The Stellar Gospel Music Awards celebrated its 36th year honoring excellence in gospel music, featuring soul-stirring performances that will awe audiences who love sounds of inspiration. Hosted by gospel chart-toppers Jekalyn Carr and Tye Tribbett, this year’s ceremony showcased an eclectic mix of gospel legends and industry standard-bearers along with the unstoppable force of young, contemporary artists who are spreading the good news in new ways. The annual celebration, set to premiere Sunday, August 1st at 8PM ET/PT on BET, underscored the power of artists who boldly proclaim a Christ-centered identity, represent the unique sounds of their region, and display the rich diversity filling gospel music with a healing and uplifting energy that reaches the masses.
A new generation of gospel artists showed up and showed out during the celebration as a testament to the genre’s staying power. Among them, Pastor Mike Jr., nominated for multiple Stellar Awards this year, performed “Big,” and host Jekalyn Carr belted her songs, “Change Your Story” and “Jehovah Jireh.” Maverick City Music treated audiences to the harmonious sound of “Jireh,” and various emerging artists such as Jokia, Terrian, and Nia Allen were spotlighted as up-and-coming gospel talent.
Big winners at the 36th Stellar Gospel Music Awards include Pastor Mike Jr., who was named Artist of the Year and won Rap/Hip Hop Gospel Album of the Year and Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year. Kierra Sheard was feted during the ceremony with Song of the Year and Contemporary Album of the Year, and Maverick City Music won both New Artist of the Year and Album of the Year. Other multiple Stellar Awards winners include Jonathan McReynolds, who was named Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, and as part of a group that won Producer of the Year; and Tasha Cobbs Leonard, whose wins included Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year, Praise and Worship Album of the Year, and Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year.
Select categories and winners are featured on Instagram @TheStellars. Social media lit up during the event, generating more than two million impressions with posts featuring performances, winners, and other notable moments. The audience and performers were pleased to return to an in-person ceremony after the Stellar Awards went virtual last year due to pandemic lockdowns. COVID-19 safety protocols were enacted as part of the in-person event.
Among many highlights from “The Greatest Night in Gospel Music,” Yolanda Adams, Tamela Mann, and Avery*Sunshine joined together to deliver a powerful tribute to Lady Tramaine Hawkins, who was honored with the Aretha Franklin Icon Award presented by Toyota. The trio performed a medley including widely-known Hawkins’ songs such as “Holy One,” “Changed,” and “Going Up Yonder.” The Clark Sisters, who received the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award presented by AT&T, also performed rousing renditions of “Is My Living In Vain,” “Blessed & Highly Favored,” “You Brought The Sunshine,” and “His Love.” The legendary group received three nominations for this year’s Stellar Awards.
Kierra Sheard gave a spirited offering of “Something Has To Break,” and Sheléa and Christina Bell sang The Clark Sisters’ classic hit “You Brought The Sunshine.” Leading nominee Jonathan McReynolds lifted his voice to the sounds of “Grace” and “Movin’ On,” joined by Mali Music, and CeCe Winans burst into song with “Never Lost” and “Believe For It.”
Viewers worldwide can expect to witness these dynamic performances and find out who won across all categories when the Stellar Awards airs Sunday, August 1, on BET, BET Her, and BET Gospel at 8 p.m. ET / PT. The show will also air August 2 on BET International. The ceremony, held at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, TN, on Saturday, July 10, will also be carried in various markets for national broadcast syndication from August 7 through September 5.
The Stellar Awards not only recognizes the year’s best performances in the genre, but also honors gospel music icons and those who have been instrumental in advocating for the gospel industry. Top nominees for this year’s ceremony include former Stellar Awards host Jonathan McReynolds, who received eight nominations this year. Anthony Brown & group therAPy, Kierra Sheard, Maverick City Music, and Pastor Mike, Jr. each received seven nominations, including a nod each for Artist of the Year. Other celebrated artists receiving multiple Stellar nominations include Tasha Cobbs Leonard, The Clark Sisters, Rev. Luther Barnes and the Restoration Worship Center Choir, the Chicago Mass Choir, and host Jekalyn Carr.
AT&T is proud to be this year’s presenting sponsor. With support from additional sponsors, including State Farm (Song of the Year presenter), Toyota, P&G (Traditional Female Vocalist presenter), and McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour, the 2021 Stellar Gospel Music Awards is set to be the gospel event of 2021.For additional updates, follow The Stellar Awards on social media and check website.
Category #1
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Pastor Mike Jr.; Big: Freedom Sessions; Black Smoke Music Worldwide
Category #2
SONG OF THE YEAR
– Something Has to Break (Live) ft. Tasha Cobbs Leonard; Kierra Valencia Sheard, J. Drew Sheard II, Jonathan Smith & Mia Fields; Karew / RCA Inspiration
Category #3
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– Jonathan McReynolds; People; eOne Music
CATEGORY #4
ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– Tasha Cobbs Leonard; Royalty: Live at The Ryman; Motown Gospel
CATEGORY #5
DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
– The Clark Sisters, The Return, Karew Entertainment/Motown Gospel
CATEGORY #6
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
– Maverick City Music; Maverick City Music Vol 3 Part 1; Tribl Records
CATEGORY #7 ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Maverick City Music Vol 3 Part 1; Maverick City Music; Tribl Records
CATEGORY #8 CHOIR OF THE YEAR
– JJ Hairston; Not Holding Back; JamesTown Music / eOne Music
CATEGORY #9 PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
– Jonathan McReynolds, Darryl “LiLMaN” Howell & Rogest “Rosco” Carstarphen, Jr.; People; eOne Music
CATEGORY #10
CONTEMPORARY DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
– Anthony Brown & group therAPy; 2econd Wind: Ready; Key of A / Tyscot / Fair Trade
CATEGORY #11
TRADITIONAL DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR
– The Clark Sisters; Gospel According to PJ; Morton Inspiration/Tyscot
CATEGORY #12
CONTEMPORARY MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– Jonathan McReynolds; People; eOne Music
CATEGORY #13
TRADITIONAL MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– Donnie McClurkin; A Different Song; Camdon Music / RCA Inspiration
CATEGORY #14
CONTEMPORARY FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– Tasha Cobbs Leonard; Royalty: Live at The Ryman; Motown Gospel
CATEGORY #15
TRADITIONAL FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
– Jekalyn Carr; Changing Your Story; Lunjeal Music Group
CATEGORY #16
CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Kierra; Kierra Sheard; Karew / RCA Inspiration
CATEGORY #17
TRADITIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Changing Your Story; JeKalyn Carr; Lunjeal Music Group
CATEGORY #18
URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
– I Got It; Pastor Mike Jr.; Black Smoke Music Worldwide
CATEGORY #19
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
– Something Has to Break (Live); James Hairston IV; Karew / RCA Inspiration
CATEGORY #20
TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR
– Ricky Dillard; Choirmaster; Motown Gospel
CATEGORY #21
CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR
– JJ Hairston; Not Holding Back; JamesTown Music / eOne Music
CATEGORY #22
INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– My Tribute; Myron Butler; Major Mynor Productions / Sherman James Productions
CATEGORY #23
SPECIAL EVENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– The First Ladies of Gospel: The Clark Sisters Biopic Soundtrack; Various Artists; Releve Entertainment
CATEGORY #24
RAP HIP HOP GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Big: Freedom Sessions; Pastor Mike Jr.; Black Smoke Music Worldwide
CATEGORY #25
YOUTH PROJECT OF THE YEAR
– Anthony White & Detroit Youth Choir; Glory; DYC Entertainment
CATEGORY #26 QUARTET OF THE YEAR
– Young Men 4 Christ; Elevation; B.R.A.T.T. Music Studio
CATEGORY #27
RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
– Royalty: Live at The Ryman; Justin Foster & Drew Kellum; Motown Gospel
CATEGORY #28
PRAISE AND WORSHIP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Royalty: Live at The Ryman; Tasha Cobbs Leonard; Motown Gospel JAMES CLEVELAND LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
– The Clark Sisters
ARETHA FRANKLIN ICON AWARD
– Tramaine Hawkins
THOMAS A. DORSEY MOST NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
– Bishop Dr. Leonard Scott
AMBASSADOR DR. BOBBY JONES LEGENDS AWARD
– Pastor Shirley Caesar
STELLAR HONORS HALL OF FAME
- – Kerry Douglas
- – Dr. Teresa Hairston
- – Skip Barrett
GOSPEL RADIO OF THE YEAR WINNERS
MAJOR MARKET OF THE YEAR
– WOKB 1680 AM, Orlando
LARGE MARKET OF THE YEAR
– WHAL-FM 95.7 Hallelujah FM, Memphis
SMALL MARKET OF THE YEAR
– WIMG1300, Trenton
INTERNET STATION OF THE YEAR
– uGospel Radio, www.uGospel.com
GOSPEL ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR
– Dr. Sctonda Kelly Gordon, WNRR Gospel 1380 & 93.3 FM, Augusta, SC