Sunday Christian Remix – Izzo

AUDIO PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
9a. Bosire
9b. Dr. Eddie
9c. John Nyika
9d. John Wachira
9e. Sammy Gitonga
9f. Saint P

VIDEO PRODUCER
10a. Dr. Eddie
10b. J Blessing
10c. GNPI
10d. Lampstand
10e. Sakata
10f. Washamba

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
11a. Dance – Bupe
11b. Dream Again – Kanjii
11c. Hitho - Mr. T ft. Allan Aaron
11d. I Live for You - BMF
11e. Upendo Ule Ule – Alice Kamande
11f. Saluti – Daddy Owen

COLLABO OF THE YEAR
12a. Avandu Vasunga – Hey Z & Key Z
12b. Hitho – Mr. T & Allan Aaron
12c. Kiatu Kivue – Anastacia Mukabwa Ft. Rose Muhando
12d. Manyunyu – Jimmi Gait Ft. Rufftone
12e. Nifungue – Alemba & Sadic Ft. Kaberere
12f. Saluti – Daddy Owen and Friends

RAGGA/REGGAE SONG OF THE YEAR
13a. Asante – Mr. Googz
13b. Criticize – Tapa Gyal
13c. Determination – Kevohyout
13d. Falling – Kiproh Ft. Rufftone
13e. No Stop – Lonesome & JB Son De Fada
13f. Praise Him - Alemba & Sadic

DANCE GROUP OF THE YEAR
14a. Alabaster
14b. C4C
14c. ICED
14d. Incense
14e. Saints
14f. Spartans

GOSPEL RADIO SHOW OF THE YEAR
15a. Activate - HOPE FM
15b. Gospel Sunday – MILELE FM
15c. Jam 316 – RADIO 316
15d. Shangilia – HOPE FM
15e. The Sound – CAPITAL FM
15f. Trinity connect – HOMEBOYZRADIO

GOSPEL TV SHOW OF THE YEAR
16a. Gospel garage – K24
16b. Crossover 101 – NTV
16c. Kubamba – CITIZEN TV
16d. Kuwa tofauti – FAMILY TV
16e. Off the hook – KTN
16f. Rauka – CITIZEN TV

RADIO PRESENTER OF THE YEAR
17a. Eva Muriri – MILELE FM
17b. DJ GG – HOMEBOYZ RADIO
17c. James Okumu - HOPE FM
17d. Justus Owaka – HOPE FM
17e. Tina Nzuki – RADIO 316
17f. Syombua wa Mwele – MUSYI FM

DJ OF THE YEAR
18a. DJ G.G
18b. DJ Johnnie Celeb
18c. DJ Krowbar
18d. DJ Mo
18e. DJ Sadiq
18f. DJ Sanch

RIFT VALLEY SONG OF THE YEAR
19a. Chesireret – Emily Chebet
19b. Inetgei – Lilian Rotich
19c. Imongu Jetuora - Elizabeth Jepchirchir
19d. Maimye – Stephen Misoi
19e. Mestowot – Jeff Cheruiyot
19f. Sigiriet – Joel Kimeto

EASTERN SONG OF THE YEAR
20a. Avinzani – Justus Ngemu
20b. Urogowcwa Ngai – Easterneez
20c. Kwata Kawaya – Mbuvi
20d. Mivango Ya Amaitha – John Mbaka
20e. Ngagukiira Njesu – Caroline Kirima
20f. Ngeethiwa Vo - Lazaro muli

CENTRAL SONG OF THE YEAR
21a. Ciiraniro – Wakabura Joseph
21b. Kaba Kwiyaria – Ben Githae
21c. Muturire – Jane Muthoni
21d. Munduiriri – Betty Bayo
21e. Ndigiuga Ndudathimete – Loise Kim
21f. Tigana na Andu – Dennis Mutara

NYANZA SONG OF THE YEAR
22a. Batimayo – Douglas Otiso
22b. Jarwana Manowara – Esther Williams
22c. Ogosesenigwa Gusii - Kepha Onyancha
22d. Owinjore Gi Pako - Carol Nyakwaka
22e. Ngimana – Maureen Awour (Nyar Jerusalem)
22f. Ngimana Duto – Lilian Otieno

COAST OF THE YEAR
23a. Adonai – Marion Shako
23b. Ameniita – Ambrose Kazungu
23c. Hakuna kama wewe - Friend Martin
23d. Kiatu Kivue – Anastacia Mukabwa
23e. Mghenyi waloli - Samuel Mwanjala
23f. Nakupenda Bwana – Ruth Njambi

WESTERN SONG OF THE YEAR
24a. Hulira Okhusia – Ev. Joseph Shisia
24b. Mwami Aletsa – Gloria Muliro
24c. Ndakhuyanza – Ilagosa wa Ilagosa
24d. Vuyanzi – Lynett Wephukulu
24e. Yesu Omuyeti Wabalekhwa – Naomi Nyongesa.
24f. Yesu Yangula – Man Ingwe

ARTIST OF THE YEAR (UGANDA)
25a. Exodus
25b. G-Way
25c. Judith Babirye
25d. Ken Mziki
25e. Morgan Isaac
25f. Wilson Bugembe

ARTIST OF THE YEAR (TANZANIA)
26a. Bahati Bukuku
26b. Bonnie Mwaitigi
26c. Christina Shusho
26d. Neema Mwaipopo
26e. Rose Muhando
26f. Upendo Nkone

ARTIST OF THE YEAR (RWANDA)
27a. Aime Umiwana
27b. Aline Gahongayire
27c. Blessed Sisters
27d. Dominic Nic
27e. Gaby Irene Kamanzi
27f. Nyamitari Patrick

ARTIST OF THE YEAR (SOUTHERN SUDAN)
28a. Gen. Manasseh Mathiang
28b. Lasuba
28c. Mary botol
28d. Star eagles
28e. Suraya
28f. Victoria

ARTIST OF THE YEAR (BURUNDI)
29a. Ange Channel Ngabire
29b. David Ndikumana
29c. Joy Nkundimana
29d. Fortrand Bigirimana
29e. Nicole Irakoze
29f. Willy Uwiteye