Sir the Baptist

Last updated
Sir the Baptist
Birth nameWilliam James Stokes
Also known asSir William James Baptist
Origin Chicago, Illinois
Genres
Years active2015–present
Labels Atlantic Records, Warner Music Group, Gaither Music Group, tymple
Website sirthebaptist.com

Sir William James Baptist (better known by his stage name, Sir the Baptist) is an American multi-disciplinary contemporary 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]

Contents

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. [7]

Early life

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.

Name

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 Saint Leo Catholic. 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. [8] Sir practiced ritualistic baptisms at music festivals in America and at 22 shows across Europe. [9]

Baptism tradition

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. [8] 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. [8]

Career

Baptist worked as Director of Digital Marketing and Media for McDonald's campaigns at Leo Burnett Company, Inc. [10] [11] 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). [11] 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. [11] [12] [13] [14]

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

Baptist has collaborated with musical artists Anthony Hamilton, [15] Donald Lawrence, [4] [5] [16] Kierra Sheard, [17] Killer Mike, [16] Twista, [16] Michelle Williams, [16] Tony Bennett, Pharrell Williams, Musiq Soulchild, [16] Brandy Norwood, [16] Estelle, [16] Tori Kelly, Elle Varner, D.C. Young Fly. [16]

Brand partnerships

Baptist has partnered with companies, agencies, and lifestyle brands Facebook, Apple, Google, Lexus, [18] Glenfiddich, Samsung, [19] McDonald's, [20] W Hotels, Lyft, [21] WeWork, Toyota, [22] Tidal, Yeti, Converse, Vans, Macy's, The Chicago Bears, The Recording Academy, VH1 Save the Music Foundation, [22] Fat Tire and Pandora. [23] [24]

Discography

Singles

Albums

Awards

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResult
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 KierraNominated
2021 GMA Dove Awards Contemporary Gospel Album of the YearKierraNominated
2021 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Gospel/Christian AlbumKierraNominated
2021 GMA Dove Awards Contemporary Album of the YearKierraWinner
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 HymnalWinner
2023 GRAMMY Awards Best Spoken Word Poetry Album The Poet Who Sat By The DoorWinner

Political views

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]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gamble and Huff</span> American songwriting and record production team

Kenneth Gamble and Leon A. Huff are an American songwriting and production duo credited for developing the Philadelphia soul music genre of the 1970s. In addition to forming their own label, Philadelphia International Records, Gamble and Huff have written and produced 175 gold and platinum records, earning them an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the non-performer category in March 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Cleveland</span> American musician (1931–1991)

James Edward Cleveland was an American gospel singer, musician, and composer. Known as the "King of Gospel," Cleveland was a driving force behind the creation of the modern gospel sound by incorporating traditional black gospel, soul, pop, and jazz in arrangements for mass choirs.

Elbernita "Twinkie" Dionne Clark is an American Grammy Award-winning gospel singer, songwriter, composer, record producer, musician, and evangelist. Clark is best known as the chief executive writer and member of the American gospel singing group the Clark Sisters. Often called the "Mother of Contemporary Gospel Music"; Clark possesses an incredible 5 octave vocal range spanning from Bass and Baritone (B#1) notes to High Soprano and whistle register notes (G6). NPR named her one of the 50 Great Voices. Known for her use of the Hammond Organ, she is often referred to as the "Queen of the B3 Hammond Organ", and was inducted into the Hammond Hall of Fame in 2014. Clark is principally credited as the originator of "The C.O.G.I.C. Shout Sound". She is a BMI Gospel Trailblazer honoree, the recipient of multiple Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, and continues to inspire generations of artists today. Artists such as Beyonce, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans and also her sister, Karen Clark-Sheard have cited Clark as a major influence on their singing and vocal style and have also sampled her music in various songs of their own.

Byron Louis Cage is an American gospel recording artist.

Dorinda Grace Clark-Cole is an American Grammy Award-winning gospel singer, songwriter, musician, talk show host, and evangelist. Clark–Cole is best known as a member of family vocal group The Clark Sisters and as a daughter of pioneering choral director Mattie Moss Clark. As a member of The Clark Sisters, Clark–Cole has won two Grammy Awards. She is known to the music world as the Rose of Gospel Music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kim Burrell</span> American gospel singer

Kimberly Jean Burrell is an American gospel singer, songwriter, and pastor from Houston, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Albertina Walker</span> American gospel singer and songwriter

Albertina Walker was an American gospel singer, songwriter and humanitarian.

Miguel de Jesús, also known as Guelo Star, is a Puerto Rican reggaeton rapper, singer, lyricist, occasional producer and promoter. In his musical career, he has worked with artists such as Daddy Yankee, Pipe Calderón, De La Ghetto, Jowell & Randy, Wisin, Don Omar and Ivy Queen. He has been recognized three times for his compositions at the ASCAP Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danny Gokey</span> American singer

Daniel Jay Gokey is an American singer and former church music director. He was the third-place finalist on the eighth season of American Idol. After his placing on the show, Gokey signed to 19 Recordings and RCA Nashville at the beginning of a career in country music, releasing the single "My Best Days Are Ahead of Me." His debut album, My Best Days, was released in March 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stellar Awards</span> Award for achievements in gospel music

A Stellar Award is an award presented by SAGMA to recognize achievements in the gospel music industry. The annual presentation ceremony features performances by prominent gospel artists, and the presentation of those awards that have a more popular interest. The Stellars are the first of the Big Two major gospel music awards held annually.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emcee N.I.C.E.</span> American Christian hip-hop artist

Aulsondro "Novelist" Hamilton, better known by his stage name Emcee N.I.C.E., is an American Christian hip hop recording artist, rapper, singer, songwriter, record and film producer, record executive, actor, inventor, entrepreneur and former lead vocalist/rapper of the duo KansasCali. He is the co-creator of the animated music series Da Jammies, The co-founder of The Stellar Award winning radio station God’s House of Hip Hop Radio powered by Dash Radio, A Best Selling Author for his book “Music Release University”. He is president of two non-profit organizations, The iTL Foundation of Los Angeles and Urbanomics 101, the Managing Editor for RYZE Magazine, a christian hip hop lifestyle magazine and an American Inventor. He is the co-producer of 2 Pac's Thugz Mansion acoustic, the first single released from the certified triple platinum album Better Dayz and the Nas acoustic Thugz Mansion (N.Y.), off of the certified platinum album God's Son

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Say Yes (Michelle Williams song)</span> 2014 single by Michelle Williams featuring Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland

"Say Yes" is a song by American singer Michelle Williams, taken from her fourth studio album Journey to Freedom (2014). It features Williams' former Destiny's Child groupmates Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland. The song was written by Williams, Carmen Reece, Al Sherrod Lambert and Harmony Samuels who also produced it. E1 Music released "Say Yes" as the album's third single on June 2, 2014. "Say Yes" marks the third time the trio collaborated as solo artists following the disbandment of their group in 2006.

Tarralyn LaJuan Ramsey is an American gospel musician, songwriter and artist. She began her music career in 2000, with the release of the religious Tarralyn Ramsey album on Verity Records. This would be her Billboard magazine breakthrough release on the Gospel Albums chart. Following her win on the VH1 reality series Born to Diva in 2003, she signed with Casablanca Records and released her second album, Tarralyn, which featured the single "Up Against All Odds".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travis Greene</span> American gospel musician and pastor (born 1984)

Travis Montorius Greene is an American gospel musician and the founding senior pastor of The Forward City Church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Quilala</span> Musical artist

Chris Quilala was born on November 22, 1982, in Redding, California. He is an American Christian musician and worship leader with the Jesus Culture band and formerly with the Bethel Music collective. He primarily plays Christian pop and contemporary worship music.

Al Sherrod Lambert, sometimes known as simply A-Rod, is a Grammy Award winning American producer, singer, songwriter, and musician. He has won recognition as a gospel, pop, hip hop and R&B producer. He is signed to Kobalt Music Group and is a registered BMI songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maranda Curtis</span> Musical artist

Maranda Curtis is an American gospel singer and praise and worship leader formerly with The Potter's House Church, Dallas. Her music has garnered her several nominations from the Stellar Awards and the Dove Awards. She was awarded in the 2020 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Awards with "Nobody Like You Lord" being one the top 20 most performed Gospel songs in the United States.

"On God" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his ninth studio album, Jesus Is King (2019). The song's production was handled by West, BoogzDaBeast, and Michael "CameOne" Cerda, with co-production from Pi'erre Bourne and additional production from Federico Vindver. The producers served as co-writers alongside Cyhi the Prynce and Mustard. Cerda formed the song's melody in 2017, utilizing a Prophet Rev 2 and Moog Sub 37. Young Thug indicated an appearance, though he ultimately did not make the final cut. An electronic track with gospel and house elements, it relies on synths and features an interpolation of "Mercy" by West, Big Sean, Pusha T, and 2 Chainz.

Samuel Onwubiko, known by his stage name Limoblaze is a Nigerian gospel singer-songwriter and rapper. He is well known for the hit song "Jireh " with Lecrae and Happi, a reworking of "Jireh" by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music; the song made it to the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs of 2022, Official Charts No. 15, and won several other nominations including The Headies and The Stellar Awards.

<i>The Urban Hymnal</i> 2022 studio album by Aristocrat of Bands

The Urban Hymnal is a 2022 debut album by Tennessee State University (TSU) marching band Aristocrat of Bands (AOB).

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "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. 1 2 "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. 1 2 "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. ↑ tymple – The Youngest Christian Empire
  8. 1 2 3 "Legacy – tymple" . Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  9. ↑ "Sir The Baptist's Concert & Tour History | Concert Archives". www.concertarchives.org. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
  10. ↑ "From Sleeping In His Lyft Car To Lolla: Sir The Baptist, Hip-Hop Disciple". DNAinfo Chicago. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  11. 1 2 3 "New & Next - Sir The Baptist Is 'Raising Hell' As Atlantic Records' Latest Soul Sensation". Essence. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  12. ↑ "Atlantic Records Sir The Baptist's Incredible New Single "What We Got"". Atlantic Records Official Website. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  13. ↑ Emmanuel C. M. (September 9, 2016). "The Break Presents: Sir The Baptist - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  14. 1 2 Carney, Alison; Caldwell, Jenna (14 March 2017). "Sir the Baptist". Made in the District. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  15. ↑ Sir the Baptist - Jesus In The Ghetto [Official Music Video] ft. Anthony Hamilton , retrieved 2021-07-28
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Sir the Baptist – Primary Wave Music". primarywave.com. 5 April 2018. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  17. ↑ "Sir The Baptist Talks New Video Premiere And How Gospel Is Changing The Landscape". Essence. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  18. ↑ 2019 Lexus UX TV Commercial: "The New Renaissance" , retrieved 2021-08-11
  19. ↑ "Live at 837:Fall Concert Series: Sir The Baptist- Tuesday November 15th". NYCPlugged. 2016-11-08. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
  20. ↑ "Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour | McDonald's Black and Positively Golden". www.mcdonalds.com. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
  21. ↑ Sir The Baptist - Movin' [Official Audio] , retrieved 2021-08-11
  22. 1 2 "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.
  23. ↑ "Pandora Unveils List of Up-And-Coming Artists to Watch at Lollapalooza (Exclusive)". pastemagazine.com. 2016-07-27. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
  24. ↑ "Sir the Baptist & Anthony Hamilton's new single reimagines person of Jesus with 'Jesus in the Ghetto'". Niagara Frontier Publications. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
  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.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.