LL. White&Rise

About the Artist:

The singer, songwriter, producer formerly known as LL. White On Damascus Rd., announces a new name and a new sound with three singles in 3 days: “Abba”, “Ahh Haaa” and “Be One.”  LL. White & Damascus Rd. will be known as LL. White & Rise, a collaboration of singers, musicians, and arrangers.  The concept of Rise, was born out of the notion of working together to rise above adverse situations to a new, upward direction and vision. “I feel as though all my life I’ve experienced obstacles that required tenacity and resilience, in pursuit of something personally, creatively, spiritually, and message-wise – which is why On Damascus Rd. was inspired by Apostle Paul’s journey of right- zeal-wrong-philosophy.  Damascus Rd., was mentioned in the Bible as a route that led to Paul’s conversion in heart and consciousness. But Paul didn’t stay on that road; instead, he had an encounter with the Light and rose to a new perspective.  Therefore, Rise comprises an outlet for a true, authentic voice to be heard around the world.  

Having garnered airplay in South America, Africa, and parts of the United States for her debut songs, “God Is Good” and “I Wish I Could Be We” (https://open.spotify.com/track/2UEqa4zIz4KyO7QT8IT8R2?si=2B2cDAItQEaOwP4QPMj1lg)  from her sophomore EP, LL. White & Rise now aim to push their audience beyond the boundaries of the church walls, with genre-blending Contemporary Christian songs. The songs convey the Poetry and transparency of Hip-hop, incorporates instrumental elements of Pop/Rock, while remaining loyal to the Spirit and sacredness of the message of Christ as the antidote to societal and soulish issues.  Listeners can hear urban and Caribbean beats against the vocals of Contemporary Gospel, and the CCM influences of artists such as Hillsong, TobyMac, and Lecrae. LL. White & Rise counter popular street-level messages intended for the dance floor and the bedroom, with thought-provoking messages of hope intended to remedy ills that afflict generations disinclined to follow the universal principles of Christ.

LL. White first discovered a love for music at the age of 4, at a little holiness church on Milton Street in her hometown of Akron, Ohio, where she honed her skills on shoebox drums, a broomstick microphone, and other makeshift instruments until her father began bringing home a host of instruments including a clarinet, a ukulele, and white baby grand Baldwin piano.

By LL.’s teens – and following her father’s answer to the call to pastor –  the family sold the house on Hartford Avenue, loaded up a trailer, left behind the piano, and moved nearly six hundred miles away to the industrial city of Waterbury, CT.  While attending the University of Connecticut, she met the legendary Kurt Carr and became a lead singer in his original Singers, headlining for numerous gospel greats.  Forced to leave UCONN, a year turned into years of physical and financial hardship, including a brain aneurysm that left her temporarily paralyzed and visually impaired.  

A SERIES OF MIRACLES AND A TESTIMONY – Finish What You Started

Despite derailments and delays, fully recovered,  in 2011 LL. set out to finish what she had started by earning her Bachelor’s degree and completing a Master’s degree at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte,  NC.  She then published her freshman book “Is Praise What You Do? Developing a Passion for Praise, a Will to Worship” (Westbow Press), followed by a seven-song EP entitled, “Song of the Redeemed” in late 2017.

DISCOGRAPHY

During the dawn of the COVID-19 Pandemic, LL. took the leap of faith to leave behind a career as Minister of music to focus on recording her music, writing the lyrics and music for her nearly 600-song catalogue from which she recorded “I Wish (I Could Be We)”, B.O.P Banner of Praise, and “Chasing Dreams.” The release of “Abba”, “Ahh Haaa” and “Be One” (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C485XQGM/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=32VD6DHZM9YMT&keywords=Be+One+LL.+White+%26+Rise&qid=1684789744&sprefix=be+one+ll.+white+%26+rise%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-2)(2023) offer 3 tracks from the soon-to-be-released, first full album “Triumph!” (Summer 23’).  Triumph! presents an antithesis to the violence or victim mentalities popular today; tracks ranging from worship and meditative to upbeat and provocative, inspire lasting themes such as goodness, kindness, justice, and peace. LL’s songs are available on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, Apple Music, Deezer and all digital platforms.