*“June 30th, I dropped ‘A Prayer of Peace’ and October 24th I dropped ‘I’m a Child of the King,’ said Gospel’s newest singing sensation, Michael GI (Michael Langford), who is signed to D&D Records. “It (‘I’m a Child of the King’) was written in the 1800s and in the 70s Natalie Cole…released it.”
I asked Michael GI if the GI was that military term for a soldier, and he laughed, “No, it’s (pronounced) Gee, but I AM a marine, and it could mean Government Issues (GI)!”
A native of St. Louis, Michael GI resides in San Diego, California, where the Marines stationed him.
“I’m from St. Louis, and I came out to California, my last duty station,” he confirmed.
Mentored and managed by the late Pops (Bill) Isles (co-founder of the O’Jays), Michael GI, in partnership with Devine Jamz Gospel Network, has released two projects for the very talented singer. Singing all his life, Michael GI’s vocal style is old-school deep, rich with Soul and R&B influences.
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“I didn’t know he (Bill Isles) was out there (San Diego). I met him at an audition,” Michael informed me when I asked how he became an artist of a legend like Isles. “He’s a co-founding member (of the O’Jays). I didn’t know he was still active. It was a fundraiser audition. He kept writing something down and looking at me. I sang Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On.’ He said I want to work with you if you are serious…and the rest is history. He introduced me to his son and family.”
“We were really, really close…as a teenager, I had already opened up for James Cleveland,” Michael GI said about his career at the point of meeting Bill. “He ‘woodshedded’ me. My mom…rest her soul…had me performing at the age of 5, and I was making revenue at 8 – singing for the Lord. I was opening up for the Mighty Clouds of Joy and Shirley Caesar. When I got to California, that’s when I met Pops – Bill Isles is his name. He kept telling me…make sure when you get on stage…you remember you have a mission…to make them forget their problems…sing with passion!”
“He (Pops Isles) talked about his experiences with the O’Jays,” Michael GI added about their relationship.
I asked Michael what “woodshedding’ means.
“It’s a term used to describe taking you and putting you in an area where you shut yourself up and don’t come out…until it’s done,” he explained.
When I asked where the concept for his “A Prayer of Peace” single came from, he said, “I was watching the news…and in my head I’m saying, ‘Man, we got away from prayer. We’ve got to get back to God through prayer.”
“I…got a license (for the concept/song/lyrics etc.) and went into the studio and in three hours I was done.”
As we reached the end of our interview, Michael said, “I feel so blessed you took the time for and for Devine Jamz Gospel Network…for pushing me.”
The music video for the “A Prayer of Peace” single is on the YouTube channel of Legacy Productions, and so far, it has garnered 8,000 views. http://www.DevineJamz.com http://www.MichaelGIMusic.com
SYNDICATED COLUMN: Dr. Eunice Moseley has an estimated weekly readership of over one million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Business Management/Public Relations Strategist and Consultant at Freelance Associates and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENTS: “Uplifting Minds II” Entertainment Conference (ULMII), founded by Eunice in 1999, is in its 26th year. Next events are coming to Baltimore via Zoom, Saturday, April 19, 2025, presented by Security Square Mall and The Baltimore Times, and Los Angeles via Zoom, Saturday, November 8, 2025. The ULMII event is a free entertainment conference offering a Professional Panel Q&A Session, a Professional Talent Showcase, and a National Talent Competition (vocal, songwriting, dance, and acting) where aspiring artists have a chance to receive over $20,000 valued in prizes/products/services. Log onto www.UpliftingMinds2.com, RSVP for Zoom Access at Eventbrite.com, or email [email protected].
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