Category: Features

Carol Maraj, mother of Nicki Minaj, talks about her music, mission, and message

Carol Maraj
Photo | Paul Stephens

By Libra Boyd

Gospel Music Fever

Carol Maraj is making a name for herself, and it’s not necessarily through her famed rapper daughter Onika Maraj–better known as Nicki Minaj.  As a matter of fact, mother and daughter are on separate musical journeys, and Carol’s includes gospel music and humanitarianism.

Last week, GMF’s Libra Boyd had the opportunity to learn more about the minister’s music, mission, and message.  

Libra:  Thanks so much for talking with Gospel Music Fever Blog about your life, your music, and how your experiences have brought you into a greater sense of purpose.  For starters, you are a domestic violence survivor.  Tell us about this ordeal in particular as well as how it relates to the message you now share through your music and through the Carol Maraj Foundation.

Carol: Living with an addict became overwhelming for me.  He was constantly threatening and menacing.  It escalated one night in December when he pulled me out of a car, punching me all over my face and head. This was my turning point.  Being a survivor affords me the ability to relate to others who are going through and who have been through.  My music reminds them that they were created for better.  My foundation’s mission is to build self esteem and empower so that the abused, misused and battered, may see their goals attainable.

Libra:  Not only are you musical, but so is your family.  One of your children is R&B/hip-hop superstar Nicki Minaj.  Some people immediately suppose that you have connections in the secular industry, which would provide you with a larger platform compared to gospel when it comes to advocating for domestic violence victims.  Why, then, is gospel music your choice for sharing your message with the world?

Carol: It is not a choice for me but a calling.  It all boils down to my passion and drives.  As an Evangelist, singing is just another channel to help others come to know the Lord, build faith, and overcome their trials.

Libra:  What has been Nicki’s response to your advocacy work and music? 

Carol: Nicki is very protective, and does not want me in the media. However, I am on a mission from God; this is the season He has assigned for me.

Libra:  Your current single is “God’s Been Good.”  Tell us about it!

Carol: “God’s Been Good” allows us to reflect on moments when we did not expect to make it, but we did. It is about understanding that God is real and that even at unawares, He is bringing us through life’s challenges.

Libra:  Will the full-length project be entirely gospel?  Can we expect to hear some collaborations?  

Carol: No. My songs are both inspiring and motivating.  There [will] be collaborations in the future.  This album will benefit all listeners. Believers and non-believers.  It is well balanced musically.

Carol’s current single, “God’s Been Good,” is available on iTunes. For more about the Carol Maraj Foundation, you can visit www.carolmaraj.com. You can also follow her on Twitter and Instagram @CarolMarajOrg.

"Heartbeat" – Ethan Kent

“Heartbeat”
Ethan Kent (2014)
Tonic Blueprint LLC
Available at iTunes

Ethan Kent "Heartbeat" art work

It’s both a unique and unforgettable way to announce and celebrate the expectancy of one’s firstborn.  Ethan Kent and his wife Audrey have done so by releasing a lullaby entitled “Heartbeat.”

Penned by Ethan along with Jamall Houston, the lullaby is a passionate aural love letter from parent to child (“…before you learn to crawl or walk your own first step / I ain’t perfect, but I vow to do my very best / Know that I’ll give life more just for your heartbeat…”) with the baby’s actual heartbeat synced to the lullaby at the end.

According to Ethan’s blog, he learned of his and his wife’s pregnancy on Father’s Day, following a musical engagement in Chicago.  The mother-to-be requested that he compose a song for “the big announcement.”

“Heartbeat” is available on iTunes, and a portion of the download proceeds will go to prebornfriends.org.

Congratulations to the parents to be!

Caesar: "Daddy Harold, I will see you again!"

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Pastor Shirley Caesar-Williams speaks at the homegoing of her husband, Bishop Harold Ivory Williams
Pastor Shirley Caesar-Williams

A capacity crowd filled the pews and every available chair of Raleigh’s 1500-seat Mt. Calvary Word of Faith today (July 12) for the second and final day of “Celebration of Life” services for Bishop Harold Ivory Williams.

During the joyous four-hour service, a host of clergy tributes were interspersed between uplifting musical numbers from the combined choirs of Washington, DC’s Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church.  Bishop Terence Sykes and Pastor Frenchee Wiggins each rendered stirring hymn solos.  Sykes’ a cappella rendering of “Great is Thy Faithfulness” gave rise to the morning’s first sanctuary-wide praise frenzy, and “To God Be the Glory” as ministered by Wiggins was one of Bishop Williams’ favorite songs.

Elder Hope Mason

Elders Marc and Hope Mason and Pastor Shirley Caesar-Williams also fondly remembered their beloved with family tributes.  Hope spoke first, sharing warm memories of “Daddy,” followed by her husband, Marc, who recalled invaluable albeit humorous advice he received from his new father-in-law the day he and Hope eloped. Pastor Caesar then gave reflections of “Daddy Harold,” as she lovingly called him, and expressed deep gratitude before bursting into dance and minutes later, the chorus of “He’s Working It Out For You.” At least twice, she addressed Bishop Williams directly and with admiration, first declaring, “Daddy Harold, I will see you…I will see you again!” and then, in her final words before leaving the pulpit, “We remember you, Daddy Harold.”

Additional expressions of sympathy were acknowledged from The Clark Sisters, Bishop T.D. Jakes, President Obama, and others.

Archbishop Alfred Owens, Jr., Presiding Prelate of MCHCA and spiritual son of Bishop Williams, delivered the eulogy. 

“The Last Mile”
Pastor Caesar-Williams prepares to escort “Daddy Harold,” her love of 31 years, to his resting place.

Bishop Harold Ivory Williams remembered at first of two ‘Celebration of Life’ services

The Caesar Singers sing "You Can Make It" at Friday evening's celebration of life service for Bishop Williams
The Caesar Singers sing “You Can Make It” at Friday evening’s memorial musical.

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Hundreds gathered this evening to celebrate the life of Bishop Harold Ivory Williams, Sr. at the first of two days of services for the former Presiding Prelate and Senior Bishop Emeritus of the Mount Calvary Holy Church of America (MCHCA), Inc.  Bishop Williams, who passed July 4, at age 93, was remembered as “The Patriarch, The Preacher, The Pianist.”

Among the many who gave remarks and musical tributes during the two-and-a-half hour service at Raleigh’s Mt. Calvary Word of Faith Church were Bishop Barbara Amos, Bishop George Bloomer, organist/songwriter Michael Mathis, the Caesar Singers, and the Cornerstone Church of Jesus Christ Combined Choir. 

Bishop Williams was praised for his humility, humor, leadership, scholarship, and particularly his musicianship.  In fact, many in attendance learned tonight that his middle name, Ivory, was acquired in association with a group he founded in the 1940’s, The Ivory Gospel Singers (which also had Thelma Jackson, who later sang with the Clara Ward Singers, as its member).  It happens that Mahalia Jackson was the first to refer to him by “Ivory,” causing the name–actually a fitting one, considering his gift for tickling the ivories–to remain with him.

Saturday’s national “Celebration of Life” service will begin at 11 am, at Raleigh’s Mt. Calvary Word of Faith Church, with viewing for two hours prior.  According to Bishop Kelvin Shouse, you can go to www.mchca.org for information about live streaming.

"All That I Am" – Isabella

Isabella All That I Am cover art

“All That I Am” 
Isabella
From the CD, All That I Am (2014)
www.isabellamelodies.com

Isabella’s sultry alto is the lone voice on her vertical contemporary worship ballad, “All That I Am.” Forward-moving strings and guitar-laced orchestration, all atop warm piano accompaniment, escort her as she makes a melodic ascent to the Throne, pronouncing, “To worship You I live / My heart to you I give…”  The song is the title track of her current project, available at iTunes.

Isabella is based in London and has several music awards to her credit, including a Nigeria Gospel Music Award for Best Female Artiste in Diaspora and an Africa Gospel Music Award for Artist of the Year (Europe).  She is the worship pastor at The Father’s House International Church.

"Kingdom Come" – Damion Murrill and Siloam

“Kingdom Come”
Damion Murrill and Siloam
From the upcoming CD, Take A Stand (Available Summer 2014)
www.damionmurrill.com

Damion Murrill and Siloam art work

By Libra Boyd, Founder & Editor
Gospel Music Fever

Damion Murrill wants us to be mindful that “because we are seeds of Abraham, we are heirs to the Kingdom,” and the single “Kingdom Come” from Damion Murrill and Siloam’s forthcoming debut CD, Take A Stand, helps to facilitate the communication of this truth in radio- and choir-friendly fashion.

Damion knows good singing when he hears it.  He’s been around it all his life. The singer/songwriter/producer’s musical mentor Donald Lawrence knows good singing too; so when his path crossed with Damion’s family group, The Murrills, the result was an affiliation with Donald Lawrence & the Tri-City Singers and the eventual release of The Murrill’s own project, Family Prayer, which earned Grammy and Stellar nominations.

It’s not surprising that “Kingdom Come”—which features Damion at the helm of his own 16-member aggregation, Siloam—is Lawrence-esque, but it’s definitely not disappointing either. Group vocalists Sasha Stackhouse and Pastor Darwin Murrill (Damion’s brother), deliver the ardent vocals that distinguish this moderate ballad as the group’s own.

Damion is presently the minister of music at Word Changing Hearts Ministries in Wilmington, NC, where his brother Darwin is the pastor. 

LaShun Pace talks to ‘When We Speak’ TV’s Jermaine Sain

LaShun Pace photo

 

Jermaine Sain, creator and host of Atlanta’s When We Speak talk show, recently interviewed gospel powerhouse LaShun Pace.  Watch and enjoy!

Maggie Ingram Mother's Day Celebration Recap: Daughter Almeta reflects

By Libra Boyd, Founder & Editor
Gospel Music Fever 

 


Although open to the public, modest was the number who weathered Saturday evening’s messy, rainy conditions to celebrate Evangelist Maggie Ingram, matriarch and lead singer of Maggie Ingram and the Ingramettes, at Danville, VA’s Greater United Apostolic Church.  At 84 years of age, Maggie, hailed Virginia’s “Queen of Gospel,” is likely the oldest active female singer on the gospel quartet circuit.   

The pre-Mother’s Day service was presented by Patrick Street for Street Productions, LLC and emceed by Twonda Johnson with performances by David Wilson, the Heavenly Stars, and the Loving Sisters.  GMF’s Libra Boyd gave biographical reflections.

During the celebration, the evangelist was praised for her commitment to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ for over a half century as well as for her ongoing efforts to strengthen struggling families in her community. Notable is the gravity of sacrifices for her own five children–which eldest daughter Evangelist Almeta Ingram-Miller frequently recounts–along with her compassion and advocacy for others, especially the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated.  A third grade education, vigorous work ethic (hewn in part from Maggie’s upbringing on Mulholland’s Plantation in Coffee County, GA), and God-given musical talents of singing, songwriting, and playing the piano with no formal training have worked together in service to God and His people. 

“This is a woman that I’ve seen sacrifice,” Almeta shared candidly Saturday night. “There are five of us [children].  When God gave her a [new] house, we thought it was just for us, [but] women would be released from prison and have little babies and nowhere to go. Mama would make us double up in a room [and then tell the women], ‘Come on Baby, bring your babies; you can stay here til you get on your feet. You can stay here til you find a job.'”  Maggie didn’t just open her home as a “halfway house,” but she worked to initiate legislation permitting inmates at minimum security prisons to interact with their children through “family day” programs. 
 
While Almeta talks, Maggie affirms.  Both look at and cheer on each other adoringly.  When they are onstage, the chemistry between Maggie and each of her Ingramettes is simply beautiful.  Nowadays, Almeta tag teams with her mother on most of the group’s tunes.  Granddaughter Cheryl Beaver and close family friend Valerie Stewart provide supporting fiery vocals while the band blazes in the background.  Sometimes Maggie takes cues from Almeta; other times, she gives them with raised eyebrows, clasped hands and a head nod, or a reassuring smile followed by “I got it” or “Tell it, Baby.”  Between songs, Almeta’s storytelling gives Dot Norwood’s a run for its money.  One anecdotal narrative in particular reveals the heart of the Ingramettes’ music ministry:

We’ve sung to ten thousand [at the Kennedy Center], and we’ve sung to ten.  As a matter of fact, we went down to Raleigh…and the lady forgot she had booked the program…and so we were getting ready to pack up and go home.  Mama said, ‘Oh no! Set up every keyboard, set up every drum, set up the guitars and the bass.  Set up the microphones–because God has been good. And for this one lady, we’re gonna sing to the glory of God.’

Maggie Ingram and the Ingramettes’ current CD, Live in Richmond, is available at www.virginiafolklife.org and according to the group’s bio, is set to be archived at the Smithsonian Institution.

Check out GMF’s Facebook page for photo highlights of this weekend’s service.

 

Top photo: ‘To the glory of God’ – Maggie Ingram and the Ingramettes, (from left): Valerie Stewart, Almeta Ingram-Miller, Maggie Ingram, and Cheryl Beaver.

More of the Editor’s Picks of the (Easter) Season

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

I’ve done it again.  I’ve compiled more of my favorite songs of the season—new tunes and old tunes, familiar and not so familiar.  The one thing they all have in common is the message and miracle of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.  Jesus is alive!

You Did It All
Shirley Caesar
From Stand Still (1993)

The Blood Song
The music of Ricky Dillard is among my picks for this Easter season.Kirk Franklin
From The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin (2002)

The Blood Still Works
Malcolm Williams and Great Faith
From In Your Glory (2009)

Fountain Filled with Blood
Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark
From Praise Belongs to God (1979)

Jesus Dropped the Charges
The O’Neal Twins and the Interfaith Choir
From Saved By His Love (1981)

Because of the Blood
Ricky Dillard & New G
From Keep Living (2011)

The Greatest Story Ever Told
The Famous Caravans
From Let’s Break Bread Together (1969)

Hymns – The Blood Medley
Tamela Mann
From Best Days (2012)

Will the Lord Remember Me?
The Sensational Nightingales
From Let Us Encourage You (2005)

Calvary
Richard Smallwood with Vision
From Persuaded: Live in DC (2001)

See more of my favorites here: Editor’s Picks of the (Easter) Season

"Amazing Worth" – Charles Butler & Trinity

Charles Butler & Trinity Amazing Worth cover art
”Amazing Worth”
Charles Butler & Trinity (2014)
EPM Music Group
 
By Libra Boyd, Founder & Editor
 
If God is worthy of our worship—and He is—then Charles Butler and Trinity’s single, “Amazing Worth,” can be added to the soundtrack of our worship experience.

EPM Music Group (founded by Earnest Pugh) announces the digital availability of “Amazing Worth” as the second single from the urban contemporary ensemble’s project, Better.  The group’s connection to Pugh is a strong one: Charles Butler and Trinity provided backing vocals on his 2009 smash, “Rain on Us.”

A radio-friendly tune, “Amazing Worth” is written by James Ziegler and produced by Morgan Turner.  Jeremiah Hicks passionately handles the lead duties.