Israel Houghton

American singer (born 1971)

Israel Houghton

Houghton in 2015

Background information
Also known as| Israel
Born|  (1971-05-19) May 19, 1971 (age 54)
Oceanside, California, U.S.
Genres|

* Contemporary Christian music
* gospel
* praise & worship
* soul

Occupations|

* Singer
* songwriter
* producer
* arranger

Instrument(s)| Vocals, guitar, keyboards
Years active| 1997–present
Labels| Integrity, RCA Inspiration, District 11
Spouse|

Meleasa Houghton

(m. 1994; div. 2016)​

Adrienne Bailon-Houghton

(m. 2016)​

Website| israelandnewbreed.com

Musical artist

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. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous.
Find sources: "Israel Houghton" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

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  | Jesus at the Center: Live

* 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  | Jesús En El Centro: En Vivo (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  | Covered: Alive in Asia

* 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

[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]

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  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

2005  | Male Vocalist of the Year |  | Nominated  | [10]
Song of the Year  | "Friend of God"  | Nominated  |
Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | Live from Another Level – Israel & New Breed  | Won  | [11]
Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year  | "Again I Say Rejoice"  | Won  | [11]
2006  | Song of the Year | "Friend of God"  | Nominated  | [12]
Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year | "Not Forgotten"  | Won  | [11]
Praise & Worship Album of the Year | Alive in South Africa – Israel & New Breed  | Nominated  | [12]
Long Form Music Video of the Year | Live From Another Level – Israel & New Breed  | Nominated  | [12]
2007  | Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year | "Turn It Around"  | Won  | [11]
Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year  | It's Not Over | Won  | [11]
Choral Collection of the Year | Again I Say Rejoice: Celebrating The Songs Of Israel Houghton – various artists  | Nominated  | [13]
Long Form Music Video of the Year | Alive In South Africa – Israel & New Breed  | Nominated  | [13]
2008  | Producer of the Year |  | Nominated  | [14]
Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year | "Say So"  | Won  | [11]
Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year  | A Deeper Level | Won  | [11]
2010  | Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year | "Every Prayer"  | Nominated  |
Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year  | "The Power of One (Change the World)"  | Won  | [11]
Urban Song of the Year | "Just Wanna Say" (tie)  | Won  | [11]
2011  | Male Vocalist of the Year |  | Nominated  |
Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year | "You Hold My World"  | Nominated  |
Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year  | Love God, Love People | Won  | [11]
2014  | Traditional Gospel Album of the Year  | Duets (shared with Donnie McClurkin, Asaph A. Ward, Aaron W. Lindsey, Trent Phillips, Justin Savage) | Won  | [11]
Grammy Awards Year  | Category  | Nominated work  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

2005  | Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album | Live From Another Level – Israel and New Breed  | Nominated  | [15]
2006  | Best Gospel Song | "Again I Say Rejoice" – Houghton & Aaron Lindsey  | Nominated  | [16]
2007  | Best Traditional Gospel Album | Alive in South Africa | Won  | [17]
Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album  | A Timeless Christmas – Israel and New Breed  | Nominated  | [18]
Best Gospel Song  | "Not Forgotten" – Houghton and Aaron Lindsey  | Nominated  | [19]
Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance | "Not Forgotten" – Israel and New Breed  | Nominated  | [19]
2008  | Best Gospel Performance | "With Long Life" – Israel and New Breed, featuring T-Bone (tie)  | Nominated  | [20]
Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album | A Deeper Level – Israel and New Breed  | Won  | [21]
2010  | Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album | The Power Of One | Won  | [17]
Best Gospel Performance  | "You Hold My World"  | Nominated  | [22]
Best Gospel Song  | "Every Prayer" – shared with Dayna Caddell, Aaron Lindsey & Ricardo Sanchez (co-writers) | Nominated  | [23]
2011  | Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album  | Love God, Love People | Won  | [17]
2013  | Best Contemporary Christian Music Song | "Your Presence Is Heaven" (tie); Houghton & Micah Massey, songwriters  | Won  | [17]
Best Gospel Album | Jesus at the Center: Live – Israel & New Breed  | Nominated  | [24]
2015  | Best Gospel Performance/Song | "How Awesome Is Our God" – Israel & NewBreed, featuring Yolanda Adams; Neville Diedericks, Israel & Meleasa Houghton, songwriters  | Nominated  |
Best Gospel Album | Covered: Alive In Asia – Israel & New Breed  | Won  | [17]
2021  | Best Contemporary Christian Music Album | Feels Like Home, Vol. 2 – Israel & New Breed  | Nominated  |
Stellar Awards Year  | Category  | Nominated work  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

2005  | Artist of the Year  | Live from Another Level | Nominated  | [25]
Male Vocalist of the Year  | Won
Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year  | Won
Producer of the Year  | Nominated
2006  | Video of the Year  | Nominated  | [26]
2007  | Male Vocalist of the Year  | ALIVE in South Africa | Nominated  | [27]
CD of the Year  | Nominated
Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year  | Nominated
Urban/Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year  | "Turn It Around" – Israel & New Breed  | Nominated
2008  | Group / Duo of the Year  | Live: A Deeper Level – Israel & New Breed  | Nominated  | [28]
Contemporary CD of the Year  | Nominated
Praise and Worship CD of the Year  | Nominated
2010  | Male Vocalist of the Year  | The Power of One | Nominated  | [29]
Praise and Worship CD of the Year  | Nominated
2012  | Male Vocalist of the Year  | Nominated  | [30]
Producer of the Year  | Nominated
Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year  | Nominated
Praise and Worship CD of the Year  | Nominated
2014  | Group / Duo of the Year  | Jesus at the Center: Live | Nominated  | [31]
Daytime Emmy Awards Year  | Category  | Nominated work  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

2019  | Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program  | "Secrets"
(shared with Adrienne Houghton) | Nominated  | [32]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "ChristianityToday album review". ChristianityToday.com.
2. ^ Lakewood Church web site - url: "Bookstore - Hope for Today". Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
3. ^ "Israel Houghton - An Intimate Portrait of Worship". Retrieved November 8, 2021.
4. ^ "Who Is Adrienne Bailon's Husband? All About Israel Houghton". People.com. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
5. ^ "Israel Houghton Repents, Gets Transparent About Divorce and Sins". February 24, 2016. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
6. ^ Thomasos, Christine (December 13, 2016). "Israel Houghton Child Support Case Reportedly Dropped". christianpost.com. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
7. ^ Yomary, Tatayana (December 8, 2016). "Adrienne Bailon's Husband Israel Houghton Escapes Paternity, Child Support Suit". Latin Times. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
8. ^ "Adrienne Bailon Is Married — See the Photo from the Stunning Paris Wedding". November 11, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
9. ^ "Adrienne Bailon and Husband Israel Houghton Welcome First Baby, a Son named Ever James Houghton". Peoplemag. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
10. ^ GMA Releases 36th Dove Award Nominees List at The Christian Post; Camacho, Justin (February 9, 2005)
11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Past Winners". doveawards.com.
12. ^ a b c "37th Annual GMA Awards Nominations & Winners". About.com. February 9, 2011. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
13. ^ a b Nominations Announced for 38th GMA Dove Awards on CBN.com
14. ^ Nominations Announced for 39th GMA Dove Awards at CBN.com (February 14, 2008)
15. ^ "47th Annual Grammy Award Nominations". GospelFlava.com.
16. ^ "The Complete List of Grammy Nominations". The New York Times. December 8, 2005. p. 3.
17. ^ a b c d e "Grammy Award Winners". The Recording Academy. Archived from the original on October 2, 2009.
18. ^ "The 49th Annual Grammy Awards Nominees List". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on December 20, 2006.
19. ^ a b "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.
20. ^ "Grammy 2008 Winners List". MTV. February 10, 2008. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008.
21. ^ "Grammy Nomination List". Archived from the original on December 8, 2007.
22. ^ "53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees And Winners: Gospel Field". The Recording Academy. April 30, 2017.
23. ^ "52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees And Winners: Gospel Field". The Recording Academy. April 30, 2017.
24. ^ "2013 Grammy Nominations Revealed *Updated*". ThatGrapeJuice.
25. ^ "20th Annual Stellar Award Winners". GospelFlava.com.
26. ^ "21st Annual Stellar Award Winners". GospelFlava.com.
27. ^ "22nd Annual Stellar Award Winners". GospelFlava.com.
28. ^ "23rd Annual Stellar Award Winners". GospelFlava.com.
29. ^ "25th Annual Stellar Award Winners". GospelFlava.com.
30. ^ "27th Annual Stellar Award Winners". GospelFlava.com.
31. ^ "29th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards" (PDF). Retrieved February 19, 2021.
32. ^ "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.

* 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

* v
* t
* e

Israel Houghton

Studio albums|

* A Timeless Christmas (2006)
* The Power of One (2009)
* Love God, Love People (2010)

Live albums|

* Alive in South Africa (2005)
* A Deeper Level (2007)
* Jesus at the Center: Live (2012)
* Jesús En El Centro: En Vivo (2012)
* Covered: Alive in Asia (2015)

Compilation albums|

* Decade (2012)

Related|

* Adrienne Bailon (wife)

* v
* t
* e

CompassionArt

Artists|

* Paul Baloche
* Chris Tomlin
* Tim Hughes
* Matt Redman
* Darlene Zschech
* Israel Houghton
* Michael W. Smith
* Graham Kendrick
* Andy Park
* Steven Curtis Chapman
* Stu Garrard
* Martin Smith

Guest vocalists|

* Kirk Franklin
* Amy Grant
* Joel Houston
* Leeland Mooring
* Christy Nockels
* Ana Paula Valadão
* tobyMac
* CeCe Winans

Albums|

* CompassionArt

Related articles|

* Diante do Trono
* Delirious?
* Hillsong

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* Germany
* United States
* Norway
* Korea
* Israel

Artists|

* MusicBrainz
* Grammy Awards

*[m.]: married
*[div.]: divorced
*[Ref.]: Reference
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template