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BY Marcia Dixon
How gospel singer Adelaide McKenzie is giving untapped talent a platform to shine
BOLD, BUBBLY and nurturing are three words that can be used to describe UK gospel singer Adelaide McKenzie, whose successful monthly showcase for new and established singers has become a must-attend event for the public and artists.
Blessed Souls UK has been going for two years and provides a platform particularly for unknown artists to share their talent with others.
The first Blessed Souls event was held in the Savannah Bar in Stockwell, south London, in October 2007. Since then it’s been held in venues across London, and gospel singers who have graced the stage include Matthew Allen, Rachel Kerr, Isaiah Allen and Isaiah Raymond Dyer. But the key attraction is the open mic, where anyone in the audience can, as Adelaide says, ‘bless the mic’.
Adelaide decided to start Blessed Souls following a stint hosting an open mic event at the Brixton Bridge Bar.
“Hosting the Brixton Bridge Bar event made me realise I had been playing it so safe in church and had forgotten there were people with issues dealing with it through drugs, sex and other things,” she says.
“The skills I gained from hosting developed within me a passion to bring people together using creative arts and I decided to start an event in my neighbourhood so that people could see the talent around.”
Adelaide’s bubbly persona has played a key role in Blessed Souls success. “Because I’m not afraid to be myself, it helps others to be themselves. People respect where I come from, and my band and artists are happy for the opportunity to share their gift,” she says.
It’s six years since Adelaide first came to the attention of the gospel community with the release of her debut album and single He Gives You More. Such was the single’s impact, it was nominated for an award at the GEM Awards in 2004, and Adelaide has continued to have an impact ever since. In 2008 she won the Nina Simone Inspirational Artiste of 2008 award.
She became a Christian in 2000 at the age of 23 and attends Ruach Ministries in Brixton, south London, where she is a member of Ruach’s praise and worship team. Adelaide takes her spiritual development very seriously and says it’s because of her faith that she has been able to withstand the jealousy and criticism that has come with the success she’s experienced running Blessed Souls.
Although Blessed Souls takes up much of her time, Adelaide has plans to do other things. She’s been inspired to write new songs for her second album, which she hopes to have out by early 2011, possibly before, and she would like to expand Blessed Souls by touring the event throughout the UK and even having the show featured on TV.
Whatever Adelaide’s future plans, it’s more than likely from the success she’s experienced with Blessed Souls, and her singing career, that she’ll achieve them.
The next Blessed Souls event takes place on June 25 and will be a tribute to Michael Jackson. For more details email: blesseduk@yahoo.com
BY Marcia Dixon
How gospel singer Adelaide McKenzie is giving untapped talent a platform to shine
BOLD, BUBBLY and nurturing are three words that can be used to describe UK gospel singer Adelaide McKenzie, whose successful monthly showcase for new and established singers has become a must-attend event for the public and artists.
Blessed Souls UK has been going for two years and provides a platform particularly for unknown artists to share their talent with others.
The first Blessed Souls event was held in the Savannah Bar in Stockwell, south London, in October 2007. Since then it’s been held in venues across London, and gospel singers who have graced the stage include Matthew Allen, Rachel Kerr, Isaiah Allen and Isaiah Raymond Dyer. But the key attraction is the open mic, where anyone in the audience can, as Adelaide says, ‘bless the mic’.
Adelaide decided to start Blessed Souls following a stint hosting an open mic event at the Brixton Bridge Bar.
“Hosting the Brixton Bridge Bar event made me realise I had been playing it so safe in church and had forgotten there were people with issues dealing with it through drugs, sex and other things,” she says.
“The skills I gained from hosting developed within me a passion to bring people together using creative arts and I decided to start an event in my neighbourhood so that people could see the talent around.”
Adelaide’s bubbly persona has played a key role in Blessed Souls success. “Because I’m not afraid to be myself, it helps others to be themselves. People respect where I come from, and my band and artists are happy for the opportunity to share their gift,” she says.
It’s six years since Adelaide first came to the attention of the gospel community with the release of her debut album and single He Gives You More. Such was the single’s impact, it was nominated for an award at the GEM Awards in 2004, and Adelaide has continued to have an impact ever since. In 2008 she won the Nina Simone Inspirational Artiste of 2008 award.
She became a Christian in 2000 at the age of 23 and attends Ruach Ministries in Brixton, south London, where she is a member of Ruach’s praise and worship team. Adelaide takes her spiritual development very seriously and says it’s because of her faith that she has been able to withstand the jealousy and criticism that has come with the success she’s experienced running Blessed Souls.
Although Blessed Souls takes up much of her time, Adelaide has plans to do other things. She’s been inspired to write new songs for her second album, which she hopes to have out by early 2011, possibly before, and she would like to expand Blessed Souls by touring the event throughout the UK and even having the show featured on TV.
Whatever Adelaide’s future plans, it’s more than likely from the success she’s experienced with Blessed Souls, and her singing career, that she’ll achieve them.
The next Blessed Souls event takes place on June 25 and will be a tribute to Michael Jackson. For more details email: blesseduk@yahoo.com