June, with its beautiful sunny days and rising temperatures, is the first of the summer months. It is also a special time to celebrate all genres of Black music. Officially dubbed, Black Music Month, by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, the month of June offers a set-time for the world to enjoy and discover the rich legacy of Black music. One genre of Black music that has influenced almost every type of music - including pop, R & B, blues and country – is gospel music.
From the soul-stirring sound of Mahalia Jackson to the upbeat rhythm of Kirk Franklin, gospel music encompasses a range of artists – black and white – with varying sounds and one unique purpose. In the coming weeks, as a tribute to Black Music Month, this column will spotlight Black, Christian/Gospel artists in the Baltimore/DC metropolitan region who sing solely for the purpose of sharing an intentional message with listeners about what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This week’s spotlight is on Nicois.
Nicois a.k.a. Nicois Harris is a wife, a mother and a believer in Jesus Christ. She is blessed also with a melodic voice and a strong passion to inspire others to learn more about her Christian faith. A member of Agape Embassy Ministries in Northern VA where she serves as a Praise and Worship Leader, Nicois recently released her first gospel CD, Undiniabel.
Undiniabel is a mix of contemporary, rock, pop, and gospel sounds. Inspired by the dissatisfaction and void she felt while listening to her i-Pod track list, Nicois set-out to create music that would engage people in a constant dialogue with God. “I hope this CD promotes an atmosphere of intimacy while encouraging listeners to receive all that God has in store concerning their purpose and His will for their lives,” said Nicois.
Short in stature, Nicois has a gigantic sound and love for God that gushes out in every beat of her music. As noted on her CD cover, “she was born into a world of music and is part of a chosen generation: called to inspire, motivate and uplift the world with her lifestyle and her music.” Undiniabel is undeniably unique in sound; its title track sets the pace for the CD providing a clear message regarding the manifestation of God’s grace and mercy in the life of believers.
“Not one to be pigeon-holed,” Nicois’ own passion “lies in creating universal, powerful and effective music for the Christian believer that stretches across genres, races and even continents.” In the studio working on her second CD project, Nicois is scheduled to sing in Baltimore on August 26th at a youth revival. She credits her husband, parents and other members of her family – natural and spiritual – for shaping her as an artist and a believer.
When asked about the spelling of her new CD’s title, Nicois stated that she labeled the project “Un-di-ni-a-bel” because it is what God is to her; the spelling of the CD's title signifies getting to the root or the source of something.
To learn more about Nicois or to obtain copies of her newest CD, visit her website at www.nicoismusic.com.
Comments