Gospels Artiste Kevin Kioko aka Bahati has turned down this year’s Groove Awards Nomination.
Bahati, who had been nominated in the song of the year and Collabo of the year categories, has asked the organizers o to remove his name on the list and allow other upcoming artistes to shine.
“I BEG TO STEP DOWN IN THIS YEARS GROOVE AWARDS. Thank you for honouring Me as Bahati & EMB with Various Award Nominations but I humbly request the Public to Support the rest of the nominees as We all Know my desire to Support New Artists since Day 1.” part of the statement read.
“ My last participation in Groove was in 2015 and I thank God for Favouring me with 4 major Awards including the Male Artist of the Year and I believe it's Time for another New Talent to be Awarded as I work, Push & Pray to God that we will bring a Continental Award in Kenya Soon; A BET, a Grammy Maybe. Again Congratulations to all Nominees- But Kwa Sasa We Looking Forward to Fill 4 More Stadiums for God's Glory ”Reads part of Bahati’s statement
The annual competition is in its 13th year. This year, the public was involved in the submission process which saw 100,000 submissions being made. The winners will be announced at a gala event on June 24 2018.
Here is the full list of Groove Awards 2018 Nominees
1. Male artist of the year
Daddy OwenEko DyddaGuardian AngelKris Eeh BabaPastor Anthony MusembiPitson
2. Female artist of the year
Alice KimanziEvelyne WanjiruKambuaMercy MasikaPrincess FaridaSize 8
3. Group of the year
AdawnageKelele TakatifuKymo & StigahMwanga BandRecappTPK Sons
4. New artist or group of the year
Ben CDar MjombaSharonSlejjStonee JiweWeezdom
5. Song of the year
Bamba Mbaya – Kelele TakatifuBazokizo – Collo & Bruz NewtonHuyu Yesu – Mercy Masika & Angel BenardKutembea Nawe – Rebekah DawnPale Pale – Size 8Thitima Anthem – Kymo & Stigah
6. Worship song of the year
Frank – JehovahKutembea Nawe – Rebekah DawnLet Praises Rise (Cover) – Alice KimanziPatakatifu Pako – Erick SmithTuma Mvua – David Adede Ft. Sarah KUmetukuka – Israel Ezekia
7. Reggae or ragga song of the year
General – HopekidGodly Love – MannasehHoly Ghost Party – Alemba, DJ Sadic & Guardian AngelLight It Up – Garvey Royal Ft. Majic MikePaza Sauti – TPK Sons Ft. Coopy Bly & Dj SadicTalk – Warda
8. Hiphop song of the year
Thitimaahh – Stonee JiweUshai Notice – Holy DaveVidole – Eko DyddaWorldwide – RecappYesu Ndio Kusema – Scooby The Lazy Rapper Ft. Eko DyddaYou – Churchill King & Recapp
9. Album of the year
Ambition – RecappMatendo – Evelyn WanjiruNatamani Nikuone – Laura KarwirwaOptimo Worship – Pastor Anthony MusembiWe Will Rule – Mwanga BandWimbo Mpya – Florence Mureithi
10. Afro-pop song of the year
Aina Noma – Kelele TakatifuBamba Mbaya – Kelele TakatifuBazokizo – Collo & Bruz NewtonBoom Aye – Majic Mike Ft. KambuaKris Eeh Baba Thitima Anthem – Kymo & Stigah
11. Collabo of the year
Bazokizo – Collo & Bruz NewtonBoom Aye – Majic Mike Ft. KambuaHautasumbuka Tena – Stephen Kasolo Ft. Rose MuhandoHuyu Yesu – Mercy Masika & Angel BenardKuna Day (Remix) – Jimmy Gait & FriendsWewe Ni Mungu – Daddy Owen Ft. Rigan Sarkozi
12. Video of the year
Anatimiza – KambuaI Live For You – AdawnageOverflow – Alemba & DJ Sadic Ft. Sammy DeePale Pale – Size 8Worldwide – RecappYou – Churchill King & Recapp
13. Gospel radio show of the year
Gospel Night Live – Ghetto RadioGospel Sunday- Milele FMGospel Switch – Truth FMShangilia – Hope FMShangwe – Radio MaishaTurnt – Kubamba Radio
14. Radio presenter of the year
Amani Aila – Hope FMDj Ruff – Ghetto RadioEva Mwalili – Milele FMJay Njoroge – Homeboyz RadioKerry Kagiri – Kubamba RadioTess Libanze – Truth FM
15. DJ of the year
Dj GeeGeeDj MoDJ MzitoDj RuffDj SadicDJ Sam Omol
16 Talent to watch
Dan The DJFrank The DJMC NebMC PriceNasaraNoiz
17. Gospel TV show of the year
Angaza – KBCCrossover 101 – NTVPambazuka – CitizenRauka – CITIZEN TVThe Switch – K24Tukuza – KTN
18. Song of the year Rift counties
Abaibai Ane – Moses SirgoiAchame Jeso – Cathy KomenAtiriren – Maggy CheruiyotEtadamua – Maryanne Naipasoi TutumaShilishil – Stephen LekenTaai – Emmy Kosgei
19. Song of the year Coastal counties
Kaza Roho – Princess Farida & Michael YenaM’barikiwa – Princess FaridaNikone – Masha MapenziUmenifaa – Eve BahatiYuko Nawe – Mercy D LaiYvonne Aphia – Yule Yule
20. Song of the year Eastern counties
Inkatho – Sherry PamMunyanya Waw’o – Justus MyeloMusili Wa Kati – Pastor Dan MutemiNguma – Wilberforce MusyokaWi Munene – Sophie NyorokaYesu Nde Compe – Stephen Kasolo
21. Song of the year Western counties
Amba Khu Yesu – Grace SundayKhubira Byosi – Timothy Kitui Ft. Ole WillyOmwami – Violet Wanjala Ft. RufftoneReka Sieve – Humphrey OnzereWere Wakama Ya – Pastor Robert LumbasiWireve – Betty Amulele
22. Song of the year Central counties
Geria Ringi – Jane MuthoniGithima Kia Ma – Shiro Wa GPMakumbi – Njoroge JamesMwana – Loise KimTi Itheru – Alex KaraniWi Ngai – Paul Waiganjo
23. Song of the year Nyanza counties
Esiorori Yabanyarire – Judy MamahhJakayuda Iberna – Joan AmayoLaudikia – Fenny KeruboMano Nyasaye – Fenny FainRuoth Ohera – John OkidiWir Mari – Elijah Jalogo
24. Western Africa artist of the year
Ada (Nigeria)Frank Edwards – NigeriaJoe Praize (Nigeria)Ohemaa Mercy (Ghana)Preachers (Ghana)Sinach – Nigeria
25. East and Central African artist of the year
Ahavah Gospel Singers (Ethiopia)Angel Benard (Tanzania)Gisubizo Ministries (Rwanda)Goodluck Gozbert (Tanzania)Levixone (Uganda)Mireille Basirwa (DRC)
26. Southern Africa artist of the year
Chileshe Bwalya (Zambia)Khaya Mtethwa (South Africa)Lebo Sekgobela (South Africa)Pompi (Zambia)Tembalami (Zimbabwe)Zimpraise (Zimbabwe)