James Fortune is a

gospel music Gospel music is a traditional genre of Christian music, and a cornerstone of Christian media. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is com ...

recording artist, songwriter and producer. He is also a radio personality on 1190 AM

WLIB WLIB (1190 AM) is an urban contemporary gospel radio station licensed to New York City. WLIB is owned by Emmis Communications, along with sister stations WBLS (107.5 FM) and WQHT (97.1 FM). The three stations share studios in the Hudson Square ...

Music career

James Fortune & FIYA's highly debut CD, ''You Survived'', was released in September 2004. He was honored at the 19th annual

ASCAP The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) () is an American not-for-profit performance-rights organization (PRO) that collectively licenses the public performance rights of its members' musical works to venues, broadca ...

Rhythm and Soul Music Awards for his hit single "You Survived" off the same album. "You Survived" also peaked as the No. 2 most played Gospel song in the country and has remained in the Top seven for three years. The radio single, "God Can" features Micah Stampley and

Zacardi Cortez Zacardi Renye Louis Cortez (born September 17, 1985) is an American gospel musician and Christian artist. He started his music career, in 2012, with the release of ''The Introduction'' by Blacksmoke Records. His second album, ''REloaded'', was ...

. Fortune received a 2006 ASCAP Writers Award for "You Survived". FIYA has been nominated four years in a row for the Texas Gospel Youth & Young Adult Choir of the year. Fortune and F.I.Y.A.'s second project on Black Smoke Music World Wide, ''The Transformation'', was released January 22, 2008. The first single, "I Trust You", charted at No. 1 on Gospel radio for 25 weeks and No. 30 on Urban AC charts and No. 1 at

in New York City. In 2012, Fortune was nominated for two Grammy awards for Best Gospel Album of the Year and Best Gospel Song of Year, and topped ''Billboards "Best of 2012 Gospel Songs/Artists List". In 2014, Fortune released his first live album, ''Live Through It''. The album was recorded in Atlanta, Georgia in front of an audience of 5,000 people. On a BET episode of ''Lift Every Voice'', host, CoCo Brother interviewed Fortune and discussed "I Trust You". On March 3, 2023, Fortune released "Trusting God", a collaboration with singer Monica.

Radio career

In 2013, James Fortune became the evening host on 1190 AM WLIB, which was acquired by

Emmis Communications Emmis Communications is an American media conglomerate based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Emmis, based on the Hebrew word for Truth (Emet) was founded by Jeff Smulyan in 1980. Emmis has owned many radio stations, including KPWR and WQHT, which h ...

in February 2014. He is on-air Mondays through Fridays from 7 pm to 9 pm.

Legal troubles

In 2003 James Fortune pleaded guilty to felony injury to a child and received six years deferred adjudication. According to a civil lawsuit, Fortune burned his stepson leaving the boy disfigured with severe burns over nearly 50% of the child's body. In October 2014, Fortune was arrested in Fort Bend County, Texas after a heated dispute with his wife, Cheryl Fortune, and was charged with aggravated assault of a family member. Fortune was later released on $20,000 bail.

Discography

* ''You Survived'' (2004) * '' The Transformation'' (2007) * ''Encore'' (2010) * ''I Believe: Live'' (2010) * ''Identity'' (2012) * ''Grace Gift'' (2012) * ''Live Through It'' (2014) * ''Dear Future Me'' (2017) * ''Dream Again'' (2019) * ''Dream Again (Live from Rock City)'' (2020)

References

External links

Fortune's Myspace site

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fortune, James 1978 births Living people American gospel singers California State University, Northridge alumni Kempner High School alumni People from Sugar Land, Texas 21st-century American singers