Sir the Baptist

Birth name| William James Stokes
Also known as| Sir William James Baptist
Origin| Chicago, Illinois
Genres|

* Hip hop
* R&B
* Pop
* Gospel

Years active| 2015–present
Labels| Atlantic Records, Warner Music Group, Gaither Music Group, tymple
Website| sirthebaptist.com

Musical artist

William James Stovall, better known by his stage name Sir the Baptist, is an American artist and songwriter. He has worked as producer and writer on two GRAMMY Award-winning albums,[1] two GMA Dove Awards winners,[1] two Stellar Awards winners[2][3] a BMI Award as songwriter,[1][4][5] and is BET Award-nominated artist.[1][6]

## Early life and ancestry

[edit]

Baptist was born William James Stovall and raised in the Bronzeville neighborhood on Chicago's South Side as the 20th child of the late family patriarch, Dr. James Benton Stovall. His father was born in 1924 on the land his family farmed and owned slaves, he later became a traveling pastor and Christian apologist, during the Great Migration. His mother Patricia Ann Harris, is a transatlantic missionary from roots of Sierra Leone who served communities in 17 countries with Baptist as he toured America and Europe.

Baptist was the 13th generation to be baptized. His ancestors practiced the Baptist tradition on their transatlantic journey during the English Separatist movement in the 1600s.[7] With his Stovall bloodline, the Protestant Reformation to the Church of England (Anglicans) during the separation from the Roman Catholic Church can be traced back for centuries. The first recorded baptism in Baptist's bloodline can be traced to George Stovall II in the year 1555, in Guildford, Sussex Co., England.[7]

## Career

[edit]

### Stage name

[edit]

Born into the Stovall lineage, his name, "Baptist" was adopted as a ceremonial name deriving from his father's occupation as a Baptist preacher. His name, Sir, was ascribed during his parochial school years at Leo Catholic High School. Professionally, the epithet "Sir the Baptist" was used because his model for evangelizing Jesus Christ in the wild was adopted from the prophet, John the Baptist.[7] Sir practiced ritualistic baptisms at music festivals in America and at 22 shows across Europe.[8]

Baptist worked as Director of Digital Marketing and Media for McDonald's campaigns at Leo Burnett Company, Inc.[9][10] His work ranged from digital marketing, to writing music scores for a film that featured Meghan Markle, to jingles with Ira Antelis (Be Like Mike).[10] After a dispute over the ownership to his publishing rights with the agency, he became homeless, and drove for Lyft until he signed a deal with Atlantic Records/Warner Music Group in New York City with Craig Kallman, Julie Greenwald and Michael Kyser.[10][11][12][13]

Baptist's conversion to Christianity was due to a marijuana experience, and that his debut release Saint or Sinner was a blueprint to the urban Christian believers. He has toured Europe with Nelly, Mary J. Blige, and August Alsina.

### Artist collaborations

[edit]

Baptist has collaborated with musical artists Anthony Hamilton,[14] Donald Lawrence,[4][5][15] Kierra Sheard,[16] Killer Mike,[15] Twista,[15] Michelle Williams,[15] Tony Bennett, Pharrell Williams, Musiq Soulchild,[15] Brandy Norwood,[15] Estelle,[15] Tori Kelly, Elle Varner, D.C. Young Fly.[15]

### Brand partnerships

[edit]

Baptist has partnered with companies, agencies, and lifestyle brands Facebook, Apple, Google, Lexus,[17] Glenfiddich, Samsung,[18] McDonald's,[19] W Hotels, Lyft,[20] WeWork, Toyota,[21] Tidal, Yeti, Converse, Vans, Macy's, The Chicago Bears, The Recording Academy, VH1 Save the Music Foundation,[21] Fat Tire and Pandora.[22][23]

### Humanitarian work

[edit]

As a humanitarian, he builds luxury mission homes for missionaries of the Christian faith. He is the Chaplain of Innovation, the majority shareholder and architect of Christian website tymple.[24]

## Discography

[edit]

### Singles

[edit]

* Creflo Almighty Dollar (feat. Twista & ChurchPpl) – 2015
* Wake Up – 2015
* Raise Hell (feat. ChurchPpl) – 2015
* What We Got (feat. Donald Lawrence & ChurchPpl) – 2016
* Movin – 2017
* He Heard My Cry – 2018
* I Still Love You – 2019
* Me & God – 2019
* Bossa Nova – 2019
* Switched Partners – 2019
* Kingdom Come – 2019
* Can't Help Myself (feat. Saint Ashleey, Estelle, MC Lyte, Syleena Johnson, Ann Nesby, & Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast) – 2020
* Scream & Shout – 2020
* Jesus In The Ghetto (feat. Anthony Hamilton) – 2021
* Adam & Eve'n (feat. Saint Ashleey) – 2021

### Albums

[edit]

* Saint or Sinner – 2017, Atlantic Records[13]
* Godfidence: Kingdom Bae – 2020, tymple
* The Baptist – 2024, tymple

## Awards

[edit]

Year  | Award  | Category  | Nominee  | Result

|
|
|
|

2016  | BET Hip Hop Awards | Impact Track of the Year | "Raise Hell"  | Nominated
2019  | GMA Dove Awards | Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "Deliver Me " | Winner
2019  | GMA Dove Awards | Traditional Gospel Album of the Year | "Goshen" | Winner
2020  | GRAMMY Awards | Best Gospel Album | "Goshen"  | Nominated
2020  | Stellar Awards | Song of the Year | "Deliver Me (This Is My Exodus)" | Winner
2020  | Stellar Awards | Producer of the Year | "Goshen"  | Nominated
2020  | Stellar Awards | Urban/Inspirational Single of Performance of the Year | "Deliver Me (This Is My Exodus)" | Winner
2021  | GRAMMY Awards | Best Gospel Album | Kierra | Nominated
2021  | GMA Dove Awards | Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | Kierra | Nominated
2021  | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album | Kierra | Nominated
2021  | GMA Dove Awards | Contemporary Album of the Year | Kierra | Winner
2021  | BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Awards | Song of the Year | "Deliver Me (This Is My Exodus)" | Winner
2023  | GRAMMY Awards | Best Roots Gospel Album | The Urban Hymnal | Winner
2023  | GRAMMY Awards | Best Spoken Word Poetry Album | The Poet Who Sat By The Door | Winner
2025  | GRAMMY Awards | Best Gospel Performance/Song | "Church Doors"  | Nominated

## Political views

[edit]

Baptist supported Hillary Clinton in the 2016 United States presidential election.[25] In August 2016, Baptist taunted a Donald Trump impersonator on stage for his Afropunk Festival performance in Brooklyn. He has also been quoted saying that Donald Trump is "way out of touch" with the African American community.[26] Baptist has partnered with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America,[citation needed] VH1 Save the Music,[27] and Global Citizen.[28]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d "About 3 – tymple". Retrieved 2021-07-27.
2. ^ "The Stellar Gospel Music Awards | 35th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards". www.thestellarawards.com. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
3. ^ "The Stellar Awards | 2020 Nominees". www.thestellarawards.com. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
4. ^ a b "BMI Celebrates its Top Gospel Music Creators at the 2021 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards". BMI.com. 2021-06-07. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
5. ^ a b "Kanye West Named Songwriter of the Year at 2021 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
6. ^ Haffenden, Dayna (2016-10-20). "Sir The Baptist Releases Powerful Video For "What We Got"". VIBE.com. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
7. ^ a b c "Legacy – tymple". Retrieved 2021-07-28.
8. ^ "Sir The Baptist's Concert & Tour History | Concert Archives". www.concertarchives.org. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
9. ^ "From Sleeping In His Lyft Car To Lolla: Sir The Baptist, Hip-Hop Disciple". DNAinfo Chicago. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
10. ^ a b c "New & Next - Sir The Baptist Is 'Raising Hell' As Atlantic Records' Latest Soul Sensation". Essence. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
11. ^ "Atlantic Records Sir The Baptist's Incredible New Single "What We Got"". Atlantic Records Official Website. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
12. ^ Emmanuel C. M. (September 9, 2016). "The Break Presents: Sir The Baptist - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
13. ^ a b Carney, Alison; Caldwell, Jenna (14 March 2017). "Sir the Baptist". Made in the District. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
14. ^ Sir the Baptist - Jesus In The Ghetto [Official Music Video] ft. Anthony Hamilton, June 2021, retrieved 2021-07-28
15. ^ a b c d e f g h "Sir the Baptist – Primary Wave Music". primarywave.com. 5 April 2018. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
16. ^ "Sir The Baptist Talks New Video Premiere And How Gospel Is Changing The Landscape". Essence. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
17. ^ 2019 Lexus UX TV Commercial: "The New Renaissance", 4 January 2019, retrieved 2021-08-11
18. ^ "Live at 837:Fall Concert Series: Sir The Baptist- Tuesday November 15th". NYCPlugged. 2016-11-08. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
19. ^ "Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour | McDonald's Black and Positively Golden". www.mcdonalds.com. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
20. ^ Sir The Baptist - Movin' [Official Audio], 6 January 2017, retrieved 2021-08-11
21. ^ a b "Sir The Baptist Vh1 Save The Music Toyota And Special Guests Present Three Chicago Schools With Piano Grants Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images". www.gettyimages.com. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
22. ^ "Pandora Unveils List of Up-And-Coming Artists to Watch at Lollapalooza (Exclusive)". pastemagazine.com. 2016-07-27. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
23. ^ "Sir the Baptist & Anthony Hamilton's new single reimagines person of Jesus with 'Jesus in the Ghetto'". Niagara Frontier Publications. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
24. ^ tymple – The Youngest Christian Empire
25. ^ Platon, Adelle (27 September 2016). "Sir The Baptist on Clinton & Trump's First Debate: 'I Won't Feel Comfortable Until We Know Who's President'". Billboard. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
26. ^ Zaru, Deena (30 August 2016). "Chicago rapper Sir the Baptist gets political: Donald Trump 'is the problem'". CNN. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
27. ^ Keating, Caitlin (4 November 2016). "Toyota and VH1 Save The Music Foundation Raise Funds for Three Deserving Chicago Schools". People. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
28. ^ "Sir the Baptist: Keep the Light. Carry the Light. Share it With Other People". Global Citizen. 13 December 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2017.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website