Introduction
Kim Burrell is an award-winning American gospel singer from Houston, Texas.
She is a singer, songwriter, and pianist who blends her pop and jazz elements with her gospel music. She calls her musical style "jazz gospel." She is often described as Ella Fitzgerald of this time.
Her music has influenced Beyonce and Jessica Simpson.
Early life
Kim Burrell (Kimberly Burrell,) a native of Houston, Texas, was born on August 26, 1972. Her father was a musician and pastor at the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) Choir of Houston, and her mother was a singer and evangelist. Being born in a family of musicians, she got a head start in her music career.
Career
Burrell rose quickly in her singing career, and became one of the most influential and respected voices in the gospel music industry.
Her singing career began at the age of one when she took her first vocal solo with a church choir. She sang Andraé Crouch's "Hallelujah Praise."
Her professional career began with Rev. James Cleveland's Gospel Music Workshop Choir, Trinity Temple Full Gospel Mass Choir of Dallas, and the Inspirational Sounds Mass Choir of Houston.
In 1995, she released her first studio album Try Me Again under Shanachie Records. After the success of the album, Burrell was singed by Tommy Boy Gospel records and released the album Everlasting Life in 1998. The album, which was produced by Asaph Alexander Ward, peaked at #12 on Billboard Gospel Charts.
Her breakthrough came in 1996 when she appeared in the song Jesus Paid It All (Reprise) on Ricky Dillard & New G's album, Worked It Out.
Her success continued to soar, and in 2001, she released a live album Live In Concert, also on Tommy Boy Gospel label. The live album was recorded at the annual COGIC Convention in Memphis in November 2000. Burrell won a Grammy nomination for Best Soul Gospel Album in 2002.
In 2004, she appeared on R. Kelly's song 3-Way Phone Call. She also sang with George Clinton on his 2008 album, George Clinton and His Gangsters of Love.
Later, she shared the stage with gospel artists such as Shirley Caesar, Donnie McClurkin, Karen Clark-Sheard, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, and Marvin Winans, among others.
She has also worked with Missy Elliot, Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, and Harry Connick Jr.
In 2009 and 2011, she released albums No Ways Tired and The Love Album, respectively, on Shanachie Records.
Church
In 2010, Burrell founded the The Love & Liberty Fellowship Pentecostal Overcoming Holy Church. She serves as Senior Eldress/Overseer-Bishop at the church.
What others have said about Burrell
"I heard this girl, Kim Burrell...yes honey. My God! Now she's my biggest hero." -- Chaka Khan
"All the real singers listen to Kim Burrell." -- Beyonce
"I love her voice. She is the definition of singing." -- Ginuwine
"She can rock a congregation and the streets!" -- Sean
"She's all that I wish I was!" -- Angie Stone
Controversy
On December 30, 2016, a video surfaced on Youtube, in which Kim Burrell appears to suggest that gay people will die in 2017.
Transcript of the video:
I came to tell you about sin.
That sin nature… That perverted homosexual spirit, and the spirit of delusion and confusion, it has deceived many men and women… You as a man, you open your mouth and take a man’s penis in your face, you are perverted.
You are a woman and will shake your face in another woman’s breast, you are perverted.
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References:
http://www.newreleasetoday.com/artistdetail.php?artist_id=2279
http://www.mtv.com/artists/kim-burrell/biography/
http://www.localmemphis.com/news/local-news/local-good-news-singer-kim-burrell/542072895