NAIROBI - Nominations for the 2010 Groove Awards are now underway and are set to close on 12th March 2010. This is the initial stage where fans and artists recommend those they think would compete in the different categories. (Download the entry form here) This year's ceremony sees the introduction of new country categories to give the event a regional fete. Rwanda and Burundi joins Tanzania and Uganda in the East Africa categories and will each have their own Artist of the Year. As was the case last year, there will be a Diaspora Artist of the Year category that will be reserved for all Kenyan gospel artists outside East Africa. Also added is a provincial category where one can vote for the best song in each province save for North Eastern and Nairobi.

The official list of nominees will then be released on 30th March 2010. Voting will begin immediately though SMS (Mobile Text) as well as on www.grooveawards.co.ke and close on 30th April 2010. The awards ceremony will take place the following day on 1st May 2010 at the KICC Tsavo Ballroom from 1pm.

The organizers have secured a title sponsorship deal from Safaricom through their Skiza brand and the event is now called Groove Awards with Skiza. Nation Media Group's NTV has also come through for the second year and is expected to air the event live. Other sponsors include The Homeboyz under their 91.5FM brand and also their H20 water company. Hope FM and Baraka FM are media partners as well as the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK).

To promote the event, there will be a Groove Tour with Skiza in April 2010 with Mombasa as the first stop on the 4th, Kisumu on the 11th and Nairobi on the 18th. This year also sees the introduction of new judges as the set of 15 that make up the academy is reduced to 13. Mwafrika.com's owner David Kuria retains the chairmanship as Vice Chaiman Monica Matiri, Secretary Paul Mbugua, Esther Arunga, Kevin "Big Kev" Ombajo, Ted "Big Ted" Kwaka among others are conspicuously absent. (see the 2009 list).

The Groove Awards seek to promote, expose and celebrate Gospel talent in Kenya and across Africa. Since its inception in 2004, over 600 artists/groups have been nominated and over 100 Groove statuettes have been presented to musicians in Kenya and the East African region. Mo Sound Entertainment begun and organizes the event with founder Kevin "DJ Kev" Mulei known for pulling out all stops to make it professional, exciting and memorable. Last year's awards ceremony was the biggest awards show in the country and no doubt this year's will be huge as artists churn out quality Gospel music.

The panel of Judges selected for the Groove Awards with Skiza 2010 are as follows
1. David Kuria (Mwafrika)
2. Mark Masai (NTV)
3. Andrew Alovi (Hope FM)
4. Moses Mathenge (K-Krew)
5. Becky Muikia (K-Krew)
6. Wageni Kimani (Hope FM)
7. Richard Kagoi (K24)
8. Lee Kanyottu (Studio Sawasawa)
9. George Oloo (Mwafrika)
10. Gowi Odera (K-Krew)
11. Mike Njenga (Citizen TV)
12. Rita Okuthe
13. Charles Kairu (NTV)


Division I
1. Male Artist of the Year
2. Female Artist of the Year
3. Group of the Year
4. New Artist / Group of the Year

Division II
1. Song of the Year
2. Worship Song of the Year
3. Album of the Year
4. Hip Hop Song of the Year

Division III
1. Audio Producer of the Year
2. Video Producer of the Year
3. Song Writer of the Year
4. Video of the Year

Division IV
1. Collabo of the Year
2. Dance Group of the Year
3. Worship Team / Choir of the Year
4. Live Band of the Year

Division V
1. Gospel Radio Show of the Year
2. Gospel TV Show of the Year
3. Radio Presenter of the Year
4. DJ of the Year

Division VI
1. Pwani Song of the Year
2. Rift Valley Song of the Year
3. Western Song of the Year
4. Eastern Song of the Year
5. Nyanza Song of the Year
6. Central Song of the Year

East Africa Regional Division
1. Artist of the Year (UG)
2. Artist of the Year (RW)
3. Artist of the Year (TZ)
4. Artist of the Year (BR)
5. Diaspora Artist / Group of the Year (EA)

Special Category
1. Outstanding Contributor
2. Skiza Ring Back Tone of the Year

UPDATE:
Click here for the complete 2010 GROOVE AWARDS NOMINEES LIST including their SMS codes