DONALD LAWRENCE PRESENTS THE TRI-CITY SINGERS TOPS THE LIST WITH NINE, FOLLOWED BY KIRK FRANKLIN, TASHA COBBS LEONARD AND JJ HAIRSTON WITH MULTIPLE NOMINATIONS
TOP NOMINEES THIS YEAR ALSO INCLUDE BISHOP PAUL S. MORTON, JOHN P. KEE, KURT CARR & THE KURT CARR SINGERS, WILLIAM MURPHY, PASTOR MIKE JR., MARANDA CURTIS, AND FRESH START WORSHIP LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT HONORS TO BE BESTOWED UPON ICONIC CLARK SISTERS
Rising Gospel Superstars Koryn Hawthorne and Jonathan McReynolds Pair to Host the Milestone 35th Annual Salute to Gospel Music Taping on Friday, March 27th in Las Vegas.
The Stellar Award nominees in 28 categories were announced yesterday by Central City Productions for the milestone 35th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards taping on Friday, March 27 at the Las Vegas Orleans Arena. The Stellar Awards recognizes the year’s best performances in the genre, honors Gospel music icons and acknowledges the accomplishments of individuals instrumental in advocating for the industry. Gospel music’s most epic celebration is co-hosted for the first time by rising Gospel superstars and Stellar Award winners, Koryn Hawthorne and Jonathan McReynolds.
Don Jackson, Founder of the Stellar Awards and Chairman of Central City Productions, Inc. commented, “I am elated to celebrate this landmark 35th year of the Stellar Gospel Music Awards. Our flagship show is now one of the longest-running nationally televised African-American award programs in history. We are proud to honor Gospel music artists and industry professionals for their priceless contributions to Gospel music. We look forward to another spectacular weekend of family-friendly entertainment in Las Vegas.”
In addition to celebrating the year’s best album releases, Jackson will bestow special honors upon Gospel greats who have elevated the genre. This year’s James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award will honor none other than the iconic Clark Sisters — Karen Clark Sheard, Dorinda Clark Cole, Twinkie Clark and Jacky Clark Chisholm — who hold a collective fifteen Stellar Awards, in addition to the Thomas Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award (2007). Additional special honorees will be named at a later date.
VeteranGospel collective, Donald Lawrence Presents The Tri-City Singers leads the field of nominees this year with nine nominations. The powerhouse choir and its leader earned recognition this year for its work on the album “Goshen” (RCA Inspiration) in the key categories of Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Choir of the Year, Producer of the Year, Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year, Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year, and Contemporary Choir of the Year.
With eight nominations, Gospel icon and Stellar Awards Host emeritus, Kirk Franklin is being recognized by the voting body for excellence in the categories of Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, Producer of the Year, Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year, and Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year for his work on “Long Live Love” (Fo Yo Soul/RCA/RCA Inspiration).
Tasha Cobbs Leonard continues to bless audiences with her gift and is rewarded this year with eight nominations for her work on “Heart. Passion. Pursuit. Live at Passion City Church” (Motown Gospel), including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year, and Praise and Worship Album of the Year. She is also nominated for Producer of the Year for her work on William Murphy’s “Settle Here” (RCA Inspiration) project.
Receiving seven nominations this year, JJ Hairston continues the praise party with his project “Miracle Worker” (JamesTown Music/Entertainment One), recognized in the categories of Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, Choir of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year, Contemporary Choir of the Year and Praise and Worship Album of the Year.
Choirs continue to inspire Gospel audiences and raise the roof with songs of praise, and this year, Bishop Paul S. Morton & The Full Gospel Ministry of Worship (“A Month of Sundays”; Tehillah/Integrity Music/Tyscot) and John P. Kee (“I Made It Out”; Entertainment One) receive six and five nominations respectively, going head-to-head in the categories of Choir of the Year, Traditional Choir of the Year, Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year and Traditional Album of the Year.
Representing traditional, contemporary and urban music genres on the Gospel spectrum, Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers, William Murphy and Pastor Mike Jr. are blessed with four nominations each. Carr’s recognition comes from his work on “Bless Somebody Else” (RCA Inspiration), which earned nods for Duo/Chorus Group of the Year, Traditional Duo/Chorus Group of the Year, Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year and Traditional Album of the Year. Murphy’s “Settle Here” (RCA Inspiration) generated praise in the categories of Male Vocalist of the Year, Producer of the Year, Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year and Praise and Worship Album of the Year.
Bringing hip hop flavor to the Gospel space, Pastor Mike Jr.’s debut album “Live Free” (Black Smoke Worldwide) received nominations for Song of the Year, New Artist of the Year, Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year and Rap/Hip Hop Gospel Album of the Year. Other artists earning multiple Stellar nominations include: The Walls Group, Todd Dulaney, Maranda Curtis, Fresh Start Worship, Le’Andria Johnson, Jekalyn Carr and Jerard & Jovaun.
Donald Lawrence Presents the Tri-City Singers – 9 Nominations Kirk Franklin – 8 Nominations Tasha Cobbs Leonard – 8 Nominations JJ Hairston – 7 Nominations Bishop Paul S. Morton –6 Nominations John P. Kee –5 Nominations Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers – 4 Nominations William Murphy – 4 Nominations Pastor Mike, Jr. – 4 Nominations Maranda Curtis – 3 Nominations Fresh Start Worship – 3 Nominations
He’s been a Dogg, a Lion and to some in the Christian community, a big bad wolf. A wolf in Snoop Dogg‘s clothing…a pied piper, even has encroached the sacred space of gospel music. He has long been an outsider, but no stranger, at all! His mother is a minister and he promised his grandmother that he would make a gospel album which brings us to where we are, today. His album currently sits atop the charts, and almost immediately after its March 16th release, “Snoop Dogg Presents Bible of Love” shot to the top of the gospel music charts, rivaled only by Jonathan McReynolds’ “Make Room” and rightfully so. The musicality matches a budget that seemingly spared no expense. The rapper’s use of household names in gospel music isn’t what makes the project special, it actually sounds good and is put together well.
After much consideration, I too agree that Snoop Dogg’s entry into the gospel music marketplace, should actually be welcomed. Initially, I too sought to keep Snoop out, but some things deserve more consideration than others. I wasn’t alone in my derision of the rapper and his album and this irrational fear nearly kept me from experiencing a musical marvel and modern-day marketing masterpiece. For starters, as Maeve McDermott of USA Today put it, Snoop Dogg’s role on the album is actually more of “curator” and not necessarily featured artist (alas “Snoop Dogg Presents…”, only guesting on a few of the double cd’s 32 tracks.
Some things only a fool would debate. However, music production, song choice and even song writing are not up for debate on “Snoop Dogg Presents: Bible of Love”. You can debate a number of things pertaining to this project, but those three elements are beyond debate. What is debatable and open to interpretation is Snoop’s cold-turkey conversion. Suffice it to be said that many inside the gospel and secular music industry are skeptical, when considering Snoop Dogg as a believer.
Many who have been in his presence as of late recount a different, calmer side to the rapper whose last album was an effort to “Make America Crip Again”. What are the odds that on the heels of an offering like that, Snoop Dogg has answered the call to make gospel music, without fanfare…without a Lebron James-like announcement that he’s taking his talents to church? It’s not uncommon for country and pop artists to turn to their roots. It regularly happens and Reba McEntire is the latest to enjoy critical acclaim for her religious project, winning Dove and Grammy Awards for her “Sing It Now: Songs of Faith and Hope” album. Jazz giant John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” has been known to elicit varying stages of spirituality for listeners and remains an open-ended ode to spirituality in general, though Coltrane only referenced God and not other deities.
In Mark 5:1-20, the bible tells us of a demoniac who was uncontrollable, naked, hurt himself, lived in the graveyard and had to be bound by chains until he met Jesus! As was the case with most people, Jesus changed his life and he was never the same! The bible records that when people saw him- that he was clothed and his right mind, they were afraid (Mark 5:15). Yes, they were afraid, so afraid that they ran Jesus out of town (v17). The man wanted to go with Jesus, but Jesus told him to stay and instead go tell everybody what he had done for him (vv19-20).
The former demoniac was on his own to tell everyone not only about his deliverance, but to convince them that it was not fake news! In my opinion, this is where Snoop Dogg finds himself now that his album has been released! While detractors remain, only time will tell exactly what impact this work has had on his life. Some in the Christian community believe and are rejoicing, some are apprehensive with a ‘wait and see’ attitude, and other are still protesting everything about the album and his persona.
It comes as no surprise that some of Snoop ‘s hip hop fans feel betrayed and alienated. They have been as critical as the gospel community, labeling him a sellout, a traitor and much worse. The gospel community isn’t alone in its cynicism, the Rastafarian response to the rapper’s short-lived time as “Snoop Lion” was also hotly derided. Perhaps they are more discerning that Christians, or maybe a confession of Christ is easier than ascribing to the Rasta principles. Rastafarians were much harsher on the rapper and much bolder in their rejection of his Rasta rhymes and reasoning. There was trouble before the album and documentary hit shelves and the screen. Bunny Wailer and even the Ethio-Africa Diaspora Union Millennium Council lobbied some hefty allegations against the rapper who they felt used their religion and lifestyle only for commercial gain.
Let’s face it, it’s hard to hate Snoop Dogg! His 25 plus years in music have endeared him as one you either love or love to hate. Christian rejection to the album has been re-branded as unloving to the unlovable. Snoop Dogg hasn’t done much talking about the album, but did speak about directly to cynics in a recorded clip during this year’s Stellar Gospel Music Awards saying: “…if you finding (sic) somebody trying to find their way back home, the natural thing to do is to be welcoming, open your arms and say brother we accept you for who you are…” In the same clip, Snoop speaks directly to the critics and cynics showing that the conversion may not have been as sudden as we assumed! That’s the beauty of following Christ; we are all a work in progress (Philippians 1:6), it’s the touch of the Master’s hand however that makes the ultimate difference!
Snoop Dogg as a Christian is a frightful idea. I think many fear for Snoop, who will be forced to leave behind gangsta-rap, marijuana and pornography enterprises and think this turn toward a pure life will be short lived. Some fear that this may only a pit stop and that Snoop Dogg’s success will prop the door open for other ‘one and done’ gospel experiments. It’s my opinion that the fear goes deeper than that: many are hoping against the success of the album out of fear that in some weird way that he will be successful in his efforts to open the door to those the church has been patently unsuccessful reaching.
The bible makes clear what we are to do with fear…love! “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” (I John 4:18)
Love is powerful…the Apostle Paul said that love “seeketh not her own” (I Corinthians 13:5) meaning that love doesn’t seek to have its own way. In this context, this means that churches, gospel music artists and fans can’t clamor for the expansion of the Kingdom to be only one-sided, achieved by one method or one group. For those “Snoop Dogg Presents Bible of Love” will send to church and to other gospel music artists and their ministries, shouldn’t we be ready to with open arms, embrace them and lead them to Christ, the greatest love of all?
