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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| Instruments | 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
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.
Personal life
Houghton is mixed race; he was born to a white mother and Jamaican father.[2] 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.[3] 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: Kingston in 2012, and Khristian in 2014.[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
Daytime Emmy Awards
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.[9]
| Year | Award | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program | "Secrets" (shared with Adrienne Houghton) |
Nominated |
GMA Dove Awards
The Dove Awards are awarded annually by the Gospel Music Association. Houghton has won 15 awards from 40 nominations.[10][11][12][13][14]
| 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
The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Houghton has won 7 awards from 18 nominations.[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26]
| 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
The Stellar Awards are awarded annually by SAGMA. Houghton has received 2 awards from 33 nominations.[27][28][29][30][31][32][33]
| 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 |
Discography
| 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
|
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)[34]
- 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)
References
- ^ "ChristianityToday album review". ChristianityToday.com.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Lakewood Church web site - url: "Bookstore - Hope for Today". Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
- 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
- Official website
- Biography at Houghton's Label
- Israel & New Breed at AllMusic
- Israel Houghton at IMDb