April 30, KICC - Daddy Owen was named Male Artist of the Year for the third year running at the 2011 Groove Awards, and immediately gave the trophy away to hip-hop artist Juliani, saying: "I want to give this award to the one person who really deserves it today...Juliani."

Juliani Makes His 'Acceptance Speech'|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM

Obviously humbled by the honor, Juliani picked the award to wild applause from the audience, and thanked Owen for being a 'mentor' in the Gospel industry. This was Juliani's second trophy of the night after his runaway hit Hello won hip-hop song of the year. Owen still walked away with the most statuettes, three in all, after Saluti won the Song, Video and Collabo of the Year.

Alice Kamande was declared Female Artist of the Year, beating a strong field of contestants including Eunice Njeri, who went ahead to pick the Panel's Award for Songwriter of the Year. Paul Mwai bagged deserved wins for Album of the Year and worship Song of the Year, the latter for the popular I'm In The Race, which he sang on receiving the award to the delight of the audience. Known for their hit songs I Live for You and Holy Ghost Fire, BMF won the Group of the Year award, while Marvelous Arunda ganered enough votes to be named New Artist of the Year.

The radio categories provided surprise winners of the night with the Radio Presenter and Radio Show awards going to Musyii FM and Milele FM respectively. Urban-popular Mbuvi was also beaten by John Mbaka in the Eastern Song category, Christina Shusho beat Rose Muhando and others to the Tanzanian crown, and General Mannase Mathiang' became the inaugural winner of the South Sudan artist category.

The glitzy Groove Awards gala was held at the KICC in front of a packed auditorium of the glitterati of Gospel music in Kenya, including artists, media practitioners, producers, pastors and fans. Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore and Statehouse comptroller Dr. Nelson Githinji were also among the guests.

The evening was peppered with performances from several artists. Spoken word artist Number 8 opened the programme with a poetic prayer, setting the stage for the top-notch performances that included the Kijiji outfit of Astar, Rigga, Bupe, Kamlesh and Kanjii Mbugua as well as Jimmie Gait, Andy Mburu, Kevoh Yout and Holy Dave. The vocally exceptional Neema and Christian wowed with their rendition of popular hymns to provide one of the outstanding performances of the night.

[CLICK HERE for the full list of winners. Photos coming soon]

Daddy Owen Picks His Fourth Trophy|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM

The Collabo of the Year, Looking Resplendent|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM

Number 8 Opens With A Prayer|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM

Alice Kamande With Her Female Artist Trophy|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM

Paul Mwai Won The Race For Album of The Year|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

Andy Mburu Sings Ananijali|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

Astar Lays Out His CTA Agenda|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

The BMF Crew Pick Their Group of the Year Award|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

Bupe On 'Dance', Flanked By Saints|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

The Crowd Enjoyin It All|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

Panel of Judges Chairman David Kuria |PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

DJ Moz and Uganda's Exodus Share A Moment|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

Exodus Shows Off His Trophy|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

Holy Dave, MOG's Tony, Alemba & Dunco Pose For Paps|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM

Jimmie Gait Does His Thing|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

Kevoh Yout Shows His Ragga Skills|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

And Juliani His Dreads|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

Kambua Gets On Stage|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

Kamlesh Spits Rhyme|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

Kijiji Chief Kanjii Passionately On Dream Again|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

Daddy Owen & Esther Wahome Go At It|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

Christian Backs Up Neema On A Hymn-Run|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

Standing Ovation From The Crowd|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

General Mathiang' Revels In His Win|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM

Marion Shako Named Coast Darling Again|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

K-Krew's Njugush Tries His Hand At Dancing|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

NTV's 'Crossover' Crew Receive Their TV Show Award|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

Mavuno's Pastor M Gets Dance Lessons|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

R-Kay and Esther Wahome Present An Award|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore Gets On Stage|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

As Does Statehouse Comptroller Dr. Nelson Githinji|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

Rose Muhando Won Skiza Ringback Tune of the Year|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

Rufftone Gets On Stage|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

Mbuvi Shakes A Leg On 'Kwata Kawaya'|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM  

She Was Certianly Enjoying It|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM

Juliani Shows Off His Hip-hop Statuette|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

Alemba & Sadic After Grabbing Ragga Song|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

Eunice Njeri Bagged The Songwriter Award|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

Time For Some Prayer For The Artists|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

Time To Perform The Song Of The Year, 'Saluti'|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore Gets His Groove On|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM

Hope FM's Wageni Wambaa Gives Her Saluti|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

As Do The Lovely Crossover 101 Ladies|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

Juliani And Daddy Owen Enjoy A Photo Op|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

The Massive Crowd That Attended Groove 2011|PHOTO|MWAFRIKA.COM 

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