Israel Houghton


Israel Houghton is an American contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter, producer, and worship leader. His worship team is credited as Israel & New Breed.

Musical career

Houghton produced an album by Michael Gungor, Bigger Than My Imagination, which was described as "one of the year's best worship albums" in a 2003 Christianity Today review.

Israel & New Breed

New Breed is the backing band of Israel Houghton. Many of Israel's album releases are credited to Israel & New Breed.

Personal life

Houghton is mixed race; he was born to a white mother and Jamaican father. Houghton and his college girlfriend had a son together.
In 1994, Houghton married Meleasa Houghton, with whom he had three children: Mariah in 1996, Israel Jr. in 2001, and Milan in 2003. They separated in 2015 and their divorce was finalized in February 2016. During his marriage, Houghton fathered two sons with his mistress, DeVawn Moreno: Kingston in 2012, and Khristian in 2014.
On November 11, 2016, Houghton married singer and TV personality Adrienne Bailon in Paris, after several months of dating. In 2022, the couple welcomed their first child together, a son.

Awards and nominations

Daytime Emmy Awards

The Daytime Emmy Awards are awarded yearly by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for artistic and technical merit for American daytime television programming. Houhgton has received 1 nomination.
YearAwardNominated workResult
2019Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program"Secrets"
Nomitated

GMA Dove Awards

The Dove Awards are awarded annually by the Gospel Music Association. Houghton has won 15 awards from 40 nominations.
YearAwardNominated workResult
2002Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year"There's a Liftin' of the Hands"Nomitated
2003Contemporary Gospel Album of the YearRealNomitated
2003Urban Recorded Song of the Year"Get Up"Nomitated
2005Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year"Again I Say Rejoice"Won
2005Contemporary Gospel Album of the YearLive From Another LevelWon
2005Male Vocalist of the YearLive From Another LevelNomitated
2005Song of the Year"Friend of God"Nomitated
2006Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year"Not Forgotten"Won
2006Song of the Year"Friend of God"Nomitated
2006Praise & Worship Album of the YearAlive in South AfricaNomitated
2006Long Form Music Video of the YearLive From Another LevelNomitated
2007Long Form Music Video of the YearAlive in South AfricaNomitated
2007Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year"Turn It Around"Won
2007Contemporary Gospel Album of the YearIt's Not Over Won
2007Choral Collection of the YearAgain I Say Rejoice: Celebrating The Songs Of Israel HoughtonNomitated
2007Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year"Favor" Nomitated
2008Contemporary Gospel Album of the YearA Deeper LevelWon
2008Producer of the YearA Deeper LevelNomitated
2008Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year"Say So"Won
2009Contemporary Gospel Album of the YearChange The World Won
2010Urban Song of the Year"Just Wanna Say"Won
2010Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year"The Power of One "Won
2010Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year"Every Prayer"Nomitated
2011Contemporary Gospel Album of the YearLove God, Love PeopleWon
2011Male Vocalist of the YearLove God, Love PeopleNomitated
2011Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year"You Hold My World"Nomitated
2013Long Form Video of the YearJesus at the CenterNomitated
2013Spanish Language Album of the YearJesus En El CentroNomitated
2013Gospel Performance of the Year"It's Not Over "Nomitated
2013Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year"It's Not Over "Nomitated
2014Traditional Gospel Album of the YearDuets Won
2014Contemporary Gospel/Urban Recorded Song of the Year"Sunday Kind of Love"Nomitated
2015Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year"How Awesome Is Our God"Won
2015Gospel Artist of the YearHimselfNomitated
2016Urban Worship Album of the YearCovered: Alive in AsiaNomitated
2019Contemporary Gospel Album of the YeaerRoad To DeMaskUsNomitated
2022Contemporary Gospel Album of the YeaerClarity Won
2025Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year"One Hallelujah"Nomitated
2025Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year"Coritos de Fuego"Won
2025Traditional Gospel Album of the Year"Then and Now "Nomitated

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Houghton has won 7 awards from 18 nominations.
YearAwardNominated workResult
2005Best Contemporary Soul Gospel AlbumLive From Another LevelNomitated
2006Best Gospel Song"Again I Say Rejoice"Nomitated
2007Best Traditional Gospel AlbumAlive in South AfricaWon
2007Best Contemporary R&B Gospel AlbumA Timeless ChristmasNomitated
2007Best Gospel Song"Not Forgotten"Nomitated
2007Grammy Award for Best Gospel/Contemporary [Christian Music Performance|Best Gospel Performance]"Not Forgotten"Nomitated
2008Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel AlbumA Deeper LevelWon
2008Best Gospel Performance"With Long Life"Nomitated
2010Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel AlbumThe Power Of OneWon
2010Best Gospel Song"Every Prayer"Nomitated
2011Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel AlbumLove God, Love PeopleWon
2011Best Gospel Performance"You Hold My Hand"Nomitated
2013Grammy Award for Best [Contemporary Christian Music Song|Best Contemporary Christian Music Song]"Your Presence Is Heaven"Won
2013Best Gospel AlbumJesus at the Center: LiveNomitated
2016Best Gospel AlbumCovered: Alive In Asia – Israel & New BreedWon
2016Best Gospel Performance/Song"How Awesome Is Our God"Nomitated
2022Best Contemporary Christian Music AlbumFeels Like Home, Vol. 2Nomitated
2025Best Gospel Performance/Song"One Hallelujah"Won
2026Best Contemporary Christian Music AlbumCoritos Vol. 1

Stellar Awards

The Stellar Awards are awarded annually by SAGMA. Houghton has received 2 awards from 33 nominations.
YearAwardNominated workResult
2005CD of the YearLive from Another LevelWon
2005Male Vocalist of the YearLive from Another LevelWon
2005Artist of the YearLive from Another LevelNomitated
2005Producer of the YearLive from Another LevelNomitated
2006Music Video of the YearLive from Another LevelNomitated
2007CD of the YearALIVE in South AfricaNomitated
2007Contemporary CD of the YearALIVE in South AfricaNomitated
2007Contemporary Male Vocalist of the YearALIVE in South AfricaNomitated
2007Male Vocalist of the YearALIVE in South AfricaNomitated
2007Urban/Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year"Turn It Around"Nomitated
2009Contemporary CD of the YearLive: A Deeper LevelNomitated
2009Contemporary Group/Duo of the YearLive: A Deeper LevelNomitated
2009Group/Duo of the YearLive: A Deeper LevelNomitated
2009Praise and Worship CD of the YearLive: A Deeper LevelNomitated
2010Male Vocalist of the YearThe Power of OneNomitated
2010Praise and Worship CD of the YearThe Power of OneNomitated
2012Contemporary Male Vocalist of the YearLove God. Love PeopleNomitated
2012Male Vocalist of the YearLove God. Love PeopleNomitated
2012Praise and Worship CD of the YearLove God. Love PeopleNomitated
2012Producer of the YearLove God. Love PeopleNomitated
2014Contemporary Group/Duo of the YearJesus at the Center: LiveNomitated
2014Group/Duo of the YearJesus at the Center: LiveNomitated
2014Praise and Worship CD of the YearJesus at the Center: LiveNomitated
2016Contemporary Group/Duo of the YearCovered: Alive in AsiaNomitated
2016Group/Duo of the YearCovered: Alive in AsiaNomitated
2016Praise and Worship CD of the YearCovered: Alive in AsiaNomitated
2016Special Event CD of the YearCovered: Alive in AsiaNomitated
2018Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the YearReckless LoveNomitated
2018Recorded Music Packaging of the YearRoad to DeMaskUsNomitated
2022Contemporary Duo/Group Chorus of the YearFeels Like HomeNomitated
2022Contemporary Male Artist of the YearFeels Like HomeNomitated
2022Duo/Group Chorus of the YearFeels Like HomeNomitated
2022Male Artist of the YearFeels Like HomeNomitated

Discography

YearAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
1997Whisper It Loud
2001New Season
  • Released: July 31
  • Label: Integrity
  • Format: CD
  • 2001Nueva Generación
  • Released: August
  • Label: Integrity
  • Format: CD
  • 2002Real
  • Released: October 29
  • Label: Integrity
  • Format: CD
  • No. 33 on Top Christian Albums
  • No. 13 on Top Gospel Albums
  • 2004Live From Another Level
  • Released: May 4
  • Label: Integrity
  • Format: CD/DVD
  • No. 146 on Billboard 200
  • No. 5 on Top Christian Albums
  • No. 1 on Top Gospel Albums
  • No. 3 on Heatseekers Albums
  • 2005Alive in South Africa
  • Released: October 25
  • Label: Integrity
  • Format: CD/DVD
  • No. 62 on Billboard 200
  • No. 3 on Top Christian Albums
  • No. 2 on Top Gospel Albums
  • 2006A Timeless Christmas
  • Released: September 26
  • Label: Integrity
  • Format: CD
  • No. 40 on Top Christian Albums
  • No. 11 on Top Gospel Albums
  • No. 32 on Top Holiday Albums
  • 2007A Deeper Level
  • Released: September 4
  • Label: Integrity
  • Format: CD/DVD
  • No. 48 on Billboard 200
  • No. 3 on Top Christian Albums
  • No. 1 on Top Gospel Albums
  • 2009The Power of One
  • Released: March 24
  • Label: Integrity/Columbia
  • Format: CD/Digital download
  • No. 34 on Billboard 200
  • No. 1 on Top Christian Albums
  • No. 1 on Top Gospel Albums
  • No. 19 on Digital Albums
  • 2010Love God, Love People
  • Released: August 31
  • Label: Integrity/Columbia
  • Format: CD/Digital download
  • No. 27 on Billboard 200
  • No. 1 on Top Christian Albums
  • No. 1 on Top Gospel Albums
  • No. 18 on Digital Albums
  • 2012Decade ''''
  • Released: March 5
  • Label: Integrity
  • Format: CD/Digital download
  • No. 10 on Top Gospel Albums
  • 2012Jesus at the Center: Live
  • Released: August 14
  • Label: Integrity/Columbia
  • Format: CD/DVD
  • No. 32 on Billboard 200
  • No. 1 on Top Christian Albums
  • No. 2 on Top Gospel Albums
  • No. 16 on Digital Albums
  • 2013Jesús En El Centro: En Vivo
  • Released: August 14
  • Label: Integrity/Columbia
  • Format: CD/DVD
  • No. 23 on Top Latin Albums
  • No. 11 on Latin Pop Albums
  • No. 48 on Top Christian Albums
  • No. 16 on Top Gospel Albums
  • 2014The Very Best of Israel & New Breed
  • Released: January 19
  • Label: Integrity
  • Format: CD/Digital download
  • No. 34 on Top Gospel Albums
  • 2015Covered: Alive in Asia
  • Released: July 24
  • Label: RCA Inspiration
  • Format: CD/Digital download
  • No. 48 on Billboard 200
  • No. 1 on Top Christian Albums
  • No. 1 on Top Gospel Albums
  • No. 11 on Digital Albums
  • 2018The Road To DeMaskUs
  • Released: September 28
  • Label: Provident Label Group/RCA
  • Format: CD/Digital download
  • No. 15 on Top Christian Albums
  • No. 2 on Top Gospel Albums
  • 2021Feels Like Home, Vol. 1
  • Released: February 26
  • Label: District 11 Entertainment
  • Format: Digital download, vinyl
  • 2021Feels Like Home, Vol. 2
  • Released: April 2
  • Label: District 11 Entertainment
  • Format: Digital download, vinyl
  • 2025Coritos, Vol. 1
  • Released: May 9
  • Label: District 11 Entertainment
  • Format: Digital download, vinyl
  • 2025Coritos, Vol. 2
  • Released: September 19
  • Label: District 11 Entertainment
  • Format: Digital download, vinyl
  • Other recordings

    • 2002: "Champions for Christ" – Hi5
    • 2004: "Where Are the Fathers?" from He-Motions
    • 2003: "Send Me to the Nations" from A Wing & a Prayer
    • 2002: We Speak to Nations
    • 2003: Cover the Earth
    • 2006: The Gift: A Christmas Presentation
    • 2007: Free to Worship
    • 2007: Moving Forward
    • 2008: Hope for Today Worship
    • 2009: Free Chapel Live: Power of the Cross
    • 2009: New Breed Live: Generation Love
    • 2011: "Nothing Is Impossible feat. Planetshakers"
    • 2011: Echo: Forward Conference
    • 2014: Covenant Worship: Kingdom
    • 2014: Rey De Mi Universo
    • 2016: ''Eres Mi Todo''