Provident Entertainment celebrates 23 nominations for the 36th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, with 10 artists nominated in 17 categories, including the major categories of Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year, Duo/Chorus Group of the Year, New Artist of the Year, and Album of the Year.

Releases from Kierra Sheard, Mali Music, Marvin Sapp, Donnie McClurkin, All Nations Music, Travis Greene, Le'Andria Johnson, Koryn Hawthorne, Melvin Crispell, III, and KB all garnered nominations for the upcoming awards, covering the range of Contemporary and Traditional Gospel, as well as Urban/Inspirational, and Rap Hip Hop categories.

With a dominating eight nominations for her hit album KIERRA, chart-topper Kierra Sheard celebrates nominations in the major categories of Artist of the Year, Song of the Year for the hit single "Something Has to Break (Live) ft. Tasha Cobbs Leonard," Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year, and Album of the Year, along with four other categories.

Also honored with multiple nominations are Mali Music, a co-performer and writer for the Song of the Year-nominated Jonathan McReynolds & Mali Music duet "Movin' On" (RCA Inspiration/eOne) and his latest album THE BOOK OF MALI, Marvin Sapp's latest acclaimed album CHOSEN VESSEL, Donnie McClurkin's album A DIFFERENT SONG, and the hit debut album COME ALIVE from the group All Nations Music.   

Le'Andria Johnson, who's nominated for "Hold On," has two nominations for Traditional Female Artist of the Year. Separately, she received the second nomination for Traditional Female Artist of the Year, for her appearance on PJ Morton's album.

Phil Thornton, SVP and General Manager of RCA Inspiration/Provident Entertainment says, "Congratulations to all of the artists for the amazing creativity and powerful inspiration that they share with the world in their music, to impact others and bring a message of hope, love, healing and strength that remains much needed in these difficult times. Thank you to the Stellars for the recognition and continuing to honor gospel music!" 

The 36th Annual Stellar Awards will be July 10, 2021 in Nashville, TN.

Provident Entertainment's 2021 Stellar Awards Nominations (listed by artist):

Male Artist of the Year (CHOSEN VESSEL)

Contemporary Male Artist of the Year

Traditional Male Artist of the Year

Traditional Album of the Year (A DIFFERENT SONG)

Duo/Chorus Group of the Year (COME ALIVE)

Contemporary Duo/Chorus Group of the Year

Music Video of the Year ("Bless Your Name")

Contemporary Male Artist of the Year (BROKEN RECORD)

Traditional Female Artist of the Year ("Hold On")

Traditional Female Artist of the Year (Gospel According to PJ-*not a Provident release) 

Contemporary Female Artist of the Year (I AM)

New Artist of the Year (I'VE GOT A TESTIMONY)

Rap Hip Hop Gospel Album of the Year (HIS GLORY ALONE)