Lisa Knowles-Smith and more win BIG at 2026 Stellar Awards! (See full list of winners)
It was a triumphant night for Lisa Knowles-Smith at the 2026 Stellar Gospel Music Awards.
Knowles-Smith, 42, was the night’s biggest winner, taking home five awards, including Song of the Year and Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year.
Jonathan McReynolds, John P. Kee, and Jekalyn Carreach took home two awards.
Darrel Walls, 35, earned two awards for Heart of Mine, winning Artist of the Year and Contemporary Male Artist of the Year.
Vincent Bohanan & SOV also enjoyed a standout night, collecting three awards.
Surprisingly, there was a tie for Choir of the Year! Both JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise and Vincent Bohanan & SOV captured wins.
Kim Person, who tied with John P. Kee for the most nominations with seven, did not win an award, despite having a breakthrough year.
The evening also featured special honors for two gospel favorites. Tasha Cobbs Leonard received the Aretha Franklin Icon Award, while Pastor Mike Jr. was presented with the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award.
The 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards aired on Aug. 30 on BET.
Here’s the full list of winners:
Artist of the Year
Darrel Walls; Heart of Mine; Tyscot Records / Gumbo Studios
Song of the Year
“Promises (Live)” ~ Alescia Knowles-Smith ~ EvoWorld Entertainment
Male Artist of the Year
Jonathan McReynolds ~ Still (Live) ft. Jamal Roberts ~ Motown Gospel, Life Room Label
Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year
Lisa Knowles Smith ~ Revival: Live in Dallas ~ EvoWorld Entertainment
Duo/Chorus Group of the Year
Lisa Knowles Smith & The Brown Singers ~ Revival: Live in Dallas ~ EvoWorld Entertainment
New Artist of the Year
Ablaze ~ Ablaze ~ Independent
Album of the Year
Live in New York ~ Vincent Bohanan & SOV ~ Independent
Choir of the Year
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise ~ The Live Reunion: Washington, DC ~ Motown Gospel, Jamestown Music
Vincent Bohanan & SOV ~ Live in New York ~ Independent
Quartet of the Year
Lisa Knowles Smith & The Brown ~ Revival: Live in Dallas ~ EvoWorld Entertainment
Producer of the Year
Alescia Knowles-Smith & Frederick Perry ~ Revival: Live in Dallas (Lisa Knowles & The Brown Singers) ~ EvoWorld Entertainment
Music Video of the Year
“Find Jesus” ~ Deitrick Haddon ~ ManHaddon Ministries/Tyscot Records
Contemporary Duo/Chorus Group of the Year
Jonathan McReynolds ft. Jamal Roberts ~ Still (Live) ~ Motown Gospel, Life Room Label
Traditional Duo/Chorus Group of the Year
Brandon Camphor & One Way ~ In Christ Alone ~ TOMii Entertainment
Contemporary Male Artist of the Year
Darrel Walls ~ Heart of Mine ~ Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studio
Traditional Male Artist of the Year
John P. Kee ~ Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee Part I ~ Kee Music Group/Tyscot Records
Contemporary Female Artist of the Year
Erica Campbell ~ Trust and Obey – London ~ My Block Records Inc.
Traditional Female Artist of the Year
Blanche McAllister-Dykes ~ Words (Donald Lawrence) ~ Platoon
Contemporary Album of the Year
Fred Hammond Presents Sensere: The Soul of Future Worship Vol. II ~ Sensere ~ Wrightsound M&E
Traditional Album of the Year
Jekalyn X The Legends ~ Jekalyn Carr ~ Waynorth Music
Urban Single or Performance of the Year
“On the Way” Remix ft. Erica Campbell ~ Adia ~ Rock City Media Group
Traditional Choir of the Year
B. Chase Williams & Shabach ~ Secret Place ~ Millie’s Boy Muzik
Contemporary Choir of the Year
Vincent Bohanan & SOV ~ Live in New York ~ Independent
Traditional Artist of the Year
Jekalyn Carr ~ Jekalyn X The Legends ~ Waynorth Music
Special Event Album of the Year
Bishop S.Y. Younger Presents: Almost Home – A Ramp Record with Friends ~ Bishop S.Y. Younger ~ Ramp Records, Under Exclusive License to MNRK Records LP
Rap/Hip Hop Gospel Album of the Year
Reconstruction ~ Lecrae ~ Reach Records
Youth Project of the Year
Pure N Heart; Alphaeus Anderson Presents Pure N Heart Celebrate Jesus 20yrs; Music2ChangeU
Recorded Music Packaging of the Year
PJ Morton – Heart of Mine (Darrel Walls) – Tyscot Records/Gumbo Studios
Praise and Worship Album of the Year
Promises; Todd Dulaney; DulaneyLand Music, FairTrade Services
Praise And Worship Song of the Year
“Your Name” ~ Jovonta Patton ~ Newton Street Entertainment/Integrity
Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year
“Movin” ~ JustCordell ~ Rock City Media Group
HBCU Choir of the Year
The Fort Valley State University Choir ft. Loren Michelle & Tiffany Boone
Top Gospel Radio Market of the Year
WPZE Praise 102.5 ~ Atlanta
Medium Gospel Radio Market of the Year
WXHL 89.1 FM Reach Gospel Radio ~ Wilmington
Small Gospel Radio Market of the Year
WWDA FM 101.9 ~ Clarksville
WRNP 94.1 FM ~ Ft. Wayne
WEHA 88.7FM 100.3 ~ Atlantic City
WKTT 97.5 FM ~ Salisbury
Syndicated Gospel Radio Show of the Year
Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell; Erica Campbell with Arlen “Griff” Griffin & Cheryl Jackson
Gospel Announcer of the Year
Trey Nickelson; WBZF-FM – Glory 98.5, Florence, SC
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