Petra Kaye and John Mark Wiggan were among the top awardees at the seventh staging of the Sterling Gospel Music Awards.
The glitzy affair which enjoyed a big turnout, saw Wiggan copping awards for Male Artiste of the Year and Breakout Sensation of the Year.
Petra Kaye took the award for Album of the Year
and Female Artiste of the Year, while Kevin Downswell took home the prize for Local Hit of the Year with his song Grace as well as Local Hit Producer of the Year, a prize shared with Downswell Records and Nebulous Productions.
Commenting on the event, founder of the awards Basillia Barnaby Cuff expressed joy at the turnout. She said she was in awe and her mind was totally blown.
Minister of Culture Olivia Babsy Grange whose ministry is named among the sponsors, told the Freedom Come Rain Newspaper that from the early stages of conceptualisation, she decided she would support it.
“You know usually an event is sponsored maybe once but the support has been continuous. We have continued to support the Sterling Gospel Music Awards over the years. It is important to support events like this particularly where you have industry persons who are promoting wholesome music, family music and certainly music of inspiration spreading the gospel. So it is important,” she notes.
Grange revealed also that it is her wish to someday see a major national gospel event being held in the city. She said her desire is for when people think about Jamaica, they think of gospel the same way Usain Bolt and Reggae are linked to the island.
“I will continue to support the awards and I will assist the sector in maximizing their potential; maximizing what benefits are out there,” she promised.
The night had a potpourri of performances that set the mood for praise and worship. Kevin Heath, Chantal Smalling, DJ Nicholas and two-time winner John Mark Wiggan kept the vibes flowing.
With the number ‘7’ signaling perfection, there was no doubt that the organisers, supporters and audience enjoyed the moments, as everything about the evening was “just perfect”.
Below are the night’s winners.
Sterling Gospel Music Awards Winners 2023
1. Album of the Year
Sing Praises Live – Petra Kaye
2. EP of the Year
My King Project – Ryan Mark
3.Male Artiste of the Year
Johnmark Wiggan
4. Female Artiste of the Year
Petra Kaye
5. Group of the Year
Levy’s Heritage
6.Breakout Sensation of the Year
Johnmark Wiggan
7.Collab of the Year
Sweet ehh – DaJourney ft Sone G
8. Local Hit of the Year
Grace – Kevin Downswell
9.Local Hit Producer of the Year
Downswell Records & Nebulous Productions
10.Caribbean Artiste of the Year
Positive
11. International Artiste of the Year
Cece Winans
12.Video of the Year
God is in Control – LeoNell Teape ft DJ Nicholas
13.Most Rated Radio Programme of the Year
The Gospel Light – Ava-Gay Blair-Black
Gospel JA
14. Online Radio Programme of the Year
The Praise Ministry – DC Praise
15.Gospel Personality of the Year
Ava-Gay Blair-Black
16. DJ of the Year
DJ Rebirth
17. Virtual Gospel Series of the Year
Daily Sustaining Word – Oneil Pusey
18. Most Rated Event of the Year
Genesis – Jamaica Youth for Christ
