Gospel awards honour resilience

THE Gospel Music Awards TT (GMATT) 2021 was a celebration of resilience for those involved in the industry following a year of uncertainty and challenges that caused the entertainment industry to suffer a major shutdown due to the pandemic.

Celian International held its fourth annual awards at Queen's Hall, St Ann's, on March 7, changing its previous format from 19 categories of Best of the Year, to one award – the Resilience Award.

It was a night of triumph for Blessed Messenger who took the title of Male Artiste of the Year and for Song of the Year with Never Fail Me Yet. Candice Caton was selected as Female artiste of the Year.

Managing director of Celian International Ian Haywood said despite challenges the organisation wanted to recognise the great work that was produced in 2020.

He said, "The impact covid19 had on the world, especially the live event industry in 2020, coupled with the uncertainty of us being allowed to host live events, we opted not to have the GMATT Awards for this year, and as of December 31, 2020, we weren't even sure if we would have been able to do a live show production as we usually did for the past three years. In keeping with the times we are living in, we wanted to ensure that we still, in some way, recognised some of the great work that was done in 2020, and give them a token of our appreciation for their resilience."

Fourteen Resilience awards were presented, and while some features such as the red carpet event were dropped, the show was both uplifting and entertaining. Vibrant, spirited and dynamic performances were the order of the night from some 20 gospel artistes, as they sang songs of praise, worship and positive messages. A closing duet from Michelle Sylvester and Denyse Plummer topped off a night that also highlighted issues affecting women, TT and world events of last year.

Haywood, too, also spoke on violence against women in his address. "In the middle of our celebration it is important that we understand our social responsibility and to make a clear statement to this nation that not just our men, but our fiscal community detest the way our women are being handled. For the past year we have a number of our artistes who have risen to the cries of the nation and created music specifically towards that same concern, but (they) also reminds us we are resilient people, and as scary or as uncomfortable as it may seem, we need to be our brothers keeper, we need to stand with each other and we need to be strong."

Present at the awards were Minister of Social Development and Family Services Donna Cox, Minister of Education Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Randall Mitchell and Deputy Speaker Esmond Forde.

Cox commended Celian International for the positive role it plays in society. She said, "This award ceremony has always been a showcase of excellence and brilliance as it seeks to celebrate the achievements of our local gospel music artistes and the industry influencers. It's also geared toward reminding all Christians that the purpose of our existence is to celebrate and glorify our creator through our various gifts and talents.

"This year's thematic focus on One Nation, One Community and One People is of immense relevance in light of the new context in which we are all being called to exist. If there is a time for the unity of minds, spirit and purpose, it is now. The spirit of the pandemic engenders separation and isolation, but as a people, especially the people of God, we must continue to be the agents of cohesion and inclusion."

Also getting recognition on the night for outstanding work was stage manager Rebeckah Fuentes of Heartbeat Events. This is Fuentes' last year producing the event, having worked on all four GMATT awards. In paying tribute to her Haywood said, "It was important for us to recognise Becky because, as of now, this is going to be Becky's last show with us in Trinidad for a long time. We will miss her and we love her."

Following is list of awardees

Music awards

Male artiste of the year – Blessed Messenger

Female artiste of the year – Candice Caton

Song of the year – Never Fail Me Yet (Blessed Messenger)

Vocal group of the year – Gates Praise

Breakout artiste of the year – Bj'orn Pierre

Album of the year – Transit (Farenite)

Producer of the year – Mark Dingwell of Anmly

Music video of the year – Act Like Yuh Know (Rizon)

DJ of the year – DJ Mickey

Instrumentalist of the year – Jeron Paul

Instrumental group of the year – Phase the Band

Choir of the year – UCO

Songwriter of the year – Fisherman Project

Gospel manager of the year – Aspire Agency

Collaboration of the year ­– Stephen John and Llettesha Sylvester

Regional artiste of the year – Samuel Medas

Praise and worship artiste of the year – Brandon Best

Special Ministry award – Bryant Henry

Lifetime award – Pastor Terance Baynes

Resilience award

Brandon Seenath

Nathanael

Rayal Thomas

Jahzy

Avonelle Hector Joseph –ITNAC

Aspire Agency

Golden Eagle Events

The Plug Connect

DJ Versatile:

Forward the Band

Reuel Lynch – Deer Panteth Productions

Team UltraSound

Shaka Pro