Prodigal Son dominates gospel awards

Garfene Grandison, Gleaner Writer

Prodigal Son is the name that should be on the lips of all who witnessed the fourth staging of the Mega Gospel Awards Ceremony on Sunday.

Held in the parking lot of the MegaJamz studio on Ballater Avenue, scores of gospel entertainers came out in support of the event where gospel music and its contributors were recognised for the part they play in developing the industry.

Prodigal Son copped the Gospel DJ Of The Year award, after he had earned Best Collaboration with Kevin Downswell, Most Inspirational Song with Heart Surgery, featuring Sherwin Gardner, and Best Dressed Male awards.

The four-hour award ceremony was being streamed live to the MegaJamz fans across the island and neighbouring countries.

On an evening where the sun was scorching and the atmosphere quite humid, many came out to share and celebrate the contribution of these young artistes to the growing gospel industry in Jamaica. The many in attendance had a spiritual but leisurely evening as they were thoroughly entertained by performers from some of the industry's upcoming stars, as well as the bigwigs.

Ron Testify, Jermaine Edwards, Omari, DJ Nicholas, Prodigal Son, Ryan Mark and the affable Carlene Davis were just some of those who ministered on the evening.

The four-year-old award show stakes its claim as the only award show to support the local gospel industry across the board. This year's staging was hosted by Sean Downer and Camille Buchanan, and nearly all the nominees were on hand to receive their awards.

Award categories and winners

1. BEST COLLABORATION - That's Enough by Kevin Downswell & Prodigal Son

2. MOST INSPIRATIONAL SONG - Heart Surgery by Prodigal Son feat Sherwin Gardner

3. BEST DRESSED FEMALE - Deneese Wright

4. BEST DRESSED MALE - Prodigal Son

5. BEST FEMALE VOCALIST - Abigail Hamilton

6. BEST MALE VOCALIST - Kevin Downswell

7. MOST IMPROVED ARTISTE - Garfield Reid

8. PRODUCER OF THE YEAR - Canute 'Neil' Ellis - Mix Hill Studios

9. MOST DEDICATED LISTENER - Winsome Johnson-Lewis

10. BEST GROUP/DUO - La-Twain

11. BEST NEW ARTISTES OF THE YEAR - Sean Lypher

12. BEST STAGE PERFORMER - DJ Nicholas

13. GOSPEL AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR - Carlene Davis

14. BEST GOSPEL VIDEO - Divine Mathematics by DJ Nicohlas feat ... Jason Mighty

15. SONGWRITER/LYRICIST OF THE YEAR - Canute 'Neil' Ellis & Jevanni Williams (J Dat)

16. PEOPLE'S CHOICE OF THE YEAR - Ron Testify

17. MEGA ARTISTE OF THE YEAR - DJ Nicholas

18. GOSPEL DJ OF THE YEAR - Prodigal Son

19. ALBUM OF THE YEAR - Abigail Hamilton - Let It Rain

20. SONG OF THE YEAR - Jehovah Guide Me - Omari