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Positive Vibes Only: GRAMMY-Winning Christian Artist Naomi Raine Finds Light In Darkness With An Airy Performance Of "Okay"
Naomi Raine

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Positive Vibes Only: GRAMMY-Winning Christian Artist Naomi Raine Finds Light In Darkness With An Airy Performance Of "Okay"

Raine lays her anxieties bare — and explains how her faith helps her surmount them — in this unflinchingly honest, delicate performance of "Okay," a song off her 2022 album, 'Journey.'

GRAMMYs/Jul 31, 2022 - 06:15 pm

A longtime member of worship ensemble Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine stepped into a spotlight of her own in 2022 with the release of her debut solo album, Journey.

An unabashedly honest 22-track collection, Journey is a vulnerable look into Raine's process of navigating a musical career, faith, motherhood, marriage, mental health and more. Throughout the album, Raine manages to keep her focus on a positive mindset without shying away from the darker, more challenging parts of life. Nowhere is that truer than in "Okay," a song that speaks to Raine's experience with anxiety, stress and people-pleasing.

In this episode of Positive Vibes Only, the singer spells out how the day-to-day stresses of life can make her feel like she's in over her head. "And every day I grind away, make the dream a reality/ But every night I'm in a fight, Sleepin', grindin' my teeth/ I try to pray, take it away, all the stress and the business/ But I just can't stop saying yes," she sings early on in the song.

Even as Raine taps into common anxieties, she also manages to find a more positive perspective and she works her way through the song. In her performance of "Okay," Raine sits at a microphone, wearing a white and gray jumpsuit, surrounded by gauzy white streamers. Behind her, a backing band offers a gently lilting musical backdrop and ethereal harmonies.

That's because — despite all the stresses she mentions in the song — Raine knows that her faith will ultimately help things work out in her favor. "A work in progress, it's a process/ But He'll keep His promise," she points out at the emotional climax of the song.

Three months before releasing Journey, Raine became a GRAMMY winner thanks to her work in Maverick City Music. The group's collaborative live album with Elevation Worship, Old Church Basement, won Best Contemporary Christian Music Album at the 2022 GRAMMYs.

Press play on the video above to get to know Raine as a solo artist, listen to Journey here, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more episodes of Positive Vibes Only every Sunday.

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Positive Vibes Only: Otis Kemp Celebrates God's Inspiration With A Glowing Performance Of "Daily Bread"
Otis Kemp

Photo: COURTESY OF REVIVE5.0 ENTERTAINMENT

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Positive Vibes Only: Otis Kemp Celebrates God's Inspiration With A Glowing Performance Of "Daily Bread"

Inspired by Bible verse Matthew 6:9-13, gospel singer Otis Kemp's single "Daily Bread" provides joy and relief from the unavoidable obstacles of everyday life.

GRAMMYs/Jun 4, 2023 - 03:40 pm

For burgeoning singer Otis Kemp, gospel music consists of two elements: praising God and radiating good vibes. "Sometimes people say I'm 'flashy,' but there's nothing wrong with showin' out for Jesus," he's said— and that's exactly the mindset he had with his latest release, "Daily Bread."

"I'm honoring you, Your Majesty and Mighty King/ Turn up my radio/ You're the reason why I sing/ Yeah, that's my song," he declares in the second verse.

In this episode of Positive Vibes Only, Kemp delivers a glowing performance of his moving single, "Daily Bread." He performs the track alongside a choir with interludes of hypnotic dance moves, only amplifying "Daily Bread's" uplifting energy.

"Daily Bread" was inspired by the Bible verse Matthew 6:9-13, and created to invoke gratitude and relief from the unavoidable obstacles of everyday life. The song even received a co-sign from 19-time GRAMMY-winning gospel legend Kirk Franklin, as "Daily Bread" was No. 1 on his SiriusXM channel's fan-favorite countdown for two consecutive weeks. And as of press time, the track is at No. 6 on Billboard's Gospel Airplay chart.

Press play on the video above to watch Otis Kemp's feel-good performance of "Daily Bread," and check back to GRAMMY.com every Sunday for more new episodes of Positive Vibes Only.

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Positive Vibes Only: Watch Lakewood Music Perform A Soul-Healing Rendition Of "Decimos Amén"
Lakewood Music

Photo: Eunice Luis

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Positive Vibes Only: Watch Lakewood Music Perform A Soul-Healing Rendition Of "Decimos Amén"

Revered worship group Lakewood Music perform an ascendant version of "Decimos Amén," a song that stays true to their mission to "extend an open invitation of hope."

GRAMMYs/May 28, 2023 - 01:33 pm

The song title "Decimos Amén" translates to "We say amen." That sense of togetherness and solidarity lies at the heart of Lakewood Music, the worship collective who perform "Decimos Amén" in this captivating episode of Positive Vibes Only.

True to their message of spiritual uplift, "Decimos Amén" points its arrow skyward, building with a profound sense of dynamic tension and release. Their stated mission is to "extend an open invitation of hope"; via the universal language of music, Lakewood Music do just that.

As "Decimos Amén" builds and builds, it becomes evermore danceable; a kinetic energy is charged through the ensemble. By the end of the tune, chances are your mind will be cleared, your heart rendered at peace — and most importantly, your spirit connected to a higher purpose.

Watch the heart-strengthening performance above, and keep checking GRAMMY.com every Sunday for new episodes of Positive Vibes Only.

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Positive Vibes Only: Cochren & Co. Offer A Supportive Hand In This Healing Performance Of "Be There For You"
Michael Cochren of Cochren & Co

Photo: Mike Dunn

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Positive Vibes Only: Cochren & Co. Offer A Supportive Hand In This Healing Performance Of "Be There For You"

Christian worship group Cochren & Co. vow to be a shoulder to lean on with "Be There for You," a track from their second album, 'Running Home.'

GRAMMYs/May 21, 2023 - 05:55 pm

It's always hard to watch someone you love go through a difficult time. But as Cochren & Co. remind in "Be There for You," words of support can be the best medicine.

"Days fade in and leave the same/ An endless battle, seems like nothing has changed/ I wish I could tell you when this season will end/ Better days are coming," they sing in the track's chorus.

In this episode of Positive Vibes Only, Cochren & Co. deliver a healing performance of "Be There for You." The collective's front man, Michael Cochren, performs the song alongside six other lively musicians, driving home the message of community and support.

"Be There for You" is a track from Cochren & Co.'s second album, Running Home. The project is about Cochren's return to the arms of God, and is meant to be an encouraging message for anyone who's found themselves losing their spirituality.

"When we go off looking for things in the broken world, we will never find them," Cochren said to the Christian Beat

"Ultimately, we only find what we need when we return to our loving God." 

Press play on the video above to watch Cochren & Co.'s inspiring performance of "Be There for You," and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Positive Vibes Only.

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Positive Vibes Only: Brandee Younger Reimagines The Enchantment Of Stevie Wonder's "If It's Magic" In This Instrumental Cover
Brandee Younger

Photo: Erin O'Brien

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Positive Vibes Only: Brandee Younger Reimagines The Enchantment Of Stevie Wonder's "If It's Magic" In This Instrumental Cover

Using just a harp, Brandee Younger delivers a moving performance of Stevie Wonder's 1976 deep cut "If It's Magic."

GRAMMYs/May 14, 2023 - 05:48 pm

Almost 50 years ago, Stevie Wonder graced the world with his critically acclaimed (and Album Of The Year-winning)  studio album, Songs in the Key of Life. Beyond notable singles "Isn't She Lovely" and "I Wish" lives "If It's Magic," a song about the unavoidable failure of unprotected love.

"If it's magic/ Then why can't it be everlasting?/ Like the sun that always shines/ Like the poet's endless rhymes/ Like the galaxies in time," Wonder questions in the track's opening verse. "It holds the key to every heart/ Throughout the universe/ It fills you up without a bite/ And quenches every thirst."

In this episode of Positive Vibes Only, American harpist Brandee Younger performs a soothing, instrumental cover of "If It's Magic." Younger plays the harp from a well-lit room covered in  plants, increasing the serene ambiance of the performance.

Last month, Younger released her latest album, Brand New Life. As one of the most prominent Black, female harpists, Younger created Brand New Life as one of her many efforts to highlight the musical contributions of Black women. In 2022, she became the first Black woman to be nominated for a GRAMMY Award in the Best Instrumental Composition category.

Press play on the video above to watch Brandee Younger's tranquil cover of Stevie Wonder's deep cut "If It's Magic," and check back to GRAMMY.com every Sunday for more new episodes of Positive Vibes Only.

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