Israel Houghton
Israel Houghton  | |
|---|---|
![]() Houghton in 2015  | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Israel | 
| Born | May 19, 1971 Oceanside, California, U.S.  | 
| Genres | |
| Occupations | 
  | 
| Instrument(s) | 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 | 
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.
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.
Discography
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | 
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Whisper It Loud
  | 
|
| 2001 | New Season
  | 
|
| 2001 | Nueva Generación (Spanish version of New Season)
  | 
|
| 2002 | Real
  | 
  | 
| 2004 | Live From Another Level
  | 
  | 
| 2005 | Alive in South Africa
  | 
  | 
| 2006 | A Timeless Christmas
  | 
  | 
| 2007 | A Deeper Level
  | 
  | 
| 2009 | The Power of One
  | 
  | 
| 2010 | Love God, Love People
  | 
  | 
| 2012 | Decade (compilation)
  | 
  | 
| 2012 | Jesus at the Center: Live
  | 
  | 
| 2013 | Jesús En El Centro: En Vivo (Spanish version of Jesus at the Center: Live)
  | 
  | 
| 2014 | The Very Best of Israel & New Breed (compilation)
  | 
  | 
| 2015 | Covered: Alive in Asia
  | 
  | 
| 2018 | The Road To DeMaskUs
  | 
  | 
| 2021 | Feels Like Home
  | 
Other recordings
- 2002: "Champions for Christ" – Hi5 (worship leader)
 - 2004: "Where Are the Fathers?" from He-Motions (EMI Gospel)
 - 2003: "Send Me to the Nations" from A Wing & a Prayer (EMI Gospel)
 - 2002: We Speak to Nations (Lakewood Live; Integrity)
 - 2003: Cover the Earth (Lakewood Live; Integrity)
 - 2006: The Gift: A Christmas Presentation (Lakewood Live)
 - 2007: Free to Worship (Lakewood Live)
 - 2007: Moving Forward (Free Chapel Live)
 - 2008: Hope for Today Worship (Lakewood Live)[2]
 - 2009: Free Chapel Live: Power of the Cross (Integrity)
 - 2009: New Breed Live: Generation Love
 - 2011: Echo: Forward Conference (Free Chapel Live)
 - 2014: Covenant Worship: Kingdom
 - 2014: Rey De Mi Universo (Lucía Parker)
 - 2016: Eres Mi Todo (Job González)
 
Personal life
Houghton is mixed race, he was born to a white mother and Jamaican father.[3] 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.[4] They separated in 2015 and their divorce was finalized in February 2016.[5] During his marriage, Houghton fathered two sons with his mistress, DeVawn Moreno: Kingston in 2012, and Khristian in 2014.[6][7]
On November 11, 2016, Houghton married singer and TV personality Adrienne Bailon in Paris, after several months of dating.[8] In 2022, the couple welcomed their first child together, a son.[9]
Awards and nominations
Among the awards that Houghton has won includes six Grammy Awards; three for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album and one for Best Traditional Gospel Album for Alive In South Africa.
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | [10] | |
| Song of the Year | "Friend of God" | Nominated | ||
| Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | Live from Another Level – Israel & New Breed | Won | [11] | |
| Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year | "Again I Say Rejoice" | Won | [11] | |
| 2006 | Song of the Year | "Friend of God" | Nominated | [12] | 
| Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year | "Not Forgotten" | Won | [11] | |
| Praise & Worship Album of the Year | Alive in South Africa – Israel & New Breed | Nominated | [12] | |
| Long Form Music Video of the Year | Live From Another Level – Israel & New Breed | Nominated | [12] | |
| 2007 | Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year | "Turn It Around" | Won | [11] | 
| Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | It's Not Over | Won | [11] | |
| Choral Collection of the Year | Again I Say Rejoice: Celebrating The Songs Of Israel Houghton – various artists | Nominated | [13] | |
| Long Form Music Video of the Year | Alive In South Africa – Israel & New Breed | Nominated | [13] | |
| 2008 | Producer of the Year | Nominated | [14] | |
| Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year | "Say So" | Won | [11] | |
| Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | A Deeper Level | Won | [11] | |
| 2010 | Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year | "Every Prayer" | Nominated | |
| Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year | "The Power of One (Change the World)" | Won | [11] | |
| Urban Song of the Year | "Just Wanna Say" (tie) | Won | [11] | |
| 2011 | Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year | "You Hold My World" | Nominated | ||
| Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | Love God, Love People | Won | [11] | |
| 2014 | Traditional Gospel Album of the Year | Duets (shared with Donnie McClurkin, Asaph A. Ward, Aaron W. Lindsey, Trent Phillips, Justin Savage) | Won | [11] | 
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album | Live From Another Level – Israel and New Breed | Nominated | [15] | 
| 2006 | Best Gospel Song | "Again I Say Rejoice" – Houghton & Aaron Lindsey | Nominated | [16] | 
| 2007 | Best Traditional Gospel Album | Alive in South Africa | Won | [17] | 
| Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album | A Timeless Christmas – Israel and New Breed | Nominated | [18] | |
| Best Gospel Song | "Not Forgotten" – Houghton and Aaron Lindsey | Nominated | [19] | |
| Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance | "Not Forgotten" – Israel and New Breed | Nominated | [19] | |
| 2008 | Best Gospel Performance | "With Long Life" – Israel and New Breed, featuring T-Bone (tie) | Nominated | [20] | 
| Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album | A Deeper Level – Israel and New Breed | Won | [21] | |
| 2010 | Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album | The Power Of One | Won | [17] | 
| Best Gospel Performance | "You Hold My World" | Nominated | [22] | |
| Best Gospel Song | "Every Prayer" – shared with Dayna Caddell, Aaron Lindsey & Ricardo Sanchez (co-writers) | Nominated | [23] | |
| 2011 | Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album | Love God, Love People | Won | [17] | 
| 2013 | Best Contemporary Christian Music Song | "Your Presence Is Heaven" (tie); Houghton & Micah Massey, songwriters | Won | [17] | 
| Best Gospel Album | Jesus at the Center: Live – Israel & New Breed | Nominated | [24] | |
| 2015 | Best Gospel Performance/Song | "How Awesome Is Our God" – Israel & NewBreed, featuring Yolanda Adams; Neville Diedericks, Israel & Meleasa Houghton, songwriters | Nominated | |
| Best Gospel Album | Covered: Alive In Asia – Israel & New Breed | Won | [17] | |
| 2021 | Best Contemporary Christian Music Album | Feels Like Home, Vol. 2 – Israel & New Breed | Nominated | 
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Artist of the Year | Live from Another Level | Nominated | [25] | 
| Male Vocalist of the Year | Won | |||
| Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | Won | |||
| Producer of the Year | Nominated | |||
| 2006 | Video of the Year | Nominated | [26] | |
| 2007 | Male Vocalist of the Year | ALIVE in South Africa | Nominated | [27] | 
| CD of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Urban/Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year | "Turn It Around" – Israel & New Breed | Nominated | ||
| 2008 | Group / Duo of the Year | Live: A Deeper Level – Israel & New Breed | Nominated | [28] | 
| Contemporary CD of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Praise and Worship CD of the Year | Nominated | |||
| 2010 | Male Vocalist of the Year | The Power of One | Nominated | [29] | 
| Praise and Worship CD of the Year | Nominated | |||
| 2012 | Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | [30] | |
| Producer of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Praise and Worship CD of the Year | Nominated | |||
| 2014 | Group / Duo of the Year | Jesus at the Center: Live | Nominated | [31] | 
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program | "Secrets" (shared with Adrienne Houghton)  | 
Nominated | [32] | 
References
- ^ "ChristianityToday album review". ChristianityToday.com.
 - ^ Lakewood Church web site - url: "Bookstore - Hope for Today". Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
 - ^ "Israel Houghton - An Intimate Portrait of Worship". Retrieved November 8, 2021.
 - ^ "Who Is Adrienne Bailon's Husband? All About Israel Houghton". People.com. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
 - ^ "Israel Houghton Repents, Gets Transparent About Divorce and Sins". February 24, 2016. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
 - ^ Thomasos, Christine (December 13, 2016). "Israel Houghton Child Support Case Reportedly Dropped". christianpost.com. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
 - ^ Yomary, Tatayana (December 8, 2016). "Adrienne Bailon's Husband Israel Houghton Escapes Paternity, Child Support Suit". Latin Times. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
 - ^ "Adrienne Bailon Is Married — See the Photo from the Stunning Paris Wedding". Peoplemag. November 11, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
 - ^ "Adrienne Bailon and Husband Israel Houghton Welcome First Baby, a Son named Ever James Houghton". Peoplemag. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
 - ^ GMA Releases 36th Dove Award Nominees List at The Christian Post; Camacho, Justin (February 9, 2005)
 - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Past Winners". doveawards.com.
 - ^ a b c "37th Annual GMA Awards Nominations & Winners". About.com. February 9, 2011. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
 - ^ a b Nominations Announced for 38th GMA Dove Awards on CBN.com
 - ^ Nominations Announced for 39th GMA Dove Awards at CBN.com (February 14, 2008)
 - ^ "47th Annual Grammy Award Nominations". GospelFlava.com.
 - ^ "The Complete List of Grammy Nominations". The New York Times. December 8, 2005. p. 3.
 - ^ a b c d e "Grammy Award Winners". The Recording Academy. Archived from the original on October 2, 2009.
 - ^ "The 49th Annual Grammy Awards Nominees List". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on December 20, 2006.
 - ^ a b "The 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards Roundup: Gospel Field". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. December 2, 2014. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
 - ^ "Grammy 2008 Winners List". MTV. February 10, 2008. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008.
 - ^ "Grammy Nomination List". Archived from the original on December 8, 2007.
 - ^ "53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees And Winners: Gospel Field". The Recording Academy. April 30, 2017.
 - ^ "52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees And Winners: Gospel Field". The Recording Academy. April 30, 2017.
 - ^ "2013 Grammy Nominations Revealed *Updated*". ThatGrapeJuice. December 5, 2012.
 - ^ "20th Annual Stellar Award Winners". GospelFlava.com.
 - ^ "21st Annual Stellar Award Winners". GospelFlava.com.
 - ^ "22nd Annual Stellar Award Winners". GospelFlava.com.
 - ^ "23rd Annual Stellar Award Winners". GospelFlava.com.
 - ^ "25th Annual Stellar Award Winners". GospelFlava.com.
 - ^ "27th Annual Stellar Award Winners". GospelFlava.com.
 - ^ "29th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards" (PDF). Retrieved February 19, 2021.
 - ^ "The 45th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Nominations". New York: emmyonline.tv and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. 2019. Archived from the original on March 21, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
 
- CBN Interview with Israel Houghton
 - Powell, Mark Allan (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music (First printing ed.). Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. p. 438. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.
 
External links
- Official website
 - Biography at Houghton's Label
 - Israel & New Breed at AllMusic
 - Israel Houghton at IMDb
 
.jpeg)