Marvin Sapp is regarded as one of the best male gospel singers who have ever been on stage. For so many reasons he is the favorite singer of most people and has proven time and again that he deserves to be at the top of the list.
Sapp started singing at the age of four and after several years of relentless dedication and commitment, he turned into a professional singer. It is well known that his paths crossed with a number of gospel legends such as Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Benjamin “BeBe” Winans, and many others.
The gospel legend started his professional singing career in 1990 as a member of the gospel group Commissioned. Six years later he left the group to sing solo under divine guidance.
After leaving Commissioned, he released his first CD entitled Marvin Sapp. After the success of his debut CD, the singer dropped further powerful CDs, which he titled as follows: Nothing Else Matters, Diary Of A Psalmist, Here I Am, Thirsty, Grace, and Mercy, I Believe, I Win and Be Exalted.
The singer, best known as Bishop Sapp, is the founder and senior pastor of Michigan-based Lighthouse Full Life Center Church, an influential church in Michigan, and bishop of the Global United Fellowship, located in North Central Providence.
Marvin is also the founder and president of the Grand Rapids Ellington Academy of Arts and Technology (GREAAT), which holds the record as the first charter performing arts and technology school in West Michigan. GREAAT began enrolling students in grades 6 through 8 in 2012 and has performed beautifully ever since.
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A veteran musician, Sapp has received several awards, nominations, and praise for his roles in various capacities. He owes his name to the highest American honor in Grand Rapids, the Frederick Douglas Award from the National Association of Negro and Professional Women’s Club, and special recognition from his hometown for his meritorious philanthropic efforts in the city.
The singer’s robust music career has also earned him several awards and nominations from the entertainment industry. Among his accomplishments, Marvin has received 22 Stellar Awards, 8 BMI songwriter awards for sales, 2 BET Awards, 10 Grammy nominations, 2 Soul Train Music Awards, 2 Dove Awards, and many other local, regional, and national awards from high-profile institutions.
The multi-syllabled music star is also an author. His literary career includes about seven wonderful books. His seventh book, which was published in 2015, bears the title #The Boaz Project.
Marvin Sapp Biography, Age
The birth name of the gospel artist is Marvin Louis Sapp. He was born on January 28, 1967, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the United States.
Sapp grew up with his four brothers in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he first came into contact with music. As a teenager, he was also active in numerous gospel groups until he was invited by the well-known gospel singer Fred Hammond to sing with Commissioned.
Marvin had a short stint as a student at Aenon Bible College in Indianapolis, Indiana. Unfortunately, he dropped out after joining Commissioned to replace Keith Staten. He was featured on the group’s albums – Irreplaceable Love, Matters of the Heart, and Number 7 – until he decided to sing solo in 1996. His position was then taken over by Marcus R. Cole.
Family – Wife, Children
9 September 2010 would remain forever green in the memory of the gospel singer. On that day Sapp lost his dear wife, MaLinda Sapp, a co-pastor of the Lighthouse Full Life Center Church. Malinda died of cancer at the age of 43, leaving behind her 18-year-old husband and three child prodigies – MiKaila, Madison, and Marvin II.
Before her tragic death, she also served as an administrative pastor and college professor, a licensed professional counselor, and, to a limited extent, a licensed psychologist. She was also the musical manager and executive producer on many of her husband’s albums and recordings.
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Malinda was loved by many people for her roles in their marriage and ministry. Once she and her husband were honored with the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Celebration of Soul Legacy Award for their role in promoting the black community in West Michigan.
Three years after her death, her husband released his Christmas card CD with three children. He was a good father to MiKaila, Madisson, and Marvin II and also continued his flourishing musical career. Recently he spoke about his intention to remarry, as his three children are all grown up.
Who Are His Parents?
The parents of Marvin Sapp are Lodena Holyfield (mother) and Henry Lewis Sapp (father). The two divorced when little Sapp was just 10 years old, but the songs his mother taught him remained with him.
Henry Lewis Sapp, a quartet singer, and musician from Fort Myers, Florida, died and was buried in 2007 – the same year that Marvin lost his musical mentor and spiritual father. His mother, Lodena, was never a singer, but Marvin said she was the one who taught him “all the songs”.
