Maranda Curtis

Last updated
Minister
Maranda Curtis
Maranda Curtis PR Image.jpg
Background information
Also known asMaranda Curtis Willis
Born (1979-08-04) August 4, 1979 (age 44)
Miami, Florida, U.S.
Genres
Years active2012–present
Labels Butterfly Works

Red Alliance Media

Fair Trade Services
Website iammaranda.com

Maranda Curtis (born August 4, 1979) 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. [1]

Contents

Early life

Maranda Curtis was born on August 4, 1979, [2] in Miami as the fourth of seven children of pastor W. S. Curtis and Darlene Curtis, both former R&B singers. [3] Before she began working professionally making gospel and praise and worship music, she grew up listening to R&B and jazz. She began singing at an early age, learning to harmonize from sitting in on her parents' rehearsals. [4]

Career

Curtis is a former worship leader at The Potter's House in Dallas, which is "one of the most influential churches" in the United States. [5] In 2012, she released her first single, "Don't Take Your Love Away". [3]

Curtis's first extended play (EP), The Maranda Experience, Vol. 1, debuted atop the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart dated August 26, 2017. [3] [6] Curtis has explained that the title came from a desire of "making my private worship public" by "sharing my experience—the 'Maranda experience'—with others". [4] She learned this desire of "responsible worship", she said, from a visit to South Africa where she taught congregants who "would worship for three and a half hours. I was so convicted. I repented. A burning desire intensified inside of me to never be guilty of withholding my worship." [4] The singer Fantasia commended The Maranda Experience, calling it "true worship". [7] [8]

A live-in-concert version of the EP, Open Heaven: The Maranda Experience Live, was released the following year, as was the associated single "Nobody Like You Lord". [3] [9] Recorded in Delaware, the live album contains "jazz, traditional and churchy ballads ... all the sounds I grew up singing", as Curtis said. [10] Open Heaven debuted as a Billboard number-one gospel album on May 12, 2018, and stayed on the chart for 35 weeks; "Nobody Like You Lord" debuted on the Hot Gospel Songs chart at No. 20, eventually reaching the fifth place. [5] [6] [11] Later in 2018, Curtis released a Christmas music EP, Maranda Presents a Holy Christmas, which BroadwayWorld called "extraordinary in its musical arrangements" with "the expected goosebump-raising vocals delivered by Curtis". [5] It reached No. 9 on the Top Gospel Albums chart. [11]

At the 34th Annual Stellar Awards, for gospel music of 2018–19, Curtis was nominated for seven Stellars—including Artist of the Year, Song of the Year ("Nobody Like You Lord"), and CD of the Year (Open Heaven)—but she won none. [12]

Curtis' newest project, Die To Live (2022), is a half live, half studio album inspired by and written for the grieving process Curtis experienced after the passing of her mother, Darlene.

She is an honorary member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority.

Discography

EPs

List of extended plays, with selected chart positions
TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
US
Gospel

[13]
US
Christ

[14]
The Maranda Experience, Vol. 1
  • Released: August 4, 2017 [15]
  • Label: Butterfly Works / C Bazz ENT
15
Maranda Presents A Holy Christmas
  • Released: November 16, 2018 [16]
  • Label: Butterfly Works / Red Alliance Media / Fair Trade Services
9
The Maranda Curtis Experience, Vol. 2
  • Released: July 27, 2020 [17]
  • Label: Butterfly Works / Red Alliance Media / Fair Trade Services
19

Live albums

List of extended plays, with selected chart positions
TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
US
Gospel

[13]
Open Heaven: The Maranda Experience
  • Released: April 27, 2018 [18]
  • Label: Butterfly Works / Red Alliance Media / Fair Trade Services
1
Die To Live
  • Released: February 18, 2022 [19]
  • Label: Butterfly Works / Red Alliance Media / Fair Trade Services
12

Singles

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael W. Smith</span> American musician (born 1957)

Michael Whitaker Smith is an American musician who has charted in both contemporary Christian and mainstream charts. His biggest success in mainstream music was in 1991 when "Place in This World" hit No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. Over the course of his career, he has sold more than 18 million albums.

Rebecca Jean Fink, known professionally as Rebecca Jean or Rebecca St. James, is an Australian American contemporary Christian singer, songwriter and actress. She began performing in Australia in the late 1980s and released her first full-length studio album in 1991. She was signed to ForeFront Records in 1993, releasing her major label debut the following year.

<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">CeCe Winans</span> American gospel singer (born 1964)

Priscilla Marie Winans Love, known professionally as CeCe Winans, is an American gospel singer. Winans has garnered 15 Grammy Awards, the most for a female gospel singer; 31 GMA Dove Awards, 17 Stellar Awards, 7 NAACP Image Awards, along with many other awards and honors to her credit including being one of the inaugural inductees into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame. Winans is considered one of the greatest gospel artists of all time, and is the most-awarded and best-selling gospel act of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yolanda Adams</span> American gospel music singer

Yolanda Yvette Adams is an American gospel singer, actress, and host of her own nationally syndicated morning gospel show. She is one of the best-selling gospel artists of all time, having sold over 10 million albums worldwide. In addition to achieving multi-platinum status, she has won four Grammy Awards, four Dove Awards, five BET Awards, six NAACP Image Awards, six Soul Train Music Awards, two BMI Awards and sixteen Stellar Awards. She is the first Gospel artist to win the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Song. She is also the first Gospel artist to be awarded an American Music Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BeBe & CeCe Winans</span> American gospel music duo

BeBe & CeCe Winans are an American gospel music brother and sister duo. BeBe and CeCe Winans are the seventh and eighth of the Winans family's ten children, most of whom have had gospel music careers. Together, they have received several awards, including three Grammys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phil Wickham</span> American Christian musician

Philip David Wickham is an American contemporary Christian singer, musician and songwriter from San Diego, California. He has released ten worship albums: Give You My World in 2003, a self-titled album in 2006, Cannons in 2007, Singalong in 2008, Heaven & Earth in 2009, Response in 2011, Singalong 2 in 2012, The Ascension in 2013, Singalong 3 in 2015, Children of God in 2016, Living Hope in 2018, Hymn of Heaven in 2021, and I Believe in 2023. He has also led worship at Soul Survivor. His single "This is Amazing Grace" has been certified Platinum by the RIAA and it topped the 2014 year-end Christian Airplay chart.

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

Trin-i-tee 5:7 was 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. Despite critical and commercial success, the group experienced a lineup change when Terri Brown left the group in 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tamela Mann</span> American gospel singer and actress

Tamela Jean Mann is an American gospel singer and actress. She began her career as a singer with the gospel group Kirk Franklin and the Family. Mann was a primary vocalist on several tracks while with Franklin's group, including "Now Behold the Lamb", and "Lean on Me", the latter of which also included Mary J. Blige, Crystal Lewis, and Bono. She began her solo career by releasing the albums Gotta Keep Movin (2005), and The Master Plan (2009).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Maher</span> Musical artist

Matthew Guion Maher is a Canadian contemporary Christian music (CCM) artist, songwriter, and worship leader from Newfoundland, Canada, who lives in the United States. Three of his nine albums have reached the Top 25 Christian Albums Billboard chart and four of his singles have reached the Top 25 Christian Songs chart. His notable writing credits include "Your Grace Is Enough", "I Will Rise", "Because He Lives (Amen)", "Christ Is Risen", and "Lord I Need You". Maher has been nominated for nine Grammy Awards in his career and was awarded the Songwriter of the Year at the 2015 GMA Dove Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rend Collective</span> Northern Irish Christian folk rock band

Rend Collective is a Northern Irish Christian folk rock worship band originating from Bangor, Northern Ireland. The current lineup consists of Gareth Gilkeson, Chris Llewellyn, Ali Gilkeson, Patrick Thompson and Steve Mitchell. Their first studio album Organic Family Hymnal was released on 28 September 2010. Their second studio album Homemade Worship by Handmade People was released on 10 January 2012. Both records were released by Kingsway. Their first live album Campfire was released on 29 January 2013 with Integrity. Their fourth album, The Art of Celebration, was released on 17 March 2014. Their fifth album, Campfire Christmas, Vol. 1 was released in November 2014, and the sixth, As Family We Go, on 21 August 2015. Their second live album, Campfire II: Simplicity, was released at the beginning of October 2016. In 2017 they released the Build Your Kingdom Here compilation followed by Good News in early 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tori Kelly</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1992)

Victoria Loren Kelly is an American singer-songwriter. She first gained recognition after posting videos on YouTube as a teenager, and made it through to Hollywood week on the ninth season of American Idol in 2010. Thereafter, she independently released her self-produced debut EP in 2012, Handmade Songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lauren Daigle</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1991)

Lauren Ashley Daigle is an American contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter. After being signed to the label Centricity Music, she released her debut album, How Can It Be, in 2015. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart, has been certified Platinum by the RIAA and produced three No. 1 singles on the Billboard Christian Airplay chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Tomlin discography</span>

American contemporary Christian music (CCM) artist Chris Tomlin has released eight studio albums, two independent albums, two live albums, one compilation album, and twenty-one singles.

Koryn Mattanah Hawthorne is an American contemporary Christian music and gospel singer. Hawthorne was a finalist in season 8 of NBC's singing competition The Voice, at the age of 17, as a member on Pharrell Williams's team. After placing fourth on the show, Hawthorne got signed to RCA Inspiration, a division of Sony Music dedicated to gospel music recordings. Her debut studio album, Unstoppable, was released on July 13, 2018, and earned her multiple awards nominations, including two Grammy nominations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tauren Wells</span> Musical artist

Tauren Gabriel Wells is an American contemporary Christian singer, songwriter and pastor from Houston, Texas. Wells was the frontman of former Christian band Royal Tailor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelontae Gavin</span> American gospel singer and worship leader

Kelontae Gavin is an American gospel singer and worship leader who is known for the gospel radio singles, “No Ordinary Worship” and “Higher.”

The discography of Australian Christian music praise & worship group Hillsong Worship consists of twenty-six live albums, four extended plays (EPs), three compilation albums, and 19 singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">34th Annual Stellar Awards</span>

The 34th Annual Stellar Awards was held on March 29, 2019, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, and later aired for the first time on American digital cable and satellite television network BET on April 19. Musician Kirk Franklin hosted the ceremony.

Michael Brandon Lake is an American Christian worship singer, songwriter, guitarist, and worship pastor. Lake is a member of Maverick City Music and serves as a worship pastor at Seacoast Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Lake began his recording career with a successful crowdfunding campaign to produce an album in 2015, which resulted in the independent release of his debut studio album, Closer, in 2016.

References

  1. GMA (2020-06-29). "BMI Announces Its 2020 Trailblazers of Gospel Music Winners". The Gospel Music Association. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  2. "DOWNLOAD: A holy Christmas (Album)-Maranda Curtis". zionstars.com. November 21, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Maranda Curtis". AllMusic . Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 Lusk, Caroline (April 30, 2018). "Maranda Curtis – An Open Book". CCM Magazine . Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 "Maranda Curtis Presents A Holy Christmas Available Now". BroadwayWorld . November 19, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  6. 1 2 Asker, Jim (May 10, 2018). "Andy Mineo's 'Arrow' Shoots Straight Onto Top Christian Albums, Maranda Curtis Crowns Top Gospel Albums". Billboard . Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  7. Thomasos, Christine (August 10, 2017). "Fantasia Moved by Gospel Singer Maranda Curtis' Worship Album" . Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  8. Kymberlee (June 14, 2018). "Girl Wonder: Maranda Curtis Transforms the Worship Experience". thisgospellife.com. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  9. "Maranda Curtis set to release gospel album with UK-based record company". Cross Rhythms . Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  10. Lundin, Marcus (March 6, 2018). "Maranda Curtis Releases New Single 'Nobody Like You Lord'; Embarks On 'The Winning Circle Tour' This April". breathecast.com. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  11. 1 2 "Maranda Curtis | Billboard". Billboard . Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  12. "34th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Award Nominees". Stellar Awards . Retrieved May 7, 2019. "2019 Winners - 34th Annual Stellar Awards". Stellar Awards . Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  13. 1 2 "Maranda Curtis Chart History - Top Gospel Albums". Billboard . Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  14. "Maranda Curtis Chart History - Top Christian Albums". Billboard . Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  15. "The Maranda Experience Volume I". iTunes. August 4, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  16. "Maranda Presents A Holy Christmas". iTunes. November 16, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  17. The Maranda Experience Volume 2 by Maranda Curtis, 2020-07-27, retrieved 2022-02-16
  18. "Open Heaven - The Maranda Experience". iTunes. April 27, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  19. "New Album 'Die To Live' From Maranda Curtis Now Available For Pre-Order". TCB. 2022-01-28. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  20. "Don't Take Your Love Away by Maranda Curtis Willis". Amazon Music. September 17, 2012. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  21. "Power Lord by Maranda Curtis". Amazon Music. August 5, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  22. "In Your Presence (feat. Maranda Curtis) - Single". iTunes. June 16, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  23. "Nobody Like You Lord (Radio Edit) - Single". iTunes. March 2, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  24. "I'm All In - Single". iTunes. March 22, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  25. Press (Radio Edit) - Single by Maranda Curtis, 2020-06-25, retrieved 2022-02-16
  26. Lazarus (Radio Edit) - Single by Maranda Curtis, 2021-09-24, retrieved 2022-02-16