FYC Grammy Awards®
Brief Overview
Best Americana Performance:
“As Hope and Promise Fade” (Chris Cornell’s Tribute Song Created in a War Zone)
Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song:
“Oh Rejoice Earth” (First-ever English-language recording of Ukrainian Christmas Carol)
About the Artist:
MaHA Rocks (real name Mary Dovgopoliuk) is a Ukrainian songwriter, blues & rock singer, guitarist, recording artist and a voting member of the Recording Academy / GRAMMYs® based in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Best Global Performance
Participated as a vocalist in the project “Old Man River - Bistirno Parore” by Rupam Sarmah. Please see the project's FYC page here.
PROJECT STORY: Chris Cornell’s Tribute Song Created in a War Zone
Title: “As Hope and Promise Fade”
Artist, Mixing & Mastering: MaHA Rocks
Category: Best Americana Performance
Project Description:
This song was created in Kyiv, Ukraine, during ongoing war conditions.
Despite the sirens, the blackouts, and the daily uncertainty, I never left Kyiv, staying rooted in my city, turning resilience into rhythm, and chaos into sound. Amid frequent missile and drone attacks, and with much of the city—including professional studios—shut down or destroyed, I built a home studio in my room to continue making music. After my house sustained damage from a drone strike, I had no choice but to adapt. Music became not only a form of expression but a form of survival.
This song is a complete independent production. I handled every aspect of its creation: arrangement, performance (vocals and guitar), recording, production, mixing, and mastering. In 2025, I committed myself to learning professional-level mixing and mastering techniques to ensure this song met the highest standards despite the circumstances.
The project is a tribute to the legendary Chris Cornell. His voice and music have long been a source of strength and creativity for me, especially in moments when hope felt far away. His artistry reminded me that even in the darkest times, music can still break through—and connect.
I believe this song, created in the most unlikely and difficult circumstances, carries a message that goes beyond genre or borders. It is a testament to resilience, to the power of music in times of crisis, and to the influence of those artists who continue to inspire us.
Please consider this project for Grammy® Award recognition
PROJECT STORY: Ukrainian Christmas Carol
Title: “Oh Rejoice Earth”
Artist: MaHA Rocks
Songwriters: Traditional Ukrainian Carol (adapted and arranged by MaHA Rocks)
Recording Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Mixing & Mastering: Doug Mitchell (USA)
Category: Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
Project Description:
“Oh Rejoice Earth” is a groundbreaking English-language adaptation of a beloved Ukrainian Christmas carol — recorded for the first time in Ukraine in its new form by Ukrainian artist MaHA Rocks, and mixed/mastered in the United States by mixing and mastering engineer Doug Mitchell.
This powerful Contemporary Christian Music performance glorifies God while offering a message of unshakable hope, joy, and divine presence. Born from a nation enduring war and hardship, the song stands as a bold declaration of faith, proclaiming Christ's birth as the ultimate source of peace and purpose.
MaHA Rocks delivers a soul-deep performance that connects global audiences to a centuries-old sacred tradition through a fresh, contemporary sound. The production unites reverence with relevance, blending modern Christian music sensibilities with the haunting beauty of Eastern European harmony.
“Oh Rejoice Earth” is more than a performance — it is a prayer, a cultural milestone, and a musical bridge between nations. It speaks not only to the heart of the season, but to the enduring power of worship to inspire, heal, and unite.
This submission honors the global Christian community and the transformative impact of music that exalts God through excellence, artistry, and authenticity.
Please consider this project for Grammy® Award recognition