Benita Washington Biography

Benita Washington, is a Selma, Alabama native,  who burst onto the Gospel Music scene in 2004 with her debut release “Hold On” (Light Records), which hit multiple slots on the Billboard charts in its first week; including number six on Top Gospel Albums, received a Soul Train “Lady of Soul” nomination for Best Gospel Album, and the lead single, “Thank You” reached number three on the Gospel radio charts; remaining there three consecutive weeks. Benita’s popularity gained momentum as a background vocalist for CeCe Winans, breaking through as a featured artist on Winans’ Throne Room Tour in 2005.

Fall of 2005, Benita began to cultivate what she loves most: her passion for worship. Benita accepted a position as Overseer of Worship at Mt. Zion Baptist Church (Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III, Senior Pastor & Presiding Bishop of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International) in Nashville, TN. Leading worship and serving in the local church have always been an important part of Benita’s life.

In 2007, Benita followed her debut with her critically acclaimed sophomore project, “Renaissance: Live in Nashville” (ReddApple Seed Entertainment). As co-writer of the majority of the album, Washington unveiled another layer of artistry.

Benita Washington’s third album, “The Word Remains” (released in 2010 on Shenachie Records) embodies Benita’s matured personal worship, persona and style of reverence. Even more than before, Benita Washington is a gospel powerhouse whose unique gift has a diverse elegance to it. With its artistically preeminent producers, Virgil Straford and Daniel Weatherspoon, at the helm, the music on "The Word Remains" is an impressive mix ranging from electronic R&B/Soul, Nu Jazz, modern praise & worship, to songs with a traditional gospel feel. Washington is something of a novelty in the way she mixes pop sensibility with gospel fervor, exhortation, and a number of stylistic diversions in between them.

Benita Washington became the General Overseer of Music and Worship Arts at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in April of 2011. Washington served faithfully as General Overseer for 3 years and continues to serve as Overseer of Worship, as she has for over 10 years where her following has grown as she has evolved into one of the world’s most recognized Internet worship leaders.

Benita remains busy, making appearances across the nation. A woman who wears many hats, she has added the hat clinician with the launching of evolveU; a movement by which to mentor and train worship leaders and worship teams across the country and soon the world! More music and more territory won for the kingdom are on the horizon to the glory of God!

"Every once in a while there is a voice which emerges on the scene, destined to open portals into the supernatural in the realm of worship. Benita IS that voice! Her voice has been called to shift atmospheres, annihilate the darkness and to declare God's gory in the Earth, as it is in heaven." - Dr. Judith Christie McAllister