Soweto Gospel Choir, Lauren Daigle, Tori Kelly, Jason Crabb Top Grammy CCM/Gospel Winners
Written by G Njuguna on February 11, 2019
Lauren Daigle, Tori Kelly and Jason Crabb took home top Grammy honors in the Contemporary Christian Music and Gospel categories during the awards’ Premiere Ceremony, held Sunday afternoon (Feb. 10).
Tori Kelly took home the top Gospel category wins. Kelly and Kirk Franklin won Best Gospel Performance/Song for “Never Alone.” Kelly also earned Best Gospel Album for Hiding Place. Kelly was previously nominated for the all-genre Best New Artist Grammy in 2016.
“I’ve dreamed about this since I was a kid so this is insane,” said Kelly. “This is so wild. It’s going to take a minute to process this. Kirk Franklin took me under his wing and saw the passion I have for gospel. He made it happen so Kirk I love you so much. You are a legend.”
Daigle bagged Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song and Best Contemporary Christian Album. This marks the first Grammy win for Daigle.
The album, “Look Up Child” had the biggest debut week for a Christian album in nine years upon its release in September 2018, with 115,000 equivalent album units earned in its first week, according to Nielsen Music.
Best Roots Gospel Album went to Jason Crabb for Unexpected, which was produced by Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus.
Soweto Gospel Choir from South Africa took home the Best World Music Album Grammy for their collection of songs titled Freedom.
The group has been nominated 5 times and and they have now won the prestigious award a total of 2 times.
The Grammy Award winning album Freedom was recorded in June 2018 as part of the group`s tribute to the 100 Years of Mandela celebrations.
List of Gospel categories winners
Best Gospel Performance/Song
“You Will Win” – Jekalyn Carr
“Won’t He Do It” – Koryn Hawthorne
“Never Alone” – Tori Kelly featuring Kirk Franklin — WINNER
“Cycles” – Jonathan McReynolds featuring DOE
“A Great Work” – Brian Courtney Wilson
Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
“Reckless Love” – Cory Asbury
“You Say” – Lauren Daigle — WINNER
“Joy.” – for King & Country
“Grace Got You” – MercyMe featuring John Reuben
“Known” – Tauren Wells
Best Gospel Album
One Nation Under God – Jekalyn Carr
Hiding Place – Tori Kelly — WINNER
Make Room – Jonathan McReynolds
The Other Side – The Walls Group
A Great Work – Brian Courtney Wilson
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
Look Up Child – Lauren Daigle — WINNER
Hallelujah Here Below – Elevation Worship
Living With A Fire – Jesus Culture
Surrounded – Michael W. Smith
Survivor: Live From Harding Prison – Zach Williams
Best Roots Gospel Album
Unexpected – Jason Crabb — WINNER
Clear Skies – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Favorites: Revisited By Request – The Isaacs
Still Standing – The Martins
Love Love Love – Gordon Mote
