Multi-talented, multi-genre, and multi-Grammy nominated artist Kelly Price has returned with her eighth studio album, GRACE, which is her first studio album in nearly seven years. In the meantime, she and her beautiful spirit have GRACEd our television screens most recently as a host of BET’s gospel singing competition, Sunday Best.
Ms. Price is known for swerving all over the highway of musical genres and has made it clear that she has no lane. From R&B to Gospel, her powerful vocals have contributed to the soundtrack of our lives since her iconic R&B song Friend of Mine was released by in 1998. Her spirit exudes through each song she blesses up with, and her legendary hit, It’s My Time, is prime example of how she chooses to use her gift to inspire and uplift.
GRACE is not necessarily a traditional gospel album — it leans more towards being an inspirational album with heavy gospel influence.
- Dance Party
The album starts off with some TURN UP! The first song, Dance Party, is an upbeat jam with a very appropriate name. As soon as it starts, there is really no way you’ll be able to NOT pull out a shoulder bounce or body roll. She even made it interactive, giving us a chance to join in with a “You say, you say”, and it’s guaranteed that you will indeed follow through with “I, I wanna dance! I wanna dance and I’m gonna do it now! I wanna daaaanccce!” It’s an ode to perseverance over negativity and obstacles that tend to bring us down; a reminder that no matter what, that voice within, that spark of Divine, is bigger and more powerful than anything so choose JOY and peace over everything else. Knowing Who is in charge is reason enough to DANCE so let it all go and give praise.
- Grace
Kelly slows it down with the title track, Grace, which is essentially a mellow love song to the most high for His forgiveness, mercy, and GRACE. The song itself has an R&B feel with a gospel message. Her vocals are smooth with a spritz of jazz. The message relayed is that no matter how many times we fall, no matter how wretched we are, God continues to cover us when we turn to Him.
- What I Need (Interlude)
This interlude fazes in with Kelly reading from Matthew 6:8 over a slow R&B beat: “Be not ye therefore like them: for the Father knows what you have need of, before you even ask him.” She reminds us that our prayer should be guided by Spirit and leads into the Lord’s Prayer with a twist, and those classic, incomparable vocals will give you chills. The interlude is only just over a minute long but you will definitely want to hear more because the way she was belting out that prayer is worthy of an entire song.
- What I Need (A Sinner’s Prayer Remix)
The next track begins with a certain intensity, kind of like the calm before a storm. Kelly’s masterful vocals are heard over dramatic R&B music, with a piano adding an extra dramatic effect. There is a fusion of hip hop with rappers Jon Conner and 901$outh lacing the track with meaningful, hard-hitting bars that draw you in and cause you to feel every word. There is absolutely no fluff on this track – from start to finish, it’s all business. Spiritual business. Kelly intermittently graces us her dynamic vocals, pleading for God’s Will over her own desires. Chills will ensue, guaranteed.
- I Want To Thank You
Kelly speeds it back up on this next track leading in with a semi-acapella vocalization. Then the beat drops and it’s giving us 80’s vibes. It’s like one of those songs you hear at a cookout where good vibes are abound. Kelly’s vocal range is astounding and as she sings praises to God for sending her love, we are moved to feel grateful as well – grateful for the talent Ms. Price shares with us all. The message all in all is that if you do what’s right and keep faith, you will be blessed. In her powerful delivery, she reminds us to continue to look up and blessings will eventually fall down.
- Faith That Conquers
The next and final track has a classic gospel sound with heavy piano influence and Kelly channels Mahalia Jackson with her powerful delivery. It’s that song that the lead vocalist in the church choir sings on Sunday morning moving everyone to tears and praise. Her tone gives the song so much depth and the message reminds us that with faith, nothing is impossible — faith allows us to create our circumstances by first conceiving it with vision and manifesting it through belief that God will bring it forth. A much needed reminder during these unusual times we face, especially in the aftermath of the tumultuous year 2020. Thank you, Kelly, for reigniting the flame of FAITH for those whose fire may have been extinguished while trying to survive through a pandemic and times of social injustice.
GRACE comes across as a facilitator of healing during a time of such intense trauma and also encourages us to reflect on what is really important in life. It inspires us to re-anchor ourselves with faith and remember that nothing is greater than God. Each and every track on the album has a place and a purpose which indicates that Kelly Price moved with intent and purpose while creating this extended play. There will be dancing and there will be quiet reflection, but most importantly, there will be a reminder that God’s GRACE allows everything – every trial and tribulation – to work out in the end. Kelly Price’s GRACE is definitely sufficient.
Drama + Controversy 