Patrick Kanyamibwa has been posthumously recognised at the 2014 Groove Awards ceremony. The journalist, who fervently promoted gospel music in the country, died in a road accident on September 10 aged 32.
Patrick Kanyamibwa has been posthumously recognised at the 2014 Groove Awards ceremony. The journalist, who fervently promoted gospel music in the country, died in a road accident on September 10 aged 32.
A tribute video about the life of the Kanyamibwa was screened as the event came to a climax, before inviting his widow Jeanine Mukabacondo and her five-year-old son Kenzo Kanyamibwa to receive the Award. A minute of silence was observed in memory of Kanyamibwa and he was posthumously awarded A Lifetime Achievement Award.
The event ended with many surprises. But the biggest surprise was True Promises choir who bagged two awards.
The choir scooped the Choir of the Year award and their song, Manurera was voted the Song of the Year. Serge Iyamuremye and Anointed Vessels (group) also had a happy night, taking home the Male Artist of the Year and New Artist/Group of the Year respectively.
Gospel music enthusiasts descended on the venue as early as 2pm and were entertained by the Moriah band and comedians such as Ramjaan.
Groove Awards 2014. The New Times/YouTube
Kevin Kilei, the Managing Director of MoSounds, the founder of the Groove Awards, gave a glimpse into the background of the awards, and thanked the people who turned up.
"We thank you all for coming and supporting us. Rwandan artistes have a lot of potential and one day Rwanda is going to be number 1 in East Africa in gospel music. The artistes just need a platform. What we stand for is to enlighten, expose and give a platform and we don’t want to set ourselves on a standard we can’t maintain,” said Kilei.
Top performers at the event included The Blessings, among others. Key guests were invited on the stage to present the awards to the winners, and these included, among others, Alian Numa from MTN, singer Mighty Popo, Patrick Samputu from Bralirwa and Eric Kabera of Kwetu Film Institute.
Find the full list of the winners.
Life Achievement Award- Patrick Kanyamibwa Outstanding Contribution- Aime Uwimana Dance Group of the Year- The BlessingsAudio Producer Of The Year- Leopold Radio Presenter Of The Year - Florent NdutiyeWebsite Of the year- Ibyishimo.com
Diaspora Artist Of The Year- Israel MbonyeNew Artist/Group Of The Year-Anointed VesselsVideo Of The Year- Olivier RoyWorship Song Of The Year- Amagambo Yangye by Patient BizimanaRadio Show Of The Year-Umuhanzi w’icyumweruWebsite Of The Year- Ibyishimo
Hip-Hop Song Of The Year -Kumvira by Mugema Dieu DonneShow Of The Year- Umuhanzi w’ikyumweru Traditional Artist Of The Year-Ndabarasa by JohnTraditional Song Of the year- Mana urera by True PromisesSongwriter of The Year- Issa Noel BarinijamboFemale Artist Of The Year- Gaby KamanziMale Artist Of The year- Serge Iyamuremye.
2014 GROOVE AWARDS CEREMONY IN PICTURES: