GSUMA 2025 Awards Ceremony

Join us for an extraordinary evening celebrating excellence, innovation and impact, as we honor the outstanding achievements in the community-driven music economy.

 Award Categories & Nominees

Winners bolded where applicable

Major Honors

• Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Lenny Williams
  • Con Funk Shun
  • Bob Jones & The Chosen Few
  • Karyn White
  • Dawn Silva
  • Collage
  • Roger Smith
• Brian Porter Humanitarian Award
  • Brian Porter
• Legendary Musicians Tribute
  • Derek DOA Allen
  • Jimi Morris
  • Doug Lovelace
  • Pat Green
  • Flip Kirby
  • Michael Brookins
  • O’Dell Ross

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Performance Categories

• Song of the Year
  • Club Nouveau – “It’s Alright”
  • Darnell Kendricks – “What A Wonderful Night”
  • Ariel Marin – “Warrior”
  • TJ Gibson – “Change”
• Best R&B Album
  • Joe Leavy – “Soul On Fire”
  • Lucky Witherspoon – “The Brian Porter Project”
  • Park Avenue – “Soulpilation”
  • Ricky Jones – “Crazy Sexy”
• Best R&B Single
  • Kevin Nash – “Never Let U Go”
  • Ricky Jones – “Tone”
  • Lucky Witherspoon – “Dark Skies”
  • Joe Leavy – “Love Me To My Soul”
  • Darnell Kendricks – “What A Wonderful Night”
  • Con Funk Shun – “Text Me Tomorrow”
• Best Jazz Album
  • Jay King – “Soulful Bossa Nova”
  • Shawn Raiford – “Man With A Horn”
  • DL Edwards – “Jack Of All Trades”
  • Juan Escovedo – “The J”
  • O’dell Ross – “The Guitar Boss”
  • Roger Smith – “Just Another Day”
  • Big Mike Hart – “Young Man, Old Soul”
• Best Smooth Jazz Album
  • Shawn Raiford – “Man With A Horn”
  • DL Edwards – “Jack Of All Trades”
  • Roger Smith – “Just Another Day”
  • Pete Belasco – “Strong & Able”
  • O’dell Ross – “Guitar Boss”
  • Big Mike Hart – “Young Man, Old Soul”
• Best Jazz Female Vocal
  • Niki Haris – “Time After Time”
  • Lynne Fiddmont – “I Am Singing”
  • Vivian Lee – “Turned The Tables On Me”
• Best Jazz Vocal Single
  • Jazz Rosco – “Standing Right Here”
  • Jay King – “All Your Love”
  • Pete Belasco – “Stop the Presses”
  • Juan Escovedo – “Baila Cha Cha Cha”
  • Tony Dewayne – “The Player & Da Monkey”
• Best Smooth Jazz Single
  • Shawn Raiford – “I Like It”
  • Big Mike Hart – “Cigar Lounge”
  • DL Edwards – “Jack Of All Trades”
  • O’dell Ross Jr – “Cut The Check”
  • Roger Smith – “El Chito”
• Best Instrumental Performance
  • Big Mike Hart – “Cigar Lounge”
  • Shawn Raiford – “All Systems Go”
  • DL Edwards – “Jack Of All Trades”
  • O’dell Ross Jr – “Hot Sauce”
  • Roger Smith – “El Chito”
• Best Remake
  • Lucky Witherspoon – “Angel” (Anita Baker)
  • Tony Mosley – “I Like Having You Around” (George Benson)
  • Jay King – “I Once Had Your Loving” (Isley Brothers)
  • Juan Escovedo – “Holding Back The Years” (Simply Red)

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Artist Recognition

• Female Artist of the Year
  • Elle Nikole – “Rosé in the Summer”
  • Jessica Jolia – “Ooh La La”
  • Ariel Marin – “Supa Supa”
  • Shatese – “Paramour”
• Male Vocalist of the Year
  • Joe Leavy – “Inside You”
  • Tony Mosley – “I Like Having You Around”
  • Ricky Jones – “Tone”
  • Lucky Witherspoon – “Dark Skies”
• New Artist of the Year – Female
  • Shatese – “Paramour”
  • Ariel Marin – “Warrior”
  • Elle Nikole – “Rosé in the Summer”
  • Jessica Jolia – “Ohhh La La”
• New Artist of the Year – Male
  • TJ Gibson – “Choose You”
  • Tony Mosley – “I Like Having You Around”
  • Lucky Witherspoon – “Love Changes Things”
  • Gerald Richardson – “Naturally”
  • Pete Belasco – “Stop The Presses”
  • The Big Homie – “Supposed To Be”
• Undiscovered Artist of the Year 
  • Shatese
  • Pete Belasco
  • Ariel Marin
  • Gerald Richardson
  • Lucky Witherspoon
  • TJ Gibson
  • The Big Homie

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Group & Collaborative Honors

• Best Group or Duo
  • Club Nouveau
  • Sugar High Band
  • 3TOB
  • Park Ave
  • Victor Orlando & Funjala
• Best New R&B Band/Group
  • 3TOB
  • Sugar High Band
  • Victor Orlando & Funjala
  • Jazz Rosco

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Special Categories

• Best Inspirational Song
  • Jay King – “Breathe (Cami’s Song)”
  • TJ Gibson – “Choose You”
  • Pete Belasco – “One”
  • Tony Dewayne – “Power To The Beautiful”
  • Ariel Marin – “Warrior”
  • Aneesa Strings – “Lovealution”
• Best Social Commentary Song
  • Calloway – “Politics”
  • Pete Belasco – “Position of Power”
  • Ariel Marin – “Peculiar People”
  • TJ Gibson – “Change”
• Best Club Record
  • Sugar High Band – “Your Love Is All Mine”
  • 3TOB – “My Baby”
  • Club Nouveau – “It’s Alright”
  • Ariel Marin – “Supa Supa”
  • Victor Orlando & Funjala – “Time 2 Party”
• Producer of the Year
  • Ivan Johnson
  • Joe Archie
  • Derek Allen
  • Elijah Baker

About GSUMA 2025

The Greater Sacramento Urban Music Awards (GSUMA) is a landmark event dedicated to honoring the rich legacy and future of urban music in Sacramento. Founded by Grammy-winning artist Jay King, GSUMA celebrates the region’s most influential and emerging artists, fostering a cultural movement that elevates the voices shaping the soul of the Capital City.