(Photo By Flickr User Sean Stephens)
According to Tennessean.com, the Gospel Music Association Dove Awards returned to Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena earlier this week, and for the first time in the show’s 46-year history, its top prize went to a rapper!
Christian hip-hop star Lecrae was named Artist of the Year, recognizing a breakthrough year that saw his 2014 album “Anomaly” debuting at No. 1 on the album charts, of any genre. Following a 2008 win by rap-pop artist TobyMac, Lecrae is the first pure hip-hop artist to win the award. He had to accept his award from afar, as he had a tour date in California on Tuesday.
Soul-pop artist Lauren Daigle made her first trip to the Doves a memorable one. The Louisiana singer was named New Artist of the Year, and her “How Can It Be” earned two awards (including Song of the Year) for writers Jason Ingram, Jeff Johnson and Paul Mabury.
Daigle said,
“This just blows my mind; we as Christians have a legacy to leave, and it’s all about a love of Christ to permeate the music and reach the hearts of all of the people out there, that don’t know him and do know him.”
Grammy-winning group and Nashville natives For King & Country took home awards for Contemporary Christian Artist and Album of the Year (though they too had to accept their awards from the road). Both songwriter awards for artist and nonartist, went to Nashvillians: singer/songwriter Matt Maher and writer-producer Seth Mosley, who was also named Producer of the Year.
Tasha Cobbs and Gaither Vocal Band were named Artists of the Year in gospel and Southern gospel, respectively. Cobbs paid tribute to her late father and thanked everyone “who took a chance on a small girl from Jesup, GA, who had something to say about Jesus.”
The top winners of this year’s GMA Dove Awards are as follows:
Artist of the Year: Lecrae
Song of the Year: “How Can It Be” – Lauren Daigle, (writers) Jason Ingram, Jeff Johnson, Paul Mabury, (publishers) Flychild Publishing, Open Hands Music, Ponies Riding Shotgun, Sony/ATV Timber Publishing
New Artist of the Year: Lauren Daigle
Gospel Artist of the Year: Tasha Cobbs
Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year: For King & Country
Southern Gospel Artist of the Year: Gaither Vocal Band
Songwriter of the Year (Artist): Matt Maher
Songwriter of the Year (Nonartist): Seth Mosley
Producer of the Year: Seth Mosley
If you want the full list of winners of this year’s Dove Awards, log on to www.doveawards.com for more details.
Congratulations to this year’s nominees and winners!
