God's Property
God's Property is an American urban contemporary gospel choir founded in 1992 in Dallas, Texas, by public school music teacher Linda Ray Hall-Searight and her son, drummer Robert "Sput" Searight, primarily drawing members from talented students at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.[1][2] The group gained widespread prominence through its collaboration with Grammy-winning gospel artist Kirk Franklin, resulting in the 1997 live album God's Property from Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation, released by GospoCentric Records, which featured the choir's energetic performances alongside Franklin's Nu Nation ensemble.[3] The album debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200 chart with first-week sales of 120,000 copies—the highest debut for a gospel album at the time—and topped the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart for five weeks, ultimately achieving triple platinum certification from the RIAA for over 3 million units sold in the United States.[4][5] Its lead single, "Stomp" (featuring Salt of Salt-N-Pepa), became a major crossover success, peaking at number 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart and number 52 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart, highlighting the choir's fusion of traditional gospel with hip-hop, R&B, and funk elements that broadened the genre's appeal to mainstream audiences. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance by a Choir or Chorus in 1998.[4][6] Following the album's release, God's Property faced internal and legal challenges, including a high-profile 1998 federal lawsuit between director Linda Searight and B-Rite Music Group (a joint venture with GospoCentric), where Searight alleged exploitative contracts amounting to indentured servitude and sought $65 million in damages, while the label accused her of financial misconduct and member substitutions; the disputes centered on ownership of the group's name, royalties, and merchandise, leading to a temporary estrangement from Franklin and the choir's reduced activity after the early 2000s.[7] Despite these setbacks, the group's innovative sound and commercial breakthrough remain influential in the evolution of urban gospel music.[8]Formation and Early History
Founding and Origins
God's Property was founded in 1992 in Dallas, Texas, by Linda Ray Hall-Searight, a public school music teacher at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, who sought to provide direction to talented but at-risk students through music and faith.[2][1] With assistance from her children—son Robert "Sput" Searight, a Grammy-winning drummer, and daughters Robin and Rachella Searight—Hall-Searight organized the initial ensemble, drawing from local youth to form a cohesive group.[9][10] The group recruited its original singers and musicians primarily from Dallas-area high school students and young adults, focusing on those with potential in vocal and instrumental performance while instilling strict moral guidelines, such as abstinence from drugs and profanity.[1][9] Hall-Searight and her children circulated fliers in local musical circles to expand the roster, emphasizing an urban contemporary gospel style that incorporated rhythmic and expressive elements to engage participants.[2][10] The name "God's Property" originated from a biblical concept of believers belonging to God, chosen to reflect the choir's mission of witnessing to youth in their own cultural vernacular and providing spiritual outreach to urban communities.[1] This purpose centered on blending traditional gospel with hip-hop and R&B influences to make faith accessible and appealing to younger audiences, fostering a sense of ownership and purpose among members.[2][1] From its inception, God's Property operated as a self-contained choir and band, comprising over 50 singers aged 16 to 26 and a core group of 5 to 20 musicians, enabling independent performances and rehearsals without external support.[2][10] This structure allowed the group to develop its high-energy sound internally before transitioning to broader professional collaborations in the mid-1990s.[9]Initial Development and Performances
God's Property transitioned from its founding in 1992 to active operations as a gospel choir in 1993, marking the beginning of its structured performances and community engagement in Dallas, Texas. Under the direction of Linda Ray Hall-Searight, a public school music teacher with a background in operatic performance, the group expanded its membership through targeted recruitment efforts, including fliers distributed in local musical circles and schools such as Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. This growth resulted in a robust ensemble of over 50 singers and a supporting band of approximately 20 musicians, many of whom were youth aged 16 to 26, including at-risk students from challenging backgrounds who benefited from the choir's emphasis on discipline and moral standards.[2][1] The choir's early activities centered on local performances at Dallas churches and community events, where they delivered energetic urban gospel arrangements that resonated with audiences seeking youth-oriented spiritual outreach. These grassroots gigs helped build a dedicated following in the Dallas area, fostering a sense of community and providing a platform for the members to hone their vocal and instrumental skills through rigorous training sessions led by Searight and her son, Robert "Sput" Searight, who served as musical director. The performances often highlighted the group's dynamic harmonies and contemporary style, drawing support from local congregations and event organizers who appreciated their role in engaging younger demographics.[2][1] By 1994 and 1995, God's Property began securing first media appearances on regional gospel radio stations and television programs in Texas, which amplified their local reputation and introduced their sound to broader audiences within the state. These outlets, including Dallas-area broadcasts, featured the choir's live renditions and interviews, showcasing their potential for wider impact while solidifying their grassroots base. This period of development laid the groundwork for future expansions without venturing into national arenas.[2]Musical Career
Collaboration with Kirk Franklin
The collaboration between God's Property and Kirk Franklin began in the mid-1990s, rooted in an earlier professional connection formed when choir founder Linda Searight met Franklin during his tenure as musical director for the Dallas-Fort Worth Mass Choir in the early 1990s. By 1994, this relationship evolved into a formal partnership, with Franklin producing tracks for the choir and integrating their youthful energy into his innovative gospel sound; God's Property provided backup vocals on Franklin's 1995 album Whatcha Lookin' 4, marking their initial joint recording effort.[1][2] In 1996, Franklin selected God's Property as the inaugural act for his newly established production company, solidifying their alliance by signing them to a contract with GospoCentric Records, the label he founded in 1994. Under Franklin's guidance, the group recorded their debut album God's Property from Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation in a live-in-studio session in July 1996, where the choir's powerful harmonies blended seamlessly with Franklin's hip-hop-infused gospel style, creating a dynamic fusion of traditional choral elements and contemporary urban rhythms.[1][11] This partnership significantly elevated God's Property's visibility, transitioning them from local Dallas performances to national exposure through Franklin's established platform. Joint rehearsals became a cornerstone of their creative process, with Franklin serving as a spiritual and artistic mentor, while the Searight family—Linda as founder and director, and son Robert "Sput" Searight as drummer and co-founder—provided essential input on vocal arrangements and group cohesion, ensuring the choir's distinctive sound remained central to the project.[1][2]Breakthrough and Achievements
Following the release of their 1997 debut album God's Property from Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation, the ensemble rose to national prominence through high-profile live performances and media exposure. They performed alongside Celine Dion during the encore of her "Call the Man/Power of the Dream" concert in Dallas, Texas, and joined Stevie Wonder on stage at the 10th Annual Essence Awards in 1997. These appearances marked their entry into mainstream entertainment circles, expanding beyond traditional gospel venues. Additionally, the group embarked on the Nu Nation Tour, which included stops across the United States, such as a performance at the Spirit West Coast festival in Monterey, California, in 1998.[12][13][14][8] The group's crossover success in mainstream media was exemplified by the heavy MTV rotation of their single "Stomp," which introduced urban contemporary gospel to wider audiences unfamiliar with the genre. This visibility helped bridge gospel music with hip-hop and R&B elements, appealing to younger, urban demographics and challenging the boundaries between sacred and secular sounds. Their energetic style, incorporating hip-hop influences and high-energy choreography, positioned them as innovators in making gospel more accessible and culturally relevant during the late 1990s.[8][15][2] God's Property received widespread acclaim for their contributions, securing multiple prestigious awards in 1998. They won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Artist (Group) and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Music Video for "Stomp." The ensemble was nominated for the Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Album – Group, Band or Duo for God's Property from Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation.[16][17] Furthermore, they received the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album, recognizing their innovative vocal arrangements and production.[18] As a trailblazing urban contemporary gospel ensemble, God's Property played a pivotal role in the 1990s by revitalizing the genre for a new generation, emphasizing youth-oriented energy and rhythmic fusion that influenced subsequent gospel and hip-hop artists. Their work highlighted the potential for gospel to achieve commercial viability without compromising spiritual messaging, fostering greater cultural dialogue around faith in popular music.[2][15][8]Discography
Studio Albums
God's Property's primary release is the collaborative album God's Property from Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation, recorded live in the studio and issued on May 27, 1997, by GospoCentric Records and Interscope Records.[3] This project, serving as both the choir's debut and Kirk Franklin's fourth album, showcases a dynamic blend of urban contemporary gospel, incorporating choir-driven arrangements with hip-hop rhythms, R&B grooves, and funk influences to create energetic, faith-centered anthems. Key tracks highlight the group's vocal prowess, such as the fusion-driven "Stomp," which exemplifies their innovative choir-led style.[19] The Searight family played a foundational role, with founder Linda Ray Hall-Searight providing musical direction and her son Robert Searight serving as choir director, contributing to the ensemble's cohesive sound and performance energy.[2] Production was led by Kirk Franklin, who handled writing, arranging, and executive duties, with additional engineering support from Mark Williams and Kevin Bond, as well as input from producers Buster and Shavoni.[3] The album's content emphasizes themes of spiritual triumph and community worship, delivered through layered choral harmonies and contemporary instrumentation that broadened gospel's appeal to mainstream audiences. Commercially, it sold over 3 million copies in the United States, earning triple platinum certification from the RIAA.[20] It debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200, marking one of the highest peaks for a gospel album at the time, and topped the Top Gospel Albums chart for 42 consecutive weeks.[21] This remains the group's only album, with no additional releases following the early 2000s due to legal challenges.Singles and Chart Performance
The lead single "Stomp" from the 1997 album God's Property from Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation, a collaboration between the group, Kirk Franklin, and Salt-N-Pepa member Cheryl "Salt" James, marked a significant crossover success for urban contemporary gospel music. Released in May 1997, it debuted at No. 59 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart and climbed to No. 1 by July 19, 1997, holding the top spot for two weeks and spending a total of 31 weeks on the chart.[22][23] The track also reached No. 52 on the Billboard Radio Songs (formerly Hot 100 Airplay) chart, demonstrating its broad appeal beyond traditional gospel audiences.[24]| Single | Release Year | Peak Position (Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay) | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Stomp" (feat. Kirk Franklin & Salt) | 1997 | #1 | 31 |
| "You Are the Only One" | 1997 | #23 | 12 |