John P. Kee
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John P. Kee | |
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| Birth name | John Prince Kee |
| Also known as | "The Prince of Gospel Music" |
| Born | June 4, 1962 Durham, North Carolina, US |
| Origin | Durham, North Carolina, US |
| Genres | Gospel, praise and worship |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter, pastor |
| Years active | 1986-present |
| Labels | Tyscot (1987–1993) Verity (1994–present) |
| Website | www.johnpkee.com |
John P. Kee (born John Prince Kee on June 4, 1962) is an American gospel singer and pastor.
Kee has been active for more than 35 years in the music field. He is primarily known for mixing traditional gospel with modern contemporary gospel, and for having a soulful husky voice. Kee is also known as "The Prince of Gospel Music".[1]
In 2024, Kee fell seriously ill from an undisclosed illness that rendered him unavailable for a short period. [2]
Early life and education
John P. Kee was born on June 4, 1962 in Durham, North Carolina. At an early age he began developing his musical talent both instrumentally and vocally. He attended the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. At age 14, he and his brothers, Wayne and Al, moved to California. There he began attending the Yuba College Conservatory School of Music in Marysville, California. During this time, he began playing with various groups such as Cameo, Donald Byrd and the Blackbyrds.
Due to having a hard time adjusting in California, he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina (only to find himself living in a part of the city known for its violence and drug activities). After watching one of his friends being murdered in a drug deal gone bad, he rededicated his life back to God during a visitation to a revival meeting.[3]
Music career
In the mid-1980s, Kee formed a community choir in Charlotte known as the New Life Community Choir or "NLCC". Over time, the choir grew in popularity, and has continued to travel throughout the area. The choir also included Kee's own children.
In 1990, Kee founded the Victory in Praise Music and Arts Seminar Mass Choir, or "V.I.P." to fellowship with various ministries, songwriters, musicians and choir directors from all over the country.
In 2007, Kee was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame.[4]
Discography
Solo albums
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [5] |
US Gospel [6] |
US Heat [7] |
US R&B/HH [8] | |||||
| Yes Lord | — | — | — | — | ||||
| Just Me This Time |
|
— | 12 | — | — | |||
| Colorblind |
|
— | 4 | — | — | |||
| The Color of Music |
|
— | 3 | 37 | 56 | |||
| The Legacy Project |
|
123 | 2 | — | — | |||
| Level Next |
|
— | 4 | — | — | |||
| I Made It Out |
|
|||||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart | ||||||||
With choir
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [5] |
US Gospel [6] |
US Heat [7] | |||
| Brethren in Unity (The New Life Community Choir) |
|
— | — | — | |
| Wait on Him (The New Life Community Choir) |
|
— | — | — | |
| There is Hope (John P. Kee & Friends) |
|
— | 11 | — | |
| Wash Me (New Life Community Choir) |
|
— | 2 | — | |
| Never Shall Forget (Victory in Praise Choir) |
|
— | — | — | |
| We Walk By Faith (feat. New Life Community Choir) |
|
— | — | — | |
| Lily in the Valley (Victory in Praise Choir) |
|
— | — | — | |
| Show Up! (The New Life Community Choir) |
|
147 | — | — | |
| Stand (Victory in Praise Choir) |
|
— | — | — | |
| A Special Christmas Gift (feat. New Life Community Choir) |
|
— | — | — | |
| Strength (The New Life Community Choir) |
|
107 | 2 | — | |
| Any Day (Victory in Praise Choir) |
|
— | — | — | |
| Not Guilty: The Experience (feat. New Life Community Choir) |
|
— | — | — | |
| Mighty in the Spirit (Victory in Praise Choir) |
|
— | — | — | |
| Blessed By Association (feat. New Life Community Choir) |
|
— | — | — | |
| Live at the Fellowship (Victory in Praise Choir) |
|
— | 24 | — | |
| The Reunion (The New Life Community Choir) |
|
— | 10 | 27 | |
| Nothing But Worship (The New Life Community Choir) |
|
— | 3 | — | |
| Live in Miami (feat. Victory in Praise Choir) |
|
— | — | — | |
| Life and Favor (feat. New Life Community Choir) |
|
32 | — | — | |
| Life and Favor: Deluxe Edition (Includes John P. Kee's Book "Life and Favor: The Manual") |
|
— | — | — | |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart | |||||
Videography
- "It Will Be Alright" – 1990 (VHS)
- "Wash Me" – 1991 (VHS)
- "We Walk By Faith" – 1994 (VHS)
- "Show Up" – 1995 (VHS)
- "Stand" – 1996 (VHS)
- "Strength" – 1998 (VHS)
- "Not Guilty: The Experience" – 2001 (VHS/DVD)
- "Absolutely Live!" (compilation) – 2003 (DVD)
References
- ^ "John P. Kee".
- ^ Boyd, Libra (January 30, 2024). "Pastor John P. Kee takes break from pastoral duties after falling 'seriously ill'". Gospel Music Fever. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ "John P. Kee Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ "Welcome to the Christian Music Hall of Fame and Museum". Christian Music Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on August 19, 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2008.John P Kee inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame
- ^ a b "John P. Kee Album & Song Chart History – Billboard 200". Billboard.
- ^ a b "John P. Kee Album & Song Chart History – Gospel Albums". Billboard.
- ^ a b "John P. Kee Album & Song Chart History – Heatseekers Albums". Billboard.
- ^ "John P. Kee Album & Song Chart History – Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Albums". Billboard.
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