With Black History Month underway, Disney wants to celebrate two Black artists, DOE and Melvin Crispell III, for their Celebrate Gospel event. The Celebrate Gospel showcases celebrate Black heritage and culture through music, food, and art at the Disneyland Resort. The newly opened Tiana Palace features Black dishes inspired by Southern cuisine, like the Black eye pea stew available at Award Wieners with a smoked turkey version.
“I’m actually nervous about performing my new music on stage for the first time because there is a big difference between listening to music versus making it come to life for the audience,” DOE (a.k.a. Dominique Jones) said as she prepared for her performance on Feb. 8 at Disneyland. “I want to make an impact with my music, and I want people to enjoy themselves while being ministered to.”
DOE has just won her first Grammy, after 8 nominations, in the category Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for her album Heart Of A Human. “I’m still in shock because I was more confident of my chances of winning in the other category, so it’s still a surreal feeling.” The other category DOE was nominated for was Best Gospel Performance/Song with her track “Holy Hands.”
DOE used her new album to express her upbringing in music because she wasn’t only exposed to Black gospel, but you hear the diversity throughout the project. “I had a whole vision for my album, and then halfway into finishing it, I completely pivoted and was heartbroken because I couldn’t connect the pieces to create the vision, but once I surrendered my album to God and let him lead, he connected everything for me, and that’s how the album was created.”
DOE is a refreshing presence in the music industry today. DOE is a multi-layered artist who blesses the world with her authenticity, incredible talent, and an undeniable musical gift that allows her to have a lasting impact on all who hear her sound.
Born in Washington State and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, DOE started singing as a child with her family. Growing up in the church, it was inevitable that she would follow the path of her family and sing gospel music, as both sides of her family were heavily involved in the gospel circuit. “My parents had five children, so we eventually became a group and did well.” That group was called Forever Jones, a Christian gospel septet featuring her parents, a 16-year-old DOE, and her two sisters and two brothers, which released two albums on EMI Gospel, “Get Ready” in 2010 and “Musical Revival” in 2012, followed by their self-released “Prayer Tools, Vol. 1” in 2014.
The group enjoyed much success, garnering multiple Stellar Award and Dove Award nominations, as well as two GRAMMY® Awards nominations for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album and Best Gospel Performance.
In 2014, DOE took the leap of faith to explore a solo career. “I started experimenting with that and honestly doing what was in my heart—doing prayer music and using prayer tools to help people pray,” DOE said.
Crispell III was also nominated for two Grammys in the Best Gospel Performance/Song category for his track “Yesterday” and Best Gospel Album for his project “Covered Vol 1.” “I didn’t expect a nomination for my album, but I’m forever grateful for my hard work being recognized.” Crispell III said about his nomination and album. Crispell III has received several Grammy nominations over the years for his work and is happy that Gospel/Christian music is receiving the attention it deserves. Gospel/Christian music recently has been gaining notoriety in the mainstream as artists from the genre have performed at venues like Rolling Loud and Rap Radar, which didn’t happen before this year. “I’m glad that people are starting to be drawn to the genre and are inquisitive about what we’re talking about,” Crispell III said.
Crispell III is performing at Disney on Feb. 15 and is excited about the opportunity because the ‘Kid’ in him is screaming in joy as he is a big Disney fan. “It sucks that I’m missing out on DOE performing; she’s an amazing artist, but I’m excited about the opportunity to showcase my work.” Crispell III stated that his tracklist for the concert will showcase his path in life and music and hopes the audience enjoys the journey.
Crispell III comes from a family of musicians and artists, as his father, world-renowned musician Melvin Crispell, Jr., composed and played on award-winning songs for some of gospel music’s biggest artists. His mother, Tunesha Crispell, was a celebrated gospel singer whose voice was featured on several well-known choir recordings along with a critically acclaimed solo project.