Tye Tribbett Dominates 2024 Stellar Awards with Six Wins
It was a star-studded night of faith, fellowship, familiar favorties, and fashion at the 2024 Stellar Awards. But one gospel artist rose above th rest.
By Mindy King // EEW Magazine
In a stunning display of dominance less than six months after his Grammy win for Best Gospel Album with "All Things New: Live in Orlando," Tye Tribbett shattered records at the 2024 Stellar Awards, sweeping six categories, including the coveted Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for the soul-stirring “Only One Night Tho (Live).”
The Motown Gospel powerhouse was also honored with the prestigious James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Icon Award, cementing his status as a modern gospel legend.
The 39th annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards was a night that will be etched in the memories of all who witnessed it. Held on July 20 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, the event was a dynamic explosion of joy, praise, and celebration of the very best in gospel music.
The perfectly paired hosting duo of TV personality and comedian Loni Love and radio/TV personality and comedian Rickey Smiley kept the energy high, masterfully blending laughter and inspiration throughout the evening.
Stellar Awards co-hosts Loni Love (L) and Ricky Smiley (R) kept the fun and laughter going at the awards ceremony. (EEW/Gospel Beat)
Jekalyn Carr was a close second to Tribbett's dominance, taking home four awards, including the prestigious Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year. Melvin Crispell III, Ricky Dillard, and Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers each earned two awards, highlighting the incredible depth of talent within the gospel music community.
While Tribbett was the night's biggest winner, the award for Male Artist of the Year went to the gifted Melvin Crispell III, who also claimed the Traditional Male Artist of the Year honor. The incomparable Kim Burrell was presented with the esteemed Aretha Franklin Icon Award, a fitting tribute to her enduring impact on gospel music.
The evening was filled with breathtaking performances from a who's who of gospel music. Chandler Moore, Kierra Sheard, Anthony Brown and group therAPy, Da' T.R.U.T.H, Israel Houghton, Karen Clark Sheard, Kelontae Gavin, Koryn Hawthorne, Lisa Knowles-Smith, Mali Music, Melvin Crispell III, Rich Tolbert Jr., Tasha Page-Lockhart, Ricky Dillard, and the legendary Tamela Mann all delivered powerful performances.
Special appearances by the iconic Kirk Franklin, the powerhouse vocalist Erica Campbell, and the inspiring Angel Taylor added to the evening's magic.
EEW Magazine’s Gospel Beat, which keeps its fingers on the pulse of the industry, has your full list of 2024 Stellar Award winners. (EEW/Gospel Beat)
The two-hour Stellar Awards telecast will premiere on the Stellar Network on August 3 at 8 p.m. ET, with an encore presentation at 11 p.m. ET. It will also air in broadcast syndication from August 10 to September 8 and on BET on August 4 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Don't miss your chance to experience the joy, the inspiration, and the unforgettable performances that made this year's Stellar Awards a night for the ages.
The 39th Stellar Gospel Music Awards show was executive produced by the visionary Don Jackson, with Jennifer J. Jackson serving as producer and executive in charge of production. Michael A. Johnson brought his expertise as producer and director, with Erin Johnson as talent producer, and Daniel Moore as music director. This team of professionals came together to create an unforgettable event that perfectly captured the joyous and uplifting essence of gospel music.
Here’s a complete list of nominations for the 39th annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, with winners marked:
Artist of the year
Donald Lawrence; Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute to Twinkie Clark; RCA Inspiration
Erica Campbell; I Love You; My Block Inc.
Pastor Mike Jr.; Impossible; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
WINNER: Tye Tribbett; All Things New (Live Album); Motown Gospel
Song of the year
“Able” ft. Marvin Winans; Jonathan McReynolds, Major Johnson Finley, Marvin Winans & Demetrius Terrell Wilson; MNRK
“Feel Alright (Blessed)”; Erica Campbell, Warryn Campbell, Marvin L. Winans, Juan Winans & William Weatherspoon; My Block Inc.
“It’s Morning”; Latrice Pace; Latrice Pace
WINNER: “Only One Night Tho (Live)”; Tye Tribbett; Motown Gospel
Male artist of the year
Jonathan McReynolds; My Truth; MNRK
WINNER: Melvin Crispell III; No Failure; RCA Inspiration
Pastor Mike Jr.; Impossible; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
Tye Tribbett; All Things New (Live Album); Motown Gospel
Albertina Walker female artist of the year
Erica Campbell; I Love You; My Block Inc.
WINNER: Jekalyn Carr; JEKALYN; Waynorth Music
Kierra Sheard; All Yours; RCA Inspiration/Karew Entertainment
Maurette Brown Clark; He Loves Me; Nettie’s Child Music/MNRK
Duo/chorus group of the year
Anthony Brown & group therAPy; Affirmations; Key of A/Tyscot/FairTrade
JJ Hairston; Believe Again Vol II; Tribl Records
Maverick City Music; The Maverick Way Complete; Tribl Records
WINNER: The Walls Group; Four Walls; My Block Inc.
New artist of the year
Adam Blackstone; A Legacy Christmas; BASSic Black Entertainment Records/Anderson Music Group/Empire
Jevon Dewand & The Trapstarz; The Change Experience; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
WINNER: Jovonta Patton; Established; Newton Street Entertainment/MNRK
Rudy Currence; Stained Glass Windows; Mike Chek / MNRK
Album of the year
WINNER: All Things New (Live Album); Tye Tribbett; Motown Gospel
Choirmaster II; Ricky Dillard; Motown Gospel
Impossible; Pastor Mike Jr.; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
My Truth; Jonathan McReynolds; MNRK
Choir of the year
B. Chase Williams & Shabach; CHASing the Next Chapter; Mellie’s Boy Muzic Group
WINNER: Ricky Dillard; Choirmaster II; Motown Gospel
Vincent Bohanan & SOV; Live in Dallas; HezHouse Entertainment
Zak Williams & 1AKORD; Revisited; Enon Music Group
Producer of the year
Donald Lawrence; Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute to Twinkie Clark; RCA Inspiration
Pastor Mike Jr. (Michael McClure Jr.) & Jevon Hill; Impossible; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
Tye Tribbett, Joseph Bethea, and assisted by Shante Tribbett; All Things New (Live Album); Motown Gospel
WINNER: Warryn Campbell; I Love You; My Block Inc.
Contemporary duo/chorus group of the year
WINNER: Anthony Brown & group therAPy; Affirmations; Key of A/Tyscot/FairTrade
Housefires; How to Start a Housefire (Pt. III); Housefires Music
Pastor Dalton Hill & The Tabernacle Singers; Rejoice (Live from Boston); Beulah Tabernacle/Bean House Productions
The Walls Group; Four Walls; My Block Inc.
Traditional duo/chorus group of the year
JJ Hairston; Believe Again Vol II; Tribl Records
Kevin Vasser & BLVRS; I Believe; KTV Music
WINNER: Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers; Live in Memphis 2; EvoWorld Entertainment, Inc
Ron Summers; God Can; Emanuel Media Group/Ron Summers Music
Contemporary male artist of the year
Jonathan McReynolds; My Truth; MNRK
Jovonta Patton; Established; Newton Street Entertainment/MNRK
Pastor Mike Jr.; Impossible; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
WINNER: Tye Tribbett; All Things New (Live Album); Motown Gospel
Traditional male artist of the year
John P. Kee; Tribute to a Legend: Rance Allen; Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records
Kelontae Gavin; Testify; RCA Inspiration
WINNER: Melvin Crispell III; No Failure; RCA Inspiration
Ricky Dillard; Choirmaster II; Motown Gospel
Contemporary female artist of the year
WINNER: Kierra Sheard; All Yours; RCA Inspiration/Karew Entertainment
Latrice Pace; Exodus: The Journey of Obedience, Vol 2; Latrice Pace
Lena Byrd Miles; Brand New; My Block Inc.
Naomi Raine; Cover the Earth; Tribl Records
Traditional female artist of the year
Eartha Edwards; It All Belongs to God; Blockbuster Records/Javel Music
WINNER: Jekalyn Carr; JEKALYN; Waynorth Music
Lucinda Moore; Lord, I Hear You; Nalah Music Group/New Day Distribution/The Orchard
Maurette Brown Clark; He Loves Me; Nettie’s Child Music/MNRK
Contemporary album of the year
WINNER: All Things New (Live Album); Tye Tribbett; Motown Gospel
I Love You; Erica Campbell; My Block Inc.
Impossible; Pastor Mike Jr.; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
My Truth; Jonathan McReynolds; MNRK
Traditional album of the year
Choirmaster II; Ricky Dillard; Motown Gospel
Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute to Twinkie Clark; Donald Lawrence; RCA Inspiration
WINNER: JEKALYN; Jekalyn Carr; Waynorth Music
No Failure; Melvin Crispell III; RCA Inspiration
Urban single or performance of the year
“Feel Alright (Blessed)”; Erica Campbell; My Block Inc.
WINNER: “Only One Night Tho (Live)”; Tye Tribbett; Motown Gospel
“Trusting God”; James Fortune & Monica; FIYA World/MNRK
“Witness”; Dexter Walker and Zion Movement; Indieblue Music
Music video of the year
“All Things”; West Webb and Jalen Turner; Fo Yo Soul Recordings/RCA Inspiration
WINNER: “Feel Alright (Blessed)”; Rich Laru; My Block Inc.
“I Will Wait”; Avery Henley; Tyscot
“Look at God”; Damien Sandoval; RCA Inspiration
Traditional choir of the year
Kevin Lemons & Higher Calling; Destined for Greatness; HezHouse Entertainment
WINNER: Ricky Dillard; Choirmaster II; Motown Gospel
Vincent Bohanan & SOV; Live in Dallas; HezHouse Entertainment
Zak Williams & 1AKORD; Revisited; Enon Music Group
Traditional artist of the year
WINNER: Jekalyn Carr; JEKALYN; Waynorth Music
Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers; Live in Memphis 2; EvoWorld Entertainment, Inc
Melvin Crispell III; No Failure; RCA Inspiration
Ricky Dillard; Choirmaster II; Motown Gospel
Special event album of the year
Destined for Greatness; Kevin Lemons & Higher Calling; HezHouse Entertainment
WINNER: Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute to Twinkie Clark; Donald Lawrence; RCA Inspiration
Joy Is Here; JJ Hairston; JamesTown Music/MNRK
Tribute to a Legend: Rance Allen; Various Artists; Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records
Rap/hip hop gospel album of the year
WINNER: Emanuel; Da T.R.U.T.H.; Mixed Bag Entertainment
His Glory Alone II; KB; RCA Inspiration/Provident Label Group LLC
Pray for Atlanta; 1K Phew & Zaytoven; Reach Records
The Change Experience; Jevon Dewand & The Trapstarz; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
Youth project of the year
AMG Kidz; The Kidz Interlude; AMG Kidz/Anderson Music Group
Nina Symmone; Just Smile; AMG Kidz/Anderson Music Group
Noah Alexander; Lots of Love; AMG Kidz/Anderson Music Group
WINNER: Shout Praises Kids; Joy to the World; Integrity Music
Quartet of the year
WINNER: Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers; Live in Memphis 2; EvoWorld Entertainment, Inc
Paul Porter & The Christianaires; Miracle EP; Porterboy Music Group/Trin Records
The Williams Singers; Reel Quartet; Deznell Music Group/Anderson Music Group
Young Men 4 Christ; Our Testimony; Independent
Recorded music packaging of the year
Brand New; JP Designs Art; My Block Inc.
Choirmaster II; Nathan Blaine; Motown Gospel
WINNER: JEKALYN; Octavia’s Holmes; Waynorth Music
Lord, I Hear You; BMO Designs & Blair Monique Walker; Nalah Music Group/New Day Distribution/The Orchard
Praise and worship album of the year
Believe Again Vol II; JJ Hairston; Tribl Records
Chapter X: See the Goodness; VaShawn Mitchell; V Man Entertainment/Tyscot/FairTrade
WINNER: The Journey; Todd Dulaney; DulaneyLand/MNRK
The Maverick Way Complete; Maverick City Music; Tribl Records
Praise and worship song of the year
“Always”; Jovonta Patton; Newton Street Entertainment/MNRK
WINNER: “Holy Forever”; CeCe Winans; Red Alliance Media
“I Just Wanna Praise You”; Maurette Brown Clark; Nettie’s Child Music/MNRK
“It’s Working ft. Hezekiah Walker”; Todd Dulaney; DulaneyLand/MNRK
Rap/hip hop song of the year
“Amen Right There” (ft. Canton Jones & Everett Drake); Emcee N.I.C.E.; Gypsy City Music
“MIA” ft. 1K Phew; Jor’Dan Armstrong; Jor’Dan Armstrong Music
“Miracles” ft. Lecrae; KB; RCA Inspiration/Provident Label Group LLC
WINNER: “Your Power” ft. Tasha Cobbs Leonard; Lecrae; Reach Records
James Cleveland lifetime achievement award
WINNER: Tye Tribbett
Aretha Franklin Icon Award
WINNER: Kim Burrell
Gospel radio of the year nominees
Top market of the year
WBGX 1570 AM, Chicago
WINNER: WNZN 89.1 FM, Cleveland
WPRS Praise 104.1, Washington, DC
WPZE – MyPraise 102.5, Atlanta
Medium market of the year
WINNER: KOKA 980 AM 93.3 FM, Shreveport
KZTS 1380 AM, Little Rock
WEHA 88.7 & 100.3 FM, Atlantic City
WJYD JOY 107.1 FM, Columbus, OH
Small market of the year
WBZF-98.5 FM, Florence-Myrtle Beach
WWLD-HD2 98.3FM, Tallahassee
WINNER: WXHL 89.1 FM, Wilmington
WXOK 1460 AM, Baton Rouge
Internet station of the year
WINNER: GODRadio1.com, https://streams.radio.co/sf6241e689/listen
Sound Gospel Radio, https://soundgospelradio.com/live/
Waycrosspraise/Power 89.1, https://www.waycrosspraise.org/
WVTC Gospel Radio Network, http://www.wvtcradio.com
Syndicated gospel radio show of the year
Early Morning Praise Party, Sherry Mackey & Dre Monie
WINNER: Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell, Erica Campbell & Arlen “Griff” Griffin
The Nightly Spirit, Darlene “McCoy” Jackson
Willie Moore Jr Show, Willie Moore Jr & Dwight Stone
Gospel announcer of the year
Destiny Diggs, – WXHL 89.1 FM
Neiko Flowers, WPZE – MyPraise 102.5
WINNER: Cheryl Jackson, WPRS Praise 104.1
Trey Nickelson, WBZF-98.5 F