Trin-i-tee 5:7

Trin-i-tee 5:7 is a gospel trio from New Orleans, Louisiana in the United States. The group was marketed as a gospel alternative to R&B girl groups such as Destiny's Child and TLC.^[1] In 2008, Trin-i-tee 5:7 became the first gospel trio to have a certified platinum album "T57". Trin-i-tee 5:7 have managed to sell over 2.5 millions albums.^[2][3]

In 1998, the group released their first album entitled Trin-i-tee 5:7 which debut at #1 on the Top Gospel charts. The album featured the songs "God's Grace" and the cover song "Oh! Mary Don't You Weep". The album later became certified gold.^[4] In 1999, Terri Brown left the group and was later replaced by singer Adrian Anderson. During that year, the group recorded and released their sophomore album, "Spiritual Love". The album became the group second #1 album on the Top Gospel charts. The album launched the singles "Put Your Hands" and "My Body". In 2002, the group re-united and released their third album "The Kiss". The album became certified gold and debut at #2 on the Top Gospel charts. The group released the urban beat single "Holla", which debut at #2 on the U.S. Gospel charts.

In 2007, Trin-i-tee 5:7 released their greatest hit album Holla: The Best of Trin-i-tee 5:7. During that year, the group left GospoCentric Records and signed a record deal with Spirit Rising Music. In late 2007, Trin-i-tee 5:7 released their fifth album T57, which featured the #1 single "Listen". T57 charted #2 on the Top Gospel Albums, #5 on the Top Christian charts, and #12 on the Top R&B charts.^[5] In February 2008, "I Will Lift" was released the second single of the album. During 2008, T57 became certified platinum selling over one million copies worldwide. In September 2008, a deluxe edition of T57 which featured three new songs including the lead single "Get Away. The album has won two Dove Awards and a nomination for a Grammy Award.^[2]

Musical career

Origins

In 1997 the New Orleans-based gospel group composed of high school friends Angel Taylor, Chanelle Hayes, and Terri Brown, was brought to the attention of gospel label GospoCentric Records by their manager Kenneth Grant. Label owner Viki Mack Lataillade pictured them crossing over to urban market as her flagship artist Kirk Franklin had four years before. "A great deal of attention was put into their imaging because there's a fine line you have to walk with female talent with relation to church and secular audiences as well," Lataillade told Billboard magazine in 1998.

The label named the group Trin-i-tee 5:7 based on 1 John 5:7 biblical scripture that refers to the Trinity.^[1]

1998:Trin-i-tee 5:7

The group's self titled debut project was released in 1998 with production credits including R. Kelly and Kirk Franklin. With preorders of 100,000 copies and an aggressive urban marketing campaign, the project debuted at No. 3 on the gospel charts and eventually stepped up to the top slot. It also reached the R&B Top 20 charts and was eventually certified gold. The album created two gospel radio hits in "Mary Don't You Weep" and "God's Grace." The CD would go on to spend 7 weeks at #1 on Billboard's Top Gospel Album chart, over 30 weeks in the Top on Billboard's Contemporary Christian chart, and almost 50 weeks on Billboard's Top R&B Albums chart.

1999-2000:Spiritual Love

In mid-1999, as they were preparing to record their sophomore album, Terri Brown left the group to focus more on her family, and was quickly replaced by the group's make up artist Adrian Anderson.^[1]

On 28 December 1999 the group issued their second project, Spiritual Love which featured the Christian Chart hits "I Promise" (featuring Crystal Lewis) and "My Body". "Our videos and our music are really different from most of what's out in the music industry today," says Angel. "We want to convey hope and positiveness and that's really who we are. The more popular we become, the more attention will be focused on our personal lives. I think the best thing we can do is show the world what Christianity is all about through the way we live our own lives."

The album featured collaborations with gospel artists such as Kirk Franklin, Tramaine Hawkins, Crystal Lewis, and Natalie Wilson (founder of the S.O.P Chorale).

2002-2003:The Kiss

Unlike their first two CDs, The Kiss did not feature any production from R. Kelly, as the group had by necessity disassociated themselves from him after several controversies and scandals attached themselves to his name.^{[citation needed]}

By the time the group's The Kiss was issued in 2002, they were having problems with GospoCentric. The urban radio track "Holla" didn't get the urban radio push they felt the song merited and failed to make it on the R&B Charts. During that period Kenneth Grant left his post as the group's manager, and they sought to be released from their recording contract, but the label refused.^[6]

Pop star Brandy's mother and manager, Sonja Norwood, took over management and brought the group to a higher level of mainstream respect by booking them on major non-gospel television shows.^[7] However, she eventually turned the management over to Beyonce's father and manager, Mathew Knowles.^[8]

2004-2009:T57

Knowles signed the group to Spirit Rising, the gospel music division of his Music World Entertainment record label in 2004, and their fifth album "T57" was released in 2007. T57 charting at #2 on the Gospel charts and #102 on the Billboard 200 and spunned the singles "Listen" and "I Will Lift". The lead single, "Listen" charted #1 on the U.S. Gospel charts. The group later embarked on their The Sisters In Spirit tour. In 2008, T57 became certified platinum selling over one million copies worldwide. In September 2008, a deluxe edition of T57 The deluxe edition featured three additional songs including the single "Get Away". The album has won two Dove Awards and has been nominated for a Grammy Award.^[2][3]

In January 2009, Trin-i-tee 5:7 performed at BET's Celebration of Gospel performing their single "Get Away". Since the release of T57, the group have been doing individual projects. Chanelle pursuing an acting and solo career and have recorded her own songs like "I Still Love You". Adrian will be launching her own beauty line. Also, Adrian Anderson along with Soulfruit appeared on Spirit Rising's Pastor Rudy Experience album. Angel is currently hosting the BET network show "106 & Gospel".

Philanthropy

Following Hurricane Katrina, Trin-i-tee 5:7 formed the Trin-i-tee 5:7 Ambassador of Hope and Triumph Campaign. The group has taken the campaign to New Orleans, offering help to those affected by the hurricane. They have also visited Mississippi. In 2008, Trin-i-tee 5:7 took the campaign to Sacramento and Los Angeles, California, and Houston, Texas.^[9]

Personal life

Chanelle Hayes dated Lamman Rucker from the soap opera As the World Turns. ^[10] Angel Taylor became the co-host for BET's 106 & Gospel, which premiered January 11, 2009.

Style

Trin-i-tee 5:7's songs would usually start with Chanelle singing the first verse, following up with Angel singing the second verse. Adrian could be heard singing the chorus, or bridge, echoing during the song. During 2007, the group recorded individual songs. Chanelle released a song entitled "I Still Love You" which was featured on T57.

Discography

Awards and Nominations

• BET Award
  • Best Gospel Artist (2008) - Nominated

• Dove Award
  • Urban Recorded Song of The Year (2008) "Listen" - Won
  • Urban Album of The Year (2008) "T57" - Won

• Grammy Award
  • Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album (2003) "The Kiss" - Nominated
  • Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album (2008) "T57" - Nominated

References

External links

• Trin-i-tee 5:7 Official site
• Trin-i-tee 5:7 at Allmusic