Acclaimed GRAMMY, Dove and Stellar Award-nominated female group VIRTUE that consist of blood sisters Ebony Holland, Karima Kibble and Heather Martin celebrates their highest charting debut in their 20 year career with 7th studio album FEARLESS (Mixed Bag) debuting at #3 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart this week. The release also debuted at #12 on Billboard’s Top Christian & Gospel Albums chart, #21 on the Christian & Gospel Current Digital Albums chart, #25 on the Top Independent Albums chart and #125 on Billboard’s Overall Top Albums chart.
Released on February 26th, Virtue’s debut on Billboard’s charts also follows on the albums digital success. Receiving early acclaim from the moment they released their album, fans have eagerly embraced the project with it jetting to the Top 10 on AmazonMusic Best Sellers Christian Digital Albums chart.
Mixed Bag Entertainment’s label executives Gary Crockett, Mark Mims and Emanuel Lambert says: “We are super excited and very greatful at the response of the new album. Were looking forward to great things for the rest of the year and this is just the beginning.”Gerald Jones, A&R Director of Mixed Bag adds: “I’m very proud of the girls and all of their hardwork and I truly believe this is their best album to date.”
Lauded by music critics across the country the project also garnered exceptional reviews.Examiner.com gives the album 5 out of 5 stars. GospelPundit.com writes: “Fearless is full of the musical hallmarks that Virtue fans first fell in love with–feel-good music with passionate leads set to lush and intricate background vocals. AXS.com adds: “Fearless is exactly that, a matured sound for matured believers who love urban gospel. The ladies of Virtue have brought to gospel music the grown and cool sound that has fueled adult urban music for the last decade.” Journal of Gospel Music’s Bob Marovich states: “Karima Kibble, Ebony Holland, and Heather Martin augment their characteristically sunny, breezy and optimistic outlook with assertive Urban Contemporary licks, electrified harmonies, and injections of electronica.”
The 14-track new album includes the current Asaph Ward produced radio single “Miracle” (made popular by the Clark Sisters) along with the Top 20 single “You Are,” the Top 30 pulsating track “Walk It Out,” the remake of the #1 Pop ballad “More Than Words” and the title-track single “Fearless” featuring rapper Dee-1 who’s making news of his own these days with his track “Sallie Mae Back”, an ode to the student loans plight The album also features two bonus songs which includes a lush ballad entitled “I Love Him” and a remix version of the title-track that features Dee-1 and emerging female rapper Shakiah.
Catch Virtue live on stage throughout this year, including upcoming performances at Bishop Joseph Walker’s Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Nashville on Sunday, March 13th and Austin, Texas at the SXSW Music Festival. For more information on Virtue please visit their website at www.VirtueGirls3.com and on their social media platforms at Facebook.com/VirtueGirls, Twitter.com/VirtueGirls and Instagram.com/VirtueGirls.
FEARLESS is available now in Lifeway Christian Bookstores and online via iTunes,GooglePlay, AmazonMusic, Walmart.com and Target.com.
