Hosted by Jonathan McReynolds and Tasha Cobbs Leonard, here’s a recap of this year’s winners and performances.
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Hosted by Jonathan McReynolds and Tasha Cobbs Leonard for a second year, the 8th annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards was full of surprise moments and fresh faces.
Don Jackson, founder of the Stellar Awards spoke on this year’s show in a statement. “I am elated to celebrate this landmark 38th year of the Stellar Gospel Music Awards and its premiere on our very own newly-launched Stellar TV network,” he shared. “Our flagship show is one of the longest-running nationally televised African American awards programs in history – we couldn’t be more proud to bring this new inspirational network to viewers, while honoring the work of Gospel music artists and industry professionals who use their gifts to lift the spirits of many during troubling times. We look forward to another spectacular weekend of family-friendly entertainment in Las Vegas.”
Kierra Sheard-Kelly and Pastor Mike Jr. opened the show with a magnetic performance of “Miracles” and “Impossible.” The latter, who lead the nominations with ten under his belt, swept with eight wins. The newly-minted “King Of Urban Inspiration” was named Male Artist of the Year, Artist of the Year for the third consecutive year, Producer of the Year, Contemporary Male Artist of the Year, and won for Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year, Music Video of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year, Album of the Year with his EP, Winning, and Song of the Year with his record, “Impossible,” featuring James Fortune and JeVon Hill.
DOE won two of the major categories for women after being named Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year and Contemporary Female Artist of the Year. Her single, “When I Pray,” took home the win for Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year.
Additionally, Zacardi Cortez earned awards for Traditional Male Artist of the Year, Traditional Album of the Year, and Praise and Worship Song of the Year for his album “Imprint.” Cobbs-Leonard’s Hymns took home the award for Praise and Worship Album of the Year.
This year’s James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award honored Reverend Milton Biggham, Pastor of the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Newark, NJ. Rev. Biggham also founded several mass choirs—The Miami Mass Choir, The Mississippi Mass Choir, the Dallas Fort Worth Mass Choir, and the Georgia Mass Choir.
Meanwhile, CeCe Winans received the prestigious Aretha Franklin Icon Award and gave a chilling performance of her song, “Goodness of God,” off her album, Believe For It. Dr. Bobby Jones was presented with the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award, that recognized his outstanding contributions and influential career. Arguably, the top highlight from the evening was the preview of the forthcoming Reunion Tour with Kirk Franklin, Israel Houghton, and Tye Tribbett.
The 2023 Stellar Awards was taped live in Las Vegas on July 15 and is set to premiere on the new Stellar television network on July 30 at 6 p.m. ET. The channel is only available on Charter Spectrum, Verizon Fios, and Xumo Play. It will, then, re-air on BET on Sunday, August 6 at 8 p.m. ET and on Bounce on Sept. 3 at 1 p.m. ET.
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