40th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards Official Nominee List

The Stellar Gospel Music Awards, aka “The Stellars” season is upon us!

Central City Productions has officially announced the nominees for the 40th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, presented by Procter & Gamble.

The show will be taped live in Nashville, TN on August 16, 2025, at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

Pastor Mike Jr. and Jason Nelson lead the field with 9 nominations each, including vying for Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for Jason Nelson’s “You Belong: Live in Durham”, and Pastor Mike Jr.’s EP, “I Got Away.”

Following close behind the gentlemen is CeCe Winans with 8 nominations, including Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for her latest, More Than This, featuring the hit single “That’s My King.”

Other artists with multiple nominees include:
Mississippi Mass Choir, Adia, Deitrick Haddon, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Karen Clark-Sheard, Tamela Mann, Chandler Moore, Kenny Lewis & One Voice, Micah Lee, and the trio FK&M (Fred Hammond, Keith Staten, and Marcus Cole).

And fans get a chance to vote this year! You can let your voices be heard in two key categories: Urban Single/Performance of the Year Praise and Worship Song of the Year.

Fan voting runs through July 18, 2025, powered by Tide, so head to StellarAwards.com and let your voice be heard. You can also find a full list of Stellar nominees there.

See the full list of official nominees right here:

Category #1

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Gospel recording artist, Jason Nelson. Photo courtesy of Stellar Gospel Music Awards.

CeCe Winans; More Than This; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
Jason Nelson; You Belong: Live in Durham; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records
Kenny Lewis & One Voice; The Healing Project; PureSound Muzik Group
Pastor Mike ; I Got Away EP; Rock City Media Group
Tamela Mann; Live Breathe Fight; TillyMann

Category #2

SONG OF THE YEAR

Amen; Michael McClure , Adia Andrews, Terrell Anthony Pettus, Andrea Crouch, & David “DLo” Outing; Pastor Mike Jr.; Rock City Media Group
Clap My Way; Fred Jerkins III, Alvin Garrett, & Micah Lee; Micah Lee; Darkchild Gospel/ MicahLeeMusic
I Prayed For You (said a prayer); Major Johnson Finley, Brunes Charles, & Jeshua Williams; ; NowThatsMAJOR / MNRK
That’s My King; Taylor Agan, Kellie Gamble, Lloyd Nicks, & Jess Russ; CeCe Winans; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
Yahweh Melvin Crispell III; Danni Baylor, Jason Nelson, Jerome Baylor, & Johnnie Huntley Steele III; Jason Nelson; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records

Category #3

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Chandler Moore; Chandler Moore: Live in Los Angeles; TRIBL
Deitrick Haddon; One Night In California; DH Visions
Doc McKenzie; Run On; Blockbuster Records/Milbert McKenzie Music Group
Jason Nelson; You Belong: Live in Durham; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records
Pastor Mike ; I Got Away EP; Rock City Media Group

CATEGORY #4

ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

ADIA; On the Way; Rock City Media Group
CeCe Winans; More Than This; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
Dorinda Clark-Cole; Determined; Malaco Records
Karen Clark-Sheard; Still Karen; Motown Gospel
Lisa Page Brooks; The Grateful Chant; FlowNeeNee Music

CATEGORY #5

DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR

Deitrick Haddon Damita & Tasha Page-Lockhart; Hold On 2 Your Faith; ManHaddon Ministries / Tyscot Records
FK&M (Fred Hammond, Keith Staten and Marcus Cole); Time Capsule – The Trilogy; 3Brothers/Dare Records
Ted & Sheri; You’ve Been So Faithful (Groove); Ted & Sheri LLC / Black Smoke Music Worldwide
The Group Fire; About Last Night; Jet Records North/East

CATEGORY #6

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR

ADIA; On the Way; Rock City Media Group
Bobbi Lane; Unmatched Grace; Blockbuster Records/ Taylor Music Group
Josh Bracy and Power Anointed; Favor; Josh Bracy Muzic
Micah Lee; Clap My Way; Darkchild Gospel/ MicahLeeMusic
Montrae Tisdale and The Friends Chorale; The Faith Journey; Tisdale Nation Entertainment

CATEGORY #7 ALBUM OF THE YEAR

I Got Away EP; Pastor Mike ; Rock City Media Group
Live Breathe Fight; Tamela Mann; TillyMann
More Than This; CeCe Winans; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
The Healing Project; Kenny Lewis & One Voice; PureSound Muzik Group
You Belong: Live in Durham; Jason Nelson; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records

CATEGORY #8 CHOIR OF THE YEAR

Bishop S.Y. Younger; Bishop S.Y. Younger Presents Worship in Brazil; Ramp Records (exclusively distributed by Haus Records)
Chicago Mass Choir; Greater Is Coming; New Haven Records
Ricky Dillard; When I Think; Motown Gospel
The Mississippi Mass Choir; We Still Believe; Malaco Records

CATEGORY #9 PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

Pastor Mike, Jr. Photo courtesy The Stellar Awards.

Dana Sorey; Jason Nelson; You Belong: Live in Durham; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records
Fred Hammond, Keith Staten, Marcus Cole, Paul Wright III and Ray Hammond; FK&M (Fred Hammond, Keith Staten and Marcus Cole); Time Capsule – The Trilogy; 3Brothers/Dare Records
Drew Sheard; Karen Clark-Sheard; Still Karen; Motown Gospel
Michael McClure , & David “DLo” Outing II; Pastor Mike Jr.; I Got Away EP; Rock City Media Group
Stan Jones, Jerry Mannery, Jerry Smith, & David R. Curry ; The Mississippi Mass Choir; We Still Believe; Malaco Records

CATEGORY #10

CONTEMPORARY DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR

Deitrick Haddon Damita & Tasha Page-Lockhart; Hold On 2 Your Faith; ManHaddon Ministries / Tyscot Records
Red Hands; The Three (EP); Black Suit Music / Anderson Music Group / TAMLA Records
Ted & Sheri; You’ve Been So Faithful (Groove); Ted & Sheri LLC / Black Smoke Music Worldwide
The Group Fire; About Last Night; Jet Records North/East

CATEGORY #11

TRADITIONAL DUO/CHORUS GROUP OF THE YEAR

Brandon Camphor & One Way; Hymn Medley; Tomii Entertainment
Men Of Prayze; Live: In The Red; EvoWorld Entertainment, Inc
The Flint Cavaliers; The Fellowship (Psalms 133:1); The Flint Music Group
Tim Woodson & The Heirs of Harmony; Try Me; Blackberry/Marxan Records

CATEGORY #12

CONTEMPORARY MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Jason Nelson; You Belong: Live in Durham; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records
Micah Lee; Clap My Way; Darkchild Gospel/ MicahLeeMusic
Pastor Mike ; I Got Away EP; Rock City Media Group
Vincent Bohanan; VBSOV Summer Jam; Independent

CATEGORY #13

TRADITIONAL MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Bishop Calvin Norton; Hold Me Beyond Rear View EP; Blockbuster Records
Brent Jones; Live Your Best Life; JDI Entertainment
Earnest Pugh; Worthy Is The Lamb; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
Kenny Lewis; The Healing Project; PureSound Muzik Group

CATEGORY #14

Gospel recording artist Ce Ce Winans. Photo courtesy The Stellar Awards.

CONTEMPORARY FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

ADIA; On the Way; Rock City Media Group
Bobbi Lane; Unmatched Grace; Blockbuster Records/ Taylor Music Group
CeCe Winans; More Than This; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
DOE; Heart Of A Human; RCA Inspiration / Provident Entertainment
Keyla Richardson; Home; Uncle G Records

CATEGORY #15

TRADITIONAL FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Dorinda Clark-Cole; Determined; Malaco Records
Lasha Knox; Right There; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
Lisa Page Brooks; The Grateful Chant; FlowNeeNee Music
Terri McConnell; He’ll Get Me Through This; Royal T Records

CATEGORY #16

CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Chandler Moore: Live in Los Angeles; Chandler Moore; TRIBL
Live Breathe Fight; Tamela Mann; TillyMann
Still Karen; Karen Clark-Sheard; Motown Gospel
You Belong: Live in Durham; Jason Nelson; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records

CATEGORY #17

TRADITIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Determined; Dorinda Clark-Cole; Malaco Records
Live in Detroit, Pt 1; The Victorius Army ATL Vincent Bohanan; Independent
The Healing Project; Kenny Lewis & One Voice; PureSound Muzik Group
We Still Believe; The Mississippi Mass Choir; Malaco Records

CATEGORY #18

URBAN SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

Amen; Pastor Mike ; Rock City Media Group
Clap My Way; Micah Lee; Darkchild Gospel/ MicahLeeMusic
I Prayed For You (said a prayer); ; NowThatsMAJOR / MNRK
Without You Zacardi Cortez; Jevon Dewand and The Trap Starz; Black Smoke Records

CATEGORY #19

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Amen; Pastor Mike , Tony “Mr.YNOT” Minifield, Drae Rudolph & Kevin “Krispy” Key/Moon Men; Rock City Media Group
Deserve To Win; David Mann; TillyMann
For My Good; Jekalyn Carr; Waynorth Music
Never Be The Same; Deitrick Haddon & Terrance Church; DH Visions

CATEGORY #20

TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR

Chicago Mass Choir; Greater Is Coming; New Haven Records
Christopher Ervin & Abraham’s Descendants; Recover; CervinMusiq
Ricky Dillard; When I Think; Motown Gospel
The Mississippi Mass Choir; We Still Believe; Malaco Records

CATEGORY #21

CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR

Alphaeus Anderson Presents The USC Upstate Gospel Choir; Already Done; Music2ChangeU
Charles Butler & Trinity; Live In Washington DC; Red Alliance Media
Johnny Sanders Featuring Faith on Full; Christmas Everyday; Third Century Development Corp/Johnny Sanders Presents, LLC
Vincent Bohanan & SOV; VBSOV Summer Jam; Independent

CATEGORY #21

TRADITIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Bishop Calvin Norton; Hold Me Beyond Rear View EP; Blockbuster Records
Dorinda Clark-Cole; Determined; Malaco Records
Earnest Pugh; Worthy Is The Lamb; Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
The Mississippi Mass Choir; We Still Believe; Malaco Records

CATEGORY #23

SPECIAL EVENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Bishop S.Y. Younger Presents Worship in Brazil; Bishop S.Y. Younger; Ramp Records (exclusively distributed by Haus Records)
Joyful, Joyful: A Christmas Album; CeCe Winans; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
Red & Green; Jonathan McReynolds; Life Room Label, Motown Gospel
The Gift Deluxe Edition; The Group Fire; Jet Records North/East
We Still Believe; The Mississippi Mass Choir; Malaco Records

CATEGORY #24

RAP/HIP HOP GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Canton Jones and CAJO Records Presents The Free Life Experience; The Free Life Experience; CAJO Records
Let Go Let God: The EP; 1K Phew; Reach Records
Meet Me in Miami; Otis Kemp; Revive 0 Entertainment
Without You: There Would Be No Me; Jevon Dewand and The Trap Starz; Black Smoke Records

CATEGORY #25

YOUTH PROJECT OF THE YEAR

AMG Kidz x Boston Arts Academy; The Kidz At North Station; Anderson Music Group / TAMLA Records
Brent Jones presents The Fire; Brent Jones presents The Fire; JDI Entertainment
Janessa Smith; Sounds Of Joy; Inspired Recording
Nina Symmone & Noah Alexander; God’s Way; The Big Moment / Anderson Music Group

CATEGORY #26 QUARTET OF THE YEAR

Blest By Four; Only Believe The EP; EvoWorld Entertainment, Inc
Men Of Prayze; Live: In The Red; EvoWorld Entertainment, Inc
The Flint Cavaliers; The Fellowship (Psalms 133:1); The Flint Music Group
Tim Woodson & The Heirs of Harmony; Try Me; Blackberry/Marxan Records

CATEGORY #27

RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR

Covered 1; Brianna Dowd & Melvin Crispell III; RCA Inspiration, Provident Label Group LLC
Meet Me in Miami; Blair Monique; Revive 0 Entertainment
Red & Green; Jonathan McReynolds & Trent Nicholson; Life Room Label, Motown Gospel
Still Karen; Justin Foster; Motown Gospel

CATEGORY #28

PRAISE AND WORSHIP ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Chandler Moore: Live in Los Angeles; Chandler Moore; TRIBL
More Than This; CeCe Winans; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
One; Jordan Welch; JordiG Music
You Belong: Live in Durham; Jason Nelson; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records

CATEGORY #29

PRAISE AND WORSHIP SONG OF THE YEAR

Light in a Dark Place; Bobbi Lane; Blockbuster Records/ Taylor Music Group
Overflow Todd Dulaney; Transformation Worship; Represent Records, Re: Think Music
That’s My King; CeCe Winans; Pure Springs Gospel/Fair Trade Services
Yahweh Melvin Crispell III; Jason Nelson; Jaelyn Song / Tyscot Records

CATEGORY #30

RAP/HIP HOP SONG OF THE YEAR

Amen; Pastor Mike ; Rock City Media Group
Blessings; Otis Kemp; Revive 0 Entertainment
Fa .. Fa Real; Jevon Dewand and The Trap Starz; Black Smoke Records
Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Lisa Page Brooks; Dante’ Pride; iAmDantePrideMuzik

GOSPEL RADIO OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

TOP MARKET OF THE YEAR

WBBP 1480 AM, Memphis, TN
WBGX 1570 kHz, Chicago, IL
WFTB FM 1, Nashville, TN
WGRB 1390AM, Chicago, IL
WPZS 9, Charlotte, NC

MEDIUM MARKET OF THE YEAR

WAGR 5 FM, Lexington, MS
WEUP Worship 5, Huntsville, AL
WJNI 3FM, Charleston, SC
WXHL 1 FM, Wilmington, DE

SMALL MARKET OF THE YEAR

WBZF-FM 5, Florence-Myrtle Beach, SC
WHLH 5, Jackson, MS
WKTT 97.5 FM, Salisbury, MD
WTSK – Praise 3/ 790 AM, Tuscaloosa, AL

INTERNET STATION OF THE YEAR

Black Gospel Radio, https://BlackGospelRadio.net
com, https://godradio1.com
Hands Up Radio WHUR, https://handsupradio.org/
Power of Worship Radio, https://powerofworship.net

SYNDICATED GOSPEL RADIO SHOW OF THE YEAR

Early Morning Praise Party with Sherry Mackey; Sherry Mackey
Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell; Erica Campbell with Griff & Cheryl Jackson
The Big Redd Radio Show; Big Redd
The Tracy Morgan Show; Tracy Morgan

GOSPEL ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR

Destiny Diggs; WXHL – Reach Gospel Radio/ Say So Radio Show with Destiny
Melissa Wade; WNNL, The Light 9/ Melissa Wade in the Midday
Micha “ML6” Logan; WEUP, 1 FM/The Midday Shift

Sherry Mackey; WHAL, 95.7 Hallelujah FM/ Early Morning Praise Party with She