The popular diaspora awards, the Talantas, are set to return in 2010 for their third annual season.

Talanta Nominees KJean, Michelle, Mr. Bonafide, Mr. Googz

For those not in the know, the Talanta Awards are entertainment awards that seek to promote, expose and celebrate Gospel talent in Kenya and across Africa. Since its inception in 2008, over 400 artists and groups have been nominated and over 100 Talanta Awards statuettes have been presented to musicians in continental United States of America, Kenya and the East African region.

To vote for your favorite artist / group, CLICK HERE.

This year, 13 statuettes are set to be dished out in categories such as Best Artist (featuring artists from Kenya, Tanzania, DRC and Congo), Best Male and Female Artists, Best Poet / Writer, Best Collabo, as well as Person of the Year, and there is also a special category that features the best Kenyan-based artists, with Michelle, Mr. Googz and Ben Githae, as well as Gerriey Wainaina and Jimmy Gait. Other nominees include Mr. Bonafide, Mr. Sam, Rose Muhando, Mary Wambui, to name a few.

The awards ceremony is slated for the 17th of July 2010 at the Lighthouse Convention Center in Raleigh North Carolina. Slated to attend include His Excellency Hon. Zachary Mumburi Muita (Kenyan High Commission to the UN), Angela Muiruri (Miss Kenya USA 2009), as well as artists such as Mr Googz (Kenya), Kjean (Congo DRC), Grace Faraja (Congo), DJ Kagz (Kenya/trinity radio Rwanda), and DJ riQ (Kenya). Others are Obed Kissaru (TZ), Beatrice Muniu (UK), Jaci Madegwa (WV), Yung Bern (GA), Mr. Sam (NC), Betty Maina (DE) among others.

According to the Talanta Awards Events cordinator, Moses Ogollah, Talanta’s objectives are firstly, to promote Kenyan Artists and their works internationally, and subsequently to unite Africa and its Diaspora through music and the arts. Finally, to produce a world-class television show that portrays a positive image of Africa.

:: THE TALANTA AWARDS PROCESS
Here's how the awards work. During a six weeks window, fans globally nominate their artists / groups of choice in the various categories and thereafter, the top three submissions in each category are shortlisted for the final ballot.
Anybody with Internet access and a valid email address can then submit their vote, with quality of music/performance being the key criteria. Ballots are then secretly tabulated by an independent firm, Executive Global Solutions. Following this, the nominees with the most votes among the top 3 in each category are announced during the Talanta Awards Ceremony.
Talanta Awards is run under the aegis of the Talanta Development Inc., and is funded solely by well-wishers and partners.

To vote for your favorite artist / group, CLICK HERE.

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