“God’s Been Good”
Carol Maraj (2014)
Fame Star Records/MDM Music Group
Available at iTunes
Carol Maraj has no qualms about letting the world know that God has sustained her through experiences that some others didn’t survive (see her interview with GMF here). She is alive and has overcome because “God’s Been Good.”
Maraj’s single, “God’s Been Good,” cites healing from cancer and protection from a shooting in its verses, as testimonies of the perpetual goodness of God. The contemporary pop synth gospel tune has been creating a buzz since early this year.
Maraj currently resides in New York and heads the Carol Maraj Foundation, an advocacy organization for victims of domestic violence.
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 (2014) Tonic Blueprint LLC Available at iTunes
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.
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.
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.
“Even though this is an R&B song, I would like to consider myself a Christian artist,” says Jscott Martin, bassist, vocalist, and producer during the musical interlude of his band’s R&B groove, “God Will Make It Work.”
Check out the video, recorded live at Berklee College of Music, which expresses a lover’s confidence in courtship guided by faith in God and inspired by Proverbs 18:22. “God Will Make It Work” features Martin on lead vocals and bass, along with his band, The Glove.
“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.
Tehillah Enterprises announced today (July 8) that its client, R&B legend Gladys Knight, is prepping to drop a gospel album entitled Where My Heart Belongs. The release date is set for September 9, 2014.
Bishop Harold Ivory Williams, Sr., former Presiding Prelate and Senior Bishop Emeritus of the Mount Calvary Holy Church of America (MCHCA), Inc., passed today (July 4). He was 93 years old.
According to the MCHCA site, Bishop Williams led MCHCA for more than 37 years as Senior Bishop, succeeding the organization’s founder Bishop Brumfield Johnson, before choosing to take emeritus status in 2008. Simultaneous to his leadership of the parent organization, he pastored Winston-Salem’s Mount Calvary Holy Church, Washington, DC’s Mount Calvary Holy Church, and founded a church in Baltimore, according to his bio. At the time of his demise, he and his wife of 31 years, Pastor Shirley Caesar-Williams, were co-pastors of Raleigh’s Mount Calvary Word of Faith.
Along with pastoring, Bishop Williams was an accomplished pianist and songwriter, guesting on his wife’s projects Sailin’ (vocals on “Time to Come Back Home”), Stand Still (spoken word on “Step Out”) and Shirley Caesar Live …He Will Come (piano on his composition “Our Father”).
In addition to Pastor Caesar, Bishop Williams is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Elder Hope and Prophet Marc Mason, grandchildren, and a host of additional relatives, friends, and spiritual sons and daughters. His son, acclaimed jazz pianist Harold I. Williams, Jr. preceded him in death.
With bittersweetness, GMF bids Bishop Williams adieu and extends heartfelt condolences to Pastor Caesar-Williams and family.
Update (7/6/14 at 2:07 am) – Elder Hope Mason has shared homegoing information for her father, Bishop Williams. She notes via Facebook that “the Friday night service is a musical memorial and his remains will be available for viewing from 12:00-6:00 pm Friday afternoon, but not at the service.”
Update (7/9/14 at 7:30 am) – Elder Hope Mason has provided updated homegoing information for Bishop Williams. The latest information includes lodging accommodations (click image below to enlarge).
Rolling Stone named the Jones Family Singers as a “Top 25 Must-see Act” at this year’s SXSW festival. Check out the video of their scorching quartet single “Down on Me” from their current project The Spirit Speaks, and you’ll see why. Besides Rolling Stone, the soulful family has garnered praise from NPR and Wall Street Journal. Additionally, they’ve gotten the attention of filmmakers who are now interested in creating a feature documentary of the family’s life on and offstage.
An Indiegogo campaign is underway to help fund the film, The Jones Family Will Make A Way. Find out more about the documentary and fundraising campaign, and most definitely watch the video “Down On Me” here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-jones-family-will-make-a-way.
