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Yinka Awojobi

I came across the announcement that Black Grape Global had signed a group I'd never heard of, Divine Divine, via Black Grape CEO T's news feed on Facebook.

  It's an announcement that caught my eye because
  Mr Black Grape himself, Tokunbo 'T' Oyelola is Yolanda
  Brown's manager, and - until relatively recently - also
  managed Guvna B and Eddie Kadi.

  To put that another way (and given T's track record) the
  omens are potentially quite good for this new group.

  It's also news many will welcome, as it suggests the
  vocal sound is slowly returning to the UK gospel
  mainstream after the seemingly unshakeable
  stranglehold that Street music has had on the scene in
  recent years. .
 
Time 2 Shine

Divine Divine began their public journey as the winners of the first Time 2 Shine talent search in 2011 (entering the contest as solo artists, but put together as a band by the organisation).

With guidance from Time 2 Shine, the group has honed their craft and recorded their debut album 'Edge Street', due for release later this year. Representation via Black Grape Global should also bring good things their way.

As much as the group is new, its component parts isn't. The band comprises (left to right in top picture) Nadine Sade Caeser, David Balogun (aka David B), Neresa Maye and Lawrence Rowe who have had pretty active solo artist actitivty up until now.

Debut Concert

'Edge Street' is launched on August 18th at Under The Bridge in Chelsea Village, London, a collaboration between Time 2 Shine and Black Grape.

Happy Days Are Here Again..?

So: I'm not going to fall into the trap of counting my smooth vocal chickens way too early in the day and prematurely celebrate.

However, Time 2 Shine's arrival on the scene in the past year or so has been impressive. Add to that Black Grape Global's role in incubating and accelerating the careers of Eddie Kadi and Guvna B, and we've got a development to most certainly keep and eye on.

Happy Days...

Jay Ess - Walking By Faith Mixtape #WBF

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Yinka Awojobi

Founder, UKG/ UKGospel.com group of sites. 

I really didn't want my picture here, but I'm bowing to pressure.

George Luke

Freelance journalist, all-round nice guy.

Has a weird obsession with international gospel music.

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