The "Pavarotti of Gospel" – Tyrone Flowers.
He was already performing on stage with the church choir at the age of 6. His voice is a gift from God, and he uses it in many ways to bring joy to others. The unique sound is unmistakable and can be recognized among thousands.
Expressive, soulful, and passionate—these words best describe Tyrone’s voice and character.
He has traveled almost the entire world, delighting people of all nations with his talent and deep connection to music. Throughout his life, he has worked with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, and Mariah Carey, and toured with productions like Mama I Want to Sing and Queen Esther Marrow.
This year, we are once again fortunate to have Tyrone as part of the New York Gospel Stars and look forward to him sharing his love for God, his hope for humanity, and his gratitude for music with us.
In addition to his music career, Tyrone also serves as a priest in his community. He holds a Master's degree in Theology and Psychology and is an ordained minister and certified counselor.
Since the founding of the New York Gospel Stars, Matia Celeste Washington has been a core member of the group. She possesses a vocal range that spans from bell-like soprano to deep alto.
As a toddler, Matia would hum along to the organ tunes played by her uncle. Her mother immediately recognized that she had a special connection to music.
At just 8 years old, she was appointed deputy choir director of the youth choir and began teaching, writing, and creating songs.
It’s no surprise that, in no time, many artists took notice of Matia’s talent. This led to collaborations with renowned artists such as Childish Gambino, Lizzo, John Legend, Pharrell Williams, and many others. As a two-time Grammy-nominated composer and lyricist for Cory Henry's albums Something to Say and Operation Funk, she has also led productions for major shows, including Childish Gambino's This Is America tour and WizKid’s concert at Madison Square Garden.
Her voice exudes euphoria, passion, and joy for life. Matia has the rare ability to captivate her audience with her unique timbre, allowing herself to be guided and inspired by the music, sometimes even moving listeners to tears.
As the Queen of the New York Gospel Stars, she will be touring Germany this winter, spreading the message of love, forgiveness, and hope.
Ahmed Wallace has become an inseparable part of the New York Gospel Stars. A voice full of emotion and a personality full of charisma.
The singer, hailing from New Jersey, first performed in front of an audience at the age of 5. He discovered modern church music early on and was able to combine it with his deep faith.
With his extraordinary tenor voice, Ahmed has contributed to collaborations with artists such as Justin Timberlake, Whitney Houston, Prince, and the legendary soul singer Aretha Franklin. More recently, he performed with the Jonas Brothers and Cory Henry on Saturday Night Live!
Ahmed has always shared his faith with others and passionately spreads the message of gospel music with joy and enthusiasm.
"Musically, I have already fulfilled my spiritual goals, and now it is my mission to share them with the world," as he puts it.
As a founding member of the New York Gospel Stars, he has been coming to Germany for 16 years to bring the audience closer to the faith through music and offer them a magical evening.
Shakira Atily is an American singer, songwriter, and vocal coach.
Her professional career began at the tender age of 13, making her the youngest artist to chart on the Billboard charts.
Shakira has traveled the world and shared the stage with renowned names such as Brandy, Jazmine Sullivan, Beyoncé, and the legendary Whitney Houston.
She has also contributed to albums by successful artists in the music industry.
Shakira has worked with Grammy-winning producers like Pharrell Williams, Warren Campbell, and Shep Crawford.
Her passion for music is undeniable. Shakira has made her mark on the music industry and touched the hearts of many with her soulful voice.
Now, we are thrilled to welcome her once again as part of the New York Gospel Stars.
Nakia Jalise is a magnificent singer and musical visionary. With her versatile voice, she has established herself as a dynamic artist in the music industry.
At the beginning of her musical journey as a vocal director, Nakia Jalise developed a deep understanding of vocal technique. This foundation enabled her to excel as a vocal coach, further honing her expertise under the guidance of the renowned industry leader Steven Spradley.
In addition to her work as an artist and educator, Nakia Jalise has also made a name for herself as a digital strategist. As a social media and content strategist, as well as a co-owner of Blended BGVS, LLC, she demonstrates a remarkable ability to craft compelling online narratives that resonate with music fans around the world.
Nakia's versatility is also showcased through her dynamic performances as lead singer and band leader for "COVERS" with East Coast Entertainment, as well as the lead vocalist for the captivating ensemble Jam Nation. With her extensive experience and passion for the art of music, she continually pushes the boundaries of her craft, inspiring audiences and leaving an indelible mark on the industry.
Nakia Jalise is a recurring member of the New York Gospel Stars and toured with the group during the 2019/2020 season. The Gospel group is excited to announce that Nakia's next adventure will be the tour through Germany.
ASHTNMRTN is a singer-songwriter and actor from Brooklyn, New York. His debut album Art Love Passion (2015) is a collection of stories about unrequited love and eclectic soundscapes. His self-titled EP (2016) follows with relatable lyrics and passionate vocals. After his latest single, Mindfreak, a new project titled Steal Away is set to be released at the end of the year.
ASHTN has appeared in music videos by Dameon Escobar and Father John Misty, as well as in the short series H.E.R. by OTV and Meet Me at Mohegan, created by Mohegan Sun. He also served as the lead vocalist on the Aretha Franklin Tribute Show Tour R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
ASHTNMRTN will accompany the New York Gospel Stars for the second consecutive year with his versatile and dynamic voice.
Lanika Revader is an experienced musician. She began playing the flute in fourth grade, where she first learned to read music, and then started formal piano lessons in fifth grade.
Her interests are diverse. As part of a science program, she shadowed a NASA aerospace engineer while also playing in the school band.
Lanika was also the assistant conductor and president of a youth orchestra that was assembled in 1993 for Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign.
At just 20 years old, Lanika moved from New Orleans to Newark and began collaborating with Natalie Wilson.
Over the course of her career, Lanika has shared the stage with an impressive list of artists, including Kim Burrell, Dave Hollister, Byron Cage, Dorinda Clark, Ricky Dillard, and Yolanda Adams.
Her voice has been featured at prominent events, including the McDonald's 365 Awards on BET, film soundtracks (The Campaign, When The Game Stands Tall, This Is The End, and many others).
Lanika continually inspires and captivates audiences by infusing her unique sound and experiences into every performance.
The New York Gospel Stars are excited to share the stage with Lanika for the first time.
The New York native recognized his talent at just 2 years old, drumming on pots and buckets. By the age of 13, Joshua, known as Josh, became a professional drummer. He has already had the privilege of working with artists such as Eric Benet, Dave Hollister, and Myron Butler. Although Josh has been playing drums for many years, it remains his greatest passion. Performing in front of and with people is his calling, and his joy in doing so is clearly visible!
When the New York Gospel Stars were founded over 15 years ago, Josh was one of the first to take the stage, making him a founding member of the group.
On this tour, he will once again accompany his fellow musicians as the drummer, swinging the sticks like never before!
Malik Hammond is a versatile artist. The Brooklyn native is known not only as a singer but also as a musician and actor.
As a child, he was involved in various projects, including performing on Broadway in 13 The Musical and appearing in the film The Perfect Holiday alongside Queen Latifah. Malik has also had roles in TV series such as Law & Order and PowerBook 3.
Now, a new adventure awaits him. We warmly welcome Malik Hammond as the keyboardist of the New York Gospel Stars.
