The 65th annual GRAMMY Awards aired on February 5, 2023. Before the main telecast, the annual Premiere Ceremony took place, where the majority of the 91 GRAMMY awards were given out. Maverick City Music and Kirk Franklin took home all four awards they were nominated for in the Contemporary Christian and Gospel categories, winning the following:
Best Gospel Album:Kingdom Book One Deluxe (Maverick City Music and Kirk Franklin) Best Gospel Performance/Song: "Kingdom" (Maverick City and Kirk Franklin) Best Contemporary Christian Music Album:Breathe (Maverick City Music) Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song: "Fear Is Not My Future" (Maverick City Music and Kirk Franklin)
These wins follow 2022's Kingdom Tour, which brought together the Gospel legend and breakout group for nights of worship, combining songs from both of their repertoires.
The artists used their acceptance speeches to focus on Jesus and ministry. In Brandon Lake's acceptance speech for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song, "Fear Is Not My Future," he explained that the song was born from a spontaneous moment at church and closed his speech by saying: "In a time when the world is riddled with fear, we know that perfect love casts out all fear and that perfect love is Jesus Christ. So, if you're dealing with that turn to Him," quoting 1 John 4:18.
Chandler Moore also quoted Scripture while accepting the award for the album, Best Contemporary Christian Album Breathe, telling the audience about the purpose of the project: recognizing that God is the one who gives us breath, and the purpose of that breath is to praise the Lord (Psalm 150:6). As she accepted the award for Best Gospel Album, Naomi Raine explained that Kingdom Book One Deluxe was recorded at an Everglades Correctional Facility as they worshipped with and ministered to inmates there.
Chandler Moore and Naomi Raine also joined Hip-Hop artist Quavo for a performance during the In Memoriam segment of the main telecast, which honors music industry professionals who have passed away in the past year.
Also of note is the Tennessee State University Marching Band, who won Best Roots Gospel Album for The Urban Hymnal. View the complete list of winners here.
