For anyone even remotely familiar with gospel music, Jekalyn Carr needs no introduction.
Having risen to the top of the world of gospel music through a combination of talent, dedication, creative genius, and, above all else, faith, her past eighteen months have been a whirlwind of success by any metric.
Becoming the first gospel artist to be inducted into the Women's Songwriters Hall of Fame and even receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from President Biden, the sky is truly the limit for this gifted songstress.
Jekalyn Carr's latest single, "I Believe God," is a powerful testament to the healing power of faith. Over a broad range of piano chords, powerhouse drums, and a choir of like-minded true believers, Carr’s vocals unmistakably take center stage.
Powerful yet graceful and elegant, Carr’s performance is nothing if not uplifting and energizing. Singing lines like “I believe God heals” and “I believe he’ll speak for me,” Carr assures us that God will always be there for those who follow his voice and believe in Him, no matter the obstacle or challenge.
The accompanying music video, directed by Allen Carr, reinforces the song's majesty. With stunning visuals of Carr decked out in golden sunshine and hovering midair on a white staircase, she's at least halfway to heaven. Also featuring a congregation decked out in gold and white, Carr makes you feel like you’re in the middle of a fantastic service. When “I Believe God” draws to a close, there is a distinct feeling of peacefulness, like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders.
“I Believe God” is a moving tribute to the power of faith. Whenever you need something uplifting and empowering for your soul, tap in and stream “I Believe in God,” available now on all major streaming platforms.
Welcome to BuzzMusic, Jekalyn Carr. We absolutely loved “I Believe in God”; it felt like we were transported to a full service in the best way possible! We wanted to ask, what was the inspiration behind this song? Were you drawing from personal experience?
First, I want to say thank you, and I’m happy you’ve enjoyed the song. Singing from my personal experience! When God gave us this song, I was doing my usual thing, spending time in the presence of God. While doing so, I was also thinking about everything that we as a whole are experiencing in the world today with so much going on around us and in our personal lives to challenge our faith in who we know God to be and what we know Him to do. As I sat there worshipping and communicating with The Father, I just began to tell Him, I believe You, no matter what! Right then and there, I felt His love stronger than ever come over me as if He was saying, YES, that’s what I’ve been longing to hear from my children. My family and I got together right after and began writing. I didn’t want much going on with this particular song.. just something simple but very POWERFUL! I wanted to create an atmosphere for the people to feel what I felt at that moment. I’m telling you, I felt HEAVEN in action. Supernatural things started miraculously happening as we chanted three words, “I BELIEVE GOD.”
Give us the Jekalyn Carr origin story. How did you first get involved with music?
I come from a musically inclined family. I grew up around music. I was that little girl who was always in the mirror singing. I would create choirs with my cousins. I was singing to the grass as if the grass were my crowd, not knowing I was preparing to sing before the masses. It started at five when my parents recognized my gift. The choir was singing out of crucial one night in rehearsal, and I stopped them; this was the adult choir, and I told them, “Y’all are out of key,” and I gave them the correct keys. THIS opened my parent's eyes to see the “gift” of music in me, and I wasn’t just a kid singing beautifully. They nourished me spiritually and mentally; I’ve been going strong ever since.
The past eighteen months have been wildly successful for you (congratulations!). For any new listeners out there, what separates your music from the rest, and how do you avoid becoming complacent?
Thank you so much- I greatly appreciate that. I would have to say... I try to operate in my lane. I know that my lane mostly consists of pushing and encouraging others. You’d be surprised at how many people feel like they don’t deserve to have the best in life. They don’t deserve to live their dreams. They deserve to live out their purpose. People have tried, yet they have failed, and they’ve given up. I believe that my calling is to let them know... you can thrive and prosper in life despite your background, where you come from, how many times you’ve tried to write the book, how many times you’ve tried to pursue your dreams and it didn’t work out for you… my goal is to encourage you to keep going and fighting the good fight of faith! I also feel that is what makes my music stand out, and because of that, souls have been saved, and many testimonies have been shared. I’m grateful to God! What helps me not to become complacent is understanding and knowing that there are more people to reach. There are more people to be touched and to be inspired. I feel like there’s always more for me to give as long as I'm alive. I always want to remember that it’s not about me. I have been blessed to bless others. It’s a beautiful thing to wake up and live life according to your purpose. Also, yes, I have accomplished a lot. I’ve done a lot, but I know this is not all. I believe that there is more, and every day God gives me. I want to continue to work hard to see that “more.”
If you wanted your listeners to take one thing away from your music, what would it be?
Reiterating a statement I’ve said before. I ALWAYS want others to know that life does get better. I know that sometimes when facing challenges and going through difficult things, it can become hard for you to see that. It’s a fact that we all face different things according to our journeys; however, I firmly believe that despite the challenge, the truth is YOU CAN STILL WIN. You can still come out on top. I want people’s faith to be intensified and to believe that we were born to conquer. There is a champion on the inside of each and every one of us, and sometimes we need that push from somewhere to gain the strength to fight through what we feel opposes this truth. I want my music to always be in a position to help. Most importantly, I want others to know that God is real, and not only is God real, but God loves you, and he wants to give you His best.
What’s next for Jekalyn Carr? Any big plans for the rest of the year, and can we expect to hear more new music soon?
Yes, There’s so much I’m working on for this entire year. Some of those things, in particular, are I am getting ready to come out in a movie called Praise This that’s produced by Will Packer. I am also excited to be doing my “You Will Win” conference again this year. My last stop for it was in Orlando, Fl, before covid and the pandemic hit, and this year I’m back at it stronger than ever, bringing it to Atlanta, Georgia. It’s going to be an amazing two days, June 23rd & 24th. The ultimate target with my conference is winning in EVERY area of our Life, and I’m bringing in all of the necessary tools and strategies to help us achieve this target. It’s about reaching the people from both the spiritual aspect and the natural… We’re targeting it all from faith, family relationships, the marketplace, finances etc.… I’m bringing in some amazing people who will teach, preach, sing, educate, and encourage us. My ultimate goal is for everyone to leave on FULL! I am also doing more music. I’m releasing the I BELIEVE GOD album this year, and I’m excited about that as well. There is so much more I’m working on, and I’m excited to see all of the great things that God is continuing to do in my life.