Ricky Dillard
This May, Dillard and his New Generation Chorale, better known as New G, will release their eleventh album and their debut recording for Motown Gospel, titled Choirmaster.
The multi-Grammy nominated artist recorded a live album in his hometown of Chicago last year.
Three singles are currently available digitally: “Since He Came,” “More Abundantly Medley,” and “Release,” featuring Tiff Joy, who penned the group’s “Amazing” the song that held the No.1 on the gospel radio chart for six consecutive months.
Other standouts include “The Rooftop,” one of Dillard’s favorite songs by The Mighty Clouds of Joy. It features lead vocals by quartet singer Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson. “Never Failed Me Yet” is a churchy piece rendered by Donisha Ballard.
Recently featured in TIME and Rolling Stone articles on Kanye’s pivot to gospel choir music, the innovator has been sharing his gift for gospel with the world for more than three decades, making an immeasurable mark on the genre and inspiring some of the most successful artists in the music industry.
A true pioneer, Dillard’s influence can be seen across genres and generations, inspiring the sounds of acts like Kirk Franklin and Kanye West. He has shared the stage with the likes of Patti LaBelle, Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah, Debbie Allen, Bonnie Raitt and P. Diddy.
“I feel the Lord shifting me into a father/mentor position,” he says. “Ministers of music and other directors are looking to me for mentoring and counsel and people look at us to see what we (New G) are doing next. I’m destined for greatness, I’m going where He said I’m going.”