Charles Jenkins is Changing Gospel Music

Charles Jenkins is one of the most influential figures in gospel music today. He’s been credited with changing the sound of the genre and bringing it into the 21st century.

Now, he’s set to release his new album, The Blessing, which is sure to continue his hot streak. Here’s everything you need to know about Charles Jenkins and his new album.

Biography

Charles Jenkins is a Chicago-based musician, songwriter, and record producer. He is the founder and leader of Fellowship Chicago, a gospel music group. He is also a pastor at the New Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church.

Early life

Charles Jenkins was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He is the eldest of three children. His mother, Linda, was a singer in the church choir, and his father, Charles Sr., was a preacher. Growing up, Jenkins says he could never get enough of music. “My mom would sing around the house all the time,” he recalls. “I was always begging her to teach me how to sing.” Linda finally relented, and Charles began taking voice lessons at age 8. He also started playing the piano and writing songs. When he was 10 years old, his parents divorced, and Jenkins says music became an even more important part of his life. “Music was my way of dealing with the pain,” he says.

In high school, Jenkins formed a gospel singing group called “The Fellowship Chicago” with some friends from church. The group went on to win several local talent shows and even competed on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in 1998. After graduating from high school, Jenkins enrolled in Northern Illinois University to study marketing. He planned to use his degree to help promote “The Fellowship Chicago,” but the group disbanded before he could graduate.

Career

Charles Jenkins is a pastor, choir director, songwriter, and recording artist who is shaking up the gospel music industry. His 2010 hit “Every Praise” spent weeks at the top of the Billboard charts, crossover success that is rare for a gospel song. But more importantly, Jenkins is using his platform to spread a message of hope and love.

Born in Chicago in 1978, Jenkins grew up singing in church choirs. He went on to study music at Prairie View A&M University, where he sharpened his skills as a choir director. After graduation, he took a job as music minister at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church on the city’s south side. It was there that he began writing songs and leading the choir in performances that would bring down the house.

In 2010, Jenkins released his debut album The Best of Both Worlds. The lead single “Every Praise” was an instant hit, quickly climbing to the top of the gospel charts and crossing over into the mainstream. The success of the song launched Jenkins into the national spotlight and established him as one of the most exciting new voices in gospel music.

In the years since “Every Praise” first topped the charts, Jenkins has continued to release hit songs and perform to sold-out crowds around the world. He has won multiple Grammy and Stellar awards, and he was recently named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world. But despite all his success, Charles Jenkins remains focused on using his gifts to touch lives and bring people together.

Influence

Since the beginning of his career, Charles Jenkins has been doing things his own way and Gospel music has been better for it. His live performances are full of energy, his music is catchy and relatable, and his message is undeniably powerful. But beyond his musical talent, what really sets Jenkins apart is his willingness to challenge the status quo.

Gospel music

Gospel music is a genre of Christian music. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is composed and performed for many purposes, including aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, and as an entertainment product for the marketplace.

Influence is a Christian hip hop album by rapper Charles Jenkins. It was released on March 5, 2013 by Inspire The World Records and Fair Trade Services. The album features guest appearances from rappers da’ T.R.U.T.H., Lecrae and Canton Jones.

The album peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard Gospel Albums chart and at number 4 on the US Top Christian & Gospel Albums chart.

Contemporary Christian music

In the 1970s, Larry Norman helped pioneer the nascent genre of contemporary Christian music (CCM) with his classic album Only Visiting This Planet. A new wave of singer-songwriters and bands followed in Norman’s footsteps, creating anburyort stream of CCM that has continued to this day. One of the most popular and influential artists in CCM is Charles Jenkins, a Chicago-based Gospel singer, songwriter, and preacher.

Jenkins’ career took off in 2008 with the release of his debut album The Best of All Possible Worlds. The album’s lead single, “Awesome”, became a massive hit, spending nine weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel chart. “Awesome” helped introduced Jenkins’ unique brand of Gospel music to a wider audience, and he has since become one of the most popular names in CCM.

Jenkins’ style is a unique blend of traditional Gospel and contemporary R&B/soul. His emotionally charged songs often deal with themes of hope and faith, and his music has been praised for its positive message and uplifting sound. In addition to his work as a recording artist, Jenkins is also a highly respected preacher and preacher-teacher; he often leads workshops and seminars on Gospel music and its role in spreading the Good News.

With his positive message, uplifting sound, and commitment to spreading the Gospel, it’s no wonder that Charles Jenkins has become one of the most popular names in contemporary Christian music.

Discography

Charles Jenkins is an American Gospel singer, songwriter, and record producer from Chicago, Illinois. He is the lead singer and pastor of Fellowship Chicago. Charles has been a major figure in the Gospel music industry for over a decade and his work has been praised by many. He has released nine albums, seven of which have charted on the Billboard Gospel charts.

Solo albums

2010: Love Will

2013: The Best of Both Worlds

2015: Any Given Sunday

2017: Fellowship Chicago Live

Collaborations

In addition to his solo work, Charles Jenkins has also collaborated with a number of other artists on a variety of different projects. Here is a sampling of some of his most notable collaborations:

-“The Best of Both Worlds” with Kirk Franklin (2018)
-“Worth Fighting For” with Beverly Crawford (2017)
-“You Will Win” with Jekalyn Carr (2017)
-“No Charge” with Shirley Caesar (2016)
-“Get Ready” with Ricky Dillard (2015)
-“Victory” with Tasha Cobbs Leonard (2014)

Awards and nominations

Gospel singer-songwriter Charles Jenkins has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards, winning one. He has also been nominated for three American Music Awards and eight BET Awards, winning one.

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are the Recording Academy’s annual awards for outstanding achievements in the music industry. Charles Jenkins has won 2 awards from 6 nominations.


BET Awards

The BET Awards were established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment. The awards are presented annually, and are broadcast live on BET.

Charles Jenkins has been nominated for three BET Awards:
-Best Gospel Artist (2013)
-Best Collaboration (2013, with Fellowship Chicago)
-Centric Award (2014)

Stellar Awards

The Stellar Awards is an annual awards show to recognize achievement in the gospel music industry. The awards are presented by the Stellar Gospel Music Association. Here is a list of Charles Jenkins’ nominations and awards.

Won:
-Artist of the Year (2012)
-Male Vocalist of the Year (2012)
-Recorded Song of the Year (“Awesome”) (2012)
-Song of the Year (“Awesome”) (2012)
-CD of the Year (The Best Of Both Worlds) (2012)

Nominated:
-New Artist of the Year (2010)