I had the enjoyment of watching Vincent and Kenosis sing live in Houston.  We were at the Greater Saint Matthew's famous cookout and live concert.  Vincent and his group sang in unity,  the voices, the moves looked and sound like one body!  

 

Vincent was four years old and a church baby when he started singing.  He attended a caucasian church where he played the drums and sang in a choir.  His development was more structured and limited his growth in music.  Vincent's dad started a church and he was forced into ministry.  He and his sisters sang in the choir.

 

Vincent experienced throne room "drops" from God!  He said, "God would give me a song and I didn't know it was God, but I had to get the songs out of my head!  Forced into being a musician started my passion and helped me"

 

Vincent grew and was able to express himself more in music and it whisked him to become who he is today.  He didn't have a male mentor but his favorite singers are Karen Clark Shear and Kirk Franklin.  He said, "Karen is not perfect, but she will own her wrong and come back, fix it and kill it!  I am a Kirk Franklin fan, and I grew up when he grew up.  His err time was when people didn't like his style".

 

Vincent is only 30 years old and didn't grow up with singers like Walter Hawkins, he grew up with Kirk.  Vincent wondered if he would get backlash for his style music but Kirk paved the way for artist like himself.   He is now able to have a contemporary feel with his style of music.  

 

Vincent loves old school music and eventually reached back to get some of Walter Hawkins and the Winans to flip it into his error.  He is very diverse in music and likes all types.  Vincent supports Donald Lawrence, Mary Mary and if its a catchy tune I can sing all the songs at concerts, while he is being laughed at y friends!

 

When I asked Vincent how long he and Kenosis had been together, he said since Craig Mount High school and that is where he and Kenosis met and began to sing together.  Vincent had graduated and went on to college when the high school called him to come back and be over the choir...wow!

 

Vincent and his group have been together singing since 18 years old, and he wrote a song that he taught to the choir.  He loaded the song on Youtube and it took off!  

People began to book Vincent and his group after hearing the song on Youtube.  He didn't know about royalties or the business side of the music industry. 

Vincent got permission from the singer's parents to go on some of the bookings to sing.  

When he arrived back to the high school he was told that the students could not be taken on trips without permission slips.  Vincent said, "I didn't have time to get permission slips every time a door opened.  He left the school, formed Kenosis and they have been together ever since".

 

I had been so curious as to the meaning of Kenosis, so naturally, I asked, and Kenosis means "emptied out".  His aunt, the prophetess, had been given the name Kenosis four years earlier but didn't know why God gave her that name.  The group researched scriptures concerning the name Kenosis and it's meaning and decided to use the name.  

 

Vincent and Kenosis were blessed to be nominated for a Stellar Award and some of the singers were asked to sing background for Brian Courtney Wilson for a show that will air on Easter Sunday!!

 

Vincent leaves a word of advice to the new artist..." do not get detoured discouraged about present circumstances.  Stay focused to please God and he will open windows you don't see.  Don't focus on success, focus on him and it will come".

 

Work with your faith, speak what you claim, ~ Vincent Tharpe

 

Best wishes and prayers to all of you and I look forward to seeing what God is going to do with you next.

 

Pam J