Atlanta, GA - Talanta Awards 2009 was held on Saturday 28th November 2009 at Christ Harvesters Church in Georgia. The event was broadcast live on KenyanGospel.com and the Talanta Awards website. Topping the list of winners was newcomer Yung Bern who scooped 4 of the five awards he was nominated including Male Artist of the Year and Song of the Year. Others picking up multiple awards included Gospel Revivers for Group of the Year and Best Dance Group as well as Infinity for Best Upcoming Group and Best Hip Hop Group. Kamau Karongo, who travelled from Nairobi for the awards ceremony took home the Best Male Artist in the non-US based Kenyan category. M.O.G, Marion Shako and DJ Moz won for Best Group, Best Female and Best DJ in the same non US based category. KenyanGospel.com scooped the Best Promoter award. View the complete list of winners below.

Participants travelled from all over the US to attend the much anticipated awards show. Some of the states that sent representatives included Missouri making a 10-hour drive with nearly 100 people. Others were Seattle, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Indiana, Massachusetts, Florida among others. The church was filled to capacity with an estimated 500 attendees. The formal dress code made the event rich in style. The sound was great with heavy bass and crisp highs.

The show kicked off 2 hours after its scheduled start and the overall flow of the program was a bit shaky. DJ Fresh filled the 2 hour delay with a live video mixx. The environment in the room was jovial and patience was exhibited by all present in the room. A recorded introduction of all the nominees marked the official start of the ceremony. With about 30 male and female models present, each nominee was ushered in by a model with a thunderous applause. This part was important to the organizers as it sought to recognize each artist individually, whether they won or not.

Thomas Njuguna (Indiana) and Grace Njuguna (North Carolina) were the MCs of the day (no relation by the way!). As Thomas' entry on the stage was as simple as picking the mic and welcoming the guests, his co-host Grace's entrance was well staged. She walked in singing Kamau Karongo's Mungu Yu Mwema backed by Kamau himself on the guitar. Kamau then gave a testimony about his nomination and travel giving way to Kiki who also shared as she belted out a nice ballad with perfect vocals.

Next up were performances by KACC dance team, UK-based Beatrice Muniu , Julius and Julia Sanna  and a parade by all the models.  Maggie Waruri, the Talanta Awards founder then followed as she shared her vision with the audience. She also introduced invited guests who included host Apostle David Karanja and his wife, UK-based Pastor Dr. Stan Wangenye, KCFA Founder Karogi, former KCFA President Dr. Njoroge and his wife Wambui Njoroge as well as Sacramento-based Pastor Ken Thubei among others.

The award presentations then followed swiftly interspaced with more performances. The awards consisted of a nice well engraved statue bearing the Talanta Awards logo as well as the category name. A certificate for all winners was also issued by Pastor Dr Wangenye on Sunday afternoon during the artists showcase. The MCs did a commendable job in filling in for lost time and getting everything moving although they at times seemed lost in the myriad of activities that clouded the program. Classy Grace complemented Thomas' hilarious persona and they even had a wardrobe change somewhere in between the show to spice things up.

There were several low moments of the evening.  Several presenters of the awards were absent and it seemed the MCs were not aware. This made the program drag on as they attempted to look for replacements. There was also a time when Yung Bern was presented with the award for Best Group! This was however corrected. Kamau Karongo, who had made the 16-hour plane ride from Nairobi just to be at the event was supposed to perform a live set and we're still not sure why the important performance was skipped. Despite being a rap group, Gospel Revivers was nominated and won the award for Best Dance Group which they graciously passed on to The Musterz who are a bonafide dance group.

The show ended at around 12:30am and majority were disappointed that there was no after party. Infact, most expressed displeasure in the manner in which they were hurriedly ushered out of the building.

All-in-all, it was a memorable evening as artists were recognized and rewarded for their talent. The Talanta awards committee did a good job in securing great sound and pleasing stage decor. The publicity of the event was also commendable given the large turnout.

Some of the artists present included Julius Kamau, Julius Sanna, Yung Bern, Kiki, Kamau Karongo, Holy Ghost Boyz, Infinity, UK based Beatrice Muniu, Chasemode, Sam, D Kamaa, Mr Bonified among others. On Thursday and Friday, there were sessions and workshops as most people had arrived in Atlanta on Thursday. Sunday afternoon was the Artists Concert where over 20 artists took to the stage.

Check out an hour long recorded version of Talanta Awards below as we work to try and get you the whole ceremony (in better quality) for your viewing pleasure. It starts with Kiki doing her live performance (yes, that's Kiki's voice live and she's not lip synching). We also have dozens of pictures courtesy of John Moore.

VIEW MORE PICS OF THE EVENT

TALANTA AWARDS 2009 WINNERS

Best Artist - Sam Mchalongo

Best Male Artist - Yung Bern

Beste Female Artist - Kiki

Best Upcoming Artist - Yung Bern

Best Upcoming Group - Infinity

Best Hip Hop Group - Infinity

Best Singing Group - Sifa Voices

Best Praise & Worship - Christ Covenant Worship Dance (Stl, MO)

Best Collabo - Sam, Kamaa & Chase (Burn Dem)

Best DJ - DJ Fresh

Best Promoter - KenyanGospel.com

Best Dance Group - Gospel Revivers (CHMI)

Best Producer - SG Studios (AL)

Song of the Year - Send Me (Yung Bern)

Group of the Year - Gospel Revivers (CHMI)

Act of the Year (Person of the Year) - Apostle David Karanja (Sr. Pastor, CHMI)

Best Instrumentalist - Yung Bern (Keyboard)

Best Comedian - Kiama (DE)

Dance of the Year - Kapungala

Drama/Play of the Year - Kiratu (KACC Youth)

Sports Person of the Year - Helen Kamau (AL)

Best Writer/Poet/Spoken Word - Evans Munene


NON-US BASED CATEGORIES

Best Male Artist - Kamau Karongo

Best Female Artist - Marion Shako

Best Group - MOG

Best DJ - DJ Moz

Best KCPE: Monica Wairimu Mutinda

Best KCSE: Mark Maugo