Former Cleveland, TN school teacher, Jessica Hitte, has been busy connecting aspiring singers, musicians and songwriters via Writing Rounds ( a songwriting retreat she co-founded during the COVID pandemic as a way for creatives from all over the world to meet and collaborate virtually) for the last three years. She put her singing career aside to nurture the musical hopes and dreams of others.
Now, she’s stepping into the spotlight on her own with a new mid-tempo Christian Hip Hop song, “Give Me Jesus” (Tyscot Records), that is now available on all digital musical platforms.
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“I grew up on the hymn `Give Me Jesus’ and always appreciated the definitive message of it,” Hitte says of the song that was produced and programmed by Writing Rounds co-founder, LeBron Arnwine. “However, every version I heard felt so passive for such a heavy and bold statement. After a conversation with LeBron about my feelings on it, I went to where I create most often: Instagram Live. After less than two hours, with a handful of followers, a YouTube beat, and my testimony… we had the majority of the `Give Me Jesus.’ I posted it and LeBron immediately texted me and said he was ready to get to work!”
“The hook is easy and simple for those of us who want to make it abundantly clear who we serve,” Hitte continues. “But I got to use the verses to elaborate on why I’m sold on this trade (the world for Jesus) and describe who else falls into that category. I always love songs with a vibe that just feels good, but this one is special because singing about the best decision I ever made feels good inside and out.”
ABOUT WRITING ROUNDS
Jessica Hitte and LeBron Arnwine first met as students on the campus of Lee University circa 2008. They reconnected in 2013 when she was a Chattanooga schoolteacher awaiting her big break as a singer-songwriter and Arnwine had become a producer. Their collaboration resulted in Hitte’s 2016 debut album, You Never Give Up, which was released independently.
After attending a Maverick City Music song writing camp just as the COVID pandemic was germinating in 2020, Hitte and Arnwine had the idea to create a virtual songwriter’s camp that they named Writing Rounds. In their first year, they brought together over 800 creatives from around the globe. After COVID abated, Writing Rounds held in-person retreats in various cities.
During the retreats, they hold collaborative songwriting sessions, educational talks about various aspects of music creation and administration, and song-share performances to critique new works. In a short time, they have placed songs with high-profile acts such as the platinum-selling Maverick City Music, worship leader Isabel Davis, and BET Sunday Best winner, Geoffrey Golden.
