Israel Houghton
Israel Houghton | |
|---|---|
Houghton in 2015 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Israel |
| Born | May 19, 1971 Oceanside, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| 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
[edit]This section needs expansion with: more details. You can help by adding to it. (September 2020) |
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
[edit]New Breed is the backing band of Israel Houghton. Many of Israel's album releases are credited to Israel & New Breed.
Discography
[edit]This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (February 2021) |
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Whisper It Loud
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| 2001 | New Season
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| 2001 | Nueva Generación (Spanish version of New Season)
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| 2002 | Real
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| 2004 | Live From Another Level
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| 2005 | Alive in South Africa
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| 2006 | A Timeless Christmas
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| 2007 | A Deeper Level
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| 2009 | The Power of One
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| 2010 | Love God, Love People
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| 2012 | Decade (compilation)
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| 2012 | Jesus at the Center: Live
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| 2013 | Jesús En El Centro: En Vivo (Spanish version of Jesus at the Center: Live)
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| 2014 | The Very Best of Israel & New Breed (compilation)
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| 2015 | Covered: Alive in Asia
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| 2018 | The Road To DeMaskUs
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| 2021 | Feels Like Home
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Other recordings
[edit]- 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
[edit]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
[edit]Daytime Emmy Awards
[edit]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.[10]
| Year | Award | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program | "Secrets" (shared with Adrienne Houghton) |
Nominated |
GMA Dove Awards
[edit]The Dove Awards are awarded annually by the Gospel Music Association. Houghton has won 15 awards from 40 nominations.[11][12][13][14][15]
| 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
[edit]The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Houghton has won 7 awards from 18 nominations.[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27]
| 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 | Pending |
Stellar Awards
[edit]The Stellar Awards are awarded annually by SAGMA. Houghton has received 2 awards from 33 nominations.[28][29][30][31][32][33][34]
| 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 |
References
[edit]- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Past Winners". doveawards.com.
- ^ GMA Releases 36th Dove Award Nominees List at The Christian Post; Camacho, Justin (February 9, 2005)
- ^ "37th Annual GMA Awards Nominations & Winners". About.com. February 9, 2011. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
- ^ Nominations Announced for 38th GMA Dove Awards on CBN.com
- ^ Nominations Announced for 39th GMA Dove Awards at CBN.com (February 14, 2008)
- ^ "Israel Houghton". Grammy.com. Recording Academy. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
- ^ "47th Annual Grammy Award Nominations". GospelFlava.com.
- ^ "The Complete List of Grammy Nominations". The New York Times. December 8, 2005. p. 3.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Malia Mendez (November 7, 2025). "Here's the complete list of 2026 Grammy nominees". Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ "Stellar Award History - Gospel Flava". Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ "20th Annual Stellar Award Winners". GospelFlava.com.
- ^ "21st Annual Stellar Award Winners". GospelFlava.com.
- ^ "22nd 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.
- 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
[edit]- Official website
- Biography at Houghton's Label
- Israel & New Breed at AllMusic
- Israel Houghton at IMDb
- 1971 births
- 20th-century American singers
- 21st-century American singers
- American gospel singers
- Grammy Award winners
- Living people
- People from Oceanside, California
- Performers of contemporary worship music
- Promise Keepers
- 20th-century American male singers
- 21st-century American male singers
- American musicians of Jamaican descent