THE BEST OF PRAISE AND WORSHIP: Big winners named at inaugural Bahamas Gospel Music Awards

Christopher Roberts claims top honors

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Christopher Roberts claimed six top honors out of 13 nominations on the inaugural Bahamas Gospel Music Awards (BGMA), including Artist of the Yr, Male Artist of the Yr, Song of the Yr, Album of the Yr, Collaboration of the Yr and Junkanoo/Rake n’ Scrape Song of the Yr for his album “The Choir Project” and his hit single “Jehovah Nickatime” featuring Pastor Simeon Outten, who also won three awards for his or her collaboration.

Trailblazer Award Recipient Najie Dun received top awards for Hip-Hop Song and Music Video of the Yr for his hit single “Hallelujah”.

Ricardo Clarke received two awards for Contemporary Song and Reggae Song of the Yr for “Make a Move and Stronger”.

Church of God National Praise and Worship Team took home Traditional Song of the Yr for “Meeting Tonight” and New Artist of the Yr.

Producer Junior Scott received Producer of the Yr and Album of the Yr.

Female Artist of the Yr was awarded to Cara T Newton of Grand Bahama and newcomer to the Gospel Industry Joinae Gibson won for Praise and Worship Song of the Yr “Worship Eternally”.

Winning the Public Voting Categories were DJ Godson for Radio Personality of the Yr and Joy 101.9FM winning Gospel Radio Station of the Yr.

Jaquay Adderley, also generally known as “Bertrum Oh Bubbler”, hosted together with Jillian Gray. Each of them complemented one another and kept the live audience and viewers engaged on YouTube. The virtual event featured various performances by Newton, who opened the show with an electrifying performance of a mash-up medley that included her hits “Movin’”, “He Reigns” and her latest single “Recovery”.

Newton was followed by a heartfelt performance by Gabrielle Styles, singing “When God Seems Silent”, paying tribute to victims that were affected by Hurricane Dorian.

Kelda “Timeless” Sweeting also energized the audience together with her latest rake n’ scrape single “Get It Done”, while paying tribute to the frontline healthcare employees.

Akeem Gardiner, Cynara Munroe and Joinae Gibson shifted the atmosphere with a praise and worship mash medley “I Consider in You”, “It’s You” and “Worship Eternally”.

IAmStacs and Eman, who won Hip-Hop Artist of the Yr, respectively gave a robust tribute to Najie Dun, which received rousing applauds.

Pastor Clint Watson gave a moving speech while accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award for Shaback.

Terrell Tinker performed a Bahamian rake n’ scrape Junkanoo medley and NU Voice gave a most fitting tribute performance of their hits.

The Church of God National Praise and Worship Team also performed “Let God Arise”, which got the group moving, and shutting the event was Terez Davis-Nixon and the highest winner of the night Christopher Roberts performing hits from his latest album.

The Bahamas Gospel Music Awards is preparing to launch the BGMA Academy within the Fall 2021. Recording artists, musicians, producers, industry executives and songwriters shall be eligible to be an element. For information, contact Executive Producer Travis Edgecombe at 813-8397 or bahamasgospelmusicawards@gmail.com.