The BET Awards have released their 2015 nominees in the field of Gospel music. If you put any stock in these awards which increasingly seem out of touch with what’s going on in Gospel music, you’ll want to check the list out below.
Nothing shows BET’s apparent disconnect like an artist like Mali Music being branded as a Best Gospel nominee when he publicly came out in October of 2013 and said he’s no longer a Gospel artist. BUT good ole’ BET puts the biggest names they can find to get the max amount of trusty Christian viewers to tune in, all while more deserving Gospel artists for the 2014-2015 year go overlooked.
I know I’m on a soap box this morning, pray for me. But this has to stop, and the criteria for nominations need to reflect first GOSPEL sales, then gospel touring numbers, radio spins, and social media impact, much like the Billboard Music Awards recently publicly updated their nomination criteria.
I love Mali Music, but for a gentleman to be nominated in the Gospel category, and not chart on Gospel charts it shows a laughable and exposing nominee bias on the part of BET.
Anyone with an entertainment pulse will also know why former Destiny Child member Michelle Williams made it. Love Michelle too, but she does not belong in this pull when her biggest accolade was the “Say Yes” video that brought Destiny’s Child back together for a brief minute. Sales were just not there, her touring demand is not in the stratosphere of many. The rising Gospel psalmist still has work to do to solidify herself as one of the elite solo Gospel artist for any competitive year. There are a couple of artists that do belong on the list for a great album release year. I’ll let you the readers pick your own alliances, an art that BET has mastered.
The BET Awards will air live on June 28 from the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live.
Without further delay I present to you the nominees:
Best Gospel Artist:
Best Gospel Artist
Deitrick Haddon
Erica Campbell
Fred Hammond
Lecrae
Mali Music
Michelle Williams
Great article! I agree with you Mr. Patrick.
About time someone said it.. These nominations are comical. The same people every year it seems like.