User:Dele at Zoe

Zoe Records

Zoe Records (pronounced 'ZO - EE') is an independent Label based in London. They have been one of the organizations at the forefront of gospel music in the UK since 1999 and also have offices in the US and in Nigeria. The name 'Zoe' derives from the biblical interpretation hitch means 'the Life of God' hence the reason that the label only produce and retails Gospel Music. Isaac Odeniran founded the label in 1999 as he was both an enthusiast of US gospel plus plus a choir member. He also had the desire to be an act himself and needed a vehicle to release music whilst also retaining any possible ownership which could be obtained. His first release was released in 2003: Marriage is of God was produced by Joel McCray, a respected personality who has worked with the likes of Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams and Fred Hammond. McCray also had a hand in the subsequent titles that Isaac released, namely God Bless the Child, and Christmas with Isaac Odeniran. Otherartists signed early on include Beverley Moore, Little Debbie Dee and Gospophilia 3, those three acts released two albums each and one album respectively. Since its inception, more than Twenty acts have since signed various agreements; legendary names including Pastor Shirley Caesar have agreements with Zoe and also platinum selling act SWV's leading figurehead: Coko also agreed to sign for distribution in Europe and beyond (excluding USA).Other international acts include Professor Wilbur Belton and Rizen. Zoe also secured rights to the popular compilation series House Of Gospel: Anthology. This collection of four albums feature the cream of the US gospel sector of the last Thirty years. Andrae Crouch, Commissioned and the Hawkins Family are just a few of the acts whose material can be heard on these albums. As a result of the insurgence in Urban Music, Zoe Records released a compilation of Rap and R'N'B music that possessed a Gospel context. The British are Coming was intended to introduce the US market to talent that the UK had, this release resulted in a number of tours that featured acts both signed to the label not signed. Successful campaigns lead to the album picking up a Dove Award in 2010 this created history as Zoe was the first British label to win such an accolade.