In January of this year, the AGMMA was launched at the Stratford circus to much fanfare and anticipation.
So the much anticipated night arrived and on a warm June 3rd evening, the big guns of African gospel music and media rolled into the Olympic vicinity of Stratford (the Stratford Circus). On the red carpet were notable multi award winning artistes such as Sammy Okposo, Sonnie Badu (and his wife Annie), Mike Aremu, Joe Mettle, Ruri Sambili, Muyiwa Olarewaju, Noel Robinson, Diana Hamilton, Queen Patience, Sarah Teibo, Hannah Ola, Andrew Bello, Isabella, Evans & Purist Ogboi, Nii Okai, Bro Philemon, Emmanuel Smith and Jojo Demens who freely mingled with their fans
Guests were then treated to a VIP reception on the mezzanine of the venue and then ushered into the main auditorium where award winning Evans Ogboi, Purist Ogboi and Hannah Ola kicked off the evening with an explosive medley of some of their popular songs. Performances by Snatcha, Andrew Bello, Sarah Teibo, Ruri Sambili and Diana Hamilton, greeted with enthusiasm by the crowd, were interspersed with presentation of awards and speeches.
Awards were given out in the various categories with gongs going to Sinach, Ntokozo Mbambo, Sonnie Badu, Joe Mettle, Mercy Masika, Diana Hamilton, Suffix, Ohemaa Mercy, Andrew Bello, Snatcha, Muyiwa Olarewaju and more. Female artiste of excellence was awarded to Isabella and Sammie Okposo was adjudged male artiste of excellence.
Special non-contestable categories were also celebrated including, the Levites, community and Leadership awards.
A highlight of the night was the tribute performance to celebrate the lives of two African Gospel Legends Danny Nettey and Sfiso Ncwane, who were called home to be with the Lord in the last year. Emmanuel Smith and Jojo Demens performed a sombre tribute to Danny Nettey whilst Queen Patience to Sfiso
Sammie Okposo said about his award that ‘this is for God and this is for Africa’. Sonnie Badu expressed his appreciation to the organisers and for the recognition accorded him and fellow musicians.
The night ended with the grand finale segment of exuberant performances by Bro. Philemon, Nii Okai, Joe Mettle and Sammie Okposo. The audiences clearly wanted more when the night ended.
The founder and Chief executive of AGMMA Charles Koranteng said “we are bound on promoting excellence in African Gospel music and media” and will do everything within the organisation’s. means to see that this happens. He said there will be a series of events in the year and were already planning AGMMA 2018.
AGMMA 2017 AWARD RECIPIENTS
DISCOVERY OF EXCELLENCE
Purist Ogboi
Sarah Teibo
ARTISTE OF EXCELLENCE EAST AFRICA
Mercy Masika (Kenya)
ARTISTE OF EXCELLENCE CENTRAL AFRICA
Mike Kalambay (DRC)
ARTISTE OF EXCELLENCE USA & CANADA
Blessing Ali
TV PROGRAM OF EXCELLENCE
Turning Point International (USA)
RADIO PROGRAM OF EXCELLENCE
PG Breakfast Show (Premier Gospel UK)
Gospel Sunday (Milele FM)
MUSICAL GROUP OF EXCELLENCE
Tim Godfrey & the Xtreme Crew (Nigeria)
SONG OF EXCELLENCE
Waymaker (Sinach)
ALBUM OF EXCELLENCE
Soundz of Afrika (Sonnie Badu)
GOSPEL BLOG/ONLINE PROMO OF EXCELLENCE
Gospel Buzz South Africa
ARTISTE OF EXCELLENCE WEST AFRICA
Joe Mettle (Ghana)
ARTISTE OF EXCELLENCE SOUTHERN AFRICA
Ntokozo Mbambo
ARTISTE OF EXCELLENCE EUROPE
Diana Hamilton
ARTISTE OF EXCELLENCE ASIA/AUSTRALIA/NZ
Bro. Philemon (China)
AFRO RAP/HIP HOP ARTISTE OF EXCELLENCE
Snatcha
Andrew Bello
INSTRUMENTAL ARTISTE OF EXCELLENCE
Mike Aremu
MUSIC PRODUCER OF EXCELLENCE
Neville D (South Africa)
Stephen Akinyele (Shabach)
VIDEO OF EXCELLENCE
Mkazi wa Kumwamba (Suffix)
ONLINE GOSPEL STATION OF EXCELLENCE
Amen Radio (Nigeria)
FEMALE ARTISTE OF EXCELLENCE
Isabella Ogo-Uzodike
MALE ARTISTE OF EXCELLENCE
Sammie Okposo (Nigeria)
EVENT OF EXCELLENCE
Spirit & Life Live (Ntokozo Mbambo)
LEVITES AWARD
Remmy Odumesi
Tayme Tee
Chiedu Nwanze
Edmund Gyawu
Kelechi Ifeani
Jerry Bonsu
TRAILBLAZER AWARD
Sonnie Badu
COMMUNITY AWARD
Isabella Ogo-Uzodike
Diana Hamilton
Steve Mpofu
LEADERSHIP AWARD
Nii Okai
DJ Gosporella
Ohemaa Mercy
David Kalilani
Danny Korsah
Contact: Charles +447947130730 Lydia +447906932670
info@africangospelmusicawards.com
See photos from the event below:
