2026 GMA Dove Awards: Hulvey, indie tribe and Christian Hip-Hop Artists Among This Year’s Winners

The 2026 GMA Dove Awards celebrated excellence across Christian music, with Hulvey taking home Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year, indie tribe earning recognition for “ROB HELL,” and artists across gospel, worship and contemporary Christian music receiving top honors.

Christian music’s biggest night brought together established legends, rising stars and influential voices from across the industry for the 2026 GMA Dove Awards. This year’s winners represented a wide range of genres, including Christian hip-hop, gospel, worship, rock, country, bluegrass and Spanish-language music.

Among the night’s major winners were Phil Wickham, who earned Artist of the Year and Worship Album of the Year for Song of the Saints; Josiah Queen, whose song “Dusty Bibles” won Song of the Year; and Jamie MacDonald, who was named New Artist of the Year.

For the Christian hip-hop community, however, several wins stood out as important moments for a genre that continues to make its mark across the broader Christian music landscape.

Hulvey Wins Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year

Christian hip-hop artist Hulvey earned Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year for his project COULD BE TONIGHT. The album’s production credits include xander., Micah Palace, Zac Lawson, Michael Howell and Ace.

The win puts a spotlight on Christian rap’s continued presence within the mainstream Christian music industry, recognizing the artists and producers using hip-hop to communicate faith, personal experiences and messages of hope.

Another major moment for the genre came with the Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year award, which went to “ROB HELL” by indie tribe, nobigdyl. and Torey D’Shaun featuring Jon Keith. The track’s recognition highlights the collaborative spirit of Christian hip-hop and the creative voices helping shape its sound.

Together, these awards underscore the range of artistry represented in Christian rap, from full-length album projects to individual records making an impact.

Phil Wickham, Josiah Queen and Brandon Lake Lead Major Categories

Phil Wickham was one of the evening’s biggest winners, taking home Artist of the Year and Worship Album of the Year for Song of the Saints.

Josiah Queen earned Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for “Dusty Bibles.” The rising artist’s recognition was among the evening’s notable highlights, while his project Mt. Zion also won Recorded Music Packaging of the Year.

Brandon Lake added to his list of honors with Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for King of Hearts and Songwriter of the Year (Artist). Lake also teamed up with country star Lainey Wilson on “The Jesus I Know Now,” which won Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year.

Jamie MacDonald received New Artist of the Year, while CeCe Winans and Todd Dulaney won Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year for “More Than This” (Radio Edit).

Gospel and Worship Artists Also Receive Top Honors

Gospel music was well represented throughout the ceremony.

Tasha Cobbs Leonard won Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year for TASHA and Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year alongside John Legend for “Church.”

Jonathan McReynolds and Jamal Roberts took home Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year for “Still (Live),” while Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers won Traditional Gospel Album of the Year for Revival: Live in Dallas.

In worship music, Elevation Worship and Chandler Moore earned Worship Recorded Song of the Year for “God I’m Just Grateful.” Red Worship won Gospel Worship Album of the Year for Live at Redemption Church.

These awards reflect the diversity of Christian music, bringing together different sounds and traditions united by faith and creative expression.

Film, Television and Music Video Winners

The 2026 Dove Awards also recognized achievements beyond recorded music.

The Chosen Season 5 won Television Series of the Year, with Dallas Jenkins serving as director. The animated feature film DAVID won Feature Film of the Year and also received the Christmas/Special Event Album of the Year award for its soundtrack.

Other winners included for KING & COUNTRY and Taylor Hill for “World On Fire” in the Short Form Music Video of the Year (Concept) category, Katy Nichole for “Have Your Way” in the performance category, and Tommee Profitt for The Resurrection Of A King in the Long Form Music Video category.

The Complete 2026 GMA Dove Awards Winners List

Here is a category-by-category look at the winners provided from the 2026 ceremony.

Major Awards

• Artist of the Year: Phil Wickham

• Song of the Year: “Dusty Bibles” — Josiah Queen

• New Artist of the Year: Jamie MacDonald

• Producer of the Year: Jonathan Smith

• Songwriter of the Year (Artist): Brandon Lake

• Songwriter of the Year (Non-Artist): Jacob Sooter

Christian Hip-Hop

• Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year: COULD BE TONIGHT — Hulvey

• Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year: “ROB HELL” — indie tribe, nobigdyl. and Torey D’Shaun featuring Jon Keith

Pop and Contemporary

• Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year: “Dusty Bibles” — Josiah Queen

• Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year: King of Hearts — Brandon Lake

Rock

• Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year: “No Survivors” — Jeremy Camp featuring Skillet

• Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year: Plastic Wine — Strings & Heart

Worship

• Worship Album of the Year: Song of the Saints — Phil Wickham

• Worship Recorded Song of the Year: “God I’m Just Grateful” — Elevation Worship and Chandler Moore

• Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year: “More Than This” (Radio Edit) — CeCe Winans featuring Todd Dulaney

• Gospel Worship Album of the Year: Live at Redemption Church — Red Worship

Gospel

• Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year: TASHA — Tasha Cobbs Leonard

• Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year: “Still (Live)” — Jonathan McReynolds and Jamal Roberts

• Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year: “Church” — Tasha Cobbs Leonard and John Legend

• Traditional Gospel Album of the Year: Revival: Live in Dallas — Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers

Country, Roots, Southern Gospel and Bluegrass

• Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year: “The Jesus I Know Now” — Brandon Lake and Lainey Wilson

• Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year: “No Rock” — Jeff & Sheri Easter

• Southern Gospel Album of the Year: Good Answers — Karen Peck & New River

• Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year: “Broken Angels” — The Grascals and Dolly Parton

• Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year: American Morning: Side A – EP — Chosen Road

Spanish-Language Music

• Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year: “Tu Voz” — Sarai Rivera

• Spanish Language Album of the Year: Lamento en Baile — Daddy Yankee

• Spanish Language Worship Recorded Song of the Year: “Solo Hay Uno” — Joel Rocco and Enoc Parra

Christmas, Inspirational and Children’s Music

• Christmas Recorded Song of the Year: “We Three Kings” — We Are Messengers

• Christmas/Special Event Album of the Year: DAVID (Soundtrack from the Angel Original Film) — Various Artists

• Inspirational Song of the Year: “The Blessing” — Andrea Bocelli, Cody Carnes and Kari Jobe

• Children’s Recorded Song of the Year: “Follow The Light” — Brandon Engman, Phil Wickham and Angel

Film, Television and Music Videos

• Television Series of the Year: The Chosen — Season 5

• Feature Film of the Year: DAVID

• Short Form Music Video of the Year (Concept): “World On Fire” — for KING & COUNTRY and Taylor Hill

• Short Form Music Video of the Year (Performance): “Have Your Way” — Katy Nichole

• Long Form Music Video of the Year: The Resurrection Of A King — Tommee Profitt

Creative Excellence

• Recorded Music Packaging of the Year: Mt. Zion — Josiah Queen

• Musical/Choral Collection of the Year: We Shall Behold Him: A Tribute to Dottie Rambo

What This Means for Christian Hip-Hop

For the Blessed Beatz community, the recognition of Hulvey and indie tribe is a reminder that Christian hip-hop belongs in the larger conversation about the music shaping faith and culture today.

From independent artists and collectives to established names reaching new audiences, Christian rap continues to offer a platform for testimony, creativity and authentic expressions of faith. Awards are one measure of recognition, but the genre’s broader influence also comes through its communities, live performances, independent releases and the listeners who connect with its message.

As Christian music continues to evolve, Blessed Beatz will keep highlighting the artists, releases and stories moving the culture forward.

Congratulations to all the 2026 GMA Dove Awards winners!

Editorial note: This article is based on the winners list provided by CCM Magazine. The supplied list contains 39 category headings in its introduction but does not include every category; the winners listed above reflect the categories included in the source material.