Israel Houghton (/ˈhtən/; 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.

Israel Houghton
Houghton in 2015
Houghton in 2015
Background information
Also known asIsrael
Born (1971-05-19) May 19, 1971 (age 53)
Oceanside, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • producer
  • arranger
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, keyboards
Years active1997–present
LabelsIntegrity, RCA Inspiration, District 11
Spouse
Meleasa Houghton
(m. 1994; div. 2016)
(m. 2016)
Websiteisraelandnewbreed.com

Musical career

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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

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New Breed is the backing band of Israel Houghton. Many of Israel's album releases are credited to Israel & New Breed.

Discography

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Year Album details Peak chart positions
1997 Whisper It Loud
2001 New Season
  • Released: July 31
  • Label: Integrity
  • Format: CD
2001 Nueva Generación (Spanish version of New Season)
2002 Real
  • Released: October 29
  • Label: Integrity
  • Format: CD
  • No. 33 on Top Christian Albums
  • No. 13 on Top Gospel Albums
2004 Live From Another Level
  • Released: May 4
  • Label: Integrity
  • Format: CD/DVD
  • No. 146 on Billboard 200
  • No. 5 on Top Christian Albums
  • No. 1 on Top Gospel Albums
  • No. 3 on Heatseekers Albums
2005 Alive in South Africa
  • Released: October 25
  • Label: Integrity
  • Format: CD/DVD
  • No. 62 on Billboard 200
  • No. 3 on Top Christian Albums
  • No. 2 on Top Gospel Albums
2006 A Timeless Christmas
  • Released: September 26
  • Label: Integrity
  • Format: CD
  • No. 40 on Top Christian Albums
  • No. 11 on Top Gospel Albums
  • No. 32 on Top Holiday Albums
2007 A Deeper Level
  • Released: September 4
  • Label: Integrity
  • Format: CD/DVD
  • No. 48 on Billboard 200
  • No. 3 on Top Christian Albums
  • No. 1 on Top Gospel Albums
2009 The Power of One
  • Released: March 24
  • Label: Integrity/Columbia
  • Format: CD/Digital download
  • No. 34 on Billboard 200
  • No. 1 on Top Christian Albums
  • No. 1 on Top Gospel Albums
  • No. 19 on Digital Albums
2010 Love God, Love People
  • Released: August 31
  • Label: Integrity/Columbia
  • Format: CD/Digital download
  • No. 27 on Billboard 200
  • No. 1 on Top Christian Albums
  • No. 1 on Top Gospel Albums
  • No. 18 on Digital Albums
2012 Decade (compilation)
  • Released: March 5
  • Label: Integrity
  • Format: CD/Digital download
  • No. 10 on Top Gospel Albums
2012 Jesus at the Center: Live
  • Released: August 14
  • Label: Integrity/Columbia
  • Format: CD/DVD
  • No. 32 on Billboard 200
  • No. 1 on Top Christian Albums
  • No. 2 on Top Gospel Albums
  • No. 16 on Digital Albums
2013 Jesús En El Centro: En Vivo (Spanish version of Jesus at the Center: Live)
  • Released: August 14
  • Label: Integrity/Columbia
  • Format: CD/DVD
  • No. 23 on Top Latin Albums
  • No. 11 on Latin Pop Albums
  • No. 48 on Top Christian Albums
  • No. 16 on Top Gospel Albums
2014 The Very Best of Israel & New Breed (compilation)
  • Released: January 19
  • Label: Integrity
  • Format: CD/Digital download
  • No. 34 on Top Gospel Albums
2015 Covered: Alive in Asia
  • Released: July 24
  • Label: RCA Inspiration
  • Format: CD/Digital download
  • No. 48 on Billboard 200
  • No. 1 on Top Christian Albums
  • No. 1 on Top Gospel Albums
  • No. 11 on Digital Albums
2018 The Road To DeMaskUs
  • Released: September 28
  • Label: Provident Label Group/RCA
  • Format: CD/Digital download
  • No. 15 on Top Christian Albums
  • No. 2 on Top Gospel Albums
2021 Feels Like Home
  • Released: February 26
  • Label: District 11 Entertainment
  • Format: Digital download, vinyl

Other recordings

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  • 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)
  • 2018: DeMaskUs

Personal life

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Houghton is mixed race, he was born to a white mother and Afro-Jamaican father.[3] Houghton and his college girlfriend had a son together.

In 1994, Houghton married Meleasa Houghton, with whom he had three children. 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.[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]

Awards and nominations

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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.

GMA Dove Awards
Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2005 Male Vocalist of the Year Nominated [9]
Song of the Year "Friend of God" Nominated
Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year Live from Another Level – Israel & New Breed Won [10]
Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year "Again I Say Rejoice" Won [10]
2006 Song of the Year "Friend of God" Nominated [11]
Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year "Not Forgotten" Won [10]
Praise & Worship Album of the Year Alive in South Africa – Israel & New Breed Nominated [11]
Long Form Music Video of the Year Live From Another Level – Israel & New Breed Nominated [11]
2007 Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year "Turn It Around" Won [10]
Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year It's Not Over Won [10]
Choral Collection of the Year Again I Say Rejoice: Celebrating The Songs Of Israel Houghton – various artists Nominated [12]
Long Form Music Video of the Year Alive In South Africa – Israel & New Breed Nominated [12]
2008 Producer of the Year Nominated [13]
Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year "Say So" Won [10]
Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year A Deeper Level Won [10]
2010 Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year "Every Prayer" Nominated
Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year "The Power of One (Change the World)" Won [10]
Urban Song of the Year "Just Wanna Say" (tie) Won [10]
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 [10]
2014 Traditional Gospel Album of the Year Duets (shared with Donnie McClurkin, Asaph A. Ward, Aaron W. Lindsey, Trent Phillips, Justin Savage) Won [10]
Grammy Awards
Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2005 Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album Live From Another Level – Israel and New Breed Nominated [14]
2006 Best Gospel Song "Again I Say Rejoice" – Houghton & Aaron Lindsey Nominated [15]
2007 Best Traditional Gospel Album Alive in South Africa Won [16]
Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album A Timeless Christmas – Israel and New Breed Nominated [17]
Best Gospel Song "Not Forgotten" – Houghton and Aaron Lindsey Nominated [18]
Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance "Not Forgotten" – Israel and New Breed Nominated [18]
2008 Best Gospel Performance "With Long Life" – Israel and New Breed, featuring T-Bone (tie) Nominated [19]
Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album A Deeper Level – Israel and New Breed Won [20]
2010 Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album The Power Of One Won [16]
Best Gospel Performance "You Hold My World" Nominated [21]
Best Gospel Song "Every Prayer" – shared with Dayna Caddell, Aaron Lindsey & Ricardo Sanchez (co-writers) Nominated [22]
2011 Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album Love God, Love People Won [16]
2013 Best Contemporary Christian Music Song "Your Presence Is Heaven" (tie); Houghton & Micah Massey, songwriters Won [16]
Best Gospel Album Jesus at the Center: Live – Israel & New Breed Nominated [23]
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 [16]
2021 Best Contemporary Christian Music Album Feels Like Home, Vol. 2 – Israel & New Breed Nominated
Stellar Awards
Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2005 Artist of the Year Live from Another Level Nominated [24]
Male Vocalist of the Year Won
Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year Won
Producer of the Year Nominated
2006 Video of the Year Nominated [25]
2007 Male Vocalist of the Year ALIVE in South Africa Nominated [26]
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 [27]
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 [28]
Praise and Worship CD of the Year Nominated
2012 Male Vocalist of the Year Nominated [29]
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 [30]
Daytime Emmy Awards
Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2019 Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program "Secrets"
(shared with Adrienne Houghton)
Nominated [31]

References

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  1. ^ "ChristianityToday album review". ChristianityToday.com.
  2. ^ Lakewood Church web site - url: "Bookstore - Hope for Today". Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
  3. ^ "Israel Houghton - An Intimate Portrait of Worship". Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  4. ^ "Israel Houghton Repents, Gets Transparent About Divorce and Sins". February 24, 2016. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  5. ^ Thomasos, Christine (December 13, 2016). "Israel Houghton Child Support Case Reportedly Dropped". christianpost.com. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  6. ^ Yomary, Tatayana (December 8, 2016). "Adrienne Bailon's Husband Israel Houghton Escapes Paternity, Child Support Suit". Latin Times. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  7. ^ "Adrienne Bailon Is Married — See the Photo from the Stunning Paris Wedding". November 11, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  8. ^ "Adrienne Bailon and Husband Israel Houghton Welcome First Baby, a Son named Ever James Houghton". Peoplemag. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  9. ^ GMA Releases 36th Dove Award Nominees List at The Christian Post; Camacho, Justin (February 9, 2005)
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Past Winners". doveawards.com.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ a b Nominations Announced for 38th GMA Dove Awards on CBN.com
  13. ^ Nominations Announced for 39th GMA Dove Awards at CBN.com (February 14, 2008)
  14. ^ "47th Annual Grammy Award Nominations". GospelFlava.com.
  15. ^ "The Complete List of Grammy Nominations". The New York Times. December 8, 2005. p. 3.
  16. ^ a b c d e "Grammy Award Winners". The Recording Academy. Archived from the original on October 2, 2009.
  17. ^ "The 49th Annual Grammy Awards Nominees List". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on December 20, 2006.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ "Grammy 2008 Winners List". MTV. February 10, 2008. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008.
  20. ^ "Grammy Nomination List". Archived from the original on December 8, 2007.
  21. ^ "53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees And Winners: Gospel Field". The Recording Academy. April 30, 2017.
  22. ^ "52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees And Winners: Gospel Field". The Recording Academy. April 30, 2017.
  23. ^ "2013 Grammy Nominations Revealed *Updated*". ThatGrapeJuice.
  24. ^ "20th Annual Stellar Award Winners". GospelFlava.com.
  25. ^ "21st Annual Stellar Award Winners". GospelFlava.com.
  26. ^ "22nd Annual Stellar Award Winners". GospelFlava.com.
  27. ^ "23rd Annual Stellar Award Winners". GospelFlava.com.
  28. ^ "25th Annual Stellar Award Winners". GospelFlava.com.
  29. ^ "27th Annual Stellar Award Winners". GospelFlava.com.
  30. ^ "29th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards" (PDF). Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  31. ^ "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.
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