Who is Israel Houghton? Israel Houghton, born in 1971 in Oceanside, California, is an American singer, guitarist and worship pastor. Founder of the group Israel & New Breed in 1997, he has won eight Grammy Awards and written contemporary worship songs sung in churches around the world.
Born on May 19, 1971, in Oceanside, California, Israel Houghton grew up with a white mother and a Jamaican father, in a family story marked by a difficult start. After becoming a worship leader, he founded the group Israel & New Breed in 1997, with whom he recorded most of his discography under the name Israel & New Breed.
His music blends gospel, jazz, rock and Latin rhythms, a signature sound that has earned him eight Grammy Awards across albums such as A Deeper Level (2007) and The Power of One (2009). More recently, he has led the Unified Sound project, which brings together Spanish speaking worship artists around songs translated and adapted for churches in Latin America.
- Origin
- Oceanside, California, USA
- Style
- Contemporary worship, blending gospel, jazz and Latin rhythms
- Active since
- Founded Israel & New Breed in 1997
- Good to know
- Eight Grammy Awards won throughout his career
How did Israel Houghton get started?
Israel Houghton was born in 1971 in Oceanside, California, to a white mother and a Jamaican father, in a difficult family situation that would shape his testimony. It was in the church that he found a stable environment and developed his talent as a musician and singer.
In 1997, he founded the group Israel & New Breed, conceived as a multicultural worship ensemble. This group became the main vehicle for his career, on albums that blend a wide variety of musical styles.
What makes Israel Houghton distinctive?
Israel Houghton built his reputation on a deliberate mix of styles, spanning gospel, jazz, rock and Latin rhythms, carried by an intentionally multicultural band. This approach has earned him eight Grammy Awards and a level of recognition that reaches well beyond the English speaking contemporary worship audience.
In recent years, he has developed the Unified Sound project, which brings together Spanish speaking worship artists around songs like La Bendición and Vivo Para Adorarte. This multilingual dimension of his ministry reflects his desire to connect churches of different languages around the same songs.
Where should you start with Israel Houghton?
The live recordings from the Unified Sound project, such as Coritos de Nochebuena or La Bendición, give a good sense of the collective energy of his current concerts. Historically, it is Friend of God, from the 2007 album A Deeper Level, that remains his best known song and the one most sung in French speaking churches.
songs
Coritos de Nochebuena
A Christmas medley recorded with Unified Sound, the Spanish language project Israel Houghton has led in recent years.
La Bendición
A live recording of a blessing song performed with Israel & New Breed.
Vivo Para Adorarte
A Spanish language worship song recorded with musician Coalo Zamorano.
Discography
- 2018Road to DeMaskUs
- 2012Jesus at the Center: Live
- 2010Love God, Love People
- 2009The Power of One
- 2007A Deeper Level· featuring the song Friend of God
- 2005Alive in South Africa
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Frequently asked questions
Who is Israel Houghton?
Israel Houghton, born in 1971 in Oceanside, California, is an American singer and worship pastor. Founder of the group Israel & New Breed in 1997, he is one of the most awarded contemporary worship artists at the Grammy Awards.
Is Israel Houghton a Christian artist?
Yes, all of his music belongs to evangelical Christian worship. He was trained and discovered within the church before becoming a worship leader recognized internationally.
What is Israel Houghton's best known song?
Friend of God, released in 2007 on the album A Deeper Level, remains his most covered song, especially in French speaking churches. His more recent work with the Unified Sound project, such as La Bendición, has also found wide success.
Where can you listen to Israel Houghton?
His discography is available on streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer, as well as on his official YouTube channel and the website israelandnewbreed.com.
What is the group New Breed?
New Breed is the group Israel Houghton founded in 1997, conceived as a multicultural worship ensemble. Most of his albums are credited to Israel & New Breed.
Does Israel Houghton sing in Spanish?
Yes, through his Unified Sound project, he has been recording Spanish language worship songs in recent years with Spanish speaking artists, to reach churches in Latin America.