Youthful Praise is an American gospel choir led by James "J.J." Hairston who directs the choir and composes most of their material.
Youthful Praise originated at the Bridgeport, Connecticut church Turner's Faith Temple. The outfit was originally known as Teens of TFT. They released their first album Awesome God in 2001 with Evidence Gospel, a division of online news magazine GospelFlava.com. The title track became popular with church choirs and helped make their debut album a success. The album earned Youthful Praise two Stellar Award nomination in 2003 for Choir of the Year and Contemporary Choir of the Year. The group was also nominated for a Soul Train Award for Gospel Artist of the Year, and the GMWA Excellence Award for Choir of the Year. The group's sophomore release Thank You For The Change raised their profile even more by featuring a guest vocal performance from Coko, former lead singer of SWV on "Up There" and containing the highlight song "Deliver." YP matured their sound even more on the next release Live! The Praise... The Worship which delivered the hit singles like "Incredible God, Incredible Praise" and "You Are So Awesome." Youthful Praise continued expanding their borders with television appearances on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Stellar Awards, and Bobby Jones Gospel. The ensemble was soon invited to perform with Joan Osborne, Shirley Caesar, and Destiny's Child. Exalted, an exciting collection recorded live in Baltimore, Maryland was released on both CD/DVD in 2007. The following year saw a recap of their success with the compilation The Best of Youthful Praise. Their most recent album Resting On His Promise was released September 1, 2009 and features guest appearances from Pastor Shirley Caesar, Myron Butler, worship leader Steven Hurd, and Dorinda Clark Cole. Founding member of Youthful Praise, Pastor Shawn M. Brown died unexpectedly on January 31, 2010. One of the original co-directors of YP, Brown was the songwriter behind the group's first hit "Awesome God." More recently, he formed the group Shawn Brown & Key of David and released an independent album in 2008. YP's album After This was released in March 2012.
Awesome God (2001) Thank You For The Change (2004) Live! The Praise... The Worship (2005) Exalted (2007) The Best of Youthful Praise (2008) Resting On His Promise (2009) After This (2012) I See Victory (2014) You Deserve it (2017)
Youthful Praise at AllMusic
You Deserve It - My Halleluyah Belongs to You
- Youthful Praise
We Worship You
- Youthful Praise
Awesome Wonder
- Youthful Praise
You Reign
- Youthful Praise
Powerful God
- Youthful Praise
Holy
- Youthful Praise
My King
- Youthful Praise
Hear Me Lord
- Youthful Praise
In Your Favor
- Youthful Praise
Miracle Worker
- J.J. Hairston - Youthful Praise - Rich Tolbert Jr
Bless Him
- Youthful Praise
Reap
- Youthful Praise
Incredible God, Incredible Praise
- Youthful Praise
Great and Mighty God
- Youthful Praise
Incredible God
- Youthful Praise
I Will Give You the Praise
- Youthful Praise
Close to You
- Youthful Praise
Song of Praise
- Youthful Praise
He Reigns
- Youthful Praise
The Blood Still Works
- Youthful Praise
Resting On His Promise
- Youthful Praise
Lord Of All
- Youthful Praise
He's Worthy
- Youthful Praise
Spirit of The Living God
- Youthful Praise
You're Mighty
- Youthful Praise
Everything I Need
- Youthful Praise
Blood Still Works
- Youthful Praise
Garment of Praise
- Youthful Praise
You Deserve It
- J.J. Hairston - Youthful Praise
Sincerity
- Youthful Praise
I Shall Praise
- Youthful Praise
The Victor
- Youthful Praise
Still Mighty, Still Strong
- Youthful Praise
Lord You're Mighty
- Youthful Praise
Love Lifted Me
- Youthful Praise
Wait
- Youthful Praise
I See Victory
- Youthful Praise
Deliver
- Youthful Praise
Praise to the Rock
- Youthful Praise
The Lifter
- Youthful Praise
Jesus Reigns
- Youthful Praise
You Are So Awesome
- Youthful Praise
It Pushed Me
- Youthful Praise
He Is Exalted - Give You Praise
- Youthful Praise
Shift This Place
- Youthful Praise
High Praise
- Youthful Praise
Keys to the Kingdom
- Youthful Praise
Lord You're Beautiful
- Youthful Praise
Say Yes
- Youthful Praise
Now
- Youthful Praise
Thank You for the Change
- Youthful Praise
Great Expectations
- Youthful Praise
I Am
- Youthful Praise
You Are
- Youthful Praise
Awesome God
- Youthful Praise
You Deserve It
- Youthful Praise
The Presence
- Youthful Praise
He Rose
- Youthful Praise
You Can Make It
- Youthful Praise
All Things Well
- Youthful Praise
Satisfied
- Youthful Praise
Incredible God - Praise
- Youthful Praise
Ruler
- Youthful Praise
Wonders To Perform
- Youthful Praise
You Are Worthy
- Youthful Praise
The Blood
- Youthful Praise
Everything Is Changed
- Youthful Praise
You
- Youthful Praise
Spirit
- Youthful Praise
After This
- Youthful Praise
Up There
- Youthful Praise
Nothing Compares
- Youthful Praise
Great And Greatly
- Youthful Praise
I Feel You Moving
- Youthful Praise
Oh Holy Lamb
- Youthful Praise
I Am Your Help
- Youthful Praise
Awe of You
- Youthful Praise
He Shall Be Praised
- Youthful Praise
Freedom
- Youthful Praise
Working Out For Me
- Youthful Praise
Good To Me
- Youthful Praise
Grateful
- Youthful Praise
You Are Great
- Youthful Praise
No Reason To Fear
- Youthful Praise