Destiny Praise

Destiny Praise - Driven
By Peggy Oliver

Somewhere in the gospel music realm lies a vocal group slowly blazing their way to listener’s attention. Besides strong voices and laser harmonies, Destiny Praise seeks to equip their audience with essential life-changing decisions on their latest CD, Driven.

The nine-piece unit was hand-picked in 2001 by Dr. Bryan E. Crute, Senior Pastor of Destiny Metropolitan Worship Church in Atlanta, Georgia. In their young career, they have opened for John P. Kee, Kim Burrell, and many others. Multi-tasker Travon Potts, Destiny Praise musical director and president of Destiny Style Records, handled the production reins for Trin-I-Tee 5:7, Monica, and more.

With those combined forces, they have won the 2006 Atlanta Gospel Choice Awards for Best Vocal Group/Duo. Another highlight for DP was singing in conjunction with the Purpose Driven Worship Conference at Saddleback Church, under Pastor and author Rick Warren (Purpose Driven Life). They also participated in a Black History Month program at Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina. Their influences spread the urban music map: from soul shouter Jackie Wilson, smooth jazz vocalist Anita Baker, to the gospel powerhouse family, The Winans.

Storming out of the gate, Broken changes the negative way we may observe ourselves and how God molds us: “He rewrote my DNA.” A spoken word climax affirms the spiritual makeover. The Clay that comprises His children, requires brokenness and pride-less attitude: “Turn up the fire in my life, make me a vessel that’s pleasing in your sight.” Marching band meeting techno pop sets the tone for Pep Rally, a time for all J‑E-S-U-S fans to praise unashamedly: “This is more than an exercise, so get up and improvise.”

Perhaps a theme song for DP, My Destiny serves a purpose waiting for all believers no matter what condition we’re in: “When I am lonely, You are the only one that remains there.” Midway, this ballad flows into a waltz tempo. His Wil” exposes personal addictions, whether smoking, drinking or “validation wrapped in false love.” For those claiming Victory, Dr. Crute cries out “the party starts now”, emphasizing freedom like no other because “whatever’s binding me, I’m living by faith and not what I see."

Lead vocals switches hands several times on Walter Hawkins’ supercharged classic, Changed, presented in slightly faster and meaty funk form from the original. Experience the cleansing of DP’s utter rejoicing for His mercies throughout Psalms 136, cradled by electric piano mild reverbs.

Nothing But The Blood of Jesus, dressed up with bright jazz vocal colors and a title change The Blood, never loses its integral power, courtesy of Potts’ interpretation.

Dr. Crute’s tenor lead and DP’s seesawing harmonies gracefully cover the title track, whose goal is simply pleasing and prioritizing God: “People may laugh, but I choose to make You proud.” Let’s not forget the bonus cut, a closing prayer driven by 2 Chronicles 7:14.

There’s a contemporary urban flair, yet a sprinkling of pop, jazz, and worship elements which keeps the musical palette interesting. Potts’ one-man band pulls off crisp and sophisticated production values. DP definitely exhibits spring in their vocal step without resorting to outrageous acrobatics. Hopefully in the near future, more people and the media will recognize their distinct and sound ministry destined to give God full honor without worldly compromise.

The web site for Destiny Praise and Destiny Style Records is www.destinystylerecords.com or www.myspace.com/realdestinypraise.
- GospelCity.com

Atlanta, GA (May 21, 2008)-- Destiny Praise is thrilled to announce that their third CD, entitled “Driven”, will be released worldwide on June 3rd, 2008. Destiny Praise is a powerful Christian vocal ensemble with a stylistically layered urban sound flavored with a combination of jazzy soul, R&B, a dash of pop, heavy bass lines, and pure anointed voices. Since 2001, this Atlanta-based group of nine has performed an urban praise and worship experience appealing to all ages with their fiery inspiration and uplifting rhythms.
Because of the success of Destiny Praise’s two previous independent releases, the record industry took notice of the innovative ensemble. The group’s label, Destiny Style Records, signed a national distribution deal with Taesis Media Group in February 2008, generating a great deal of excitement and anticipation for the group’s first National Release.
Driven’s inspiring first single, “His Will”, has exploded onto the airwaves of radio stations nationwide, with an accompanying video being played in heavy rotation on The Gospel Music Channel and BET. Both the single and the video are steadily building audience anticipation and excitement for Driven’s debut. The album effortlessly fuses intense praise and worship with a hint of pop’s energy and a hip urban edge. Destiny Praise takes pride in their sincerity and ability to connect with their audience. On Driven, DP reaches out with their anointed voices to entertain as well as bring people to God.
Record Producer Travon Potts feels strongly about this inspirational CD. He remarked, “I have worked on many albums and there isn’t a project that I have worked on that has more heartfelt, God-given songs to touch the lives of people all over the world. Driven is the album, His Will is the single and Destiny Praise is the group that God has specifically ordained to change the lives of all who listen to it”.
These energetic, gifted performers have been blessed with many opportunities to share their talents. In 2007 DP performed at the Gospel Choice Music Awards and won the category of Best Duo/Group. They performed at the 2005 Trumpet Awards, were featured on the debut album of Integrity Gospel Recording Artist "Charles & Taylor," opened for greats such as: Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, Donnie McClurkin, and John P. Kee to name a few.
Destiny Praise invites the public to a special in-store show and appearance on Saturday June 7th at the brand-new Wal-Mart in Marietta. From 3:00pm-5:00pm, Destiny Praise will showcase songs from “Driven” and demonstrate the power of their God-given voices, after which they will meet and greet the crowd. Wal-Mart is located at 210 Cobb Parkway South in Marietta, 30060.
Springing from the source of Destiny Metro Church in Atlanta, Destiny Praise’s mission is to export musical expression all over the world, across all color lines, sharing the Gospel through song so that in the midst of life situations all who hear can be encouraged, saved and strengthened for God's purpose. For further information about Destiny Praise and tour dates, please visit www.destinystylerecords.com.
Contact: Terri Harof /C3 Marketing Group
terriharof@bellsouth.net /404-786-7410
- C3 Entertainment

“You guys sound GREAT!!!! And the video is HOT!!!
-Myron Butler, Artist


“If you haven’t opened the package and put an ear to this CD do it now…you’ll love the Gospel and R&B flavor this can bring to your audience.
-Tony Kidd, Cox Radio


“Somewhere in the gospel music realm lies a vocal group slowly blazing their way to listener’s attention. Besides strong voices and laser harmonies, Destiny Praise seeks to equip their audience with essential life-changing decisions on their latest CD, Driven.
-Peggy Oliver, Gospelcity.com



“Me too God. That is how I feel”
-Rick Warren, Saddleback Church


“I have worked on many albums and there isn’t a project that I have worked on that has more heartfelt, God given songs to touch the lives of people all over the world. Driven is the album, His Will is the single and Destiny Praise is the group that God has specifically ordained to change the lives of all who listen to it”
– Travon Potts, Producer


“We looked at the video (His Will) and I said right away this song is a hit and it will bless the masses of people, I wanted you to know that we just broke your single His Will in Chicago on our secular shows and will be putting it into regular rotation on our Gospel shows.”
- Marcella Jones, WKKC 893 FM, Chicago
- Various