The Stellar Awards are back! This is year 38 and to celebrate, they are back with a new look, new events and much more! Hosted by Jonathan McReynolds and Tasha Cobbs and packed with a power line up, this year will be a movie!! If you miss it in person, you want to be sure to watch on air! The Stellar Awards will premiere on the newly-launched Stellar TV network on Sunday, July 30. The show will also return to BET Networks, premiering on Sunday, August 6 at 8 p.m. ET.
National broadcast syndication will re-air the full show from Aug. 7th through Sept. 10th. Check your local listings for your time and air date or Click here for a full interactive map which will give you exact air dates and times in your city!
WHO WILL BE THERE?
This year’s how is gearing up for a spectacular celebration of Gospel music’s finest talent with an impressive lineup of performers and presenters. Updates to the scheduled participants include an exceptional Reunion Tour preview performance featuring Gospel superstars Kirk Franklin, Israel Houghton, and Tye Tribbett. This highly anticipated performance will captivate audiences and create an unforgettable moment in Gospel music history.
SCHEDULED AWARD SHOW PERFORMANCES
Audiences can also look forward to powerhouse performances by Charles Jenkins, DOE, DottiePeoples, Isaac Carree, Jevon Dewand and The TrapStarz, Kierra Sheard-Kelly, Lena Byrd Miles (Emerging Voices), Naomi Raine, Natalie Grant, Maranda Curtis, Pastor Mike Jr., Tim Bowman Jr. & Faith City Music, Bishop S.Y. Younger (Emerging Voices), Zacardi Cortez, Victory (Emerging Voices), and Zak Williams and 1 Akord.
ADDITIONAL PRESENTERS
Presenters for the evening include Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Marvin Sapp, Lady Tramaine Hawkins, Brian Courtney Wilson, Erica Campbell, Isabel Davis, James Fortune, Koryn Hawthorne, Jason Clayborn, NOTKARLTONBANKS, Pastor Shirley Caesar and Travis Greene.
As previously announced, this year’s Stellar Awards telecast is co-hosted by Jonathan McReynolds and Tasha Cobbs Leonard. It will bestow special honors upon several iconic figures who contributed significantly to the genre. CeCe Winans will receive the prestigious Aretha Franklin Icon Award, recognizing her exceptional talent and enduring impact. Reverend Dr. Milton Biggham will be honored with the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his lifetime dedication to spreading the uplifting message of Gospel music. Additionally, Dr. Bobby Jones will be presented with the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award, acknowledging his outstanding contributions and influential career.
“We are thrilled to premiere the 38th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards Show on BET Networks,” said a spokesperson from BET. “This year’s lineup of performers and honorees is exceptional, and we are excited to bring this incredible celebration of Gospel music to our viewers. It will be an unforgettable night of uplifting performances and well-deserved recognition.”
STELLAR WEEKEND EVENTS
Every year at the Stellars, there are a host of events that take place in the area where the area where the award show is held. Some are hosted and facilitated by the Stellar Awards and others are put on by celebrity artists, locals and more. All of these combined events bring extra energy and excitement to what has become known as Stellar Weekend! This year includes several new events including Spotify For Artists, The Dear Future Wifey Podcast, The Stellars Celebrity Basketball Game and more. Local events are consistently put together during this weekend, so be sure to join our email list for more updates about this and more!
FIND AIR DATES IN YOUR CITY HERE
Don’t miss the telecast of the 38th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards Show on BET Networks on Sunday, August 6, at 8 pm ET. Prepare to be inspired and uplifted by the outstanding performances and heartfelt moments that define Gospel music.
ArtSoul Radio is a 24/7, online Christian Radio Station and Entertainment news site promoting new and diverse sounds in Christian music! We highlight both indie and mainstream artists in Contemporary Gospel, Pop, Soul, Hip-Hop, Alternative, and Spoken Word Poetry.
In a moment that perfectly captures the pulse of today’s faith-driven hip-hop movement, 1K Phew has released the official video for his new single “Ain’t He,” featuring WHATUPRG and Ty Brasel — a collaboration that feels as much like a cultural checkpoint as it does a music drop. For years, Phew has been a champion for authenticity in Christian hip-hop, bridging church roots and street reality with the language, cadence, and confidence of the culture. With this release, he doubles down on that calling.
A Visual That Feels Like Right Now
The “Ain’t He” video brings together three of some of the most recognizable voices in faith-centered hip-hop, all stepping into a visual narrative that feels timely, stylish, and grounded. Shot with the clean, cinematic polish we see dominating new-media platforms (think YouTube drops that look ready for Hulu), the video balances trap-influenced swagger with moments that remind us how anchored these artists are in purpose.
The scenes move quickly — warehouse energy, street corners, stylized group shots — echoing TikTok-era pacing without sacrificing meaning. Even in fast cuts, the symbolism stays clear: this is what conviction looks like in 2025. It’s unpolished, relatable, and charged with the type of confidence that’s God-given -not self made.
Three Artists, Three Lanes — One Message
1K Phew sets the tone, blending his signature Atlanta bounce with a message that hits with both rhythm and revelation. The chemistry between him, WHATUPRG and Ty Brasel comes is undeniable. They understood the assignment and delivered the message we can always expect to see from these faith based artists while giving us quality that competes with the mainstream. Christian Hip Hop is continuing to show the next generation that authenticity and spirituality can share the same stage.
This isn’t Sunday-morning messaging wrapped in a music-video aesthetic. It’s Tuesday-afternoon reality — the kind of faith expression that meets people where they actually are: scrolling, streaming, sharing while looking for something real.
A Statement for the Genre
“Ain’t He” arrives at an important time for Christian hip-hop and Christian R&B — the two genres that are continuing to see renewed momentum as younger creators reshape what faith expression looks and sounds like. Their collaboration signals not only musical synergy, but alignment around purpose led by three young men in Hip Hop – diverse and intentional messaging. Continuing on top of a foundation taht has been built over the last 25+ years, this is one of the many signs that Faith and Hip Hop is not going anywhere. It’s for everyone. It’s fresh, it’s multi-cultural and it’s intentional. And it keeps getting better! And the acceptance of the message from a new generation is confirming it all with their streams and and featured choices with creating content on social media.
Why This Matters for the Culture
For the communities ArtSoul Radio serves — Millennials, Gen Z, and the growing Alpha Gen — this video is representative of a continued broader shift. Faith-driven music no longer sits on the fringe. It’s influencing playlists, live events, campus conversations, and social-media storytelling. Releases like “Ain’t He” help cement that movement.
And for emerging artists watching? It’s a blueprint: Bring your faith, bring your story, bring your sound. All of it belongs.
Watch the Video
The official video for “Ain’t He” is now live on YouTube.
Chicago was the backdrop for a moment you couldn’t script any better: GRAMMY®, Dove, and Stellar Award-winning powerhouse Jonathan McReynolds linking arms with American Idol Season 23 winner Jamal Roberts to deliver a live ballad that hits straight to the soul. Their new single, “Still,” isn’t just another worship record—it’s a reminder that God’s love is the one thing that doesn’t shift when life does.
Recorded live in McReynolds’ hometown, the song is lifted from his forthcoming project Closer—an album already carrying heavy anticipation. What unfolds in “Still” is classic Jonathan: heartfelt storytelling, layered with rich theology, now elevated by Roberts’ fresh, unshaken voice.
Jonathan McReynolds has carved out a lane few can touch—an artist who makes Gospel feel as real as your group chat confessions. His catalog has always balanced honesty and worship, bringing Sunday morning depth into everyday playlists.
Enter Jamal Roberts: the new voice America fell in love with on American Idol. His win wasn’t just about vocal ability—it was about heart, authenticity, and the kind of presence that feels rare. Pairing him with McReynolds doesn’t just make sense; it feels prophetic. It’s the kind of intergenerational link-up that keeps Gospel fresh while honoring its roots.
The Vibe
With “Still,” Jonathan McReynolds and Jamal Roberts don’t just give us another Gospel single—they give us a soundtrack for resilience. It’s raw, it’s soulful, and it’s proof that the future of faith-based music is in good hands. Expect this one to be on repeat long after the Stellars.
(June 12, 2025) – Central City Productions proudly announces the nominees for the 40th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards presented by Procter and Gamble, across 36 categories, honoring the year’s best and brightest in gospel music. The awards ceremony will be taped live from the prestigious Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, TN, on Saturday, August 16, 2025. Returning for another unforgettable evening of inspiration and celebration, the 2025 show will feature electrifying performances, heartfelt tributes, and special honors recognizing gospel legends and rising stars alike. Tickets are available now by visiting StellarAwards.com.
Don Jackson, Founder of the Stellar Awards and Chairman of Central City Productions, Inc. commented, “For 40 remarkable years, the Stellar Awards have been a beacon of excellence, celebrating the voices, vision, and victories of gospel music. We honor not just the genre of gospel music, but the legacy of our history, our faith, our culture, and our community that has inspired Black & African American generations for four decades with our Stellar Gospel Music Awards.”
Public fan voting will take place in two categories this year, Urban Single or Performance of the Year and Praise and Worship Song of the Year. Fan Favorite Voting powered by Tide runs from June 16, 2025 until July 18, 2025 and those votes will determine the winners of those categories.
Nineteen-time Stellar Award winner Pastor Mike Jr. and Stellar Award winner, Jason Nelson lead the field of nominees this year with nine nominations each; both landing top nominations in the key categories Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and Album of the Year (Nelson’s You Belong: Live in Durham; and Mike Jr.’s I Got Away EP).
With eight nominations, Cece Winans is recognized in the top categories of Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year, and Album of the Year for More Than This. Winans’ More Than This also features the single, “That’s My King.”
Other artists earning multiple Stellar nominations include: Mississippi Mass Choir, Adia, Deitrick Haddon, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Karen Clark-Sheard, Kenny Lewis & One Voice, Micah Lee, Tamela Mann, Chandler Moore and FK&M (Fred Hammond, Keith Staten, and Marcus Cole).
The Stellar Awards also announced nominees for the Gospel Radio of the Year Awards in six categories, including top categories Gospel Announcer of the Year, Syndicated Gospel Radio Show of the Year, Internet Station of the Year, and Top Market of the Year.
Adding to the excitement, August 14th – August 16th, this year’s Stellar Awards is part of the STELLAR PLUS week, a fun-filled extravaganza centered around the flagship show, sponsored by Chevy and Aflac. From Master Classes and soundstages, to fashion shows, comedy showcases and more – the Stellar Plus 1 week offers a diverse array of activities for attendees. For more information on Stellar Plus Events visit stellarplusexperience.com.
40th Stellar Awards taping Tickets are available now at stellarawards.com. Additional announcements regarding ancillary events will follow. Some of the biggest names in Gospel will appear as participants in this year’s show – stay tuned for future announcements and follow @thestellars on Instagram and X, or Stellar Gospel Music Awards on Facebook for the latest news and updates about the Greatest Night in Gospel Music.
The 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is Executive Produced by Don Jackson with Jennifer J. Jackson serving as Producer and Executive in Charge of Production; Michael A. Johnson as Producer and Director, Erin Johnson as Talent Producer, and Daniel Moore as Music Director.
This year’s Stellar Awards is presented by P&G (Procter & Gamble) with additional sponsorship provided by AT&T, AFLAC, State Farm, Walmart, Olay Body, Chevy and Tide.
A full list of the 40th annual nominees can be found on the official Stellar Awards website. For more information, please visit stellarawards.com and join the conversation using the hashtag #TheStellars.
ABOUT THE STELLAR TV NETWORK
Launched in April of 2023 under the management of Central City Productions, Inc., The Stellar Network fills the void for a family-friendly, entertainment, lifestyle network targeting Black audiences. The Stellar Network is the first in uplifting content with positive, inspirational, and entertainment programming. Stellar’s goal is to be the most preferred network to Black audiences in the country.The Stellar Network can be found on Charter Spectrum, Verizon Fios, Vizio & Vizio WatchFree+ (app), and Xumo Play. For more information visit www.stellartv.com
ABOUT CENTRAL CITY PRODUCTIONS
Founded in 1970 by Don Jackson, Chicago-based Central City Productions, Inc. is a national broadcast television producer, programmer, and syndicator of its exclusively owned African-American programming. Celebrating 55 years of broadcasting Black excellence with uplifting and entertaining original television content, CCP’s award-winning television programs include the Black Music Honors (www.blackmusichonors.com), Stellar Tribute to the Holidays, Black College Quiz Show Series (www.blackcollegequiz.com), America’s Black Forum (www.americasblackforum.com), Mentoring Kings (www.mentoringking.com), Mentoring Queens (www.mentoringqueen.com), and Black History Honors among many others. For more information, visit www.ccptv.com.
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