MercyB
Singer, song-writer, business woman, award nominee and founder of Time2Shine Ministry.
MercyB says ‘I clearly remember God telling me that I should minister in songs.’ A confirmation came through a guest minister at her previous church – House on the Rock International Church. It was there that she really began her ministry having the opportunity to assist the leader in leading the worship team; she called this period of her life “the growing time.” She had been leading praise and worship for over 13 years. MercyB embraced her calling to become a gospel singer reaching out to souls worldwide.
This vision did not fully materialise until 2009 with the brand name Time2Shine (T2S). With this came clarity on her purpose.
MercyB now gives aspiring Christian singers a platform through mentorship and exposure in the T2S Television Talent Show and Gospel Concert, to be conducted in venues, first across London and then across the country.
MercyB says ‘This will not only bring Christian communities together but the exposure will help lift the barrier and give wider non-believing audiences an opportunity to see and hear the beauty of God’s music.’ As the visionary of T2S the burden to bring Christian talents out of obscurity seemed insurmountable, but MercyB believes that, ‘Where there is a will there is a way’. With God all things are possible.
Visit www.mercyb.com
Mark Beswick
Singer, songwriter, vocal arranger and producer who has also worked for ‘Take That’ to fronting a praise and worship band, but that’s the path chosen by London-based gospel artist and gifted communicator Mark Beswick.
Mark was born in Brixton, South London and is the son of ordained ministers Rev Herbert and Esme Beswick MBE. At the age of five he travelled to Jamaica with his brother and was raised by his grandmother for a number of years before returning to England in the mid-’70s.
Like many other offspring of Afro-Caribbean parents/pastors, Mark, along with his brother Derick and sisters Michelle and Sharon, was encouraged to start performing in church services at an early age. After a while he joined his local church organization (New Testament Assembly) national choir and became one of their lead vocalists. The newly-formed London Community Gospel Choir (LCGC) was the next stop on Mark’s musical adventure, where he also became one of their premier performers. He soon began doing session work with the choir which led him into working in the music industry as a vocal arranger and producer for the likes of ‘The Spice Girls’, ‘Take That’, ‘Michelle Gayle’, ‘Damage’ and ‘Jamelia’.
Mark spent some time working in the US and learnt a great deal about the industry. But he chose not to stay in the secular music scene sensing God speaking to him about drawing people into greater intimacy with Him. In the late 1990′s Mark left the music industry in response to the call of God to ministry, eventually becoming the worship pastor at his local church. It was during this time that Mark received a vision of stadiums filled with believers from every Christian denomination united in corporate worship of Jesus Christ, and the mandate to unite the church through worship. Mark found himself surrounded by a community of others who had a similar God-Given desire.
Visit www.markbeswick.com
Angie Le Mar
Sharp, funny and above all stylish, Angie Le Mar is one of Britain’s top comediennes. Writer and Director, hits include, The Brothers, Forty and Do you know where your Daughter is? Whether on TV, Radio or in her dynamic live shows which regularly sell out 1,000-seater theatres, Angie is a proven hit with male and female, international audiences and is equally at home with quick-fire comedy, acutely observed character sketches and solid acting performance.
Angie Is currently working on her new sitcom, she opens with her One Women Show In My Shoes later this year in the West End. Watch out for The Ladies Talk TV coming soon.
Angie founded Straight to Audience Productions to draw not just on her unsurpassed reputation as a performer and writer but also on her acknowledged expertise in direction, production and marketing, to serve the growing international market for vibrant, top quality black entertainment. This market is far wider, than just the black community itself, but one the mainstream media has been unable to tap into…until now.
Straight to Audience was launched in May 2001 with the video release of Angie Le Mar the Movie making her live stand up available to eager fans for the first time. The success of the video allowed Angie to develop her work as a writer, director and producer of shows with other artists including, Will the Real Wayne Rollins Please Stand Up, Big Sister which used the Big Brother format as a vehicle to showcase up-and-coming young comics, and 26 episodes of Sharp Cuts, a radio comedy/drama which Angie wrote and starred in for Choice FM.
The success of Sharp Cuts led to the development of The Brothers, a radio drama which attracted 40,000 new listeners to the show and convinced Angie that there was a market for a live production.
The theatrical version of The Brothers sold out its first run at The Hackney Empires Bullion Room and returned by popular demand to the Theatre’s 1200-seater Main Space where it became the theatre’s fastest selling show in ten years, with extra nights having to be added to meet the demand.
Angie’s wide ranging career achievements – from being the first British performer to storm the legendary Harlem Apollo to making history in London’s West End with the first ever sell out show by a black comedienne – not only enable her to deliver top quality performance and production values on stage, screen and the airwaves, but also to attract a large and loyal fan base along with greatly increased audiences wherever her work appears.
The Angie Le Mar Show on Choice FM, Britain’s leading urban talk and music station had the weekend morning slot and has attracted guests ranging from Stevie Wonder, Danny Glover and John Singleton to India Irie and Maya Angelou.
Angie’s TV work includes memorable appearances on top-rated shows such as BBC’s Grumpy Old Women, Must Try Harder, The Real McCoy, and her starring role in four successful series of Get Up Stand Up (Channel Four). BBC 4 the Front room. Angie was also the only broadcaster to get an exclusive interview by Hollywood legend Whoopi Goldberg; and her coverage of Whoopi’s autobiography helped make it a UK best-seller.
“Angie Le Mar is no stranger to Gospel Music. Having been raised in the Church, both her parents are Christians and her love for Gospel Music started there. Some of Angie’s great memories of listening to Gospel music were when her older Brother Michael managed the group paradise, one of UK pioneering band of the 80′s. Angie is pleased to be asked to join the judging panel, as last year she was a guest judge, and had a great time. Angie says, I’m not a singer, but I know what Gospel music has the power to do, I also hope my skills as a director/producer will allow me to help find someone whose time it is to shine.”
Visit www.angielemar.com
Guvna B
Prior to making such dynamic strides, Guvna B at twenty years of age, with two independent releases featured on an award winning album,has occupied the number one slot on MySpace charts for Gospel & Christian rap for the most part of the last two years…and the mission continues!
Three-times award winner Guvna (God’s Unique Vessel Now Assigned) is a Christian performing artist who creates influential and inspiring music. His artistry is current and relevant to today’s world and consistently at the cutting edge of what will be the future for Gospel music.
In creating output, Guvna B draws from personal experiences and observations made living in and around the gritty and fast-pace streets of London. His music addresses such life issues, not through romanticising negative values or pretending hardship doesn’t exist, but by offering reasoning with an insight based upon his own profound faith and religious understanding. In his work this remains self evident as Guvna B continues to consistently deliver well crafted, conscious music. Music that is powerful enough to neutralise and banish so much of the negativity that has plagued this world for years.
A courage and boldness not to follow the stereotypical trends of youths of today has led to many doors opening for Guvna B. This has allowed him to share his views on his faith as a devout Christian. In so doing, he has retained the essential ability to make excellent music. A talent that has been acknowledged not only by his growing legions of fans, but by broadcast media such as Choice FM, BBC and Premier Radio that are constantly airing his songs.
Guvna B’s journey so far has seen a lot being achieved within a short space of time. At age18, Guvna B appeared on the 2007 MOBO Award winners ‘G Forces’ album. He has also shared the stage with Grammy nominated and award winning American artist ‘Da T.R.U.T.H’ & ‘LeCrae’. He has worked with MOBO nominated artists Jahaziel & Noel Robinson. His story was shared with many in May 2008 when he appeared on the front cover of nationwide magazine ‘Gospel Link’. A remix of ‘Express Train’ with MOBO award nominees ‘Four Kornerz’ met with critical acclaim and Guvna B’s numerous television experiences span BBC, MTV, Sky News, Channel U, Revelation TV, OBE TV & BEN TV.
The December 2009 appearance of Guvna B not only celebrates his UMA (Urban Music Awards) win for Best Gospel Act, but marked the release of the DVD of his sell-out concert at the historical Hackney Empire.
His current album release ‘The Narrow Road’ showcases his versatility and continues to sell well in leading outlets. This was his first two independent release with his new album due spring of 2010.
Guvna B is a well rounded artist who not only makes good music; he makes good music of substance based around relevant content. Guvna B’s stage presence is proven. His performances in front of more than five thousand people at the ‘Festival of Life’, and thousands at ‘GL Live’, as well as his 2009 sold-out Hackney Empire concert stand as testament to that fact. Guvna B continues to make national and international appearances. Whether through touring extensively on his own or being called upon to support international artists such as Kirk Franklin
Guvna B has wisdom and knowledge beyond his years, a boundless musical talent and a burning desire to relevantly equip the nation with the word of God.
Visit www.guvnab.com