The 39th Annual Stellar Awards, Gospel music’s biggest night, was nothing short of big. Big hats, big personalities, and big performances – all glorifying a big God.
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Each year, the Stellars honors individuals who not only excel in their current projects, but also those who leave a lasting mark on the Gospel genre and culture. This year, Tye Tribbett (known for being innovative) was honored with the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award and Kim Burrell (known for being a vocal inspiration) with the Aretha Franklin Icon Award. Both artists have decades in the game and what stood out most this year during their honors were the words and performances of their peers.
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Kirk Franklin spoke off the top of his head to share why Tribbett’s honor was due in sort of a passing-of-the-torch moment where Franklin humbly admitted to being a student of Tribbett’s new school approach to music over the years. The bro-moment was followed up with an energetic tribute performance featuring Mali Music, Kelontae Gavin, and more. On the other side, Maurette Brown Clark, Phil Thornton, and more shared touching words about Burrell’s music and her heart before she took the stage, emotionally, to give thanks.
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As we embark on the upcoming 40th year anniversary of the Stellar Awards, a theme of community played out on stage this year while previous years’ clips displayed during breaks in the show. Collaboration was heavy with performances by Karen Clark Sheard and Kierra Sheard-Kelly, Tamela Mann who was joined on stage by dancers and her daughter singing background, Deitrick Haddon‘s crew, and Ricky Dillard‘s choir. Other notable performances included Melvin Crispell III, who won his first two Stellar Awards this year; Anthony Brown; Koryn Hawthorne; Da T.R.U.T.H.; Chandler Moore, who introduced a new and solo afrobeats song; and more.
We took it to the Stellar Awards blue carpet to catch up with a few of them and break down the impact Tye Tribbett and Kim Burrell have had on their peers, test the lyrical skills of a few, and visualize dream tours with others.
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Watch up top as Elev8 correspondent Jeff Lewis runs down the blue carpet with some of your favorite entertainers in the Gospel music space.
