Sapp’s new holiday album “Christmas Card, ” which
is in retail stores and online NOW, offers a unique
blend of contemporary music and traditional holiday
standards that set the tone for the season.
For popular music fans, the soulful lead single
“ Home for Christmas” featuring R&B crooner Joe is
reminiscent of classic contemporary holiday songs
by Donny Hathaway or The Whispers. However, for
those who love Christmas standards performed by
artists passionate to convey the reason for the
season , Sapp reunites with gospel super-group
Commissioned (Fred Hammond, Keith Staten,
Mitchell Jones, Karl Reid, Michael Williams and
Marcus Cole) on “What Child Is This? ” and “ Honor
The King“. The album also includes the title track
“ Christmas Card“, “ Feels Real Good “, “ Holy“, “ God
Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen “, “ Dance,” “Love At
Christmas , “ MaKaila’s Shout Out ,” “Thank You,”
“ Don’t Get It Twisted,” and “Joseph’s Song“.
”I’m excited about ‘Christmas Card’ for so many
reasons. This release marks two firsts in my
career – this is my first Christmas album as well as
the first time I’ve co-produced an album,” said
Sapp. “It was also great to team up with Joe, who
is an amazing R&B singer, and reunite with my
brothers from Commissioned. It is the first original
music recorded by Commissioned in twenty years.”
When asked about the various styles of music Sapp
had this to say, “We tried to do something that was
different. This is a departure from what people are
accustomed to hearing me do. I wanted to do
something this time that was not quite as churchy.
A little more urban and a little more ‘Boyz II Men
type or Brian McKnight .’ Still keeping the lyrical
content Christ centered was important to me and I
believe we succeeded.”
Sapp shared his personal holiday plans. “Our
tradition has been to fly to Orlando and spend
Christmas at Disney. This year the kids want to
stay home and bring their friends home for the
holiday. It looks like I’ll be having Christmas in the
cold this year! For Thanksgiving I always fry a
turkey because that’s all I know how to make!” It is
unclear what Sapp will be cooking for Christmas but
we know it will be good.
His charter school, Grand Rapids Ellington Academy
of Arts and Technology (G-R-E-A-A-T) is thriving
(now the home to over 400 students). “The children
are learning, excelling and growing,” according to
Sapp.
The Stellar Awards winning and Grammy nominated
artist dominated both contemporary and gospel
music charts with the 2007 smash hit single “ Never
Would Have Made It “, which held the #1 position at
radio for 43 weeks, maintaining the top spot longer
than any artist in Billboard’s history – including the
Beatles and Elvis Presley. Sapp went on to release
the chart-topping albums “Here I Am” and “I Win”.
What a picture of success. Sapp releases his first
ever Christmas project and it’s receiving rave
reviews around the country as he spreads his gift
with audiences. There is a strong family that loves
him, plans for a new Gospel CD in 2014, a
successful business venture with his charter school
and we know the best is yet to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment