By J. MATTHEW COBB
Editor-At-Large, PRAYZEHYMNOnline.com
Posted: September 6, 2008 | Updated: September 14, 2008
WHO SAID THAT you shouldn’t have to have the look of sophistication, glamor and beauty in the world of gospel music? The Bible breaks the silence on God’s view on the beauty of the human body in Psalm 139:14 when David cried out that “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” He wasn’t being cocky or arrogant or even self-consumed but depending on the ageless wonder of human beauty - inside and out. In American culture - as of late, we tend to focus more on the outer appearance and admire its quintessential accomplishments to the beholder. Everyone’s definition of beauty ranges and varies, but it shouldn’t be ignored in the face of religious obscurity. Beauty is everywhere, pick up the magazines, turn on the television. Supermodel Tyra Banks has America’s Next Top Model and People Magazine has their annual 100 Most Beautiful People write-up hitting book stands in the spring. Still, the Christian community and gospel industry remains a bit too cautious in going into the world of beauty. While some may find it easy to quote the familiar proverb that says “beauty is only skin deep,” you don’t have to get too deep to realize the sheer beauty of PRAYZEHYMN’s first-ever expose’ revealing some of gospel’s most beautiful persons. Some you may already know, some you may not be too familiar with...but all of our choices have that one special thing in common. If only they knew how to work a runway for a part-time job.
Kirk Franklin Kirk Franklin may be too short in height to be a professional model, but the renowned gospel superstar never fails in taking a very good picture. He’s very camera friendly and photogenic; something that is very becoming for his towering multi-platinum success. And with that charming cool church boy look and the urban looks reminiscent of Usher, the thirty-eight year old pop star continues to win favor from both traditional and contemporary gospel lovers. The songwriter/producer/singer continues to dominate the charts since his groundbreaking debut in 1992 and keeps a very busy touring schedule, but he remains in good health and great shape. The proof rests on the album cover of his most recent album release, The Fight of My Life.
Niyoki
One good look at Niyoki and you are bound to become captivated by her awe-striking beauty, but her beauty is only one dimension of her earthly value. Since giving birth to her baby boy Kedron last fall, the Tennessee-based devoted wife and gospel singer is definitely proving that her serious work ethic is paying off. She gained major ground as an independent artist with her debut project, My Everything, and the very successful radio single “He’s Here.” Her new album, Rest, is available in stores now on the D2G music label with distribution from Universal Music Distribution.
Joann Rosario
Latin sensation Joann Rosario rose up the gospel charts as a solo artist after departing from Fred Hammond’s Radical For Christ to number eleven in 2002 with More More More and has since released two albums that ultimately reveals her passion for worship, her incredible mix of urban sounds and Latin music and her incredible beauty. And since her solo debut, she remains one of the most talked-about beautiful women to hit modern gospel. But don’t call her a diva - that’s something she’s not comfortable with. About her recent album cover for Joyous Salvation: “I wanted it to be something that looked like it could be in a Vogue Magazine...I want to give young women an example of somebody who lives for God...has a passion for worship, but at the same time is beautiful and knows how to show that in a holy and in a clean way.” Born to a Puerto Rican family in Chicago, Rosario grew up both in the church (her father was a preacher) and with music, singing since she was a young girl. With mainstream pop music opening up many opportunities for Latin singers like Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, Rosario is well on her way to bringing her rich multi-cultural heritage into the world of gospel music.
Da’ T.R.U.T.H.
Emanuel Lambert, a 34-year old popular rapper from Philly, is quickly becoming a household name with his catchy nickname Da T.R.U.T.H. He blazed up the gospel charts in 2007 with his third solo project to the number two spot and has recently worked with big names like Tye Tribbett, Donnie McClurkin and the Cross Movement. He recently worked with Kirk Franklin on his 2007 album The Fight of My Life; performing the song “I Like Me.” But the young holy-hip hop star physically sports charming good looks and a healthy clean image; helping to clean up the dirty vibes that comes with stereotypes on hip-hop. “Hip-hop is not inherently evil,” Lambert admits. He adds: “Some that have cultural prejudices, biases, and personal problems with hip-hop and associate every aspect of it with the negatives are doing a generation a terrible disservice by imposing personal convictions on those that are constructively impacted by it.” He’s also a proud graduate of The Institute of Jewish Studies and Philadelphia Biblical University. With his cool freestyle rap skills and extensive education background, no wonder they call him “Da’ T.R.U.T.H.”
CeCe Winans
The multiple GRAMMY-award winner, 43, has one of the most distinctive and beautiful voices in pop music, but she also stands as a beautiful example of inspiration for young girls facing real issues in today’s world. She is beyond being a musical force, but triumphs as an annual keynote speaker at her Always Sisters conference. The conference targets young ladies from the ages of 13-26 and helps reveal the inner and spiritual beauty of her beloved fans. She also impacted the fashion world with the debut of her daughter’s fashion line Ashley Rose at her most recent conference. While she continues to record chart-topping albums while painting a wonderful example of what a virtuous woman looks like, she laughs about the rise of her fame when detailing her down-to-earth lifestyle. “I like having my sweats on. When I don’t have to, I don’t wear make-up. I just enjoy laughing, hanging with my kids and fellowshipping with the saints.”
CoCo Brother
Atlanta gets their morning joe with Hot 107.9 radio personality CoCo Brother. Born in Germany, Cory Condrey migrated to the U.S. and moved to Atlanta to pursue a career in radio. He later became one of hip-hop’s mightiest deejays - dominating in ratings even against Big Tigger, the former host of BET’s Rap City. CoCo made a switch to holy hip-hop with his new show The Spirit of Hip Hop. The show - which features superstars from gospel and mainstream pop like Ludacris, Lil’ Jon, Kirk Franklin and Yolanda Adams, remains a key player in Atlanta and can be heard every week in virtually every major market. It is his goal to bridge the gap between the church and the streets and to minister Jesus Christ to the lost and forgotten. His passion and heart for evangelism is super big, but radio personalities rarely get the attention they deserve - unless it’s behind the desk during their regular 9 to 5. But beyond CoCo Brother’s tough job in mending the hurts of the urban world, his presence is a work of God. With pearly whites, babyface charm, and an athletic build reminiscent of a running back, CoCo Brother is just as impressionable in person as he is on radio.
Spensha Baker
At fifteen years old, Spensha Baker is already growing up to be one blessed, successful beautiful woman. With her newly-released debut OutLoud! on Geffen Records (leaping into the top twenty on the gospel charts), the Texas sweetheart, with very little recording experience, has gained a considerable amount of favor from a number of industry resources. Baker first landed a spot on The Inspirational Network’s Christian Artist Talent Search show, which in turn led to her being a contestant and a crowd pleaser on CBS’ Star Search when she was only twelve years old. Since then, she earned a contract at Geffen and has since sung before the President of United States at a gospel music tribute in the White House this year. And with a voice that conjures the sound of angels, it works perfectly with her glorious good looks. At first glance, you can easily notice her rich naturally long hair, smooth skin and her modelesque eyes Now a student at Judson High School in San Antonio, Texas, she aims to inspire her fellow classmates and her newborn fanbase with her new album. “I want to be a role model; someone people aspire to be like. I believe I’m here to encourage young people and I don’t mind doing it.”
DeLeon Richards
At the age of five, Chicago native DeLeon Richards began singing gospel music professionally and went on to sing to a major gospel label (Word Records) in the late ‘80s. Richards, 32, inherited with amazing beauty - has aged into a beauty queen possessing long silky hair, dazzling legs and a luminous presence ready for the perfect photo shoot. And she is still belting her golden voice into gospel territory and is expecting to release Here In Me on September 16 on Arrow Records. Married to Detroit Tigers Gary Sheffield and mom to three boys, DeLeon lives a very full life, balancing family and career. And beyond the crazy fiasco surrounding her former relationship with R&B icon R. Kelly, no person can dispute the talent and beauty of the gospel phenom.
Washington Projects
Brother/sister siblings Je’kob & Rachael Washington - also known as Washington Projects - are just so easy on the eyes. Just call them urban eye-candy. Their tantalizing good looks and spellbound fashion choices are picture-perfect for the MTV generation. Raised in San Diego, the beautiful duo were blessed with multiple talents. Je’kob was a gifted athlete in high school; playing basketball and even receiving scholarships to a reputable college. Rachael was a dancer who had maintained the first place spot in the tap dancing category for six years in a row. The two were two thirds of Souljahz; the short-lived crossover group that recorded The Fault Is History on Word/Warner. This gave birth to the Washington Projects and the Black & White Label Group independent release of Commanders of the Resistance in 2007. With sounds that resemble Black Eyed Peas, Gwen Stefani, Ludacris and the Fugues, and easily intertwining rap with sultry R&B vocalizing, the group aims to paint incredibly visual pictures of hard won hope and high ideals through the raw voice of hip-hop music.
Mary Mary
The best-selling gospel duo have become the poster children of urban gospel’s evolution. Erica, 36, and Tina, 33, became overnight sensations with their debut project, Thankful, in 2000; led by the crossover hit “Shackles (Praise You).” The song was a Top 10 R&B hit and a Top 40 pop sensation - clearly opening doors for the California pretty girls. With four albums and several hit singles below their belt and a new project expecting to hit shelves this fall (The Sound), Mary Mary continues to pump out their hip crossover brand of urban gospel on radio while staying true to their commitment to gospel music. Both happily married, the group continues to get the mainstream’s attention with their hearty beats, inspirational lyrics and cool sense of fashion. In an interview done at the breaking of their career, Tina stated, "We want the platinum sales and all, but we want people to see that they can live saved. You can be young. You can be cool. But you can still praise God.” They are still working hard at keeping that successful formula flowing in their career.
Darlene McCoy
Music mogul Dallas Austin (TLC) positioned behind EMI Gospel artist Darlene McCoy and gave her a big push into the gospel world with her 2007 self-entitled release. With her residence resting in Hotlanta, she leads worship at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church (pastored by Bishop Eddie L. Long) and dazzles her fans and supporters with mesmerizing beauty that is picture perfect for mainstream. But she is unapologetic sold-out for Christ and contributes her ministry to Hot 107.9's The Spirit of Hip-Hop and is the CEO of JENIMAC, Inc.; a company that specifically ministers to the needs of hurting girls and women. With her recent commitment to staying in shape, McCoy has joined Dr. Ian Smith’s 50 Million Pound Challenge and has since lost fifteen pounds. “I feel incredible about the progress,” reiterates McCoy on her quest to better fitness. “I am on a strict diet that helps me tremendously, and a work out plan with my trainer, LeTreece Williams, who is no joke.”
Mark Kibble
He may have wooed many ears with the GRAMMY-award winning jazz gospel group Take 6, but Mark Kibble’s charming handsome good looks have made him a favorite with the ladies. The 44-year old Brooklyn native calls Nashville home, remains a proud parent and a faithful husband to Sherrie Kibble (a former background singer for BeBe & CeCe Winans). Since their national debut in the late 80s, Take 6 emerged as one of the most sensational crossover groups - with roots in gospel, doo wop and sophisticated jazz - to rejuvenate the sound of the classic male groups. Kibble continues to work on and is set to release yet another album this fall with the popular group. With ten GRAMMYs accredited to them, Take 6 is still considered to be the quintessential male group in modern music; opening up windows of opportunity for groups like Boyz II Men and *NSYNC. Mega producer and longtime collaborator Quincy Jones has even described Take 6 as ” the baddest vocal cats on the planet.” In Kibble’s case, it doesn’t hurt to be blessed with good looks.
Lonnie Hunter
Lonnie Hunter has definitely earned his medals for being a hard worker. A former S-Curl man/runway model for Luster Products and U.S. AirForce military man, Hunter is the president of Hunter Communication Group, a public relations firm, and serves as the Pastor of Worship at David Evans’ Bethany Baptist Church in Lindenwold, New Jersey. He’s also a husband, clinician, father, mentor and radio personality. But he definitely made his name as one of the premier choir directors from Chicago while serving over the Voices of St. Mark (whom recorded on the Malaco/Muscle Shoals Music Group label). With such a exhaustive itinerary and being a man of many hats, he still works out, keeps a strict diet and refuses to eat in the late hours. “I don’t eat anything after rehearsal, “ Hunter tells GospelFlava.com. “Rehearsal is over about 9:30 p.m. and I try not to eat that late, which gets difficult because my daughter has to have McDonalds or Pepe’s on the way home!”
Shirley Caesar
With over sixty years in the recording business, Pastor Shirley Caesar, 69, is still walking in a season of prominence, success and enriching beauty. Looking very good as she nears 70 years old, she explains that her secret ingredient to her beauty regimen is simply “working extremely hard and then when you get through working hard, work some more.” CeCe Winans even praises her by saying, "Shirley Caesar is without a doubt one of my musical heroes. She praises God with power, beauty, and grace. I love her!" The multi-GRAMMY award recipient is married to Bishop Harold Williams, pastors the Mount Calvary Word of Faith Church in North Carolina and is enjoying great success with the 2007 project After 40 Years...Still Sweeping Through the City - which climbed all the way to the eight spot on the gospel charts.
OTHER VALUABLE RESOURCES TO LOOK INTO: We perish because of the lack of knowledge. Get schooled. Top 20 Most Beautiful Gospel Artists - Industry press release by Shereese Hair & Beauty Lifestyle Magazine [2007]
