Bishop Walker has experienced some major developments since the release of his last album nearly 5 years ago. For one, he became Bishop of the Pentecostal Church of Jesus Christ Fellowship, providing leadership to more than 30 churches around the country in addition to the Kunjalo Diocese in Cape Town, South Africa that he oversees – all while remaining Senior Pastor of his thriving Love Fellowship Tabernacle in Brooklyn, New York and Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Secondly, Walker has become a mainstay on New York radio where he hosts a popular mid-day show for WLIB and a Sunday morning show for WBLS.
With each of these developments, Walker is motivated by his commitment to Kingdom relevancy. “One must continue to evolve so that the Kingdom can stay fresh, exciting and most of all relevant,” says Walker. He pours this passion for Kingdom relevancy into his upcoming CD “Asuza The Next Generation”, being released June 11 on RCA Inspiration.
“This project honors the legacy of hand clapping, foot stomping Gospel music and also provides a next generation swag that creates a foundation for where Gospel music can go,” says Walker. “It has a variety of styles, and the collaborations really make it stand out. It is a next level project for me and, I think, for Gospel music.”
The album features guest appearances by Timiney Figueroa, Deitrick Haddon, John P. Kee, Donnie McClurkin and Brian Courtney Wilson. Walker’s robust Love Fellowship Choir is also featured prominently, and is expanded here to comprise the 500 voice Azusa Mass Choir.
“With the collaborations, I wanted to let people know there are artists out there who love choir sounding songs and who don’t mind singing choir songs,” says Walker. “Part of my musical mission is reminding people that choir music is not going out of style, ever. When you have vocalists like these who love choir music, it will always thrive.”
“Asuza The Next Generation” was co-produced by Hezekiah Walker and produced by Donald Lawrence, who also produced Walker’s last release, “Souled Out”. The two have a winning combination that balances the contemporary and the traditional while amplifying Walker’s straight-to-the-heart worship style.
“The project is about unity, and I feel really good about it,” says Walker. “This is the first time in the history of my career that I’ve done collaborations with so many artists. This is monumental for me. That’s what it’s all about in this season, us coming together and letting the world know that it is possible for us to stand together as one.”
“Asuza The Next Generation” will be in stores June 11. It can be pre-ordered now at Amazon.com.