The 8th edition of the Kisima Awards is set for a September 2009 return. After a very unfortunate postponement in the past year, the local music scene has been hungry for some sort of yardstick to gauge the progress of the industry. Well, here it is.

Themed "Hakuna Matata", the 08/09 nominees list was the longest ever, and will witness awards handed out in a record 32 categories, with nominees from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Of interest, Gospel artists are better represented than ever before.

:: CLICK HERE for the full list of nominees

On to the list. Two main genres spot brand new categories – the Afro-fusion award (won last year by Eric Wainaina) has been split into Urban & Ethnic Fusion, with male, female and group categories for the former, and artiste/group category for the latter.

The Gospel award has been restructured as well. The Contemporary Gospel category (won by Astar in 2007) has been abolished, and so has Gospel Ensembles. In their place, Gospel artists battle it out for Gospel male artiste, female artiste and group, apart from being considered for the non-Gospel categories.

Gospel acts who've featured in non-Gospel categories include the likes of Wakenya Pamoja, who lead the overall list of nominees with four nods, an achievement shared by P.Unit and Tanzania’s Lady Jaydee. The song Wakenya Pamoja has been nominated for one of the Award’s biggest categories, Song of the Year Kenya, and the new Songwriter of the Year award, which would go to Robert “RKay” Kamanzi. The group itself has nods for Group of the Year, Ensemble as well as the Social Responsibility Award.

Known for her hit song Ahadi Zake, Marion Shako makes a loud debut into Kisima with three nominations - Female Urban Fusion artist, Female Gospel artist and Female Artist of the Year (EA) award, this one pitting her against the likes of Nyota Ndogo and Lady Jaydee. Newcomer Haimie continues that surprise list as she grabs two nominations (Female Gospel artist, Most Promising Artiste award). 

Jimmy Gait’s hit Muhathara earns him two nominations for the competitive Video of the Year Kenya and Gospel Male artiste. The latter category also spots Astar for the second year running, Coast-based Bantu with Ka Umeokoka and Ben Githae with Timiza Maono. Multiple Award winners M.O.G continue their successful run with two nods, one for Ragga Artiste/Group, and the second for Gospel Group alongside Cubanotics, Eternal MCs feat Fatmod and Wernono Family.

Finally, crooner Chizi gets his first ever Kisima nominations in the Male Urban Fusion category for his song Shamba La Wanyama, and he’s also up for the Songwriter award for the same. Others propped for songwriting include Tim "Ennovator" Rimbui and Chris Adwar. The battle is likely to be a tough one in the Urban Fusion set, with the other nominees being last year’s winner Eric Wainaina with Fancy Car, Aaron Rimbui with Sauti and Kanjii Mbugua with What If.  The Mavuno Worship Project and Mbuvi also have a nomination each.

:: CLICK HERE for the full list of nominees.

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