Trin-i-tee 5:7

Last updated

Trin-i-tee 5:7
US Army 52401 Bamberg experiences spirit-lifting entertainment.png
Anderson, Haynes, Taylor performing in 2009
Background information
Origin New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Genres Gospel, R&B
Years active1997–2013
Labels Music World Gospel, GospoCentric
Past members

Trin-i-tee 5:7 is an American gospel girl group formed in 1997. The original lineup composed of Chanelle Haynes, Angel Taylor, and Terri Brown-Britton. The group was launched into mainstream recognition following the release of their best-selling debut album, Trin-i-tee 5:7 (1998), which contained the top-charting gospel single "God's Grace". The album became certified gold. [1] Despite critical and commercial success, the group experienced a lineup change when as Terri Brown left the group in 1999.

Contents

In mid-1999, Adrian Anderson was added to the group and they released their second album, Spiritual Love . In 2002, they followed up with the release of The Kiss . Their fourth album T57 (2007) earned a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album. The album spawned the top-charting singles: "Listen" and "Get Away". Following the departure of Anderson in 2010, Trin-i-tee 5:7 moved forward as a duo and released their sixth album Angel & Chanelle (2011).

Trin-i-tee 5:7 has sold more than 2.5 million records worldwide to date, [2] [3] and is recognized as one of the most successful contemporary gospel acts of their era. [4] They were also ranked as the tenth Top Gospel Artist of the Year by Billboard , in 2002 [5] and 2011. [6] Their work has earned them several awards and nominations, including two Dove Music Awards, [7] one Stellar Award, two Grammy nominations, and two BET Award nominations.

History

1997–1998: Formation and early years

Original members Angel Taylor and Chanelle Haynes were born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, where they attended high school together. [8] Haynes and Taylor both participated in local singing competitions, often competing against each other. [8] Kenneth Grant, a New Orleans-based entrepreneur and businessman, decided to put together a group. [8] After hearing Haynes perform at his church, Greater St. Stephen FGBC, Grant added her to his forthcoming group. [8] Taylor, coincidentally a friend of Haynes, would later be added to the group. [8] Grant also added Terri Brown, a local singer in his church. [8] The ladies took on the group name "Trin-i-tee 5:7" based on 1 John 5:7 biblical scripture that refers to the Trinity. [8] [9] Managed by Kenneth Grant, the group secured a recording contract with GospoCentric Records in 1997.

1998–2000: Trin-i-tee 5:7 and Spiritual Love

Trin-i-tee 5:7 released their self-titled debut album in the United States on July 14, 1998, featuring productions by R. Kelly, Kirk Franklin, Percy Bady, Kevin Bond, Buster & Shavoni, Soulshock & Karlin. Trin-i-tee 5:7 peaked at number one on the Billboard's Top Gospel Albums and number twenty on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. [10] It managed to sell over seven hundred-thousand copies in the United States, being certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). [1] The album's lead single, "God's Grace", reached number six on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs and number thirty-two on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay. [10] Its follow-up single, "Oh! Mary Don't You Weep" failed to reproduce the success of "God's Grace". Meanwhile, the group featured on a song "As Long As You're With Me" from the soundtrack album of the animated epic musical film The Prince of Egypt . In 1998, Trin-i-tee 5:7 received five Stellar Award nominations, winning New Artist of the Year. [11]

After the success of their debut album, Trin-i-tee 5:7 re-entered the studio quickly, bringing in a new lineup of producers, including Fred Jerkins III and Travon Potts. However, Terri Brown defected from the group to focus on her new marriage as well as a solo career. [9] Adrian Anderson, a makeup artist for Gospocentric, was added to the group in mid-1999. Coming up with Spiritual Love , they released it on December 28, 1999 and it eventually became their breakthrough album. Spiritual Love peaked at number five on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart and debuted at number one on the Gospel albums chart in early 2000. [10] "Put Your Hands" was released in 1999 as the album's lead single. The main key to the group's breakthrough was the album's second single, "My Body", which charted the Billboard Adult R&B Songs at number thirty-five. [10] Despite the positive message of the "My Body", the song was met with much controversy. [12] The successful release of the singles bolstered the album's sales, eventually selling over one million copies worldwide.

2002–2003: The Kiss

By the time the group's The Kiss was released in 2002, they were having problems with GospoCentric. The urban radio track "Holla" didn't get the urban radio push they felt the song merited and failed to make it on the R&B Charts. During that period Kenneth Grant left his post as the group's manager, and they sought to be released from their recording contract, but the label refused. [13]

R&B star Brandy's mother and manager, Sonja Norwood, took over management and brought the group to a higher level of mainstream respect by booking them on major non-gospel television shows. [14] However, she eventually turned the management over to Mathew Knowles. [15]

2004–2009: T57

After a lengthy hiatus, the group was finally released from GospoCentric and Knowles signed them to Spirit Rising, the gospel music division of his Music World Entertainment record label. In 2007, GospoCentric released their first greatest hits album Holla: The Best of Trin-i-tee 5:7 . Their fourth studio album T57 was released the same year. T57 charted at No. 2 on the Gospel charts and #102 on the Billboard 200. The lead single, "Listen" charted at No. 9 on the U.S. Gospel charts. The group later embarked on their The Sisters In Spirit tour. In September 2008, a deluxe edition of T57 was released featuring three additional songs including the single "Get Away" which the group performed at BET's annual Celebration of Gospel. The album won two Dove Awards and was nominated for a Grammy Award. [2] [3]

After the release of T57, the group began doing individual projects. Chanelle pursued an acting career. Angel Taylor became the co-host for the short-lived BET's 106 & Gospel, which premiered January 11, 2009 and lasted for only one season. Adrian Anderson along with Soulfruit appeared on Spirit Rising's Pastor Rudy Experience album.

They released their first Christmas album, Love, Peace, Joy at Christmas, on October 26, 2009.[ citation needed ]

2010–2012: Anderson's departure and Angel & Chanelle

In October 2010, Anderson left the group and launched her own beauty line Halo Tu Beauty, leaving Haynes and Taylor to continue on as a duo. In February 2011, Trin-i-tee 5:7 released "Over and Over", the lead single from their forthcoming album. The single, which featured singer PJ Morton, peaked at number two on the Hot Gospel Songs chart. [10] On May 31, 2011, Trin-i-tee 5:7 released their sixth studio album Angel & Chanelle . [16] The album became their highest charting album on Billboard's Top 200 chart, peaking at number twenty and number one the Gospel Albums chart. [10] In May 2011, "Heaven Hear My Heart" was released as the second single, peaking at number ten on the Gospel Digital Song Sales chart. [10] "Bring Your Praise" was released in October 2011 and peaked at number twenty-eight on the Hot Gospel Songs chart. [10]

2013–2017: Disbandment and solo projects

In 2013, Trin-i-tee 5:7 released their second greatest hits album Trin-i-tee 5:7 Hits as they announced that they would pursue solo careers. In September 2013, Chanel released her first solo single "Believe". The single peaked nineteen on Billboard's Hot Gospel Songs chart. [17] In July 2014, Chanel released her debut solo album Trin-i-tee 5:7 According to Chanel on her own independent recording label Obsidian Records. The album peaked at twenty-five on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums chart. [17] In August 2014, the album's second single "Replay" peaked at twenty-six on the Gospel Airplay chart. [17]

In 2014, Taylor released her first solo single "Weak", an R&B-pop song, on her own recording label Taylor Made Music. Her follow-up single "Still God" was released later that year. In 2017, she released two singles "Everything" and "Nobody Better".

2018–present: Back Again and Story of My Life

On June 26, 2018, an eight-song extended play Back Again. [18] In March 2020, a compilation album Story of My Life was released, which featured unreleased and leftover songs from previous albums. [19]

Artistry

Musical style and themes

Trin-i-tee 5:7 recorded gospel songs with styles that encompasses urban, contemporary, and R&B. [4] In the group's original line-up, lead vocals were equally shared amongst the members, with Haynes as the group's contralto, Brown as the group's mezzo-soprano, and Taylor as the group's soprano. After a lineup change, Haynes became the primary lead vocalist, Taylor became the second lead vocalist, and Anderson, who sang soprano, often ad-libbed and alternated verses with Haynes. Trin-i-tee 5:7 cited R&B singer Whitney Houston as one of their influences. The Lakeland Ledger described Trin-i-tee 5:7's unique blend of gospel, R&B, hip-hop as "spiritually uplifting". [20] In the same publication, the article noted that the sound that defines Trin-i-tee 5:7, aside from contemporary genre influences, is the group "sings about love that won't hurt you, a lover that will never leave you, the best love anyone, male or female, could have  God's grace." [20] Haynes, however, completely led songs like "I Still Love You" and "Reflection". The group explored their lyrics to man-to-woman relationship, sisterhood and female empowerment anthems. With Haynes' and Taylor's wide role assumed in the production of Spiritual Love, the group's musical content delve into more personal lyrics which often receive criticism. In an interview with Gospel Flava, Haynes acknowledged that the group experienced much controversy for songs like "My Body" and "What He Wants" despite its true message. [12]

Public image

Trin-i-tee 5:7 have often been described as a Christian version of Destiny's Child and the contemporary gospel vocal equivalent of En Vogue, both of whom are top-selling female groups of the 1990s. [4] Lead singer Haynes has often drawn comparisons to R&B singer Toni Braxton for her smokey contralto voice. [8]

Trin-i-tee 5:7 have often described their image as "fashionable young women who are ambassadors for Christ." [20] Despite their positive image, the group have also experienced heavy criticism and controversy within the Christian community for their style of outfits and appearance. [21] [22] Haynes also remarked that the group have also experienced controversy for their off-stage appearance. [22] However, Alex Henderson of All Music Guide noted that "In terms of image, Trin-i-tee 5:7 favor a look that is stylish and even sexy but not slutty or trashy — they wear makeup and attractive clothing, but they don't go out of their way to exploit their sex appeal." [4]

Philanthropy

In December 2000, Adrian Anderson founded a non-profit organization called the Be an Angel: Wear Your Halo Foundation in Sacramento, California. [23] [12] The foundation provided assistance to low-income and financially struggling families. [11] The organization also distributes "care packages", which contained items including telephone cards, gift cards from supermarkets and retail stores, bath and body products, snack foods for kids, and household items. [11] The Be an Angel: Wear Your Halo Foundation also provided knapsacks under their "Bag of Knowledge" program for college students. [11]

After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Trin-i-tee 5:7 founded the Trin-i-tee 5:7 Ambassador of Hope and Triumph Campaign to provide financial assistance to the colleges, hospitals, businesses, and churches. [24] In addition to financial assistance, they also donated their personal time to help uplift the hurricane victims' spirits. In 2008, Trin-i-tee 5:7 took the campaign to Sacramento and Los Angeles, California, and Houston, Texas. [25]

Discography

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirk Franklin</span> American gospel musician

Kirk Dewayne Franklin is an American songwriter, choir director, gospel singer, and rapper. He is best known for leading urban contemporary gospel and Christian R&B ensembles such as The Family, God's Property, and One Nation Crew (1NC) among many others. He has won numerous awards, including 20 Grammy Awards. Variety dubbed Franklin as a "Reigning King of Urban Gospel", and is one of the inaugural inductees into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tramaine Hawkins</span> American gospel singer (born 1951)

Tramaine Aunzola Richardson, known professionally as Tramaine Hawkins, is an American award-winning Gospel singer whose career spans over five decades. Since beginning her career in 1966, Hawkins has won two Grammy Awards, two Doves, and 19 Stellar Awards.

Travon Marcel Potts is an American songwriter and record producer. He has a prolific discography. Potts is well known for writing for artists such as Monica, Christina Aguilera, Ahmed Chawki, Kenny Lattimore, Anastacia, Eternal, BeBe Winans, Trin-i-tee 5:7 and Public Announcement. He was later brought in as a staff writer / producer for Nadir RedOne Khayat's RedOne Productions LLC. Potts co-wrote the 2014 theme song "Time of Our Lives" for beIN Sports. Potts scored and wrote original music for Lifetime Network's Whitney directed by Angela Bassett. His music has also appeared in BMF, Swagger, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, Greenleaf, The Chi, and the holiday TV movies Adventures In Christmasing (VH1), and The First Noelle (BET). His early TV and film work includes, Miracle in Lane 2, All About the Benjamins, Soul Plane and Up TV's A Cross To Bear.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Farish</span> Musical artist

Ryan Farish is an American composer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentist. Hailing from Norfolk, Virginia, and based in Los Angeles, California, Ryan is known for his downtempo electronica, chillout, and uplifting dance music. His sound is a combination of anthemic melodies layered with organic downtempo grooves along with a collection of releases that infuse dance rhythms with uplifting themes. Ryan established his self-owned record label in 2008, RYTONE Entertainment, as a home to his own releases as well as those of other collaborative artists.

GospoCentric Records was an Inglewood, California based Gospel music record label, started as an independent label by Vicki Mack Lataillade and Claude Lataillade in 1993. The label rose to prominence in the 1990s, largely on the runaway success of gospel artist Kirk Franklin. The label has grown to become one of the most prominent major gospel labels. GospoCentric later spawned the imprint B-Rite Music, which was used to launch artists like Trin-i-tee 5:7 and God's Property who found considerable mainstream success. GospoCentric was purchased by Zomba Music Group in the mid 2000s, which also owned the major gospel label Verity Records. GospoCentric has since been defunct, and the purchase now led to the record label RCA Inspiration which is owned by Sony Music Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donald Lawrence</span> Musical artist

Donald Lawrence is an American gospel music songwriter, record producer and artist. He is best known for his Grammy Award-nominated songs "The Blessing of Abraham" and "Encourage Yourself".

"Love" is the second single from Musiq Soulchild's debut album Aijuswanaseing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirk Franklin discography</span>

This is the discography of American gospel artist Kirk Franklin. In total, Franklin has won fifteen Grammy Awards, thirteen Dove Awards and twenty-eight Stellar Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bama Boyz</span> American hip hop group

The Bama Boyz are a Grammy-nominated, Dove Award-winning, American record production, songwriting, and artist trio, consisting of Eddie "E-Trez" Smith III, Jesse J. Rankins, Jonathan D. Wells. Professionally producing and songwriting since 2003, the Bama Boyz have accumulated a diverse range of music credits, ranging from genres such as Electro, R&B, Pop, hiphop, urban gospel, dance, and Latin pop to soundtracks/theme music for films, television shows, commercials, toy lines, and books. They are now known as Watch The Duck.

<i>T57</i> (album) 2007 studio album by Trin-i-tee 5:7

T57 is the fifth album of gospel group, Trin-i-tee 5:7. The album was released September 18, 2007, on Spirit Rising Music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trin-i-tee 5:7 discography</span>

American gospel girl group Trin-i-tee 5:7 has released five studio albums, two compilation albums, one holiday album, one extended play, and fifteen singles.

<i>Trin-i-tee 5:7</i> (album) 1998 studio album by Trin-i-tee 5:7

Trin-i-tee 5:7 is the debut album by American gospel group Trin-i-tee 5:7. The album spawned three singles "Oh! Mary Don't You Weep", "God's Grace", and "You Can Always Call His Name". The album became certified gold in 2000. The album debut at No. 139 Billboard 200, No. 1 on the Top Gospel, No. 2 Christian Albums, and No. 4 Heatseekers, 20 R&B charts. This was the first and only album to feature original member Terri Brown who would leave following year. In 2011, Taylor and Hayes re-recorded the remix of "God's Grace" from their Angel & Chanelle album with the original versions to the song. R. Kelly wrote the single "God's Grace".

<i>Spiritual Love</i> (album) 1999 studio album by Trin-i-tee 5:7

Spiritual Love is the second album of gospel group, Trin-i-tee 5:7. The album features the singles, "Put Your Hands", "I Promise" and "My Body" and "There He Is". The album chartered #1 Top Gospel Albums, #5, #5 (Heatseekers), #41 Top R&B charts, and #174 Billboard 200. The album featured collaborations with gospel artists such as Kirk Franklin, Tramaine Hawkins, Crystal Lewis, and Natalie Wilson.

<i>The Kiss</i> (album) 2002 studio album by Trin-i-tee 5:7

The Kiss is the third studio album by gospel group, Trin-i-tee 5:7. Featuring production by PAJAM, "Uncle Freddie" Jerkins and Myron Butler, "musically, The Kiss is urban contemporary/neo-soul with hip-hop elements, but lyrically", the album "is gospel". Described as "promoting Christianity" in a non-"divisive" manner, the album features lyrical input from the group themselves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U Saved Me</span> 2004 single by R. Kelly

U Saved Me is a gospel song by R. Kelly. Taken as the title track single from U Saved Me, it reached number 52 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 14 on the Hot R&B and Hip-Hop Songs charts. The song later appeared on Kelly's 2010 album, Epic.

Dana Hammond is a record producer, composer, songwriter, drummer and bass guitarist.

Christian R&B is a subgenre of rhythm and blues music consisting of tracks with Christian-based lyrics or by musicians typically known for writing such songs. Music in this genre intends to uplift, entertain, or to give a Christian perspective on a topic. Christian R&B could be considered a subgenre of gospel music, or a cross-genre under both gospel and R&B.

<i>Angel & Chanelle</i> 2011 studio album by Trin-i-tee 5:7

Angel & Chanelle is the fifth studio album by American girl group Trin-i-tee 5:7. It was released on May 31, 2011 by Music World Gospel. Following a career hiatus that reignited their creativity, Trin-i-tee 5:7 was inspired to create a record musically and lyrically more personal than their previous albums. Their collaborations with songwriters and record producers Rockwilder, Ronny "Flip" Colson, and the Surefire Music Group produced a mellower tone, developing diverse vocal styles and influences from hip hop, pop, and soul music. Angel & Chanelle is also Trin-i-tee 5:7's first album as a music duo, following the departure of Adrian Anderson in October 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chanel Haynes</span> American singer (born 1978)

Chanelle "Chanel" Haynes is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She rose to fame in the late 1990s as the lead singer of the gospel girl group Trin-i-tee 5:7, one of the most successful contemporary gospel acts of their era.

References

  1. 1 2 Gold & Platinum Database Search > Trin-i-tee 5:7. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved on August 23, 2018
  2. 1 2 Spirit Rising Music's Trin-i-tee 5:7 Wins two GMA Dove Awards Retrieved April 24, 2008
  3. 1 2 "Trin-i-tee 5:7 (Gospel Music Channel)" . Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Trin-i-tee 5:7 | Biography & History. All Music Guide. Retrieved on August 23, 2018
  5. "The Year in Music 2001". Billboard. December 28, 2002. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  6. "The Year in Music 2011". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. December 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  7. > Search for "Trin-i-tee 5:7". Dove Awards. Retrieved on August 23, 2018
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Trin-i-tee 5:7: Spiritual Love Affair. Cross Rhythms. Retrieved on August 24, 2018
  9. 1 2 "Trin-i-tee 5:7". July 17, 2007. Retrieved May 24, 2008.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Trin-i-tee 5:7 Chart History. Billboard. Retrieved on August 23, 2018
  11. 1 2 3 4 Trin-i-tee 5:7 at Christian Music. Christian Music. Retrieved on August 23, 2018
  12. 1 2 3 Interview with Trin-i-tee 5:7 Sealed With A Kiss.... Gospel Flava. Retrieved on August 23, 2018
  13. "Kiss". August 6, 2002. Retrieved September 17, 2018 via Amazon.
  14. "Trin-i-tee 5:7". April 22, 2008. Retrieved May 24, 2008.
  15. "Trin-i-tee 5:7: Back with a hit new album 'T57' and ready for mainstream success". October 21, 2007. Retrieved May 24, 2008.
  16. Angel & Chanelle - Trin-i-tee 5:7. All Music Guide. Retrieved on August 24, 2018
  17. 1 2 3 Chanel Chart History [ dead link ]. Billboard. Retrieved on August 24, 2018
  18. Back Again - EP by Trin-i-tee 5:7 on Apple Music. iTunes. Retrieved on September 17, 2018
  19. Story of My Life by Trin-i-tee 5:7 on Apple Music. iTunes. Retrieved on March 16, 2020
  20. 1 2 3 Lakeland Ledger. Lakeland Ledger.
  21. Trin-i-tee 5:7 Taking Heat for Outfits & Answers on BET's 106 & Park. EEW Magazine. Retrieved on August 24, 2018
  22. 1 2 Vixen Chat: Chanelle Hayes of Trin-I-Tee 5:7. Vibe Magazine. Retrieved on August 24, 2018
  23. 'Be an Angel' Wear Your Halo. Caopendata. Retrieved on August 24, 2018
  24. Trin-i-tee 5:7: Back With A New Album and Attitude. Essence. Retrieved on August 24, 2018
  25. "The Soul Inspiration Behind Trin-i-tee 5:7". www.cbn.com. Retrieved September 17, 2018.