34th Annual Stellar Awards


The 34th Annual Stellar Awards was held on March 29, 2019, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, and later aired for the first time on American digital cable and satellite television network BET on April 19. Musician Kirk Franklin hosted the ceremony.
The ceremony recognized the best gospel music recordings, compositions, and artists of the eligibility year, which ran in 2018.
Delores Washington Green of The Caravans was given the Legend Award. James Robinson Jr., Jackie Patillo and Phil Thornton were inducted into the Stellar Honors Hall of Fame. On behalf of Aretha Franklin, the members of Franklin's family were presented with the inaugural Aretha Franklin Icon Award.
Jonathan McReynolds, who received the most nominations, also received the most wins of the night by winning in each of his nominated categories.

Nominations announcement

Nominations were announced during a radio press tour on January 15, 2019.

Nominations

  • Please note: The winners are highlighted in bold text and listed first in each category.

General

;Artist of the YearJonathan McReynolds
;Song of the Year"Not Lucky, I'm Loved"
;CD of the YearMake Room - Jonathan McReynoldsBible of Love - Snoop DoggOpen Heaven - Maranda CurtisYour Great Name - Todd Dulaney
;New Artist of the YearJabari Johnson
  • Cheryl Thomas-Fortune
  • PJ Morgan
  • Phil Thompson

Vocalist

;Female Vocalist of the Year Jekalyn Carr
;Contemporary Female Vocalist of the YearTasha Page-Lockhart
;Traditional Female Vocalist of the YearJekalyn Carr
;Male Vocalist of the YearJonathan McReynolds
;Contemporary Male Vocalist of the YearJonathan McReynolds
;Traditional Male Vocalist of the YearVaShawn Mitchell

Group

;Duo/Chorus of the YearThe Walls Group
;Contemporary Duo/Chorus of the YearThe Walls Group
;Traditional Duo/Chorus of the YearKeith "Wonderboy" Johnson
  • Gospel Legends
  • Jarell Smalls & Company
  • Nu Tradition
;Quartet of the YearKeith "Wonderboy" Johnson
  • Gospel Legends
  • Jarell Smalls & Company
  • The Wardlaw Brothers

Choir

;Choir of the YearBishop Noel Jones & City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir
;Traditional Choir of the YearBishop Noel Jones & City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir
  • Demetrius West & Jesus Promoters
  • Dexter Walker & Zion Movement
  • The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
;Contemporary Choir of the YearNew Direction
  • Brent Jones & the Waco Community Choir
  • Dr. Alyn E. Waller Presents Fresh Anointing
  • Vincent Tharpe and Kenosis

Packaging

;Recorded Music Packaging of the YearRoad to DeMaskUs

Production

;Producer of the YearMake Room

Urban

;Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year"Not Lucky, I'm Loved" - Jonathan McReynolds
;Rap/Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year"God Knows" - Flame
  • "BLSD" - Jor'Dan Armstrong
  • "I Ain't Preaching to the Choir" - Miz Tiffany
  • "Praise" - Emcee N.I.C.E.

Music video

;Music Video of the Year"Won't He Do It" - Casey Cross
  • "A Great Work" - Matt Reed
  • "For My Good" - G. Randy Weston
  • "My Life " - Patrick Tohill

Miscellaneous CD of the Year

;Contemporary CD of the YearMake Room - Jonathan McReynoldsBible of Love - Snoop DoggThe Higher Experience - Kelontae GavinYour Great Name - Todd Dulaney
;Traditional CD of the YearOne Nation Under God - Jekalyn CarrA New Season - Jarell Smalls & CompanyRun to the Altar - Bishop Noel Jones & City of Refuge Sanctuary ChoirThe River - Keion D. Henderson
;Special Event CD of the YearThe Best of Fred Hammond - Fred HammondBible of Love - Snoop DoggEvidence - Elevation CollectiveWOW Gospel 2018 - Various Artists
;Praise and Worship CD of the YearYour Great Name - Todd DulaneyEverlasting - Shana Wilson-WilliamsThe Higher Experience - Kelontae GavinOpen Heaven - Maranda Curtis

Children's

;Youth Project of the YearPure N Heart
  • Christian Bolar
  • Personal Praise
  • The Children Speak

Radio

;Major Market of the YearWPZE Praise 102.5, Atlanta
;Large Market of the YearWFMI-FM 100.9 FM, Virginia Beach
;Medium Market of the YearWCGL AM 1360/FM 94.7, Jacksonville
;Small Market of the YearWIMG 1300AM, Ewing
;Internet Station of the YearuGospel Radio, http://uGospel.com
  • Gospel Central Radio, http://www.thegospelcentral.com
  • SOAR Radio, http://soarradio.com
;Hip Hop Station of the Year GH3 Radio - "God's House of Hip Hop," http://www.gh3radio.com
;Gospel Announcer of the YearDwight Stone, WPZE Praise 102.5, Atlanta, GA

Category changes

For the 34th Annual Stellar Awards, multiple category changes are being made;
  • In the Female Vocalist of the Year, the number of nominees was increased from four to five due to a tie in the nomination process.
  • The category Instrumental CD of the Year was omitted.