It was the biggest night locally for gospel music as the 8th annual Sterling Gospel Music Awards went down on Saturday night inside Emmanuel Apostolic Church on Slipe Road in Kingston.

Singer Jai Kingston was the night’s biggest winner, taking home four awards from six nominations. He won Collaboration of the Year for No Hanky Panky featuring Radic, Male Artiste of the Year, Local Hit and Local Hit Producer for No Hanky Panky.

Former Magnum Top Performa second place finisher Prince Saj, the vocal group H.U.M.B.L.E., Johnmark Wiggan, and Petra Kaye, who all received multiple nominations, each took home one trophy.

Other winners included Audia Spence Brown (Breakout Sensation of the Year), LeoNell Teape (Video of the Year for Step Out), Crystal Daye (Virtual Series for The Daylight Show), Samuel Medas (Caribbean Artiste of the Year), Dunsin Oyekan (International Artiste), DJ Rebirth (DJ of the Year), Ava Gay Blair-Black (Gospel Personality of the Year), Genesis (Most Rated Event), The Gospel Beat on Gospel JA with Neison Williams (Most Rated Radio Programme), and The Praise Ministry with DC Praise (Online Radio Programme).

Reacting to his win, Jai Kingston told the Jamaica Observer that his victory is a milestone for his career.

“For me, the work has been put in over the years, many years. I’ve been on my own since 2015 and I’ve just trusted the Lord. The journey wasn’t easy, many days I had to do it by myself. This means a lot right now,” he said.

Johnmark Wiggan, who was the big winner at last year’s awards, took home one award this year — Album of the Year for Validation.

“A lot of blood, sweat and tears, late nights, scraping the funds to finance this project wherever it came from and many resources, all went into the making of Validation. We give God the glory and look what He did with it. This award signifies that the Lord wanted this message to go forth in this way and it made the impact that it made,” said the artiste.

Prince Saj took home the award for EP of the Year for Conquest.

“I was just thinking of how far God has brought me, taking me from a mess to turning me into a miracle, you know, with all the doubters. I just said to God, be all the glory and I surrendered everything to Him,” Prince Saj told the Jamaica Observer.

“It is good to be recognised and honoured for the gift that God has placed in me,” Prince Saj continued.

Breakout Sensation of the Year Audia Spencer Brown, who brought the house down with a stirring performance of her current hit It’s Your Time, said: “This means, for me, that when God is ready, he’s going to establish you and you just have to keep going. I’m so grateful for this.”

Members of the vocal group H.U.M.B.L.E. were just as ecstatic about their win for Group of the Year. Last year they lost out in the same category to Levy’s Heritage. Levy’s Heritage was a nominee in the same category this year.

“We are relishing the moment, we are grateful, elated, ecstatic, and humbled,” said group member Chevaughn Walker.

“The feeling is good. To God be the glory, great things He has done,” Petra Kaye, who won the Female Artiste of the Year trophy, told the Observer.

Gospel deejay Goddy Goddy, Chevelle Franklyn, Junior Tucker, as well as the ensembles Birthright, Portmore Vision Gospel Choir, Katalys Crew, and Perpetual Sounds of Praise were all honoured with the KFC Big Deal Award for Excellence and for their years of contribution to the gospel fraternity.

Goddy Goddy was taken aback by the accolade.

“It’s just an awesome feeling to know that I’ve been in the music from 1999 and someone remembers you, an event like the Sterling Gospel Music Awards. I’m still dumbstruck right now,” he said.

Former secular singer-turned-gospel minister Chevelle Franklyn said being honoured by her own was an extra bonus for her.

“The Bible says that the prophet is not honoured in his own country, so when it does happen… I’m just so grateful to God that I’m getting my flowers while I’m still alive,” she said.

The three-hour awards event featured several high-energy performances, among them Genesis Praise Choir, Gilead Collective, Jodian Pantry, Junior Tucker, and Trinidadian gospel sensation Sherwin Gardner, who was a surprise guest.

Late broadcaster and pastor, Reverend Vivian “VB” Burke was posthumously honoured with the Sterling Award for Excellence.

Johnmark Wiggan accepts his award for Album of the Year. (Naphtali Junior)

Artiste Goddy Goddy (right) collects the KFC BIG DEAL Award For Excellence from Andrei Roper, brand manager, KFC & Pizza Hut. Sharing in the moment is Latoya Reynolds, the artiste’s wife. (Naphtali Junior)

Junior Tucker chats with the audience at the 2024 Sterling Music Awards. (Naphtali Junior)

Prince Saj is overcome after being presented with the award for EP of the Year — Conquest. (Naphtali Junior)

Chevelle Franklyn (Naphtali Junior)