Soweto Gospel Choir

The powerful blend of African gospel, freedom songs, U.S. civil rights songs, and international classics performed by the Soweto Gospel Choir, who hail from the town of Soweto, the birthplace of South Africa’s democratic movement’s struggle for freedom, inspires audiences all over the world. Moving renditions of “Amen” by Curtis Mayfield, “Heaven Help Us All” by Stevie Wonder, and “Sechaba” by Hugh Masekela from the hit musical Sarafina are among the highlights of “Hope.”

Their debut album, Voices of Heaven, which was released in 2002, debuted at No. 1 spot on the World Music Chart of Billboard within three weeks of its US release. Following this success, the group won the American Gospel Music Award for “Best Choir.” From there, it only got better. In 2006, the choir performed as invited guests for Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s 75th birthday celebrations in front of an illustrious audience that included former President Nelson Mandela, Mrs. Zanele Mbeki, Tokyo Sexwale, Samuel L. Jackson, Alfre Woodard, and Carlos Santana. This was one of the more amazing moments in the choir’s impressive career.

In addition, Soweto Gospel Choir serves as an ambassador for Nelson Mandela’s 46664 campaign and has performed at concerts with artists such as Peter Gabriel, Bono, Queen, Jimmy Cliff, Johnny Clegg, Eddie Grant, Amy Winehouse, Queen Latifah, Wyclef Jean, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder in Cape Town, Johannesburg, London, and New York.

The Walls Group

Darrel McGlothen Walls, the eldest member of the Walls Family Singers, formerly known as the Walls Kidz, is 19 years old. Darrel’s unique musical abilities were evident from a young age. At the age of one and a half, he was taught to play the tambourine by a young girl at Grace Memorial C.O.G.I.C. Everyone knew he had to carry a tambourine wherever he went. He sang his first solo, Somebody’s Knocking At Your Door, when he was three years old, standing on the Remembrance table with a friend who was a pastor. That marked the beginning of a major event. Until the age of 13, Darrel performed as a soprano. He started playing drums when he was 4 years old, and he continued to do so until he switched to playing the organ and keyboard. He is a remarkable young man who has blessed numerous people across the United States with his talents. The majority of Darrel’s time is spent writing, recording, and singing music. He is a remarkable individual because of his devotion to God. He wants to be a great producer one day.

Rhea Walls, the group’s second-oldest member, is 15 years old. Rhea is an amazing soprano despite her shyness. Darrel started out on his own, but his younger sibling soon joined him. Before she could talk, Rhea was able to match the pitch. She sings all the time and loves music. She gives her all when her older brother tells her to and is an example to her. She plays clarinet and piano and has an exceptional ear for music. Rhea is an exceptional athlete. She competes in track and field, and her team, the Carl Lewis Track Club – CL Stars, was one step closer to qualifying for the Junior Olympics this past summer. She wants to win the gold this year, and since the start of the school year, she has been ranked first. She won the district championship titles in the 100-meter hurdles and the 300-meter hurdles for 2009-2010, competing against 25 schools in the Fort Bend County School District. When she grows up, Rhea wants to be a dentist.

The next person up is 14-year-old Alic (Paco) Walls. Alic is well-known for his soulful, raspy voice. With his raspy, hoarse voice, he is compared to his mother. Paco doesn’t show much excitement and is very laid back. When he was about 7 months old, his parents noticed that he was sitting in the car seat and tapping his foot to a song on the radio. They found out then that the Walls family was getting this fever. Soon after, Paco took over for his siblings as the group’s alto. With his charm and unique voice, Paco was able to attract the attention of any crowd. Paco struggled with the effects of puberty and the change in his voice when he was 13 years old. Because alto is no longer an option, he manages to sing a little tenor. Paco claims that God told him in a dream that he would one day lead a megachurch and called him by his name. All praise be to God.

The group’s child is Ahjah Walls, but the family’s child is not. Despite her age, she claims to feel so much older. Ahjah’s beginning was a little different from the others. Ahjah enjoyed singing and songs. She could not quite get her part and hold it, and her vibrato was a little faster than everyone else’s. Ahjah, on the other hand, had so many other interests that this did not appear to bother her. Ahjah once asked if she could do gymnastics instead of singing at a program in the country. Since then, she has become an outstanding alto who prefers to sing in gymnastics. Ahjah can imitate nearly any artist and has the riffs and runs of her older brother. Ahjah has numerous talents. She enjoys drawing.

David Scott

Dave started out as a bedroom producer before setting up his own studio and becoming one of South Africa’s most well-known producers. Tresor, Shortstraw, Moonchild, Samuel Miller, and Mathew Gold are among the most prominent South African artists with whom he has collaborated. The group has had the opportunity to play headlining slots at some of South Africa’s most prestigious festivals, including Rocking the Daisies, Splashy Fen, and Park Acoustics, among others, as a result of The Kiffness’s radio success. Additionally, they have performed at international events in Seychelles, Lesotho, Swaziland (for Bushfire), Zimbabwe (for Victoria Falls Carnival), and Vietnam.

Jonathan McReynolds

Jonathan was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago. As a child, he started playing the drums at his church. Inspired by gospel greats like Kim Burrell, Smokie Norful, and Israel Houghton, as well as R&B and rock and roll giants like Stevie Wonder, India Arie, John Mayer, and Paul McCartney, he moved on to playing the organ and singing in the youth choir. However, singing was not actually his forte at the time. Jonathan admits, “Back then, I didn’t like singing.” I did not fit the profile of a frontman. I was content to merely play the organ. I wasn’t prepared for that criticism of being in front of people and in the spotlight.

But it was too hard to hide that great voice and talent that was obvious. His mother encouraged him to use his God-given talent and sing. As a result, it wasn’t until high school that he started listening to both his mother and God. In secondary school you’re searching for a personality, you’re searching for something to isolate you from something different, and singing just turned into my thing. Truly, God had a plan for me.

Chidinma Ekile

Andy Mineo

Holding it down for hip-hop is Christian rapper Andy Mineo. He’s a writer, musician, director, and producer who likes to get “uncomfortable.” Andy’s debut album, Heroes for Sale, did not disappoint, fusing R&B, classical, and hymns with a very personal tone. His latest offering, Uncomfortable, hits you right in the soul with his cultural awareness and uplifting tacks. Andy Mineo is one to watch out for.

Mahalia Jackson

General critical consensus holds Mahalia Jackson as the greatest gospel singer ever to live; a major crossover success whose popularity extended across racial divides, she was gospel’s first superstar, and even decades after her death remains, for many listeners, a defining symbol of the music’s transcendent power. With her singularly expressive contralto, Jackson continues to inspire the generations of vocalists who follow in her wake; among the first spiritual performers to introduce elements of blues into her music, she infused gospel with a sensuality and freedom it had never before experienced, and her artistry rewrote the rules forever. Born in one of the poorest sections of New Orleans on October 26, 1911, Jackson made her debut in the children’s choir of the Plymouth Rock Baptist Church at the age of four, and within a few years was a prominent member of the Mt. Moriah Baptist’s junior choir. Raised next door to a sanctified church, she was heavily influenced by their brand of gospel, with its reliance on drums and percussion over piano; another major inspiration was the blues of Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey.

Tamela Mann

Tamela Mann is known to many for her refreshing and life-giving music. She started her career back in 1999 as a co-singer with Kirk Franklin. She is not only a talented musician but also an award-winning artist having bagged the Dove Award during her rewarding career. Read more: https://www.tuko.co.ke/397039-top-15-black-female-gospel-singers-time.html

Bri Babineaux 

Going from a viral YouTube sensation to a rising gospel sweetheart, Bri is changing lives with the raw emotion and passion delivered with every note she sings. She came out the doors swinging, making Billboard history as the first singer to debut at no. 1 on Billboard’s digital gospel chart without the assistance of radio, TV or previous sale history. Bri’s debut album, Keys to My Heart, hit no. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart and delivers powerful praise with songs that congregations around the world can easily sing along with. Don’t be left out, join team Brination.

Danetra Moore

Don’t sleep on Danetra Moore; she might not have won the coveted title of “Sunday Best,” but she has a voice that’ll make your soul rejoice. She drops her former background singer title, with the release of her album Light in the Dark, and gets a major assist from featured artist and gospel legend Rance Allen. Danetra makes it very clear in this album that Jesus Christ is the source of all of her accomplishments. When in need of encouragement, pop this project on and get ready to get restored and blown away by the range in her voice.

Geoffrey Golden

The champion of the seventh season of Sunday Best, hailing from Cleveland, Ohio is a big man with a bigger voice. With all the negative press around young black men, it’s refreshing to see this guy doing it the kingdom way. Under Kirk Franklin’s leadership, it’s no surprise that his album Kingdom Live is an intimate experience with God.

Todd Dulaney 

Adding classic soul flavor to gospel music, Todd Dulaney went from pro baseball player (NY Mets), to backup singer to solo artist. His most notable single so far “The Anthem” is timeless in its message, and is actually a cover of the song originally performed by Planet Shakers from Australia. A live album inspired by self-reflection, A Worshipper’s Heart has moments of corporate worship along with times when it’s as if were listening to a private conversation between Dulaney and God. This album debuted at no. 1 on the iTunes Christian & Gospel Albums chart.

Jekalyn Carr 

Currently no. 2 on Billboard‘s Gospel Airplay chart with “You’re Bigger,” 19-year-old evangelist Jekalyn Carr is truly inspiring gospel fans across the country. Her album Greater Is Comingdebuted at no. 3 on Billboard and we’re expecting more greatness coming from her in the future.

Livre

The Brooklyn-based quintet represents the next generation of contemporary gospel. Just this year they clinched the No. 1 Billboard gospel album spot with their debut project, Jericho: Tribe of Joshua. The album features collaborations with A$AP Ferg and Jason Nelson and has had instant radio success. This group has something for everyone, from powerful voices to heartfelt worshippers. For those who doubt the authenticity of young worship, Ajanee, Ariel, Malik, Kenneth, and Richard are taking the gospel to another level.

Tasha Cobbs

The worship leader at the Dream Center in Atlanta not only broke out onto the national stage but also broke chains in the process. Tasha Cobbs’s hit single “Break Every Chain” was Billboard’s no. 1 song for 12 weeks and garnered a Grammy for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance, and her album Grace landed on Billboard’s Top 10 Gospel Albums chart for a year. Her worship songs convey transparency, authenticity, and vulnerability while her vocal prowess commands any room she enters. Her latest offering, One Place Live, reminds us of her charisma and power, and the track “Put a Praise On It” will have you shouting through the house.

Travis Greene

Travis Greene is uplifting, inspirational, and raw and incorporates genres from gospel to reggae into his music. Encouraged by his own brush with death as a child, he uses his passion to expose others to the love of Jesus Christ. The melodic track “Intentional” took the no. 1 spot on Billboard‘s Hot Gospel Songs chart and helped his sophomore project, The Hill, also debut on the gospel Billboard chart.

Zacardi Cortez 

That old soul, spine-tingling voice that you hear on some of your favorite artists’ songs belongs to Zacardi Cortez. As one of the most sought-after vocalists, his debut album, Zacardi Cortez: The Introduction is churchy, contemporary, and funky and features a plethora of his gospel colleagues like his mentor John P. Kee, Kierra Sheard, Fred Hammond, and more. When Zacardi sings, everyone listens, and if you haven’t yet, make sure you check out his latest album, Reloaded. Zarcardi Cortez is up next, so watch out.