Kingston got here alive with inspiration and celebration final Thursday night because the Sterling Gospel Music Awards (SGMA), broadly often known as “the Caribbean’s premier gospel music awards present,” formally launched its 2025 version with a vibrant ceremony within the island’s capital. With this 12 months marking the distinguished occasion’s tenth anniversary, the vitality on the launch was electrical.
– Commercial –
Set for October 4 on the Emmanuel Apostolic Church, Braeton Parkway in Portmore, St. Catherine, SGMA 2025 is already shaping as much as be a historic affair. This 12 months’s theme, “African Class,” guarantees to mix red-carpet glamour, highly effective performances, and an environment of reverent celebration, all wrapped in a distinctly Caribbean aptitude.
In the course of the launch occasion, the official checklist of nominees for the ninth staging of the awards was unveiled, drawing pleasure from followers, trade insiders, and gospel music lovers throughout the area. The 2025 nominee checklist displays the range, depth, and vibrancy of gospel music, not solely in Jamaica however throughout the broader Caribbean and worldwide diaspora. Classes for this 12 months’s awards embrace Album of the Yr, Male and Feminine Artiste of the Yr, Group of the Yr, Breakout Sensation of the Yr, Caribbean Artiste of the Yr, Worldwide Artiste of the Yr, The Sterling Award for Excellence, Video of the Yr, Gospel DJ of the Yr, Gospel Character of the Yr, and several other others.
Among the many standout nominees are Jamaican gospel stalwarts resembling Johnmark Wiggan, Petra Kaye, Chevelle Franklyn, Kevin Downswell, Rhoda Isabella, and Prince Saj, whose collective influence on the native gospel scene continues to resonate. Additionally making waves are regional favourites like Levy’s Heritage and Guyanese powerhouse Samuel Medas. On the worldwide entrance, gospel icons together with CeCe Winans, Naomi Raine, and Chandler Moore lend star energy to the awards’ rising world footprint.
Along with the aggressive classes, this 12 months’s staging will honour 5 exceptional males of religion with the distinguished KFC Massive Deal Kingdom Stalwarts Awards. These honourees, together with Bishop Everton Thompson, Bishop Herro Blair, Bishop Ronald Blair (posthumously), Bishop Rohan Edwards, and Bishop Delford Davis, have every made an indelible mark on Jamaica’s religious and cultural panorama by their management, legacy, and unwavering service to the gospel group. Organisers have additionally hinted at two shock “Massive Deal” highlight awards that will likely be introduced stay through the ceremony, including to the night time’s anticipated excessive factors and unforgettable moments.
Now, with its tenth anniversary quick approaching, SGMA 2025 goals to be extra than simply an awards present. The upcoming ceremony guarantees dynamic stay performances, superstar presenters, and particular musical collaborations that can showcase one of the best of what Jamaica and the broader gospel world have to supply. With a world broadcast deliberate, the attain of Caribbean gospel continues to develop, bringing the message and the music to audiences worldwide.
