NAIROBI - Juliani tops the list of nominees for the 2011 Kisima Awards with three for Artist of the Year, Hip Hop Artist of the Year and Gospel Artist of the Year. In the Gospel Artist / Group of the Year category, the other nominees are BMF, Daddy Owen, Adawnage, M.O.G, Mr Seed and Emmy Kosgey. Kevoh Yout is up for Ragga Artist of the Year as is Mbuvi for Benga Artist of the Year. Gospel artist Kris has also bagged a nomination for Hip Hop Artist of the Year.

Unlike other local awards, the voting is not open to the public but will be done by a Voting Academy comprising of Programme/Music producers, Music Researchers, Entertainment Editors, Veteran Music artistes, Music Producers, DJs, Copywriters, Film producers, Corporate Executive Music Distributors and Consultants. The Lifetime Achievement and Producer of the Year Award will be chosen by the Kisima panel of judges.

The 9th Kisima Awards takes place on Fri 30 September 2011 at the KICC. Kshs 1 Million will be up for grabs for the winner. Check out the complete list below.

Fusion-Artist\Group of the year
• Operator - Dan (Chizi) Aceda
• Haba Haba - STL
• Coming - Home Sauti Sol
• Mama - Cannibal
• Mukuki ya Moto - Masala
• Romour - Wendy Kimani

Gospel – Artist Group of the Year
• Bahasha ya Ocampo - Juliani
• I live for you - BMF
• Tobina - Daddy Owen
• Uwezo - Adonage
• Papa God Oh - MOG/Mr Seed
• Taunet Nelel - Emmy Kosgei

Boomba – Artist /Goup of the year
• Motomoto - French Boy Ft Ray C
• Fire - Size 8
• Get Down - Maddtrax
• Kigeugeu - Jaguar
• Chokoza - Marya Ft Avril
• Landord - Mejja

Hip Hop –Artist/Group of the Year
• Kare - P Unit
• Tokelezea - Abbas & Chantelle
• Burn Dem - Ukoo Flani
• Bahasha ya Ocampo - Juliani
• Kadha - Nonini
• Eee Baba - Kris

Ragga/Regae- Artist/ Group of the Year
• Running Low - Wahu
• Mama Papa - Sauti Sol
• Shika Glassy - Redsan
• Kolo - Wyre Ft 9con
• Determination - Kevoh Yout
• Data - Proff

Collaboration of the Year
• Little things you do - Wahu Featuring Bobi Wine
• She said dat - Wyre Ft Cecile
• Nitafanya - Kidum Ft Lady Jay dee
• I’m here - Kdenk & Sana
• Papa God Oh - MOG & Mr Seed
• Kila Moja - Nonini, Chege & Lady bee

Most Promising Artiste /Group of the year
• Wendy Kimani
• BMF
• Adonage
• Size 8
• Diamond
• Kdenk

Video of the Year
• Coming Home – Sauti Sol, Director - Willie Ousu
• Land lord – Mejja, Director - Charles Luche
• Mbagala – Diamond, Director - Adam Juma
• Nitafanya – Kidum/Lady Jaydee, Director - Robert Kimanzi & R Kay
• Asha – TID & Top Band, Director - Adam Juma
• Haturudi Nyuma – Julianna Kanyemozi & Kidum, Director - R Kay

Benga-Artiste/ Group of the Year
• Guruneti Timona Mburu
• Wololo Dola Kabarry
• Katimba Ken wa Maria
• Mwanamke Wyre & JB Maina
• Kwata Kawaya Mbuvi
• Sena Iwanyi Emmanuel Musindi

Artiste/Group of the year
• Sauti Sol
• Kidum
• P Unit
• Juliani
• Maddtrax
• Jaguar