Jamila Hinds-King

Jamila Hinds-King’s passion for gospel music blossomed from her family and church upbringing in Handsworth, Birmingham, a community immersed in music.

Her earliest exposure included gospel concerts in Wolverhampton and Birmingham, where she learned that live performances carried a deeper impact than recordings, especially after seeing the Clark Sisters at a young age. Growing up in the church that produced the “Majestic singers,” she was surrounded by talents like Steve Thompson and Carol Riley. She began in the junior choir, progressing from soprano to alto, a move that was pivotal in helping her “develop my ear” to understand how harmonies complement the melody. She later refined her alto and tenor skills in the Handsworth Fellowship Choir (youth choir).

A significant influence was younger peer Joshua Bailey, who saw her potential as a professional artist beyond the role of a church worship singer, guiding her toward a “fulfilling” and “creative” path. Jamia’s formal musical skills were also honed at school in Sutton Coldfield, where she played the violin for ten years, reaching grade five, which exposed her to classical music and further developed her ear. Though she didn’t sing at school until age 17, her performance in a competition, featuring a medley of old and new school songs, surprised her peers and showcased her vocal talent.

Her professional singing aspirations led her to join “Eternity,” a five-member group formed by Joshua Bailey. The band aimed to merge gospel with contemporary sounds, influenced by artists like Usher and Eminem, and notably wrote their own original songs. After two years with Eternity, Jamia contributed her first recorded song, “Desires,” to Roger Moore’s “Gospel For You” project, and also featured on the compilation album “Faith.”

Her journey continued with Tehila, a group performing praise and worship events, where she gained valuable experience in group management. A crucial connection was made with respected choir director Audrey Lawrence Mattis, who coached Jamia and invited her to join AMC (Audrey Matisse’s Choir). Being part of AMC was instrumental for her vocal growth, helping her “mix my registers better” and develop body awareness while singing. Jamia describes AMC as a supportive, diverse family.

Jamila has a consistent commitment to teaching and passing on knowledge, serving as assistant director for the National Youth Choir of the New Testament Church of God for about 15 years. She currently teaches vocal training and directs a gospel choir at a college, noting the enthusiasm of non-Black students for traditional gospel. She emphasizes the importance of taking musical skills seriously, investing in personal development, and nurturing younger talent.