Chevelle Franklin

chevelle-franklin.jpgChevelle Franklyn is without doubt one of the most outstanding Ministers of Music to have arrived on the gospel music scene over the past eight years. Her energy as a performer, insight as a songwriter/producer, vocal capacity as a singer, and her anointing as a worshiper has ensured her success as a leading, international, multiple award-winning Psalmist.

As a child prodigy in the industry, Chevelle recorded her first work – “Here I Am”, produced by Rohan Harrison – at the tender age of 14 but, the single was not released until she was 17. Public reaction to its eventual intro was hugely positive and indicated that Chevelle had a future in the industry. Nurtured by some of the top names among Jamaica’s music producers, Chevelle soon marked out a distinctive territory in Jamaica’s dancehall culture scene. Her future took a rosy turn when she began working with producers Mikey Bennett and Rohan Harrison. She recorded her smash hit “Nice and Naughty”, followed by another single, “No Pushover” in 1992…, again produced by Mikey Bennett

This led to collaborations with household names such as Spragga Benz, for “A1 Lover” 1996 and Shabba Ranks for “Mr Lover Man” 1991. In 1997, Chevelle hit a lucrative opportunity to record the internationally acclaimed “Dancehall Queen” with Beenie Man, for Island Records. The soundtrack was used for the equally successful movie of the same name, in 1997. Chevelle was now a household name in Jamaica, the UK, the Islands and America. During 1996 and 1997, Chevelle toured the major cities of these countries, performing at venues such as New York Apollo and Reggae Sumfest Jamaica.
Chevelle Franklyn has shared the stage with the following; The fugees, Alicia Keys, Mary J Blige, Ricky Martin, Boys II Men, Shaggy, Brian & Tony Gold, Dennis Brown, Miriam Makeba and Jimmy Cliff to name a few.

But despite the great success, there remained a gaping hole in her soul. In 1998, during a concert, Chevelle, tired of the empty way of life and hopelessness, suddenly declared on stage a change of direction in her career and lifestyle – she decided to become a Christian. As a symbol of her signature to this new change, she song Kirk Franklin’s

song, “Silver and Gold” on stage. She said: “I did not hear a message or anything, but I felt the calling of God. I just broke down on the stage and said, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’ I knew there was something better out there.”

Better certainly did come and since that change Chevelle has been combining her new expression with the energetic lyrical style that had made her a great success. A 2000 collaboration with Papa San on his award-winning album, “Victory”, led to a Marlin Award for her vocal appearance on the track “Touch from you”. She wrote the first page in the history of her new lifestyle with her first gospel album, “Joy”, a co-production effort with Danny Brownie, for Mainstreet Records. The album stirred up an international storm when it was released in 2001, and led to a tour around the UK, the Caribbean and the USA.
One of her aims in its recording ‘Joy’ was to deal with real issues facing young people. She said: Songs like “It’s Another Saturday Night” deal with real issues for young Christian people. It’s a real struggle – sometimes your friends are out partying and you feel left out, so this is what the song is dealing with.”

For her efforts, “Joy” led to 12 nominations in the Sixth Annual Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Awards, in 2002. Chevelle walked away with awards in five categories: Outstanding New Artist of the Year; Adapted Recording of the Year, for Firm Foundation; Female Reggae Recording of the Year, for “Magnify His Name”; Contemporary Female Vocal Performance of the Year, for “Joy”; and Album of the Year, also for “Joy”.

Chevelle now fellowships at Swallowfield Chapels – Pastor David Henry, when in Jamaica and when in the UK her Spiritual covering is Bishop John Francis of Ruach Ministries, London also church one of her spiritual mother Pastor Enid Stewart. Chevelle been under Ruach Ministries covering since Jan 2003, She has seen God use the ministry to empower and equipped her for Music Ministry.

Chevelle has finished producing her New gospel album, called HIS WAY this will be released in April on her very own Label called N.O.W Records (No Other Way) Sneak previews have left a distinct impression that this album will follow in the footsteps of Joy’s runaway success.

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