The Soul Train Award nominated urban inspirational music ensemble J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise’s 7th CD “I See Victory” (Light Records) has debuted at #2 on Billboard Magazine’s Gospel Albums sales chart. The soul-stirring project has also debuted at #45 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums sales chart. All of these strong sales fall on the same week that the choir’s latest radio single “Bless Me (featuring Donnie McClurkin)” lands at #10 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart.
The CD was recorded live at The First Cathedral in Bloomfield, CT and boasts soul-stirring performances by gospel greats such as Vashawn Mitchell, Jason Nelson, Brittney Wright, Deon Kipping and the aforementioned, Donnie McClurkin. A BlackGrooves.org reviewer writes that the “songs will surely rock the church house” and the Journal of Gospel Music gives the riveting set 4 out of 5 stars.
For over a dozen years, Youthful Praise has been one of the most popular contemporary gospel choirs in the USA. Their hit songs “After This,” “Lord of All,” “Resting on His Promise” and “Incredible God, Incredible Praise” have served as the soundtrack to the lives of scores of Millennial-age churchgoers. The group has appeared on national TV programs such as “Good Morning America,” BET’s “Celebration of Gospel,” “Conan O’Brien,” BET’s “Lift Every Voice,” “Lady Gaga & The Muppets Holliday Spectacular” and BET’s “Sunday Best.”
