Power pop vocal group 1GN is poised to take the world by storm. After causing a stir with its 2013 self-titled debut album 1 Girl Nation, which produced such catchy pop hits as "While We're Young," the dancy EDM-infused "Vertical," and the heart-filled "Count Your Rainbows," the girls became an instant sensation with teens and tweens. The debut album reached No. 2 on Billboard's "Heatseeker Albums" chart, and No. 9 on its "Top Christian Albums" list, causing a response so dramatic that the group earned a "New Artist of the Year" nomination in the 45th Annual Dove Awards.
This time around, after losing two members and enduring many challenges, the girls have reemerged with a powerful and more focused message. Now a trio, comprised of Carmen Hadley, Kayli Robinson, and Lauryn Taylor Bach, the group changed its official name from "1 Girl Nation" to "1GN," reflecting the act's maturing sound and appeal to ever-widening audiences.
Carmen explains, "Our message is going to be more impacting than ever because we ourselves have been through the 'fire.' We understand more about what our fans are going through, and hopefully we can really engage them with songs and ideas that really speak to them."
With a musical style reminiscent of such mainstream superstar acts as One Direction, Fifth Harmony, Ariana Grande, Katy Perry and Ke$ha, 1GN showcases an upbeat blend of confident, catchy Christian pop music with lyrics intently focused on overcoming hate with love, and having fun while living a life of authentic faith.
Riding the momentum of their debut album, the girls spent the first year of their career creating an eye-catching, electrifying live show, partnering with the "Secret Keeper Girl" mother/daughter events and playing dozens of concerts as part of the "Secret Keeper Girl 'Crazy Hair Tour,'" as well as multiple Christian festivals and shows. Their stunning and honest cover of Colbie Caillat's hit "Try" lit up social media and solidified the girls' artistry and connection with their fans.
By Christmas of 2014, the group treated fans to A Very 1 Girl Nation Christmas EP, partnering with Christian radio stations to create a multi-city "shopping mall tour," causing a frenzy among delighted devotees. The Christmas EP features the uber-catchy original song "Joy," which became an instant Christmas classic as one of the most played Christmas songs at Christian radio that year. Also included on the EP was 1GN's unique expression of the ubiquitous "Let It Go" from Disney's new classic film Frozen. The girls also demonstrated their strong individual vocal skills in a Pentatonix-like a cappella medley of Christmas classics.
In 2015, the girls penned a 40-day devotional book published by Lifeway Christian Resources titled No Filter. In it, 1GN gives a glimpse of their lives as pop music role models and share what they have discovered about life, love, identity, and so much more. The common theme running through their stories is how their relationship with Christ teaches them to live a life of faith and authenticity.
As the girls gear up for the release of their second full-length album Unite, 1GN is more unified than ever. "We have been through so much together," notes Lauryn Taylor. "We have shared great times and really dark times. But through it all we've come out stronger."
In bringing the album's first radio single "Get Hype" to life, for instance, 1GN created a fresh new sound by tapping into each member's unique musical skills. Partnering with producer duo Jordan Sapp and Dave Wyatt (TobyMac), the song is an undeniably hooky pop track that gets into your soul and makes you want to dance. The girls even partnered with nationally known choreographer Chase Benz (Britney Spears, J-Lo, Rihanna, Mariah Carey) to create the "Hyphy" dance, featured in the song's official music video.
"As Christians, we have more to hope for and more to celebrate than anyone can imagine," explains Kayli. "A song like 'Get Hype' is just a modern expression of the joy and excitement we should feel as members of the body of Christ."
The album also includes the artful and hooky "Cinema," in which the girls consider the thought-provoking contemplation, "What if my life was a cinema; what would the story tell?" as well as the anthemic song "Guard Your Heart," a kind of slogan for the girls to their fans. "This world is throwing so much at each of us, and it's very easy to get drawn in and deceived by the messages and values we are hit with," explains Lauryn Taylor. " 'Guard Your Heart' is an encouragement for everyone to protect who God made you to be, to be strong in who you are, and to keep your spirit from being corrupted by the world."
Lovely| Posted September 29, 2014
Really love their voices. I had never heard of them until I noticed that an artist I like his wife was in this group. From then on I started checking them out and really getting in to their music.
Promising new group| Posted August 29, 2014
I really like their positive message, upbeat and fun music, and meaningful lyrics. I do, however, hope that in the future fans get to hear more of the girls' natural voices instead of so much of it being electronically altered- I prefer the way the vocals are in Try, they sound so beautiful! Overall, a great new group with an even brighter future!
South Africa| Posted November 01, 2013
Hi there - I work as the music compiler at a radio station in South Africa and we have recently added 1 Girl Nation to our playlist - awesome stuff! Keep it up ladies.
Regards
Lelanie