Israel Houghton

Israel Houghton is an American Christian music singer, songwriter and producer, born in Oceanside, California. He rose to prominence fronting the ensemble Israel & New Breed, which he founded with musicians and singers drawn from his church community, blending contemporary gospel with pop, R&B and rock influences into a worship style that feels closer to a live praise-and-worship service than a conventional studio record.

Over more than two decades of recording, Houghton became one of the most decorated figures in gospel and contemporary Christian music, earning multiple Grammy and Dove Awards along the way. Songs such as «Hosanna (Be Lifted Higher)», «I Lift Up My Hands» and «You Are Good» became staples of modern worship services well beyond his own denomination, showing his ability to write anthems suited for congregational singing.

His catalog spans both solo work and group releases as Israel & New Breed, and he has been a fixture of the worship-leader circuit, collaborating widely within the gospel and CCM community. His songs continue to be performed in churches internationally, cementing his place as one of the genre's most influential songwriters of his generation.