Israel Houghton
American singer (born 1971)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Israel Houghton (/ˈhoʊtən/; born May 19, 1971) is an American contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter, producer, and worship leader. His worship team is credited as Israel & New Breed.
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Also known asIsrael
BornMay 19, 1971
Oceanside, California, U.S.
Occupations
- Singer
- songwriter
- producer
- arranger
Israel Houghton | |
|---|---|
Houghton in 2015 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Israel |
| Born | May 19, 1971 Oceanside, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, keyboards |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Labels | Integrity, RCA Inspiration, District 11 |
| Member of | New Breed |
Spouse |
Meleasa Houghton
(m. 1994; div. 2016) |
| Website | israelandnewbreed |
Musical career
Houghton produced an album by Michael Gungor, Bigger Than My Imagination, which was described as "one of the year's best worship albums" in a 2003 Christianity Today review.[1]
Israel & New Breed
New Breed is the backing band of Israel Houghton. Many of Israel's album releases are credited to Israel & New Breed.
Personal life
Houghton is mixed race; he was born to a white mother and Jamaican father.[2] Houghton and his college girlfriend had a son together.
In 1994, Houghton married Meleasa Houghton, with whom he had three children: Mariah in 1996, Israel Jr. in 2001, and Milan in 2003.[3] They separated in 2015 and their divorce was finalized in February 2016.[4] During his marriage, Houghton fathered two sons with his mistress, DeVawn Moreno: Kingston in 2012, and Khristian in 2014.[5][6]
On November 11, 2016, Houghton married singer and TV personality Adrienne Bailon in Paris, after several months of dating.[7] In 2022, the couple welcomed their first child together, a son.[8]
Discography
Albums
Studio albums
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [9] |
US Christ [10] |
US Gospel [11] | ||
| Whisper It Loud[12] |
|
— | — | — |
| Real[13] |
|
— | 33 | 13 |
| Esse Momento...[14] |
|
— | — | — |
| The Power of One[15] |
|
— | — | — |
| Love God. Love People.[16] |
|
— | — | — |
| Road to DeMaskUs[17] |
|
— | — | — |
| Feels Like Home, Vol. 1[18] |
|
—[A] | 3 | 1 |
| Feels Like Home, Vol. 2[19] |
|
— | — | 7 |
| Coritos, Vol. 1[20] |
|
— | — | 12 |
| Coritos, Vol. 2[21] |
|
— | — | — |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||
Live albums
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [9] |
US Christ [10] |
US Gospel [11] |
UK C&G [22] | |||
| Nueva Generación[23] |
|
— | — | — | — | |
| New Season[24] |
|
— | — | — | — | |
| Live From Another Level[25] |
|
146 | 5 | 1 | — | |
| Alive in South Africa[27] |
|
62 | 3 | 2 | — |
|
| A Deeper Level[28] |
|
48 | 3 | 1 | — | |
| Jesus at the Center[29] |
|
32 | 1 | 2 | 17 | |
| Covered: Alive in Asia[30] |
|
48 | 1 | 1 | 19 | |
| Project LA: Alive in Los Angeles[31] |
|
— | — | 13 | — | |
| Worship Anywhere: Live from Camp NewBreed[32] |
|
— | — | 12 | — | |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||||
Christmas albums
Compilation albums
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US [9] |
US Gospel [11] | ||
| Decade[35] |
|
—[B] | 10 |
| Playlist: The Very Best of Israel & New Breed[36] |
|
— | 34 |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||
Spanish reissue albums
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Christ [10] |
US Gospel [11] |
US Latin [33] |
US Latin Pop [37] | ||
| Jesús En El Centro: En Vivo |
|
48 | 16 | 23 | 11 |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||
Charted singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Adult R&B [38] |
US Gospel [39] |
US Gospel Air. [40] | |||
| "Not Forgotten" | 2005 | — | 17 | Alive in South Africa | |
| "Turn It Around" | 2006 | — | 17 | ||
| "With Long Life" (featuring T-Bone) |
2007 | — | 13 | A Deeper Level | |
| "If Not for Your Grace" | 2008 | — | 18 | Non-album single | |
| "It's Not Over (When God Is in It)" (featuring James Fortune and Jason Nelson) |
2012 | 32 | 1 | Jesus at the Center | |
| "How Awesome Is Our God" (featuring Yolanda Adams) |
2015 | — | 9 | 6 | Non-album single |
| "Chasing Me Down" (featuring Tye Tribbett) |
2016 | — | 15 | — | Covered: Alive in Asia |
| "Hymn of Breakthrough" | 2021 | — | — | 9 | Feels Like Home, Vol. 1 |
| "Coritos de Fuego" (with Unified Sound featuring Adriene Houghton, Nate Diaz, Aaron Moses, and Lucia Parker) |
2025 | — | 12 | — | Coritos, Vol. 1 |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||
Other charted songs
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Gospel [39] |
US Gospel Air. [40] | |||
| "Friend of God" | 2005 | 17 | Alive in South Aftrica | |
| "Give Thanks" (featuring Byron Cage) |
24 | |||
| "Another Breakthtough" | 26 | Live From Another Level | ||
| "Again I Say Rejoice" | 28 | Alive in South Africa | ||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||
Awards and nominations
Daytime Emmy Awards
The Daytime Emmy Awards are awarded yearly by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) for artistic and technical merit for American daytime television programming. Houhgton has received 1 nomination.[41]
| Year | Award | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program | "Secrets" (shared with Adrienne Houghton) |
Nominated |
GMA Dove Awards
The Dove Awards are awarded annually by the Gospel Music Association. Houghton has won 15 awards from 40 nominations.[42][43][44][45][46]
| Year | Award | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "There's a Liftin' of the Hands" | Nominated |
| 2003 | Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | Real | Nominated |
| Urban Recorded Song of the Year | "Get Up" | Nominated | |
| 2005 | Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year | "Again I Say Rejoice" | Won |
| Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | Live From Another Level | Won | |
| Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Song of the Year | "Friend of God" | Nominated | |
| 2006 | Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year | "Not Forgotten" | Won |
| Song of the Year | "Friend of God" | Nominated | |
| Praise & Worship Album of the Year | Alive in South Africa | Nominated | |
| Long Form Music Video of the Year | Live From Another Level | Nominated | |
| 2007 | Alive in South Africa | Nominated | |
| Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year | "Turn It Around" | Won | |
| Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | It's Not Over (as producer) | Won | |
| Choral Collection of the Year | Again I Say Rejoice: Celebrating The Songs Of Israel Houghton | Nominated | |
| Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "Favor" (as producer) | Nominated | |
| 2008 | Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | A Deeper Level | Won |
| Producer of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year | "Say So" | Won | |
| 2009 | Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | Change The World (as producer) | Won |
| 2010 | Urban Song of the Year | "Just Wanna Say" | Won |
| Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year | "The Power of One (Change the World)" | Won | |
| "Every Prayer" | Nominated | ||
| 2011 | Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | Love God, Love People | Won |
| Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year | "You Hold My World" | Nominated | |
| 2013 | Long Form Video of the Year | Jesus at the Center | Nominated |
| Spanish Language Album of the Year | Jesus En El Centro | Nominated | |
| Gospel Performance of the Year | "It's Not Over (When God Is In It)" | Nominated | |
| Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2014 | Traditional Gospel Album of the Year | Duets (shared with Donnie McClurkin, Asaph A. Ward, Aaron W. Lindsey, Trent Phillips, Justin Savage) | Won |
| Contemporary Gospel/Urban Recorded Song of the Year | "Sunday Kind of Love" | Nominated | |
| 2015 | Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "How Awesome Is Our God" | Won |
| Gospel Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated | |
| 2016 | Urban Worship Album of the Year | Covered: Alive in Asia | Nominated |
| 2019 | Contemporary Gospel Album of the Yeaer | Road To DeMaskUs | Nominated |
| 2022 | Clarity (as producer) | Won | |
| 2025 | Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year | "One Hallelujah" | Nominated |
| Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year | "Coritos de Fuego" | Won | |
| Traditional Gospel Album of the Year | "Then and Now (Live)" | Nominated | |
Grammy Awards
The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Houghton has won 8 awards from 18 nominations.[47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58]
| Year | Award | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album | Live From Another Level | Nominated |
| 2006 | Best Gospel Song | "Again I Say Rejoice" | Nominated |
| 2007 | Best Traditional Gospel Album | Alive in South Africa | Won |
| Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album | A Timeless Christmas | Nominated | |
| Best Gospel Song | "Not Forgotten" | Nominated | |
| Best Gospel Performance | Nominated | ||
| 2008 | Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album | A Deeper Level | Won |
| Best Gospel Performance | "With Long Life" | Nominated | |
| 2010 | Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album | The Power Of One | Won |
| Best Gospel Song | "Every Prayer" | Nominated | |
| 2011 | Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album | Love God, Love People | Won |
| Best Gospel Performance | "You Hold My Hand" | Nominated | |
| 2013 | Best Contemporary Christian Music Song | "Your Presence Is Heaven" | Won |
| Best Gospel Album | Jesus at the Center: Live | Nominated | |
| 2016 | Covered: Alive In Asia – Israel & New Breed | Won | |
| Best Gospel Performance/Song | "How Awesome Is Our God" | Nominated | |
| 2022 | Best Contemporary Christian Music Album | Feels Like Home, Vol. 2 | Nominated |
| 2025 | Best Gospel Performance/Song | "One Hallelujah" | Won |
| 2026 | Best Contemporary Christian Music Album | Coritos Vol. 1 | Won |
Stellar Awards
The Stellar Awards are awarded annually by SAGMA. Houghton has received 2 awards from 33 nominations.[59][60][61][62][63][64][65]
| Year | Award | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | CD of the Year | Live from Another Level | Won |
| Male Vocalist of the Year | Won | ||
| Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Producer of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2006 | Music Video of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2007 | CD of the Year | ALIVE in South Africa | Nominated |
| Contemporary CD of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Urban/Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year | "Turn It Around" | Nominated | |
| 2009 | Contemporary CD of the Year | Live: A Deeper Level | Nominated |
| Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Group/Duo of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Praise and Worship CD of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2010 | Male Vocalist of the Year | The Power of One | Nominated |
| Praise and Worship CD of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2012 | Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year | Love God. Love People | Nominated |
| Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Praise and Worship CD of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Producer of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2014 | Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year | Jesus at the Center: Live | Nominated |
| Group/Duo of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Praise and Worship CD of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2016 | Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year | Covered: Alive in Asia | Nominated |
| Group/Duo of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Praise and Worship CD of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Special Event CD of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2018 | Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year | Reckless Love | Nominated |
| Recorded Music Packaging of the Year | Road to DeMaskUs | Nominated | |
| 2022 | Contemporary Duo/Group Chorus of the Year | Feels Like Home | Nominated |
| Contemporary Male Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Duo/Group Chorus of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Male Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
Notes
- Feels Like Home, Vol. 1 did not enter the Billboard 200, but peaked at number 26 on the Top Album Sales.
- Decade did not enter the Billboard 200, but peaked at number 174 on the Top Current Album Sales.