One of the biggest gospel groups of the last decade, J.J. Hairston & Youthful, continues to outdo itself. Last week the group’s 7th CD “I See Victory” (Light Records) debuted at #2 on Billboard Magazine’s Gospel Albums sales chart and this week the project takes over the top slot. Meanwhile, the choir’s latest radio single “Bless Me” is leaping new bounds as it jumps from #10 last week to #7 this week on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart. The group performs the song on BET’s “Bobby Jones Gospel” TV program on November 23 @ 9 a.m. EST.
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.”
