Saturday the 21st of April saw the launch of Africa Gospel Music Awards 2012 in London. The event which organisers said was meant to be 'a low key event' was anything but 'low key'.

The ‘All African Affair’ evening was well attended by personalities from the media, music industry, church leadership and music enthusiasts including notable gospel musicians like, Muyiwa, Sonnie Badu,Rebecca, Chuka Royalty, Faithchild, Lyrical Soldier, Tayme Tee, Beatrice Muniu, Shola Victor-Sajowa, Wole Awolola and more.

The event took place at the Zanzibar Suite in Sydenham, South London. Ironically, this was where the very first AGMA awards ceremony was held. Guests were treated to live performances by Segun Ajuwon, PK Boadi, Jemi Nwadike, Praise Asemota, Gospel jazz guitarist Lekan Shobiyi and an exhuberant final ministration by up and coming South African Gospel artiste Patience Bender.

The last 3 years have seen an emphatic endorsement of African Gospel by music lovers, members of the religious, business and entertainment communities all over the world. The second year of the awards saw attendance to the main event increase five fold to about 1500.

7th July 2012 marks the date for the 3rd awards event dubbed 'Africa Gospel Music Awards 2012- THE OLYMPIC EDITION! This year’s awards ceremony will be held in London at the prestigious Golders Green Hippodrome.

And will feature: ALLEN CAIQUO, KELECHI & HYCKERNE SUPPORTED BY THE NEW WAVE and performing artists: EMMY KOSGEI- KENYA, MKHULULI BHEBHE-ZIMBABWE, MAKOMA- CONGO/HOLLAND, ROYAL PRIESTHOOD – GHANA, IYOBO VAN LEIROP -NIGERIA/HOLLAND, TAYME TEE- UK, ATTA BOAFO-UK.

MC's for the night are SONNIE BADU, WOLE AWOLOLA, REBECCA & DIANA HAMILTON. Guests to this year's ceremony are set to experience an outstandingly exquisite celebration of African gospel music from all around the world.

Nominations in the 23 categories are opened until midnight the 21st of May 2012. Public Voting on the final nominees' list will commence on the 1st of June 2012 until the 30th of June 2012.

CATEGORIES FOR PUBLIC NOMINATIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS;

DISCOVERY OF THE YEAR

ARTISTE OF THE YEAR EUROPE

ARTISTE OF THE YEAR EAST AFRICA

ARTISTE OFTHE YEAR WEST AFRICA

ARTISTE OF THE YEAR NORTH AFRICA

ARTISTE OF THE YEAR SOUTHERN AFRICA

ARTISTE OF THE YEAR CENTRAL AFRICA

ARTISTE OF THE YEAR USA/CANADA

ARTISTE OF THE YEAR -AUSTRALIA/ASIA PACIFIC

SONG OF THE YEAR

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

MALE ARTISTE OF THE YEAR

FEMALE ARTISTE OF THE YEAR

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

EVENT OF THE YEAR

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC OF THE YEAR

GOSPEL RADIO PRESENTER OF THE YEAR

GOSPEL TV PRESENTER OF THE YEAR

GOSPEL TV PROGRAM OF THE YEAR

RADIO PROGRAM OF THE YEAR

BEST CONTRIBUTION OF THE YEAR

GROUP/CHOIR OF THE YEAR