2026 Stellar Gospel Music Awards: Complete Winners List
Lisa Knowles-Smith, Darrel Walls and Vincent Bohanan & SOV Lead Gospel Music’s Biggest Night
The biggest night in gospel music brought powerful performances, emotional honors and major wins as the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards were recorded Saturday, August 15, at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Hosted by gospel music icon Kirk Franklin, the celebration recognized some of the genre’s most influential voices while spotlighting a new generation of artists, choirs and independent talent.
Lisa Knowles-Smith emerged as the night’s leading winner, earning five Stellar Awards. Four of those honors celebrated Revival: Live in Dallas, her project with The Brown Singers.
Knowles-Smith received the Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year Award and shared honors for Duo/Chorus Group of the Year, Quartet of the Year and Producer of the Year. Her song “Promises (Live)” was named Song of the Year.
Darrel Walls was named Artist of the Year and Contemporary Male Artist of the Year for his album Heart of Mine.
Vincent Bohanan & SOV collected three awards for Live in New York, including Album of the Year and Contemporary Choir of the Year. They also shared Choir of the Year honors with JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise.
Other multiple winners included Jonathan McReynolds, John P. Kee, Jekalyn Carr and The Brown Singers.
Special Honors
Tasha Cobbs Leonard received the Aretha Franklin Icon Award in recognition of her artistry, influence and impact on gospel music.
Pastor Mike Jr. was presented with the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award.
2026 Stellar Gospel Music Awards Winners
Overall Awards
- Artist of the Year: Darrel Walls, Heart of Mine
- Song of the Year: “Promises (Live),” written by Alescia Knowles-Smith
- Male Artist of the Year: Jonathan McReynolds, Still (Live) featuring Jamal Roberts
- Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year: Lisa Knowles-Smith, Revival: Live in Dallas
- Duo/Chorus Group of the Year: Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers, Revival: Live in Dallas
- New Artist of the Year: Ablaze
- Album of the Year: Vincent Bohanan & SOV, Live in New York
- Choir of the Year: JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise, The Live Reunion: Washington, DC
- Choir of the Year: Vincent Bohanan & SOV, Live in New York
- Quartet of the Year: Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers, Revival: Live in Dallas
- Producer of the Year: Alescia Knowles-Smith and Frederick Perry, Revival: Live in Dallas
- Music Video of the Year: Deitrick Haddon, “Find Jesus”
Artist and Group Awards
- Contemporary Duo/Chorus Group of the Year: Jonathan McReynolds featuring Jamal Roberts, “Still (Live)”
- Traditional Duo/Chorus Group of the Year: Brandon Camphor & One Way, In Christ Alone
- Contemporary Male Artist of the Year: Darrel Walls, Heart of Mine
- Traditional Male Artist of the Year: John P. Kee, Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee Part I
- Contemporary Female Artist of the Year: Erica Campbell, Trust and Obey – London
- Traditional Female Artist of the Year: Blanche McAllister-Dykes, “Words”
- Traditional Artist of the Year: Jekalyn Carr, Jekalyn X The Legends
Album and Choir Awards
- Contemporary Album of the Year: Sensere, Fred Hammond Presents Sensere: The Soul of Future Worship Vol. II
- Traditional Album of the Year: Jekalyn Carr, Jekalyn X The Legends
- Traditional Choir of the Year: John P. Kee & New Life, Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee Part I
- Contemporary Choir of the Year: Vincent Bohanan & SOV, Live in New York
- Special Event Album of the Year: Bishop S.Y. Younger, Almost Home: A Ramp Record with Friends
- Rap/Hip-Hop Gospel Album of the Year: Lecrae, Reconstruction
- Praise and Worship Album of the Year: Todd Dulaney, Promises
Song and Performance Awards
- Urban Single or Performance of the Year: Adia featuring Erica Campbell, “On the Way” Remix
- Praise and Worship Song of the Year: Jovonta Patton, “Your Name”
- Rap/Hip-Hop Song of the Year: JustCordell, “Movin”
Additional Awards
- Youth Project of the Year: Pure N Heart, Alphaeus Anderson Presents Pure N Heart Celebrate Jesus 20yrs
- Recorded Music Packaging of the Year: PJ Morton, Heart of Mine by Darrel Walls
- HBCU Choir of the Year: The Fort Valley State University Choir featuring Loren Michelle and Tiffany Boone
Gospel Radio Winners
Radio continues to play an essential role in connecting gospel artists and their music with listeners around the world. This year’s radio honorees were:
- Top Market Gospel Station of the Year: WPZE Praise 102.5, Atlanta
- Medium Market Gospel Station of the Year: WXHL 89.1 FM Reach Gospel Radio, Wilmington
- Small Market Gospel Station of the Year: WWDA FM 101.9, Clarksville
- Internet Station of the Year: WTRC Praise 98.3
- Syndicated Gospel Radio Show of the Year: Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell
- Gospel Announcer of the Year: Trey Nickelson of WBZF-FM Glory 98.5 in Florence, South Carolina
Black Gospel Radio was honored to receive its third nomination for Internet Station of the Year. We congratulate WTRC Praise 98.3 on its win and celebrate every station, announcer and program recognized for helping gospel music reach communities around the world.
How to Watch the Stellar Awards
The 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards will premiere on The Stellar TV Network on Saturday, August 29, at 8 p.m. ET, followed by an encore presentation at 10 p.m. ET.
The ceremony will make its national cable television debut on BET on Sunday, August 30, at 8 p.m. ET, with an additional presentation at 10:30 p.m. ET. Bounce TV will air the show Saturday, September 5, at 1 p.m. ET. The program will also be available through broadcast television syndication from September 5 through September 27.
Congratulations to all the nominees, winners and honorees from the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards!
Click here to see the full list of Stellar Awards Winners on the official Stellar Awards website.
