StepFWD Awards 2025, the only “Dove meets Stellar’ style dedicated CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) and Gospel awards ceremony in the UK, filled Hackney Church on Saturday 22nd November for a unique evening of celebrating ‘Best of British’ talent. The overwhelmingly enthusiastic response from performers, nominees, winners and encouragers that filled the space was that the fifth edition of StepFWD Awards was the best yet!
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! It was a huge honour to be there to see the who’s who of the gospel music industry all gathered together in one room from the East, West, North and South.”
This year’s Awards had a grand new theme: “For HIS Glory” – a timely reminder that ALL creative talents ultimately bring glory to God. With Christian & Gospel music ranked the fifth fastest growing music genre globally, we were delighted to celebrate this year’s nominees and winners, who have all done an exceptional job.
Elle Limebear had an incredible year taking home a hat trick of three awards including Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for ‘Welcome to the Bloodline” and to top it off, best Song of the Year in the Indie/Folk/Acoustic category for “Vulnerable”. She shared her surprise at the accolades, given the challenges of recording an album while tending to her rapidly growing family. What may have been missing in glamour was certainly replaced by grace to keep going with this award-winning project!
One of the most exciting talents to emerge from UK Christian Rap during the past twelve months, DC3, took home two awards, winning New Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for his Rap entry “I Know”. In fact, the growing buzz around his music and content has long since extended beyond the UK Christian music scene, with millions of listeners discovering his unique sound. We can’t wait to see what 2026 brings!
Outstanding Contribution Award was given to Tim Jupp, in recognition of his tireless efforts as founder of the Big Church Festival that has grown into the UK’s biggest Christian music event. Sold out for the first time in August 2025, BCF attracted over 30,000 people from international performers to a delightfully varied crowd of families, young people and Christian music lovers alike from all over the country and beyond.
STEPFWD AWARDS WINNERS 2025
SONG OF THE YEAR
The following songs emerged from the UK Christian Charts between August 2024 and July 2025 as top tracks by genre winning an award:
Contemporary Worship ‘Hallelujah Jesus Saves – Live’ by KXC, Gas Street Music, Manor Collective, Rich Dicas, Millie Ferguson
Contemporary Gospel ‘Magnify the Lord’ by Evans Ogboi, Berachah of GRA
RnB / Soul ‘I Surrender’ by Kaye-Marie
Electronic / Dance ‘The Send’ by LZ7, Billy Graham
Indie / Folk / Acoustic ‘Vulnerable’ by Elle Limebear
Pop ‘Take Over Me’ by Sondae
Rock / Alternative ‘Maybe’ by Glasby
Afrobeat ‘No Greater Love’ by Limoblaze, Joe L Barnes
Rap ‘I Know’ by DC3
Reggae ‘Spirit Love’ by Kingsley Wray
Chillhop / Lo-Fi ‘Still Waters’ by GATLofficial, Idrees Oloyede, I.K.B., Philippa Bamgboye
ANNUAL MUSIC AWARDS
Female Artist of the Year – ELLE LIMEBEAR
Male Artist of the Year – IMRHAN
New Artist of the Year – DC3
Global Talent of the Year – GAISE BABA
Duo/Group of the Year – REND COLLECTIVE
Album of the Year – “WELCOME TO THE BLOODLINE” ELLE LIMEBEAR
Music Video of the Year – “CALLING (BLESS ME)” LIMOBLAZE
Producer of the Year – JONNY BIRD
HONOUR AWARDS
Outstanding Contribution Awards – TIM JUPP
The Lavine Hudson Award for Vocal Excellence – PRISCILLA JONES-CAMPBELL
The John Paculabo Award for Industry Development – CHRIS LAWSON JONES
Lifetime Achievement Award – DAVID PAYNE
Lifetime Achievement Award – PETER MEADOWS
Lifetime Achievement Award – GEOFF SHEARN
You can find the full list of nominees and winners of all previous StepFWD Awards on our website.
Incredible Performances
Highlights of the evening included international guests Lin D who flew into town for an engaging set bringing a fresh Pop of flavour to the event. In a surprise addition dance groups Flawless and GDD gave an energetic street dance performance adding movement to the stage. Perhaps the most memorable moment was audience members taking to the mic for impromptu acapella renditions of popular worship songs that the rest of the audience joined, creating a peaceful atmosphere of praise. And revealing just how many incredibly talented individuals were gracing the event with their presence! It felt like a celebration of many, not a few.
“This is a little bit like how Heaven will be – all colours, all races coming together celebrating our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
In his closing speech, founder O’Neil Dennis was transparent of the ongoing financial challenges of running AStepFWD and the annual StepFWD Awards, launching a Just Giving campaign to raise £10K to continue the pioneering work of developing the UK Christian and Gospel music scene. We are grateful to have already reached over half of the goal – thanks for your ongoing support.
StepFWD Awards is an unmissable glitzy black tie red carpet event celebrating ‘The Best of British’ talent bringing together the UK’s Christian & Gospel creative communities, showing honour to individuals young and old who have excelled in their field. Look out for StepFWD Awards 2026 date and venue announcements coming soon.
Founded in 2021, StepFWD Awards began in 2021 as a natural progression from the pioneering work done by founder O’Neil Dennis with AStepFWD. Now in its eleventh year, AStepFWD runs the monthly UK Christian Charts and has one of the biggest Christian music databases in the UK across all genres and musical styles. AStepFWD is also at the heart of national events such as iMPACT Conference empowering Christian creatives, and UGCY (University Gospel Choir of the Year). A key aim of AStepFWD is to engage, support and empower creatives across genre, age and location.
Donate: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/stepfwd-awards-10000
Website: https://www.stepfwdawards.com
Source: aStepFWD