Israel Houghton (born May 19, 1971) is a highly respected American R&B and gospel recording artist, songwriter and worship leader, hailing from Oceanside, California, U.S.
Born and raised in Oceanside, California, prior to becoming a respected according artist Israel Houghton became a full-time worship minister in 1989. Looking to break down cultural and denominational barriers for people joining the church, Houghton found music a great way communicating his messages. In 1995, alongside wife Meleasa and a handful of professional musicians and singers, Houghton formed the New Breed Ministries and began touring churches of the U.S. Two years later singer Israel Houghton released his debut solo full-length “Whisper It Loud”, followed shortly after by “Way of the World”.
After once again collaborating with New Breed Ministries, this time under the moniker Israel & New Breed, the group issued their debut, self-titled album in 2001. Also in 2001 the singer recorded and released “Nuevo Generacion” and “New Season” on Integrity Records, following which Houghton produced Michael Gungor's critically-acclaimed album “Bigger Than My Imagination”. The full-length “Real” appeared in 2002, after which the singer issued his debut live album “Live from Another Level”, which earned Houghton his first Dove Award for Best Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year. His single “Again I Say Rejoice” also earned the singer a second Dove Award for Best Contemporary Gospel Song, an award he would win for three years consecutively with “Not Forgotten” and “Turn It Around”.
“Not Forgotten” was taken from the Israel & New Breed full-length “Alive in South Africa”, which charted at No. 62 on the Billboard 200. The band’s first Christmas release, “A Timeless Christmas”, was released towards the tail-end of 2006, followed by the Grammy-Award winning live album “A Deeper Love” in 2007. Returning to the studio, this time without New Breed, Houghton released the contemporary worship album “The Power of One” featuring guest appearances from tobymac, Mary Mary, and Chenille Franklyn. Earning a host of rave reviews, the record topped the U.S. Gospel Albums chart and peaked at No. 34 on the Billboard 200.
With a reputation as a pioneer of gospel music, in 2011 Houghton earned his second Grammy-Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for his solo album “Love God. Love People”. The compilation “Decade”, featuring songs from the singer’s 10 year music career, arrived in 2012, the same year Israel & New Breed released the album “Jesus at the Center: Live”.
Joe Claussell
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