Ernest Billups & Tribe Of Levi
New York City, New York, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2005 | INDIE
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvBGW7_JgtA - LDM NEWS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHmGAXGuX1U - Bro. Steve Harris
New York: On “Victorious,” gospel group Ernest Billups & Tribe of Levi celebrate how God gave them the power to conquer the enemy.
Declaring victory is a familiar activity in the Billups Family. In 2015, Angela “Missy” Billups shouted it on her 2015 single, “Victory Right Now.” In 2016, she was “Walking in Victory.” Now it’s her son Ernest’s turn to proclaim deliverance from life’s many trials and tribulations.
Ernest Billups, an independent gospel singer, songwriter, musician, and producer, wrote ”Victorious” during a particularly challenging period in his life. But instead of expressing himself in the language of disappointment and doubt, he wanted to communicate his Christian-centered optimism. ”By speaking light,” he says, “I have victory. ‘No weapon shall prosper,’ right? In other words, we may be depressed right now, we may be sick right now, but with God, we always win.”
Bishop Eric McDaniel, Pastor of The Lord’s Church in the Bronx and North Carolina, joins Billups & Tribe of Levi on the single.
“While recording ’Victorious,’ I told my producer that I heard Bishop McDaniel on it,” Ernest explains. “It was such a long shot, because Bishop McDaniel has recorded with top gospel artists. He knows my family so I reached out to him. I played the song for him a few times, and it was like it was meant to be. He came through and blessed the record.”
The lyrics and melody of ”Victorious” join a bracing tempo and bright arrangement to express Ernest & Tribe of Levi’s inner conviction that with God, all things are possible.
Early champions of “Victorious” in gospel radio include:
Ernest is excited at the song’s reception thus far. “People are hitting me up on social media, telling me how the song has been a blessing to them,” he says. “I know the song will be a blessing to everyone who hears it.”
To spread the word, Ernest and the Tribe of Levi are planning a Victory Tour of churches and special events nationwide, including a stop at the historic 50th Anniversary of the Gospel Music Workshop of America in Atlanta, Georgia.
“Victorious” is available now at all major digital music outlets.
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About Ernest Billups & Tribe of Levi
Ernest Billups organized the gospel group Tribe of Levi from members of a community choir he directed. Together, they have taken their distinctive gospel sound to programs all around the East Coast. They appeared on TBN’s Praise the Lord television program and in 2014 released the five-track EP It Was You. Ernest is also a producer and CEO of E’Mazin Entertainment, which offers affordable recording options for independent gospel artists. For more information, visit www.emazinentertainment.com. - Bob Marovich
New York: On May 10, 2019, after years of recording EPs and singles, Ernest Billups and Tribe of Levi will release their first full-length album, In My Own Lane. The twelve-track album from E’Mazin Entertainment showcases the talents of Ernest’s immediate family as well as his extended musical family.
“That’s what’s special about this project,” Ernest said. “It gives a platform to those who have been rocking with me for a very long time—from singers to musicians to producers. As a result, the album contains a diverse range of songs and styles.”
Among the family members who appear on In My Own Lane are Ernest’s mother, gospel recording artist Angela “Missy” Billups. Missy teams with Tribe of Levi veteran Hannah Brown on the churchy “For Your Blood.” Ernest said that although he has produced many of his mother’s records, this is the first time she has appeared on one of his projects. “It was cool to reverse the roles,” he said, then laughed, “and push her out of her comfort zone a little bit!”
Ernest’s sister, also named Angela Billups, solos on “The Cross.” He wrote the hymn-like piece right after Hannah and his mother finished recording “For Your Blood.” “I was still stuck on ‘For Your Blood,’ thinking about the Cross and the Resurrection,” he said. “I felt like something more should be added to the subject. I came up with a little melody and it turned into a full song. It was only supposed to be two minutes long, but when we finished, it was a full track!”
He added: “Angela has been in Tribe of Levi from day one. She heard ‘The Cross,’ she wanted to sing it and she exceeded my expectations!” He is now in the process of producing her debut solo project.
Two other Tribe of Levi long-timers, Izaiah Graves and David Khaleel, solo on “How Good God Is” and “Jesus is Mine,” respectively. New Jersey’s own Hassan McMillan, aka Brother Hahz, provides the rap interlude on “Matthew 6.”
In addition to new songs, In My Own Lane includes the group’s recent singles: “Victorious,” featuring Bishop Eric McDaniel, and the explosive “God is Doing It,” Ernest’s duet with C. Ashley Brown-Lawrence. There’s a remix of “Scream,” with rapping from Ismael Torres. “For the remix, I changed the ending from ‘I can’t take it’ to ‘I can make it,’” Ernest explained, “so the song is even more encouraging.”
Producers who leave their distinctive imprint on In My Own Lane are Phillip Jones, Ron Black, and Shajuan Andrews. Andrews, Ernest’s cousin and a musician with Hezekiah Walker, produced “Oh Give Thanks.” It was the last song Ernest wrote before finishing the album and it almost didn’t make the cut. But Andrews liked the song, persuaded Ernest to let him produce it, and said if he didn’t like the result he didn’t have to use it. “He did a phenomenal job and I included it!” Ernest said.
The Caribbean groove on “Jesus is Mine” is a touch Ernest has wanted to add to his music for some time but lamented that “my group and producers weren’t a big fan of it. After struggling with what other people thought, I finally decided that God gave me this song and I’m going to do it. Then hearing other gospel artists do Caribbean-style songs, I thought, why not? Plus, I grew up in a church that is Caribbean-based.”
Ernest’s inner conflict over whether to go with the flow or be original inspired the album title. “Until about two years ago,” he explained, “I struggled about being myself, being original. Now, I’m not trying to be anybody but Ernest—in my own lane.”
Ernest Billups looks forward to May 3, when the album that has been a work in progress for the better part of three years finally sees the light of day. More importantly, he is grateful to reveal what can be accomplished when singers, musicians, and producers work together for the greater good. “As artists we want to do our own thing,” Ernest said, “but I feel like we’re better together.”
For more information, visit www.emazinentertainment.com.
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About Ernest Billups & Tribe of Levi
Ernest Billups organized the gospel group Tribe of Levi from members of a community choir he directed. Together, they have taken their distinctive gospel sound to programs all around the East Coast. They appeared on TBN’s Praise the Lord television program and in 2014 released the five-track EP It Was You. They were nominated for five Rhythm of Gospel Music awards in 2018. Ernest is also a producer and CEO of E’Mazin Entertainment, which offers affordable recording options for independent gospel artists. - Bob Marovich
Discography
1. Victorious
2. God Is Doing It
3. God Is Fly
4. Scream
Photos
Bio
Ernest Billups an Artist, Producer, Songwriter, Singer, and Musician was acclaimed with the gift of music at an early age and continues in that capacity at this moment. Ernest cultivated in music playing for family group “The Butler Sister’s”, gospel artist Angela “Missy” Billups, innumerable of church organizations and/or groups such as; Greater Refuge Temple, Harlem, NY, Love Fellowship Church, Brooklyn, NY and others.
Thriving on his music ministry, Ernest embarked upon spreading gospel in the community which created Nu Testament Community Choir, presently produces ”Tribe Of Levi” and started own corporation “E’mazin Entertainment”. Ernest has an inimitable manner of expressing his love for God through his music. He desires to encourage, heal, deliver and save souls throughout the nation by revealing the word of God with enthusiasm and conviction in his music.
A few of Ernest’s accomplishments are playing for the National GMWA State Choir and Praise Team, guest soloist on the TBN (Trinity Broadcast Network) “Praise the Lord” program, featured musician on HBO US Festival Aspen, Colorado playing “Amazing Grace” and Upbride Citizens Theatre in New York “Joey and David.com”, toured in International Countries of Europe and Spain spreading the gospel of Jesus. He has worked with artist such as Angela “Missy” Billups, Hezekiah Walker, Mobb Deep, Zak Williams, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary, Lucinda Moore, Vashawn Mitchell, Jonathan Nelson, Vickie Winans and a host of others.
Ernest serves faithfully at Greater Refuge Temple in Harlem, New York as an intrical part of the music ministry holding the office of Senior Managing Director in Music Ministry. He’s also Music Director for the COOLJC New York Gospel Star Search. His phenomenal testimonies and music has been profitable not only for his life but to those he serves “Speaking Life”.
Ernest is a man who loves God and appreciates him for his grace and mercy. In March of 2011, Ernest released his first single entitled “To Worship You”. He also released his mothers day smash single entitled "My Favorite Girl". After almost two years, Ernest finally releases his long anticipated project entitled "It Was You", which took the world by storm. Billups produced The Tribe of Levi’s sophomore CD project which was met with rave reviews. Many of the tracks feature lyrics that Billups penned that personally ministered to him in times of crisis. However, he believes the Lord allowed him to release those songs so that others could be encouraged regardless of their own circumstances.
On May 10, 2019, after years of recording EPs and singles, Ernest Billups and Tribe of Levi released their first full-length album, In My Own Lane. The twelve-track album from E’mazin Entertainment showcases the talents of Ernest’s immediate family as well as his extended musical family.
For Billups, at the end of the day he sees his role simply as a servant. He hopes to impart into the younger generation behind him. Most of all, he wants to see people experience the presence of God and his unfailing love so much until all they will want is Jesus. His favorite scripture is Matthew 6:33, because it serves as a reminder that if he seeks God and puts Him first in all things, then everything else will fall into place. As he states, “God is first in my book!”
Ladies and gentlemen, you're in for a treat! Open your tent doors and receive the ministry of Ernest Billups & Tribe of Levi...
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