2025 K-LOVE Fan Awards: Male Artist of the Year Nominees

Already a two-time winner in this category, Brandon Lake is an obvious returning contender for Male Artist of the Year. Soaring on the heights of his unparalleled momentum, the “Gratitude” singer is set to drop his fourth studio effort, “King of Hearts,” June 13. This fall, he’ll embark on a massive arena tour in support of the project with special guests Pat Barrett and Franni Cash providing opening sets.

Crowder’s latest album, “The EXILE,” is officially a year old; but it’s the continued success of the project that propels the Texas troubadour’s nomination for Male Artist of the Year. Thus far, “The EXILE” has spawned a pair of No. 1 hits: “Grave Robber” and “Somebody Prayed.” Crowder recently remixed the latter, unveiling a version of the multi-week chart-topper featuring country sensation Dylan Scott.

This is Forrest Frank’s first nod for Male Artist of the Year. With a sold-out arena tour, a 20-track sequel to his debut, “Child of God II,” and a viral TikTok dance driving the success of his single, “Your Way’s Better,” Frank continues to break through with his bro-next-door authenticity and genuine love for Jesus. Artists across genres are itching to collaborate with the innovator, and fans simply can’t get enough of his vibey Christian music.

Since he dropped “Deeper Waters” last May, Jeremy Camp has taken songs up the charts — including the album’s sparkling lead radio offering, “These Days” — and hit the road hard in support of the project. The father of three just released a new recording of his current single, “Again,” that features vocals from his talented daughters, Arie and Bella. Additionally, the genre leader has been tapped to co-host the 12th annual K-LOVE Fan Awards with Matthew West, Bart Millard (MercyMe) and Mac Powell.

Unexpected hit “Made For More” garnered Josh Baldwin three K-LOVE Fan Awards nominations this year, including his inaugural nod for Male Artist of the Year. The singer-songwriter accrued an acclaimed live worship album, his first No. 1 and a headlining tour in the wake of “Made For More” as the anthem connected with audiences far and wide. Next up, the father of two will take his chart-topping refrain to Colorado’s most iconic venue as part of the lineup for “K-LOVE Live at Red Rocks” Aug. 5.

A European tour, a capacity headlining U.S. trek, notable collaborations with Brandon Lake, Henrik and TobyMac and an opening slot on the upcoming installment of “Summer Worship Nights” with Lake and Phil Wickham all culminate in Josiah Queen’s first nomination for Male Artist of the Year. The Florida native has already been teasing new music ahead of what is sure to be an explosive follow-up to his wildly popular debut, “The Prodigal.”

In addition to his Male Artist of the Year nomination, following a two-year hiatus, Matthew West returns as a co-host for this year’s K-LOVE Fan Awards alongside Jeremy Camp, Bart Millard (MercyMe) and Mac Powell. The two-time K-LOVE Fan Award winner also received a nod for his book, “My Story, Your Glory.” The “Don’t Stop Praying” singer will join MercyMe and TobyMac for an all-star lineup slated to embark on a brief eight-date tour together this fall.

A GRAMMY® nod for his latest LP, “I Believe,” a rigorous touring schedule and a string of consistent anthems for the Church continue to keep Phil Wickham on the K-LOVE Fan Awards short list. The SoCal native maintains that tradition with the recent release of “What An Awesome God,” his take on a Rich Mullins classic. Following another “Summer Worship Nights” run with his buddy, Brandon Lake, the Male Artist of the Year nominee is poised to headline the “Air1 Worship Now Tour” this fall.

Over the course of the past year, Male Artist of the Year contender Tauren Wells launched a church, a new EP and his first book, “Joy Bomb: Unleash Jesus’s Explosive Joy for an Extraordinary Life” (out May 20). While his latest music marks a fresh era of vertical worship faire, the singer-songwriter will perform selections from both “Let The Church Sing” and his extensive pop catalog when he headlines this year’s Kick-Off Concert on Friday night of the K-LOVE Fan Awards Weekend.

TobyMac makes another cameo in the Male Artist of the Year category thanks to a phenomenal year that found the hitmaker dropping his tenth studio album, “Heaven On My Mind,” headlining the latest edition of his multi-artist arena tour, “Hits Deep,” and notching another No. 1 with “Nothin’ Sweeter.” Forever a champion of rising acts, the genre leader recently unveiled red-hot collaborations with two of Christian music’s most talked-about new artists, fellow nominees Forrest Frank and Josiah Queen.