Johnmark Wiggan ‘giving thanks’ after big win at Sterling Gospel Awards

Johnmark Wiggan was among the big winners at the 10th staging of the Sterling Gospel Music Awards (SGMA), earning three honours for his work on Nothing Too Hard, a collaboration with Rondell Positive and Gilead Collective. The song won Collaboration of the Year and Local Hit of the Year, while Wiggan was named Local Hit Producer of the Year. “It’s been a very surreal time, and I’m giving God thanks for it. It’s a marvellous accomplishment to be recognised, especially to have two songs in the category. I really appreciate it,” Wiggan said.

He said the recognition had also been exciting for his collaborators, recalling his conversation with Rondell Positive when he first approached him about the song. Gilead Collective has also expressed gratitude on social media.

“We’re just so excited about what God has done with the song. It’s been great,” Wiggan added.

He shared that he sensed the song’s potential from the moment the idea came to him, describing the declaration at its centre as one that resonated deeply with him.

“I heard the declaration so loudly in my head, and it resonated deeply in my spirit. I said to myself, ‘This is what the nation needs to be singing,’” he explained.

He recalled telling Rondell Positive that they needed to record the song, believing it was what God was calling them to do. After completing the recording, Wiggan said he felt compelled to pray over the moment because he believed they had created something special.

When asked whether fans could expect him to take on more producing roles, Wiggan pointed to his work on By Fire and said the recognition had encouraged him to continue in that direction.

“With songs from that album and songs to come, they will definitely see me producing more. I’m really glad to be affirmed in this way because, of course, it excites me and encourages me to keep working in this particular vein and with this particular cap on,” he added.

Prince Saj also secured two major honours during the broadcast, winning Album of the Year for Fully Jesus and Male Artiste of the Year for the second consecutive year.

Rhoda Isabella was named Female Artiste of the Year, while Jermaine Edwards won EP of the Year for Songs for the Journey. Levy’s Heritage claimed Group of the Year, and Alandré Campbell was named Breakout Sensation of the Year.

For its 10th staging, SGMA replaced its traditional in-person ceremony with a specially produced television programme aired on TVJ on Sunday. The format was intended to reach audiences across Jamaica and the diaspora while laying the groundwork for a wider regional presence.

“Ten years is a significant milestone for Sterling, and we wanted to mark this anniversary in a way that would also prepare us for the future. For the first time, we stepped away from the traditional in-person fanfare and brought the awards directly to television audiences. It was a bold decision, but one that reflects our vision for the next decade of Sterling,” SGMA Founder and Director Basillia Barnaby-Cuff said.

“Our dream has always been to see gospel music and the people who contribute to this industry receive the recognition they deserve. As we enter our second decade, we want to take Sterling beyond Jamaica, reaching more homes, connecting with wider audiences and creating opportunities to celebrate gospel talent across the Caribbean. Television offers us a platform to begin building that regional presence, and we see this as the beginning of an exciting new chapter.”

The People’s Choice Awards recognised several other contributors to gospel music and broadcasting. Samijo Scott won the Digital Impact Award, DJ Rebirth was named Gospel DJ of the Year, and Ava-Gay Blair-Black received Gospel Personality of the Year.

Neison Williams’ The Gospel Beat on Gospel JA won Most Rated Radio Programme of the Year, while Michelle McIntyre’s The Michelle Marie Gospel Show was named Online Radio Programme of the Year. More Than This won Most Rated Event of the Year; LOUD, by Leonell Teape and SR Victor256, received Video of the Year; and Pastor Oneil Pusey’s Daily Sustaining Word won Virtual Gospel Series of the Year.

entertainment@gleanerjm.com

STERLING GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS 2026 WINNERS

• Album of the Year: Prince Saj — Fully Jesus

• E.P. of the Year: Jermaine Edwards — Songs for the Journey

• Male Artiste of the Year: Prince Saj

• Female Artiste of the Year: Rhoda Isabella

• Group of the Year: Levy’s Heritage

• Breakout Sensation of the Year: Alandré Campbell

• Collab of the Year: Johnmark Wiggan ft. Rondell Positive & Gilead Collective — Nothing Too Hard

• Local Hit of the Year: Johnmark Wiggan ft. Rondell Positive & Gilead Collective — Nothing Too Hard

• Local Hit Producer of the Year: Johnmark Wiggan — Nothing Too Hard

• Caribbean Artiste of the Year: Samuel Medas

• International Artiste of the Year: CeCe Winans

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS

• Digital Impact Award: Samijo Scott

• Gospel DJ of the Year: DJ Rebirth

• Gospel Personality of the Year: Ava-Gay Blair-Black

• Most Rated Event of the Year: More Than This

• Most Rated Radio Programme of the Year: Neison Williams — The Gospel Beat - Gospel JA

• Online Radio Programme of the Year: Michelle McIntyre — The Michelle Marie Gospel Show

• Video of the Year Leonell Teape & SR Victor256 — LOUD

• Virtual Gospel Series of the Year Pastor Oneil Pusey — ‘Daily Sustaining Word’