Tasha Cobbs Leonard Explained

Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Background:solo_singer
Birth Name:Natasha Tameika Cobbs
Alias:Tasha Cobbs-Leonard, Pastor Tasha C. Leonard
Birth Date:7 July 1981
Birth Place:Jesup, Georgia, U.S.
Origin:Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Genre:CCM, urban contemporary gospel
Occupation:Singer, songwriter
Years Active:2006–present
Label:EMI Gospel, Motown Gospel, TeeLee Records (Tasha's record label)
Associated Acts:Kierra Sheard, Anna Golden, Karen Clark Sheard, Ciara
Spouse:Kenneth Leonard

Natasha Tameika Cobbs Leonard (born July 7, 1981) is an American gospel musician and songwriter. She released the extended play Grace in 2013 with the hit lead single "Break Every Chain". The EP reached No. 61 on the Billboard charts.

At the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, Cobbs won the Grammy for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance. She has also won 15 Stellar Awards, 3 Billboard Music Awards, and 9 Dove Awards.[1]

Her biggest hit song was "Break Every Chain".[2]

Early life

Natasha Tameika Cobbs[3] was born on July 7, 1981, in Jesup, Georgia,[4] [5] to Bishop Fritz Cobbs (1954–2014) and Pastor Bertha Cobbs.[6] [7] She started leading worship at Jesup New Life Ministries, founded by her father.

Personal life

In 2016, Cobbs Leonard revealed that she had been diagnosed with depression in 2007.[8]

On March 3, 2017, in a private ceremony attended by family and friends, she married Kenneth Leonard, a music producer and her longtime love.[9] [10] In July 2021, she adopted a son, Asher.[11]

Ministry

Starting in 2006, Cobbs Leonard toured America with Pastor William H. Murphy III (of the dReam Center Church in Atlanta, Georgia) for three years. Since then, she has been leading worship at the dReam Center and managing the Worship and Arts department. In 2018, she appeared as herself in the film Sinners Wanted.[12]

In 2019, Cobbs and her husband, Kenneth, founded The Purpose Place Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina,[13] where they serve as pastors.

Music career

She started her solo music career in 2010 with the independently self-released album Smile. The album got the attention of EMI Gospel (now Motown Gospel), and they released her EP, Grace, on February 5, 2013. This was listed on two Billboard charts: the Billboard 200 at No. 61, and at No. 2 on the Top Gospel Albums chart.[14] The EP later reached No. 1 on the Top Gospel Albums chart. The singles "Break Every Chain" and "For Your Glory" also reached No. 1 on the Hot Gospel Songs charts. At the 56th Annual Grammy Awards in 2014, Tasha Cobbs took home Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance, winning her first Grammy. Cobbs also won Gospel Performance of the Year, Contemporary Gospel/Urban Song (and Album) Of The Year at the 44th GMA Dove Awards. In 2015, Cobbs was awarded the Gospel Artist of the Year, at the 46th GMA Dove Awards.[15]

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"
Project detailsPeak chart positionsCertificationsSales
US
[16]
US
Gospel

[17]
UK

& Gospel

[18]
Smile
  • Released: July 7, 2010
  • Label: Tasha Cobbs
  • Formats: CD, digital download
23
Grace
  • Released: February 5, 2013
  • Label: EMI Gospel/Motown Gospel
  • Formats: CD, digital download
  • EP with 8 tracks and deluxe edition with 10 tracks
611
  • RIAA: Gold
Heart. Passion. Pursuit. 35119
Hymns
  • Released: October 7, 2022
  • Label: TeeLee/Motown Gospel
  • Formats: CD, digital download
3
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory

Live albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"
Project detailsPeak chart positionsSales
US
US
Gospel

UK

& Gospel

One Place: Live 281
Heart. Passion. Pursuit.: Live at Passion City Church 1
Smile (Reissued Live)
  • Released: November 22, 2019
  • Label: Capitol Christian Music Group/Motown Gospel
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Royalty (Live at the Ryman)
  • Released: September 25, 2020
  • Label: TeeLee/Capitol Christian Music Group/Motown Gospel
  • Formats: CD, digital download
1
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory

Compilation albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"
Project detailsPeak chart positionsSales
US
US
Gospel

UK

& Gospel

10 Years of Tasha
  • Released: June 2, 2023
  • Label: Motown Gospel
  • Formats: Digital download
109
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory

Singles

As a lead artist

TitleYearPeak chart PositionsCertificationsAlbum
US
Bubb. Under Hot 100

[21]
US
Gospel

[22]
US

[23]
US
Adult R&B
[24]
"Break Every Chain"20121 29 Grace
"For Your Glory"1
  • RIAA: Gold
"O Come All Ye Faithful"21 Motown Christmas
"Overflow"201516 One Place
"Fill Me Up"25
"Jesus Saves"10
"Put a Praise on It"
(featuring Kierra Sheard)
2
  • RIAA: Gold
"Great God"201713 Heart. Passion. Pursuit.
"I'm Getting Ready"
(featuring Nicki Minaj)
1
"Your Spirit"2018
  • RIAA: Platinum
"This Is a Move"20194
"O Holy Night"
"In Spite Of Me"
(featuring Ciara)
20207 Royalty (Live at the Ryman)
"Lift Every Voice and Sing"2021
"Gotta Believe"13
"The Moment"202211 Hymns (Live)

As a featured artist

TitleYearPeak chart PositionsAlbum
US
Bubb. Under Hot 100

US
Gospel

US

US
Adult R&B
"My World Needs You"
20154 Losing My Religion
"Gracefully Broken"
201718 Glory Song
"Together (We'll Get Through This)"
202036
"Something Has To Break"
20225 Kierra
"What He's Done"
12 34 Burn Bright
"Your Power"
20238 27
"More Than Able"
8 23
"In the Room"
2 11
"You Carried Me"
202425 JEKALYN

Other charted songs

TitleYearPeak chart PositionsAlbum
US
Bubb. Under Hot 100

US
Gospel

US

US
Adult R&B
"We Give You Glory"
201418 Live Through It
"Here As in Heaven"
201822 Evidence
"Blessings"
202322 1 Pink Friday 2
"Burdens Down"202425 Hymns (Live)

Guest appearances

SongYearArtistAlbum
"Little Chicago Boy"2016CommonBlack America Again
"My World Needs You"
2016Kirk FranklinLosing My Religion
"Jesus Is Willing"2017Kristene DiMarcoWhere His Light Was
"Rattle!"2020Brandon LakeHouse of Miracles
"Blessings"2023Nicki MinajPink Friday 2

Awards and nominations

American Music Awards

|-| 2021| Tasha Cobbs Leonard| Favorite Artist – Gospel| |}

ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Awards

|-| rowspan="1" |2017[26] | "Put a Praise on it"| rowspan="5" |Award Winning Gospel Songs| |-| rowspan="1" |2019[27] | "I'm Getting Ready"| |-| rowspan="1" |2020[28] | "You Know My Name"| |-| rowspan="2" |2022[29] | "In Spite of Me"| |-| "Jehovah Jireh"| |}

BET Awards

|-| 2016| Tasha Cobbs Leonard| Best Gospel Artist| |-| 2017| "My World Needs You"
| Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award| |-| 2018| "I'm Getting Ready"
| Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award| |}

Billboard Music Awards

|-| rowspan="2" | 2016| Tasha Cobbs| Top Gospel Artist| |-| One Place Live| Top Gospel Album| |-| rowspan="2" | 2017| "Put a Praise On It"
| Top Gospel Song| |-| One Place Live| Top Gospel Album| |-| rowspan="2" | 2018| Tasha Cobbs Leonard| Top Gospel Artist| |-| Heart. Passion. Pursuit.| Top Gospel Album| |-| 2019| Tasha Cobbs Leonard| Top Gospel Artist| |-| 2020| Tasha Cobbs Leonard| Top Gospel Artist| |-| 2021| Tasha Cobbs Leonard| Top Gospel Artist| |-|}

GMA Dove Awards

|-| rowspan="5" | 2013| "Break Every Chain"| Song of the Year| |-| Tasha Cobbs| New Artist of the Year| |-| "Break Every Chain"| Gospel Performance of the Year| |-| "Break Every Chain"| Contemporary Gospel/Urban Recorded Song of the Year| |-| Grace| Contemporary Gospel/Urban Album of the Year| |-| 2015| Tasha Cobbs| Gospel Artist of the Year| |-| rowspan="4" | 2016| Tasha Cobbs| Gospel Artist of the Year| |-| "Fill Me Up"| Urban Worship Recorded Song of the Year| |-| One Place Live| Urban Worship Album of the Year| |-| "Put a Praise On It"| Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year| |-| 2017| Tasha Cobbs Leonard| Gospel Artist of the Year| |-| rowspan="4" | 2018| rowspan="2" | Tasha Cobbs Leonard| Gospel Artist of the Year| |-| Artist of the Year| |-| "The Name Of Our God"| Urban Worship Recorded Song of the Year| |-| Heart. Passion. Pursuit.| Urban Worship Album of the Year| |-| rowspan="4" | 2019| Tasha Cobbs Leonard| Gospel Artist of the Year| |-| "This Is A Move (Live)"| Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year| |-| Heart. Passion. Pursuit. (Live)| rowspan="2" | Gospel Worship Album of the Year| |-| Settle Here
| |-| rowspan="3" | 2020| Tasha Cobbs Leonard| Gospel Artist of the Year| |-| Tasha Cobbs Leonard| Artist of the Year| |-| "Something Has To Break (Live)"
| Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year| |-| 2021| Tasha Cobbs Leonard| Gospel Artist of the Year| |-|}

Grammy Awards

|-| rowspan="2" | 2014| "Break Every Chain (Live)"| Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance| |-| Grace| Best Gospel Album| |-| 2016| One Place Live| Best Gospel Album| |-| 2020| "This Is a Move (Live)"| Best Gospel Performance/Song| |-|}

NAACP Image Awards

|-| 2018| Heart. Passion. Pursuit.| Outstanding Gospel Album – Traditional or Contemporary| |-| 2019| Heart. Passion. Pursuit. Live at Passion City Church| Outstanding Gospel Album – Traditional or Contemporary| |-|}

Soul Train Music Awards

|-| 2013| "Break Every Chain"| Best Gospel/Inspirational Song| |-| 2019| Tasha Cobbs Leonard| Best Gospel/Inspirational Award| |-| 2021| Tasha Cobbs Leonard| Best Gospel/Inspirational Award| |}

Notes and References

  1. Web site: About Tasha Cobbs. June 30, 2020. TashaCobbs.com. en-US.
  2. Web site: September 24, 2021 . Tasha Cobbs – Break Every Chain (Mp3 Download & Lyrics) Gospel Music Base . January 15, 2023 . en-US.
  3. Web site: . COBBS NATASHA TAMEIKA Work ID #885043268 and IPI #440123901 . . February 25, 2015.
  4. Christine Thomasos, Tasha Cobbs Honored With Key to Her Hometown, christianpost.com, USA, February 21, 2017
  5. Web site: Tasha Cobbs Awards. David. Jeffries. AllMusic. February 25, 2015.
  6. Miami time, A night of gospel with Tasha Cobbs-Leonard, miamitimesonline.com, USA, October 23, 2019
  7. Web site: Gospel Singer Tasha Cobbs' Father Died Just Days After Winning Stellar Award for 'New Artist of The Year' . Breathcast. Jeannie. Law. January 20, 2014. February 25, 2015.
  8. Web site: Gospel Singer Tasha Cobbs Opens Up About Living with Depression. June 30, 2020. Essence. en-US.
  9. Christine Thomasos, Tasha Cobbs Leonard Producing Pastor William Murphy's Next Album, christianpost.com, USA, February 24, 2018
  10. Web site: Tasha Cobbs Leonard Biography & History. June 30, 2020. AllMusic. en-us.
  11. Web site: Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Husband Kenneth Announce Adoption of Baby Boy (Social Post) . July 2021 .
  12. Anita Bennett, TV One Movie 'Sinners Wanted' Looks at Drama and Forgiveness in the Church, urbanhollywood411.com, USA, March 30, 2020
  13. Web site: Our Pastors. August 29, 2020. The Purpose Place. en.
  14. Web site: Tasha Cobbs Awards. AllMusic. AllMusic. February 25, 2015.
  15. Iol,Tasha Cobbs Leonard 'excited' to be performing in SA, iol.co.za, South Africa, January 21, 2020
  16. Web site: Tasha Cobbs – Chart History – Billboard 200. Billboard.com. February 26, 2024.
  17. Web site: Tasha Cobbs Leonard – Chart History – Top Gospel Albums. Billboard.com. February 26, 2024.
  18. Web site: TASHA COBBS LEONARD songs and albums full Official Chart history. February 26, 2024. Official Charts Company.
  19. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20150716173331/http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases . July 16, 2015 . Upcoming Releases . Hits Daily Double . HITS Digital Ventures .
  20. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20160928004910/http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases . September 28, 2016 . Upcoming Releases . Hits Daily Double . HITS Digital Ventures .
  21. Web site: Chart Search – Bubbling Under Hot 100. Billboard.com. February 26, 2024.
  22. Web site: Tasha Cobbs – Chart History – Hot Gospel Songs. Billboard.com. February 26, 2024.
  23. Web site: Tasha Cobbs – Chart History – Hot Christian Songs. Billboard.com. February 26, 2024.
  24. Web site: Tasha Cobbs – Chart History – Adult R&B Airplay. Billboard.com. February 26, 2024.
  25. Web site: Tasha Cobbs Leonard – RIAA. www.billboard.com. June 25, 2019.
  26. Web site: 2017 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards: Complete List of Winners. ASCAP. June 27, 2022. June 22, 2017.
  27. Web site: 2019 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards: Complete List of Winners. ASCAP. June 27, 2022. June 20, 2019.
  28. Web site: 2020 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards: Complete List of Winners. ASCAP. June 27, 2022. June 15, 2020.
  29. Web site: 2022 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards: Complete List of Winners. ASCAP. June 27, 2022. June 21, 2022.