Darrel Walls led the 2026 Stellar Awards winners as gospel music gathered in Charlotte for the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards.
Walls won Artist of the Year for Heart of Mine and also took Contemporary Male Artist of the Year during the Aug. 15 ceremony at the Spectrum Center.
Overall, the awards brought together traditional gospel, contemporary gospel, worship, choirs and hip-hop while recognizing both established artists and newer voices.
Darrel Walls Wins Artist of the Year
For the night’s top artist honor, voters selected Walls for Heart of Mine, released through Tyscot Records and Gumbo Studios.
Meanwhile, Jonathan McReynolds won Male Artist of the Year for “Still (Live),” featuring Jamal Roberts.
Lisa Knowles Smith received the Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year award. She also won Duo/Chorus Group of the Year with The Brown Singers for Revival: Live in Dallas.
Elsewhere, Erica Campbell was named Contemporary Female Artist of the Year, while Jekalyn Carr took Traditional Artist of the Year for Jekalyn X The Legends.
Vincent Bohanan & SOV Win Album of the Year
Vincent Bohanan & SOV earned Album of the Year for Live in New York.
In addition, the group won Contemporary Choir of the Year and shared Choir of the Year with JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise.
John P. Kee won Traditional Male Artist of the Year. His group, John P. Kee & New Life, also received Traditional Choir of the Year for Throwback: An Evening with John P. Kee Part I.
Among the newer artists, Ablaze was named New Artist of the Year.
Lecrae Wins Rap/Hip-Hop Gospel Album
Lecrae’s Reconstruction won Rap/Hip-Hop Gospel Album of the Year.
In the song category, JustCordell won Rap/Hip-Hop Song of the Year for “Movin.” Deitrick Haddon’s “Find Jesus,” meanwhile, earned Music Video of the Year.
Worship music also had several major winners. Todd Dulaney won Praise and Worship Album of the Year for Promises, while Jovonta Patton’s “Your Name” took Praise and Worship Song of the Year.
Stellar Awards Introduce HBCU Choir of the Year
The 2026 ceremony also introduced an HBCU Choir of the Year category.
For the inaugural award, the Stellar Awards selected the Fort Valley State University Choir featuring Loren Michelle and Tiffany Boone.
Elsewhere in the group categories, Brandon Camphor & One Way won Traditional Duo/Chorus Group of the Year. Lisa Knowles Smith & The Brown Singers also took Quartet of the Year.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Pastor Mike Jr. Receive Special Honors
Beyond the competitive categories, Tasha Cobbs Leonard received the Aretha Franklin Icon Award in recognition of her career and influence on gospel music.
Pastor Mike Jr. received the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award.
Kirk Franklin hosted the ceremony. The program also included performances from Jekalyn Carr, Jonathan McReynolds, Darrel Walls, Marvin Sapp, PJ Morton, Tye Tribbett, John P. Kee and other gospel artists.
Major 2026 Stellar Awards Winners
- Artist of the Year: Darrel Walls, Heart of Mine
- Song of the Year: Alescia Knowles-Smith, “Promises (Live)”
- Male Artist of the Year: Jonathan McReynolds, “Still (Live)” featuring Jamal Roberts
- Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year: Lisa Knowles Smith, Revival: Live in Dallas
- New Artist of the Year: Ablaze
- Album of the Year: Vincent Bohanan & SOV, Live in New York
- Contemporary Male Artist of the Year: Darrel Walls
- Traditional Male Artist of the Year: John P. Kee
- Contemporary Female Artist of the Year: Erica Campbell
- Traditional Female Artist of the Year: Blanche McAllister-Dykes
- Traditional Artist of the Year: Jekalyn Carr
- Rap/Hip-Hop Gospel Album of the Year: Lecrae, Reconstruction
- Rap/Hip-Hop Song of the Year: JustCordell, “Movin”
- Praise and Worship Album of the Year: Todd Dulaney, Promises
- Praise and Worship Song of the Year: Jovonta Patton, “Your Name”
- HBCU Choir of the Year: Fort Valley State University Choir featuring Loren Michelle and Tiffany Boone
For additional categories, the complete list of winners is available on the Stellar Awards website.