Casey J

Casey Janice Hobbs[1] (born June 29, 1986),[2] known professionally as Casey J, is an American gospel singer best known for her (cover) of the Will Reagan song "Fill Me Up", which reached number 1 on the Billboard Gospel chart.[3][4]

Casey J
Birth nameCasey Janice Hobbs
Born (1986-06-29) June 29, 1986
OriginAtlanta, Georgia, United States
University of Georgia
GenresGospel
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • Teacher
Instruments

Early life

Casey J is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. A self-proclaimed "flower child" and vegetarian, she attributes her creativity to her father, who died when she was five years old. Casey J recalls, "He was a carpenter by trade, very smart and creative". Both her mother and grandmother sang in the gospel choir at Lilly Hill Baptist Church in Atlanta, and Casey J attended her grandmother's basement Bible studies as a child. "I used to think it was the normal way of life because that's all I saw my grandmother and mother do," she once said. "I grew up thinking that singing in the church choir is what all kids did because it was my way of life."

At the age of 12, Casey J joined the Atlanta Young Singers of Callanwolde and sang with them until she enrolled at the University of Georgia. After graduating, she became an elementary school math teacher at Georgia Connections Academy Charter School in Duluth, Georgia, and sang as a worship leader at Fresh Start Church in Duluth on Sunday mornings.[5][6]

Career

Casey J began to sing Will Reagan's tune "Fill Me Up" at Fresh Start Church and it received such a positive response that the church's pastor, Marquis Boone, decided to have Casey J record the song. It was released to the radio in spring 2014. It hit the top ten of the US Billboard Gospel Airplay chart that spring and reached the number 1 spot in 2015. Casey J has been described by The Chicago Defender as "gospel's newest darling".[7][8]

The song "Fill Me Up" is featured on Casey J's debut album, The Truth, released April 21, 2015, by Tyscot Records. The album has reached number 1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart and 131 on the US Billboard 200.[9][10][11] The Truth was recorded live on January 30, 2015, at the Fresh Start Church.[12]

Artistry

Casey J says she wants her music to be "imperfect" and not overproduced.[13] Her music has been described by The New York Times as deviating slightly from the Gospel norm: "a little less thundering funk and abrupt style-switching, and a little more acoustic guitar; a little less prescriptive real-talk, and a little more contemplative interior monologue".[14]

Discography

Albums
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US 200
 US Gospel
 US Ind.
 US Christian/
Gospel
The Truth 1311114

“The Gathering” Released: January 25, 2019

Singles
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US Gospel
[15]		 US Gospel
Airplay
[16]		 US
Adult
R&B
 US Gospel
Digital
"Fill Me Up" 2015 11272 The Truth
"I'm Yours" 2016 51—12

References
  1. Yap, Timothy (14 October 2014). "An Exclusive Interview with Gospel Powerhouse Casey J". Hallels. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  2. Family Search (2009). "U.S. Public Records Index". Family Search. 1087301191. Missing or empty |url= (help)
  3. "Billboard 200 for Casey J".
  4. "Eve Risser, Van Hunt, Casey J and William Basinski Exceed Boundaries". The New York Times. 1 May 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  5. Poole, Shelia (21 February 2015). "Teacher filling up singles chart". The Atlanta-Journal Constitution. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  6. Graham, Efrem (28 April 2015). "'Fill Me Up': Gospel Singer Recounts Her Road to Success". CBN News. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  7. Winston, Oretha (4 January 2015). "Gospel's Newest Darling Casey J Readies Live Performance". The Chicago Defender. Archived from the original on 10 April 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  8. "Eve Risser, Van Hunt, Casey J and William Basinski Exceed Boundaries". The New York Times. 1 May 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  9. http://www.billboard.com/charts/gospel-albums/2015-05-09
  10. "Billboard 200 for Casey J".
  11. "High Notes: Gospel Charts And Stellar Awards Surprise". Atlanta Daily World. 25 March 2015. Archived from the original on 5 May 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  12. Graham, Efrem (28 April 2015). "'Fill Me Up': Gospel Singer Recounts Her Road to Success". CBN News. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  13. Poole, Shelia (21 February 2015). "Teacher filling up singles chart". The Atlanta-Journal Constitution. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  14. "Eve Risser, Van Hunt, Casey J and William Basinski Exceed Boundaries". The New York Times. 1 May 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  15. http://www.billboard.com/artist/6184849/casey-j/chart?f=398
  16. http://www.billboard.com/artist/6184849/casey-j/chart?f=1763
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