Skip to main content

Smokie Norful Celebrates the Music of the African American Church

Prolific artist, songwriter, producer SMOKIE NORFUL releases, HOW I GOT OVER, Songs That Carried Us, featuring the 12th District A.M.E. Church Choir, honoring the African American church's most beloved songs. 

HOW I GOT OVER, Songs That Carried Us highlights the standards and hymns that have been the very backbone of the African American church.  Recorded live in Tulsa, OK at the 12th District A.M.E. Church Conference.   

The album showcases the commanding 12th District A.M.E. choir, songs like "Trouble In My Way," "Amazing Grace," "Lord Will Make A Way," and "I Know It Was The Blood"  are meaningful and significant songs to the Black church.   
 HIGO_CDCover
HOW I GOT OVER, Songs That Carried Us includes appearances by guest artists Joe Ligon, Melvin Williams, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Myron Butler and Sheri Jones Moffett.

The radio single, "Sunday Morning Medley," which Norful performed earlier this year on BET's Celebration of Gospel, includes five of our the most treasured  and recognizable church songs: "Soldier In The Army Of The Lord," "God Is A Good God," "Storm Out On the Ocean," "I Want To Live So God Can Use Me" and "Praise The Lord Everybody." 

HOW I GOT OVER, Songs That Carried Us is an archival and musical look at the African American experience and the role the church played in their long and storied past.  Many of the songs still remain in our Sunday Morning consciousness, were born out of the slave experience.

Norful, who penned the now classic anthem "I Need You Know," is a present day songwriter who still is able to capture the needs and voice of his people.  "I Need You Know," became an instant hit because of the emotional chord it touched with people around the world.  Its impact is felt 10 years later as the popular ballad is among the most popular songs to sing. Most recently, it was heard on AMERICAN IDOL. 

HOW I GOT OVER, Songs That Carried Us, featuring the 12th District A.M.E. Church Choir is available NOW in stores and on-line everywhere.

Popular posts from this blog

NEWLYWEDS: Bishop Marvin Winans weds after 30 years

  By Mona Austin One of the most eligible bacherlors in Christianity has tied the knot - Marvin Winans remarries After being single for almost 30 years, legendary gospel singer and Bishop Marvin L. Winans, Sr. has wed his long time girlfriend Deneen R. Carter. Carter is a 57-year-old physical therapist and minister at Perfecting Church in Detroit, founded by Winans. Little is known about the bride publicly. The gospel legend introduced the now Mrs. Winans as his fiance to the congregants of Perfecting in October of 2021. The couple had been in a relationship for 15 years. Pastor Winans was previously married to fellow gospel singer Vicki Winans (with whom he has two sons) for 16 years before they divorced in 1995. Held at the Colony Club in Detroit, MI, on April 22, the wedding was officiated by fellow COGIC Bishop Darrell Hines. "Let their lives be full of joy as they live according to your word," he prayed. If we are judging by floral count, this could be one of th...

Alabama Pastor Shot and Killed in Domestic Incident

Pastor Da’Quarius Green , a 31-year-old leader of Elba Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Alabama, was shot on Dec. 23, 2025 and died several days later in the hospital after a domestic dispute at his home in Level Plains . Authorities have described the shooting as a “domestic incident” involving his wife,  𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐲. Local news station WTVY reported "c ourt records show that Green was arrested on misdemeanor domestic violence charges 3 times in Houston County last year, with each of those cases dismissed. Also in 2024, a woman filed a protection order against Green in Houston County in which she believed him to be a danger," but did not confirm Mrs. Massey as the suspect.    Various reports indicate the couple's children were present when he was shot in the head.   In one instance, a woman who shared children with Green alleged that he repeatedly struck her , including once when she was pregnant. The sitution appears to be shaping int...

Christian Rapper and Wife Reconcile, Renew Vows

Da' T.R.U.T.H. Celebrates Eighth Wedding Anniversary With Vow Renewal & Issues Public Statement Acclaimed Christian Hip Hop Artist Da’ T.R.U.T.H. renewed his wedding vows with beautiful wife Nicole Lambert earlier this week on Tuesday, June 15th—their eighth wedding anniversary. This special event punctuated the completion of their official restoration plan—marking the page of a new beginning and giving testimony to the redeeming power of reconciliation. Additionally, today, he has released a public letter to his family and supporters on his website www.datruth.net. The private ceremony, held in their backyard and attended by family and close friends, was officiated by Bishop Gilbert and Mrs. Debi Coleman—the marriage counseling team leading the Lambert’s restoration process. Also in attendance were Alvin Love & CeCe Winans (pictured in the insert), who have been walking intimately with the couple as supporting counselors and mentors. Da’ T.R.U.T.H.’s long-time frie...