Israel Houghton Explained

Israel Houghton
Alias:	Israel
Birth Date:	19 May 1971
Birth Place:	Oceanside, California, U.S.
Instrument:	Vocals, guitar, keyboards
Years Active:	1997–present
Label:	Integrity, RCA Inspiration, District 11
Associated Acts:	New Breed

Israel Houghton (; born May 19, 1971) is an American contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter, producer, and worship leader. He is usually 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 Released: January 28 Label: Warner Brothers Format: CD
2001	New Season Released: July 31 Label: Integrity Format: CD
2001	Nueva Generación (Spanish version of New Season) Released: August Label: Integrity Format: CD
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	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	(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	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

• 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

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 on February 22, 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

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
2005	Male Vocalist of the Year			^[9]
	Song of the Year	"Friend of God"
	Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year	Live from Another Level – Israel & New Breed		^[10]
	Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year	"Again I Say Rejoice"
2006	Song of the Year	"Friend of God"		^[11]
	Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year	"Not Forgotten"
	Praise & Worship Album of the Year	Alive in South Africa – Israel & New Breed
	Long Form Music Video of the Year	Live From Another Level – Israel & New Breed
2007	Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year	"Turn It Around"
	Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year	It's Not Over
	Choral Collection of the Year	Again I Say Rejoice: Celebrating The Songs Of Israel Houghton – various artists		^[12]
	Long Form Music Video of the Year	Alive In South Africa – Israel & New Breed
2008	Producer of the Year			^[13]
	Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year	"Say So"
	Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year	A Deeper Level
2010	Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year	"Every Prayer"
	Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year	"The Power of One (Change the World)"
	Urban Song of the Year	"Just Wanna Say" (tie)
2011	Male Vocalist of the Year
	Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year	"You Hold My World"
	Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year	Love God, Love People
2014	Traditional Gospel Album of the Year	Duets

Grammy Awards

Year	Category	Nominated work	Result
2005	Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album	Live From Another Level – Israel and New Breed		^[14]
2006	Best Gospel Song	"Again I Say Rejoice" – Houghton & Aaron Lindsey		^[15]
2007	Best Traditional Gospel Album	Alive in South Africa		^[16]
	Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album	A Timeless Christmas – Israel and New Breed		^[17]
	Best Gospel Song	"Not Forgotten" – Houghton and Aaron Lindsey		^[18]
	Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance	"Not Forgotten" – Israel and New Breed
2008	Best Gospel Performance	"With Long Life" – Israel and New Breed, featuring T-Bone (tie)		^[19]
	Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album	A Deeper Level – Israel and New Breed		^[20]
2010	Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album	The Power Of One
	Best Gospel Performance	"You Hold My World"		^[21]
	Best Gospel Song	"Every Prayer" –		^[22]
2011	Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album	Love God, Love People
2013	Best Contemporary Christian Music Song	"Your Presence Is Heaven" (tie); Houghton & Micah Massey, songwriters
	Best Gospel Album	– Israel & New Breed		^[23]
2015	Best Gospel Performance/Song	"How Awesome Is Our God" – Israel & NewBreed, featuring Yolanda Adams; Neville Diedericks, Israel & Meleasa Houghton, songwriters
	Best Gospel Album	Covered: Alive In Asia – Israel & New Breed
2021	Best Contemporary Christian Music Album	Feels Like Home, Vol. 2 – Israel & New Breed

Stellar Awards

Year	Category	Nominated work	Result
2005	Artist of the Year	Live from Another Level		^[24]
	Male Vocalist of the Year
	Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year
	Producer of the Year
2006	Video of the Year			^[25]
2007	Male Vocalist of the Year	ALIVE in South Africa		^[26]
	CD of the Year
	Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year
	Urban/Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year	"Turn It Around" – Israel & New Breed
2008	Group / Duo of the Year	Live: A Deeper Level – Israel & New Breed		^[27]
	Contemporary CD of the Year
	Praise and Worship CD of the Year
2010	Male Vocalist of the Year	The Power of One		^[28]
	Praise and Worship CD of the Year
2012	Male Vocalist of the Year			^[29]
	Producer of the Year
	Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year
	Praise and Worship CD of the Year
2014	Group / Duo of the Year	Jesus at the Center: Live		^[30]

References

• CBN Interview with Israel Houghton
• Book: Powell, Mark Allan . Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music . 2002 . Hendrickson Publishers . . 1-56563-679-1 . First printing . 438 . registration .

External links

• • Biography at Houghton's Label

Notes and References

1. Web site: ChristianityToday album review. ChristianityToday.com.
2. Lakewood Church web site - url: Web site: Bookstore - Hope for Today . February 23, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090207131209/http://bookstore.joelosteen.com/p-5912-hope-for-today.aspx . February 7, 2009 .
3. Web site: Israel Houghton - An Intimate Portrait of Worship. November 8, 2021.
4. Web site: Israel Houghton Repents, Gets Transparent About Divorce and Sins. February 24, 2016 . August 17, 2018.
5. Web site: Israel Houghton Child Support Case Reportedly Dropped . Christine . Thomasos . christianpost.com . December 13, 2016 . January 20, 2020 .
6. Web site: Adrienne Bailon's Husband Israel Houghton Escapes Paternity, Child Support Suit. Tatayana. Yomary. December 8, 2016. Latin Times. February 19, 2021.
7. Web site: Adrienne Bailon Is Married — See the Photo from the Stunning Paris Wedding. November 11, 2016. May 24, 2017.
8. Web site: Adrienne Bailon and Husband Israel Houghton Welcome First Baby, a Son named Ever James Houghton. 2023-10-23 . Peoplemag . en.
9. http://www.christianpost.com/news/gma-releases-36th-dove-award-nominees-list-5425/ GMA Releases 36th Dove Award Nominees List
10. Web site: Past Winners. doveawards.com.
11. News: 37th Annual GMA Awards Nominations & Winners. February 9, 2011. About.com. April 10, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110707074958/http://christianmusic.about.com/od/doves/a/06gmanoms.htm. July 7, 2011. mdy-all.
12. http://www.cbn.com/cbnmusic/news/022007doves.aspx Nominations Announced for 38th GMA Dove Awards
13. http://www.cbn.com/cbnmusic/news/021508doves.aspx Nominations Announced for 39th GMA Dove Awards
14. Web site: 47th Annual Grammy Award Nominations . GospelFlava.com.
15. News: The Complete List of Grammy Nominations. December 8, 2005. 3. The New York Times.
16. Web site: Grammy Award Winners . The Recording Academy . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20091002044148/http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/Winners/Results.aspx . October 2, 2009 .
17. Web site: The 49th Annual Grammy Awards Nominees List . http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20061220160454/http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/49th_Show/list.aspx . dead . December 20, 2006 . National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences .
18. Web site: The 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards Roundup: Gospel Field. December 2, 2014. National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. August 16, 2016. May 18, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150518105846/http://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/news/49th-annual-grammy-awards-roundup-gospel-field. dead.
19. Web site: Grammy 2008 Winners List. https://web.archive.org/web/20081216120238/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1581272/20080210/story.jhtml. dead. December 16, 2008. February 10, 2008. MTV.
20. Web site: Grammy Nomination List . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071208155421/http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/50th_Show/list.aspx . December 8, 2007 .
21. Web site: 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees And Winners: Gospel Field. April 30, 2017. The Recording Academy.
22. Web site: 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees And Winners: Gospel Field. April 30, 2017. The Recording Academy.
23. Web site: 2013 Grammy Nominations Revealed *Updated* . ThatGrapeJuice.
24. Web site: 20th Annual Stellar Award Winners. GospelFlava.com.
25. Web site: 21st Annual Stellar Award Winners. GospelFlava.com.
26. Web site: 22nd Annual Stellar Award Winners. GospelFlava.com.
27. Web site: 23rd Annual Stellar Award Winners. GospelFlava.com.
28. Web site: 25th Annual Stellar Award Winners. GospelFlava.com.
29. Web site: 27th Annual Stellar Award Winners. GospelFlava.com.
30. Web site: 29th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards. February 19, 2021.
31. Web site: The 45th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Nominations . emmyonline.tv and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences . April 9, 2018 . 2019 . New York . dead . March 21, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190321205243/https://emmyonline.tv/2019-daytime-emmy-awards/nominees-program-non-drama-2019-daytime-emmy-awards/ .