Ayiesha Woods(born July 2, 1979)[1]is acontemporary Christian musiciansigned toGotee Records.She has released two studio albums on Gotee:Introducing Ayiesha Woods(2006) andLove Like This(2008). Woods is known for the hit songs "Happy"and"Big Enough"from her debut album. Her musical style is a distinct mix of several genres, predominantly includingpop,soul,urbanandrock.
Ayiesha Woods | |
|---|---|
 Ayiesha Woods performing in January 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | July 2, 1979 Long Island,New York |
| Origin | United States |
| Genres | Contemporary Christian music |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | Gotee |
| Website | ayieshawoods |
After having an interest in musicianship and singing during her childhood, Ayiesha Woods released an independent album in 2004,What You Do to Me,and went on to receive three Gospel Music Marlin Awards that year, including "New Artist of the Year".Gotee RecordsmanagerTobyMacdiscovered her music while visitingJamaica,and Woods was eventually signed onto the record label. HerGrammy Award-nominated debut album,Introducing Ayiesha Woods,was released in June 2006. The album's single "Happy"garnered popularity on Christian radio in theU.S.,and Woods received aDove Awardnomination in 2007, as well. She appeared at several majorChristian music festivalsduring mid-2008, and soon afterward her second album,Love Like This,was released in September.
Early life and family
editAyiesha Woods was born on July 2, 1979, inLong Island, New York.[2]She has lived in a variety of locations, includingFlorida,Georgia,Hawaii,andTexas;she spent a portion of her childhood growing up inBermuda,as well.[3]Woods was surrounded by music while growing up, and was the granddaughter of a professional musician. Throughouthigh schoolshe sang in chorus and played in the school's band, sangharmonyin her church choir, and learned to play instruments such as theguitar,keyboardandpercussion.[3]
Musical career
editIn 2003, Ayiesha Woods wrote and recorded anindependentalbum,What You Do to Me,which was released in 2004.[2]In 2004, she was the first female musician to receive the "Producer of the Year" award at the Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Awards.[4]She also received Marlin's "New Artist of the Year" and "Contemporary Vocal Performance of the Year (Female)" awards that year.[3][5]"Crazy", a song from the album, was being played on local Christian radio where she lived in Jamaica.[2]Gotee RecordsmanagerTobyMacwas visiting the area for an interview, and heard her song on the local station Love 101. After Caribbean Hour host Arnold Kelly played a few of Woods' songs for him, TobyMac obtained her contact info and called her as soon as he returned to theUnited States.Initially in disbelief upon receiving the call, Ayiesha Woods said, "I wasn't home when he first called... I couldn't believe [it]."[3]A few weeks later he invited Woods and her family to a concert he was slated to perform at in Texas, where they met in person. She was soon signed onto his record label, and went in studio to record material for a new album.
Introducing Ayiesha Woods(2006–2007)
editAfter recording the album, Woods' first single "Happy"was released in 2006, and soon became a hit onChristian radio.The song was used in an ad campaign for the DVD release of the 2006 filmA Good Year.The song was also used in the 2009 movie "My Life in Ruins" starring Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding).[6]Her debutGotee Recordsalbum,Introducing Ayiesha Woods,was produced by Chris Stevens, Otto Price, Ric Robbins and David Mullen.[7]It was released on June 6, 2006, and reached number 39 onBillboard'sTop Heatseekerschart.[8][9]The album wasGrammy Award-nominated for the category of Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album in 2007.[5]Two additional songs from the album were released as singles: "Big Enough"and" Beauty ". At the38th GMA Dove Awardsof 2007, Woods received a nomination for the New Artist of the Year award.[10]
Love Like This(since 2008)
editWoods guested onWomen of Faith's Revolve Tour, an annual conference for teenage girls, in February 2008.[11]Her second album,Love Like This,was recorded around early 2008, and its approximate release time of "late summer" was announced in May 2008.[12]The album'slead single,"Love Like This", was released tocontemporary Christianradio in June 2008.[12]Ayiesha Woods performed at several majorChristian music festivalsover the next few months, includingCreation East,Creation West,and Lifefest, as well as the 2008 Christian Music Boat Cruise.[12]Love Like Thiswas subsequently released on September 9, 2008, through theGoteelabel.[13]It debuted at #20 onBillboard'sTop Gospel Albums chart.[14]The album's latest single is the track "Alive".
Woods has also recorded and released aChristmasalbum entitledChristmas Like This,which was released on November 10, 2009. Woods was one of three judges at the 2013 Christian Women in Media Association National Music Showcase inNashville,Tennessee.[15]
It's Time(since 2014)
editAfter taking a Sabbatical to start a family, Woods recorded and released an album entitled"It's Time" September 9, 2014on her Independent Label Original Peace Music Group.
The Runway Project(since 2017)
edit
The Runway Project (2/14/17) a 7-song EP of songs that are thematic anthems for the underdog.[citation needed]
Musical style and influences
editAyiesha Woods grew up in a variety of cultures including theBermudalocale, which has given her music aCaribbeananddancehallsound.[2]Her musical influences includeStevie Wonder,Commissioned,Fred Hammond,Ella Fitzgerald,Lauryn HillandIndia.Arie.[3]Her musical genre is generally defined as Christianpopandsoul,although it contains much variety on both of her albums, includingR&Bandurbanstyles.[16]Woods has said, "I don't want to be placed in one specific category. I think I represent a lot of different styles of music".[3]Her debut albumIntroducing Ayiesha Woodshas been labeled as having "something for everyone",[3]and critics have compared her singing voice toTracy ChapmanandTasmin Archer.[17]Love Like Thisis also a multi-genre project, "subtly adding jazz infusions" on the song "Take Me There",[16]althoughChristian Music Today'sreview said that it was "not as soulful" as her previous album.[18]Her music includesrockinfluences ( "Big Enough") as well as thecontemporary worshipstyle in her songs "Love Like This", "Refine Me", and her originally-independenttrack "What You Do to Me".[4]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Christ [19] |
US Gospel [20] |
US Heat [21] | ||
| Introducing Ayiesha Woods |
|
33 | 13 | 39 |
| Love Like This |
|
— | 20 | — |
| Christmas Like This |
|
— | — | — |
Singles
edit| Year | Title | Chart peak positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Christ [22] | |||
| 2006 | "Happy" | 14 | Introducing Ayiesha Woods |
| "Big Enough" | 10 | ||
| "Beauty" | — | ||
| "The Remedy" | — | ||
| 2008 | "Love Like This" | — | Love Like This |
| "Alive" | — | ||
| 2011 | "Come Back" | — | Non-album song |
| 2013 | "First Love" | — | Non-album song |
Awards
edit- 2004: Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Award for "Producer of the Year" –won
- 2004: Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Award for "New Artist of the Year" –won
- 2004: Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Award for "Contemporary Vocal Performance of the Year (Female)" –won
- 2007:Grammy Awardfor "Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album" (Introducing Ayiesha Woods) –nominated
- 2007:GMA Dove Awardfor "New Artist of the Year" –nominated
- 2010:GMA Dove Award for "Christmas Album of the Year" –nominated
References
edit- ^"Ayiesha Woods Discography".Jesus Freak Hideout.Archivedfrom the original on 2 March 2009.Retrieved2009-03-22.
- ^abcdSteve Leggett."Ayiesha Woods Biography".Allmusic.Retrieved2009-02-24.
- ^abcdefg"Ayiesha Woods".1 Cubed. Archived fromthe originalon December 10, 2009.RetrievedMarch 30,2009.
- ^ab"Ayiesha Woods: Biography".Christian Music Central.Retrieved2009-03-25.
- ^ab"Ayiesha Woods' Love Like This Set To Unveil Next Week To Rave Reviews".BREATHEcast.com. 2008-09-05. Archived fromthe originalon January 18, 2013.Retrieved2009-03-22.
- ^"Ayiesha Woods releases 'Love Like This'".Christian Today.2008-09-29.Retrieved2009-03-24.
- ^Lauren Summerford (2006-07-03)."Ayiesha Woods," Introducing Ayiesha Woods "Review".Jesus Freak Hideout.Retrieved2009-03-25.
- ^"Ayiesha Woods — Introducing Ayiesha Woods".Billboard.Retrieved2009-03-22.
- ^"Artist Chart History — Ayiesha Woods".Billboard.Retrieved2009-03-22.
- ^Kim Jones."38th Annual GMA Awards Nominations & Winners".About.com.Archivedfrom the original on 26 April 2009.Retrieved2009-03-24.
- ^"A Christian Conference For Teen Girls Has the Feel of a Combined Church Service, Concert and Slumber Party".St. Paul Pioneer Press. 2007-11-05.Retrieved2009-06-11.
- ^abc"Ayiesha Woods second album Love Like This To Street late Summer".BREATHEcast.com. 2008-05-15. Archived fromthe originalon January 18, 2013.Retrieved2009-03-22.
- ^"Ayiesha Woods — Love Like This".Billboard.Retrieved2009-03-22.
- ^"Top Gospel Albums – Love Like This".Billboard.Retrieved2009-04-02.
- ^"Janice Peterson earns spot in the Christian showcase".Houston Chronicle.July 19, 2013.RetrievedAugust 14,2013.
- ^abLauren Summerford (2008-09-08)."Ayiesha Woods," Love Like This "Review".Jesus Freak Hideout.Retrieved2009-03-24.
- ^"New Gotee Signing: Ayiesha Woods to release her first album courtesy of Gotee".Cross Rhythms.2008-05-03.Retrieved2009-03-25.
- ^Andree Farias."Ayiesha Woods — Love Like This".Christian Music Today.Archivedfrom the original on 12 March 2009.Retrieved2009-03-25.
- ^"Ayiesha Woods Album & Song Chart History (Christian Albums)".Billboard.Archived fromthe originalon August 24, 2018.RetrievedAugust 23,2018.
- ^"Ayiesha Woods Album & Song Chart History (Gospel Albums)".Billboard.Archived fromthe originalon August 24, 2018.RetrievedAugust 23,2018.
- ^"Ayiesha Woods Album & Song Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)".Billboard.Archived fromthe originalon August 24, 2018.RetrievedAugust 23,2018.
- ^"Ayiesha Woods Album & Song Chart History (Christian Songs)".Billboard.RetrievedAugust 23,2018.
External links
edit