To be fair, the title for the year’s top event is a toss-up. Here’s what we think were the events of note for 2011:

5. Mad Love Lounge
Mad Love Lounge deserves a special mention for the year. If there was one word to describe it that would be consistent growth (that’s two words, but you get the point!). Managing at least a gig every two months, Mad Love Lounge continued to grow this past year to what is now without a doubt an embedded part of Kenya’s gospel and hip-hop scene – the place to go to if you want to know what’s hip and what’s hop. Salute!

4. Daddy Owen's Utamu Wa Maisha Launch
Held on Jamhuri day, Owen’s junior album was launched in style at the City Hall in Nairobi and televised live on NTV. The last album launch of the year featured a cast that read like the who’s who in Gospel music (to be expected), Owen’s  faultless performances (also to be expected) and new songs that fans loved immediately (doesn’t always happen). Looking forward to reviewing this album, but the launch was certainly an event to remember!

3. Juliani's Pulpit Kwa Street Launch
It may not be an exaggeration to assert that Juliani has the largest following of any single artist in Kenya today, or at the very least the most fanatic base. And they all turned up like a tidal wave to witness him release his latest album, Pulpit Kwa Street. For that release, the police cordoned off City Hall Way so that the gig could actually be on the street and Juliani gave a show like a man on propane – for close to four hours.

2. Unashamed Kenya Tour
Held on a cold November night, the much hyped Unashamed Tour finally came to town. And what a coming it was, featuring some of Gospel hip-hop’s most decorated stars in Lecrae, Trip Lee, Tedashii and KB as well as the rest of the 116 Clique. The place was packed with thousands of genuine hip-hop fans (we know because they were singing along to every single song!) and it was certainly a gig worth remembering.

1. Groove Awards Gala
Once again the Groove Awards gala set the standard for others to follow. A user on Mwafrika.com commenting on the event had this to say: "elegance, perfection and excellence is what I can sum it up…it gets better every year." And while the event itself may not have been picture perfect, its ability to inspire such verbosity in attendees and the fact that it comes pretty close to ‘all-together’ earns it a top spot for 2011.

Do you agree? Let's hear your comments. Also, check out our review of the year here.

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