Here Are The Winners of the 2012 Groove Awards (According to Team Ghafla)

GROUP OF THE YEAR

Kevin Oyugi’s pick: BMF
Reason – This massively successful group received major publicity in recent times because of the album they were about to drop, though failed to. The fan fare must have caused loads of publicity and their music is played a lot on gospel shows.

Jeff Ndirang’u’s pick: Now this is the hotly contested category. Chances are that the group of the year might go to MOG or BMF, but the Kora award winners Maximum melodies are also a threat as the death of their member might work for them.

Mr. Majani’s pick: BMF. Their hooks just hook me. Love how they linked up with Ulopa Ngoma for their beats. That they worked with a secular producer shows maturity to me.

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Kevin Oyugi’s pick: Emmy Kosgei.
Reason – She is not new to the gospel scene as she made a spectacular splash with her album and particularly ‘Ololo’. This success has seen her do collabos with the gospel heavyweights like Daddy Owen and in just under two years secured her place among Kenya’s gospel legends. She has also featured in high school tours and her name has become a household common.

Jeff Ndirang’u’s pick: When it comes to female artiste of the year it’s a difficult one, I think may be Kambua or Emmy Kosgei will be the winner. Emmy is doing marvelous with her new album, but Kambua always have that unique attachment with people.

Mr. Majani’s pick: Shocked not to see Betty Bayo in there, but closest then is Mercy Wairegi

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Kevin Oyugi’s pick: Juliani. Reason being that he has had an extremely successful year in the gospel industry, having prominently featured even at the Kenya Live festival and commencing his Kama Sio Sisi tour across neighbor hoods and campuses. For this reason his music has been featured not just on television broadcasts but also at gigs and his tours.
Juliani is a hard worker and also gives back to the community that he was brought up in…also adding his voice to the youth to take control of their future and stand up for their rights.

Jeff Ndirangu’s pick: This time the Groove Awards male of the year nominees is a tight one, but I’ll bet my money on Juliani to win. He has a bigger fan base although Jimmy Gait can’t be written off. Jimmy’s song ‘furi furi’ was a hit but the scandal that he stole the song’s rights from DK will be his undoing to winning this award.

Mr. Majani’s pick: Eko Dydda. I have a soft spot for his stammer and stagger style

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Kevin Oyugi’s pick: Exponential Potential – Juliani
Reason – Adwanage’s hit ‘Safari’ was a deal breaker for me, because of it’s production quality, but bring into the picture how far Juliani has come and the brand that is him, and we have a winner.

Jeff Ndirang’u’s pick: When it comes to the video of the year I think Juliana exponential potential may win but BMF’S Holy Ghost fire is a threat. Both songs are good but may be Juliani’s video may just carry the day.

Mr. Majani’s pick: Safari by Adawnage for me, but it was a weak selection in general. None of the other videos nominated portrayed any sort of praise or worship which is important to me in a gospel video.

SONG OF THE YEAR

Kevin Oyugi’s pick: Exponential Potential – Juliani
Reason – Do I really need another reason? The song was MASSIVE and the production quality good. I’d have liked ‘Ni Msoh’ to feature though, as I would have picked it, but this is Juliani’s moment.

Jeff Ndirang’u’s pick: The song of the year will definitely go to Furi furi. This song is a big tune in the gospel industry, and the dance is a plus.

Mr. Majani’s pick: Exponential potential. We’ve seen on Ghafla! exactly how far Juliani has come from, so this song carried extra meaning for me. Also, the deal he struck with Google to promote this song on Google Plus and YouTube made it extra visible to me.