Stellar Award Nominations Announced
By NaTyshca Pickett
Central City Productions revealed today the nominees in 25 categories for the 38th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, which will be taped on Saturday, July 15, at the Las Vegas Orleans Arena. The 38th Stellar Awards will air in nationwide broadcast syndication from August 7 to September 10, 2023, on the newly created Stellar TV between Monday, July 24 and August 6, 2023. This year's co-hosts are Gospel legends and multiple Stellar Award winners Tasha Cobbs-Leonard and Jonathan McReynolds, who returns to share co-hosting responsibilities for the second year.
"I am ecstatic to celebrate this landmark 38th year of the Stellar Gospel Music Awards and its premiere on our very own newly-launched Stellar TV network," said Don Jackson, Founder of the Stellar Awards and Chairman of Central City Productions, Inc. Our flagship show is one of the longest-running nationally televised African American awards programs in history, and we couldn't be more excited to introduce viewers to this new inspirational network while honoring the work of Gospel music artists and industry professionals who use their gifts to lift the spirits of many during difficult times. We are looking forward to another fantastic weekend of family entertainment in Las Vegas."
Pastor Mike, Jr., an 11-time Stellar Award winner, leads the field of nominees this year with ten nominations. This year, the trailblazing Gospel artist was recognized in the key categories of Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Producer of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Contemporary Male Artist of the Year, Urban Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year, Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year, Music Video of the Year, and Contemporary Album of the Year for his work on the album "Winning" (Blacksmoke Music Worldwide).
With nine nominations, groundbreaking Gospel artist Tye Tribbett is being honored by the voting body for his work on "All Things New" (Motown Gospel) in the categories of Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Producer of the Year, Contemporary Male Artist of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year, Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year, Urban/Inspirational Single, or Performance of the Year. In addition, the project, created by Mike McKesey and Trent Nicholson, was nominated for Recorded Music Packaging of the Year.
Maverick City Music x Kirk Franklin received six Stellar Awards nominations for their project "Kingdom Book One" (Tribl Records/Fo Yo Soul Recordings/RCA Inspiration), nominated in the categories of Artist of the Year, Contemporary Duo/Chorus Group of the Year, Song of the Year, Producer of the Year, Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year, and Contemporary Song of the Year.