Everyone loves a good celebration for milestones, anniversaries, and graduations. People celebrate when they complete marathons and win in various sporting events or matches. There's also something about people beating cancer, overcoming addictions, and receiving revelation from scriptures or from prayer time. With all the constant bombardment of negativity, hearing about the victories is always in order. I've compiled a list of songs that display gratefulness for victory–even before they've overcome a situation.
Bishop S.Y. Younger (feat. The Sounds of the Ramp & Korey Mickie) "The Storm is Passing Over"
"Hallelujah, Hallelujah/The storm is passing over/Hallelujah/...It won't be long from now." This line resonated with many listeners. The audio from a Sunday morning service at the Ramp Church, pastored by Bishop S.Y. Younger, went viral on social media. Now, Bishop Younger, along with artist Korie Mickie, has released the audio as a single. And, already, it's made the top ten on the iTunes Christian and Gospel charts. Listeners have really identified with its simple, yet poignant message. It also doesn't hurt that the new song is good ole fashioned shouting and dancing music. Let this song play on repeat, and praise God for making it real.
Tye Tribbett and G.A. "Victory"
In 2006, gospel artist Tye Tribbett and his gospel group, G.A. or Greater Anointing, dropped "Victory," a song that could still hold up if it was released today. You can never go wrong with a go-go beat with the incomparable Sound Check as the band. Since the devil is defeated and God is exalted, we have victory in Christ. They encourage those that God can bring them out of things that have them bound up.
The second verse is a standout for those who need encouragement: "Somebody who's listening/Right now, you think you're listening/You feel like, you can't win/And you tried everything/Greater is He that's in you. Don't doubt/And whatever you're in now God says, 'You have to come out." So many people today are either giving up or feel like giving up. So, here's a song that you, your friends, or your family might need.
Nakitta Foxx "He Kept Me"
Master gospel/jazz singer Nakitta Foxx can sing so many styles and she does with it ease. She's another artist who has shared many times how God has helped her, given her favor, and helped her and her family through various areas of her life. She does just that on the title track of her EP, He Kept Me.
Nakitta sang the heck out of this song--even though it was recorded in the studio. It starts off a bit jazzy and Nakitta finesses the verses ever so sleekly. In verse two, she sings, "So many times I tried to do things my way and nothing turned out right/Feelings of doubt, defeat, sometimes rejection/But he was always by my side." Then she goes into beast mode vocally during the tag of "He kept me."
By the time the song's over, you'll want more. She just knows how to ad-lib and land a song. She squalls, hits high notes, and scats throughout. Being "kept" by God is a definite means of victory.
Gene Moore "The Prize (Victory Is Coming)"
"It's too early to give up/Can't go by what you see/You're too close to let go/You're right at the victory," sings gospel artist Gene Moore. Gene is one of my favorite singers and one of the coolest artists around. "The Prize (Victory Is Coming)" is Gene's song, encouraging people to let God fight those battles they're not meant to fight. Overlooked on the release, The Future, this song has a nice groove to go along with the lyrics and Gene's skillful vocals.
The background vocals (oh, so smoothly) lead the way on the bridge: "I know you feel like/Time, it was wasted with you/You're stronger/Hold on a little while longer." Gene reminds everyone that they'll achieve victory in whatever battle they're facing if they trust God through the process.
Fern "Victory" (feat. Chris Durso)
Fern, half of the hip-hop band Social Club Misfits, has always been transparent about his time in prison and his devotion to Christ who saved him amid some of his worst times. So, he has first-hand experience in getting back up after falling into hard drugs.
"Victory", from his EP, 68, and Douglas set the tone for the EP letting listeners know that the new life of victory that he's living is rooted in his relationship with Christ. He spits it so nicely over a boom bap and a sped-up vocal sample in the background. "Cuz it's victory, two fingers in the air/You can't get to me/Truth vs. the make-believe/I'm hanging to my faith so faithfully."
Deitrick Haddon (feat. Yung LA) "Gorilla Faith"
Life deals with hardships that can knock the wind out of even the strongest believer. Deitrick Haddon, over a Zaythoven-produced trap beat, sings of how his faith in Christ can help him overcome the toughest odds. Gorillas are some of the strongest land mammals in the world, so the symbolism is easy to grasp. He is saying he uses that mentality when he is winning souls for Christ and other areas in his life.
Yung LA comes with a few bars at the end to seal the deal. This is a song that you play when you are getting ready to take on a challenge or to seize the day. Dropped in 2019, it garnered much buzz on YouTube and streaming platforms.
Some may think it is a bit braggadocious, but Mr. Haddon is not backing down with lyrics like, "My faith is super strong/Stronger than crazy glue/And You keep amazing me/That's why I keep praising You/And I just be getting stronger/Life it keep getting harder." He even calls himself the "MJ (Michael Jackson" of Gospel." Ok. D. Haddy.
This is a certified banger, and it thumps in your car. Gospel artist Shepherd enlisted the right dudes to testify of living through some of life's craziest ordeals. When you listen to this song, you'll be motivated to overcome challenges, accomplish goals, and just trust God through the processes of life. From hip-hop artists Scootie Wop spitting about being drunk every weekend to Thi'sl rapping about surviving being shot, they have reason to be thankful to God.
Rap artist BigBreeze was hanging with drug dealers and living a life that could've gotten him killed. So, he--along with his contemporaries--knows a thing or two about having life victories. Check a few of Thi'sl's bars: That bullet hit me/I'm still alive/God with me/So still I rise/I been through hell/crucified/You see that fire/Look in my eyes."
Dwayne Lacy is a long-time History teacher in Houston, Texas. He also has a passion for diversity in unity in music and in the church.
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