The 32nd Annual McDonald’s Gospel Fest tour made a stop in Newark this weekend at Symphony Hall. Friday and Saturday night the venue was jam packed with live performances, singing competitions and prayer. The event was headlined by Bishop Hezekiah Walker.  Leading up to Hezekiah’s performance were performances by Keith ‘Wonder boy’ Johnson, Le’Andria Johnson, Vashawn Mitchell, Wess Morgan and Jekalyn Carr.

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Jekalyn is a no new comer on the gospel scene and has been making her mark in the Gospel music genre since the age of 16 when she debuted her first studio album ‘Greater is Coming’. Now 21 Carr has proven she is here to stay. Back in 2016 Carr was nominated for 2 Grammy awards in the categories of ‘Best Gospel Performance/Song’ and for ‘Best Gospel Album’ for ‘The Life Project’ .  Carr has also won a Stellar Award.

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Equipped with a powerful voice she is sure to make an impact every time she sings as she did at Gospel Fest Friday and Saturday evening as she sang her single “You Will Win!” and “You’re Bigger”. If you were tuned in to the Urban Girl Mag insta-stories then you saw a snippet of Jekalyn’s performance along with Hezekiah Walker, Vashawn Mitchell and many more from Gospel Fest.

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While backstage we were able to chat with Jekalyn who was willing to lend some of her motivational advice to all of the Urban Girls out there right before she prepared to go on stage. She shared how her music can definitely transcend genres and anyone can become motivated after listening, ‘ Well my music is all about motivation and inspiration of course I’m in the gospel genre but I like to give people hope through my music. Helping people to understand that it is possible for you to live a successful life and have a relationship with God at the same time. A lot of people feel like you have to have one without the other but I just want my music and my life to tell that story as well.”

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Jekalyn offered this message to all of the Urban Girls out there “You were born to do amazing things don’t allow what you’ve experienced or where you come from to make you feel like you don’t have purpose.  Remember as long as you are on this earth there is so much greater that you are to acquire stay connected to the right people, get into a positive environment. Stay around people that can pull the best out of you and not the worst. You don’t want to go through life wishing you can be something that you are. Tap into those gifts and every goal that you have believe in yourself because it is possible to achieve them.”

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At only 21 years old the gospel singer released a self help book in February of this year entitled ‘You will win! : Inspirational strategies to help you overcome’.  Carr’s album which was released this year as well is entitled “One Nation Under God“. Her single ‘You Will Win!‘ has landed at #1 on the Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart. Jekalyn’s album “One Nation Under God” is available on all digital outlets. Her book “You Will Win!” is available on amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. For more on Jelalyn Carr follow her on social media @Jekalyncarr on all social platforms.

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