BIRTH HISTORY
CeCe Winans was born on October 8, 1964, in Detroit, Michigan, as the eighth of ten children in the Winans family. Her parents, David and Delores Winans, were both musicians and members of the church choir, and their love of music had a profound impact on CeCe and her siblings. As a child, CeCe and her siblings would often sing together at church events and family gatherings, and they quickly became known for their beautiful harmonies and soulful performances.
CeCe’s older brothers, Marvin, Carvin, Ronald, and Michael, formed the gospel group The Winans in the early 1980s, and quickly achieved success with their debut album, “Introducing the Winans.” Inspired by their success, CeCe and her younger brother, Benjamin, formed their own gospel duo, BeBe & CeCe Winans.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER
The siblings released their debut album, “Lord Lift Us Up” in 1984, which received critical acclaim and introduced the duo to the world of gospel music. They followed this up with several successful albums, including “Heaven,” “Different Lifestyles,” and “First Christmas.” Their music was known for its contemporary R&B sound mixed with gospel lyrics and themes.
One of their most successful albums was “Heart and Soul,” which was released in 1988. The album featured the hit single “Lost Without You,” which topped the gospel charts and also crossed over to the R&B charts. The album also won a Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group.
In 1991, BeBe and CeCe decided to take a break from their duo to pursue solo careers. CeCe released her first solo album, “Alone in His Presence,” in 1995, which was a huge success, earning her a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. She followed this up with several more successful solo albums, including “Everlasting Love” and “Throne Room.”
BeBe also had a successful solo career, releasing several albums, including “BeBe Winans” and “Love & Freedom,” which earned him a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.
Despite their individual success, BeBe and CeCe continued to collaborate on occasion, releasing a few albums together in the 2000s. Their most recent album, “Still,” was released in 2009 and earned them a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album.
In the 1990s, CeCe Winans embarked on a solo career that would see her become one of the most successful gospel artists of all time. Her debut album, “Alone in His Presence,” was released in 1995 and was an instant success, earning her a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.
CeCe’s music continued to resonate with audiences throughout the 1990s, with hit singles such as “Count On Me” and “Well Alright” topping the charts. In 1999, she released her fourth studio album, “Alabaster Box,” which would go on to become one of her most popular and acclaimed works.
The album featured the title track, “Alabaster Box,” which is considered by many to be one of CeCe’s greatest songs. The emotional and deeply spiritual lyrics, combined with CeCe’s powerful vocals, made the track an instant classic. The album also featured collaborations with other gospel artists such as Yolanda Adams and Crystal Lewis.
“Alabaster Box” was a commercial and critical success, earning CeCe a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. The album went on to sell over one million copies, solidifying CeCe’s status as one of the top gospel artists of the decade.
Throughout the 2000s, CeCe continued to release successful albums, including “Throne Room” and “Purified,” which earned her several more Grammy Awards. She also collaborated with other artists, including Whitney Houston and Mary Mary.
Throughout her career, CeCe has remained dedicated to spreading the message of the gospel through her music. Her powerful vocals and inspirational lyrics have made her a beloved figure in the gospel community and beyond.
CeCe Winans recently made a comeback with her album “Believe For It,” which was released in March 2021. The album has been a huge success, both commercially and critically, and has solidified CeCe’s status as one of the most talented and influential gospel artists of her generation.
“Believe For It” features a mix of new songs and re-recordings of some of CeCe’s classic hits. The album has been praised for its uplifting and inspiring lyrics, as well as its fresh and modern sound that combines gospel, R&B, and pop influences.
The lead single from the album, “Never Lost,” has been a massive hit, topping the charts and earning CeCe a Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Performance/Song. The song features powerful vocals from CeCe, backed by a choir and a dynamic production that highlights the uplifting message of the lyrics.
CONTEMPORARIES/INFLUENCES
CeCe Winans has cited several artists as influences on her music and style over the years. Growing up in a musical family, she was exposed to a wide range of styles and genres, but her gospel roots have always remained a central part of her sound.
One of the artists who had a significant impact on CeCe’s music is her brother, BeBe Winans. Together, they formed the duo BeBe & CeCe Winans, and their music combined gospel, R&B, and pop influences to create a unique sound that has influenced many artists in the years since.
CeCe has also cited gospel legends like Mahalia Jackson, Andraé Crouch, and James Cleveland as influences on her music. These artists helped shape the gospel genre and inspired CeCe with their powerful vocals and soulful delivery.
Beyond the gospel world, CeCe has also drawn inspiration from artists in other genres. She has spoken about her admiration for Stevie Wonder, whose music she says has influenced her songwriting and approach to melody. She has also cited soul and R&B icons like Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye as influences on her music.
Ultimately, CeCe’s music is a testament to the power of gospel music and its ability to transcend genre and touch people’s hearts and souls. Her unique blend of influences has created a sound that is uniquely her own, and her commitment to spreading the message of faith and hope has earned her a place as one of the most beloved and influential gospel artists of all time.
AWARDS
One of CeCe’s most notable achievements is her 12 Grammy Awards, which she has received over the course of her career. These include awards for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album, Best Gospel Performance, and Best Gospel Song. She is also the most awarded female gospel artist in Grammy history, and her music continues to inspire and uplift listeners around the world.
In addition to her Grammy wins, CeCe has also received numerous other awards and honors throughout her career. These include the Essence Award for Excellence in the Arts, the Trailblazer Award from the Gospel Music Association, and the Gospel Music Icon Award from the Black Music Honors. She has also been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
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SOCIAL INVOLVEMENT
CeCe Winans has long been involved in social activism and community outreach, using her platform as a gospel artist to promote positive change and make a difference in people’s lives. Over the years, she has been involved in a range of initiatives and organizations, using her voice and resources to uplift and empower those in need.
One of CeCe’s most notable contributions to the community is her work with the Generations Conference, an annual event that brings together people of all ages and backgrounds to discuss important issues and share ideas for making positive change in the world. Through this conference, CeCe has been able to engage with people from all walks of life and use her music as a means of bringing people together in support of common goals.
CeCe has also collaborated with World Vision, a nonprofit organization that works to alleviate poverty and promote social justice around the world. Through this partnership, she has been able to raise awareness about important issues like hunger and access to education, and has helped to provide resources and support to communities in need.
In addition to these initiatives, CeCe has also been involved in a range of other community-focused projects. She has established Camp CeCe, a summer camp for young people that emphasizes the importance of faith, leadership, and personal growth. She has also been an active supporter of the Whitney Houston Foundation, which works to provide educational resources and support to young people in need.
CONCLUSION
DISCOGRAPHY
- “Alone in His Presence” (1995)
- “Everlasting Love” (1998)
- “His Gift” (1998)
- “Alabaster Box” (1999)
- “CeCe Winans” (2001)
- “Throne Room” (2003)
- “Purified” (2005)
- “Thy Kingdom Come” (2008)
- “Songs of Emotional Healing” (2010)
- “Something’s Happening! A Christmas Album” (2018)
- “Believe For It” (2021)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
- About. CeCe Winans. (2020, December 31). Retrieved March 19, 2023, from https://cecewinans.com/about/
- CeCe Winans. CeCe Winans | Yamaha Artists. (n.d.). Retrieved March 19, 2023, from https://www.yamaha.com/artists/cecewinans.html
- CeCe Winans: The US gospel singer with a new R&B-influenced sound – cece winans. Cross Rhythms. (n.d.). Retrieved March 19, 2023, from https://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/CeCe_Winans_The_US_gospel_singer_with_a_new_RBinfluenced_sound/40833/p1/
- Harrington, R. (1989, December 28). The gospel according to Winans. The Washington Post. Retrieved March 19, 2023, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1989/12/28/the-gospel-according-to-winans/35da5011-50f1-4f23-96d3-2b590dce8232/
- Hight, J. (2017, February 2). ‘at this age, this is who I am’: The gospel according to CeCe Winans. NPR. Retrieved March 19, 2023, from https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2017/02/02/512850020/at-this-age-this-is-who-i-am-the-gospel-according-to-cece-winans
- Tbn. (n.d.). Cece Winans on the Global Impact of TBN. Trinity Broadcasting Network. Retrieved March 19, 2023, from https://www.tbn.org/blog/cece-winans-global-impact-tbn
