The 2016 Groove Awards gala was held on Wednesday, June 1, at Safaricom Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya.

The 11th annual gospel awarding ceremony saw the best gospel artistes,producers, DJs, and stakeholders recognised for their contribution to the development of the music industry.

The glamorous event—to recognise accomplishments for 2015—saw Rwanda’s only nominated choir, Alarm Ministries, miss out on award to Tanzania’s Christina Shusho. The outfit, comprised of singers from different Pentecostal churches across the country, was nominated in the Eastern & Central Africa Artist Of the Year category, with Coopy Bly(Uganda), John Lisu (Tanzania), Rebecca Soki (DR Congo), Wilson Bugembe (Uganda) and Christina Shusho (Tanzania).

"We thank our numerous fans across the region for their love and support, especially for voting for us for the just concluded Groove Awards. Although we missed the award, the nomination meant a lot to us and we were encouraged to work harder through the glory of God,” Charles Mazeze, the legal representative of Alarm Ministries, told The New Times in a phone interview.

"The voting procedure was done using Safaricom SIM cards—so it was hard for us to win based on that factor because we don’t use Safaricom in Rwanda,” he added.

However, the future remains bright for the choir with several concerts lined up. On Sunday, Alarm Ministries staged a remarkable performance in Goma in the eastern DR Congo, and it is also scheduled to hold a two-day concert in Bukavu, DR Congo, from July 2- 3.

The event was hosted by Dj Soxxy and Size 8 and featured performances by Eunice Njeri, Pitson, Guardian Angel, Gloria Muliro and Mercy Masika.

The Groove Awards is a Kenyan annual gospel award that recognises outstanding gospel music personalities from across the region, with the aim of equipping and raising the standards of gospel musicians.

Below is the full list of winners of the Groove Awards 2016:

• Collabo Of The Year, Everlyne Wanjiru Feat Vicky Kitonga, Tulia.

• Nyanza Counties Song Of The Year, Abasani B’ Omusunte by Femmy Kerubo.

• Ragga/Reggae Song Of The Year, Wave by Jfam Feat Omari.

• Central Counties Song Of The Year, Githe Tiwe by Phyllis Mbuthia.

• Western Africa Artist Of The Year, Sinach, Nigeria.

• Audio Producer Of The Year, Saint P.

• Radio Presenter Of The Year, Eva Mwalili, Milele FM.

• Eastern & Central Africa Artist Of the Year, Christina Shusho.

• Western Counties Song Of The Year, Njigula by Timothy Kituyi.

• Coastal Counties Song Of The Year, Ushindi by Faith Mwikali.

• Dance Group Of The Year, Jims & Dims.

• Rift Valley Song Of The Year, Ashe Mpapa by Pastor Samuel Somorei.

• Album Of The Year, Emmanuel by Mercy D Lai.

• Eastern Counties Song Of The Year, Ni Ngai Niwukilasya by Stephen Kasolo.

• Songwriter Of the Year, Pitson.

• Video Of The Year, Afadhali Yesu, Size 8.

• HipHop Son Of The Year, Easy by Maluda Feat. Juliani.

• Gospel Radio Show Of The Year, Gospel Sunday, Milele FM.

• Worship Song Of The Year, Nikufahamu by Everlyn Wanjiru.

• Video Producer Of The Year, Sammy Dee, True-D Pictures.

• South Africa Artist Of The Year, Joyous Celebration.

• Talent To Watch, DJ Covenant, Rurumuka, Inooro TV.

• Skiza Ring Back Tune Of The Year, Mwema by Mercy Masika.

• Afro-Pop Song Of The Year, Ayaya by Majik Mike ft. Kris Ee Baba.

• DJ Of The Year, DJ Ruff.

• TV Show Of The Year, The Switch, K24.

• New Artist Of The Year, Mash Mwana.

• Group Of The Year, Kelele Takatifu.

• Song Of The Year, Nikupendeze by Mercy Masika.

• Female Artist Of The Year, Mercy Masika.

• Male Artist Of The Year, L-Jay Maasai.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw