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(Click photo to visit RiZen's website, www.rizen.biz)

Kanika Trigg, Aundrea Lewis, Ashley Jones, and Adriann Lewis are RiZen

Recently, our gospel entertainment writer, Reneé, sat down with Saginaw, Michigan-based RiZen. These talented and anointed women of God consider Detroit their second home and we're more than happy to claim them as our own. Winners of the 2004 Stellar Award for "New Artist of The Year," RiZen is also up for two 2004 Dove Awards for "Traditional Gospel Album of the Year" and "Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year" (for "View The City"). Detroit Gospel.com is pleased to present RiZen as our March Featured Artist.

RiZen: Rising Above It All
By: Detroit Gospel.com Entertainment Writer/PR, Reneé

It was a pleasure interviewing RiZen while they were here in Detroit touring. The Group's members are Adriann and Aundrea Lewis, Kanika Trigg, and Ashley Jones.

I got the sense that these young ladies were spiritually grounded. When asked about their relationship with the Lord, their comments blessed me. Aundrea says her relationship with God "grows everyday, every minute, every second." When she wakes up she honors God. When she lays down she adores him. Her lifestyle represents her relationship with the Lord.

Kanika says her lifestyle is loving God, giving Him the best that she can give. She recognizes that without God she can do nothing, but she can do all things through Christ who strengthens her.

Ashley realizes that her relationship with God is a growing process and she could never get too much of God. She is trying to grow closer to God everyday.

Adriann's relationship with God is a worship experience. Her lifestyle reflects her relationship. She fears the Lord greatly and wants to please God in everything she does.

Reneé and RiZen

Question: What gospel music artist has most influenced you?
Answers:
Adriann: Shirley Caesar and Vickie Winans
Ashley: Donnie McClurkin
Kanika: Cece Winans
Aundrea: Rance Allen

Question: What is RiZen's purpose for their music?
Answer:
Adriann: To save the lost, heal the broken hearted and bring backsliders back to Christ. The ministry is for anyone who has an ear to hear what the Spirit has to say. RiZen wants to reach the masses.

Winning the Stellar Award for New Artist was a dream come true for Adriann. She says that since the age of 5 she wanted to become a Gospel singer but people laughed at her, including one of her teachers. Adriann's response to her naysayers; "Well, look at me now".

Ashley's feelings on winning the Award were of shock and
excitement. She was so grateful to have been chosen and felt honored that people voted for RiZen from around the world.

Kanika was overjoyed and in disbelief when the announcement came "And the Winner is RIZEN!!".

Aundrea was excited, shaking, and speechless when she heard the announcement. She expressed how she wanted to run and shout but somehow she kept her composure until she returned home to her church family, where they praised the Lord together.

"Performing in Detroit is wonderful," says Adriann. She expressed that Detroit is like their second home. They had been here a few weeks earlier performing with Aretha Franklin for a Black History Month Celebration. Adriann says they have many friends in Detroit including Ramayah and Vickie Winans.

Advice to up and coming artist form Aundrea is to, "Go and do what God has called you to do and have peace about it." She goes on to say that storms come and go, but God will ride you through every one. "Never give up and stay grounded in your local church."

Ashley says, "Follow your dreams as you follow God and God will lead you in the right direction. Be patient. Things will only happen in God's time. Keep God first and your vision will come to pass."

Adriann also agrees that it is important to be patient and have a strong relationship with your church and pastor. She believes that their relationship to their church is what has helped RiZen become successful.

In giving closing remarks, Kanika lifts up her favorite scripture
Proverbs 3:5,6, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding". Adriann expresses thanks for support from people E-Mailing Bobby Jones and buying their CD's across the country. Ashley thanks Detroit Gospel.com for interviewing RiZen. Adriann thanks her mother and father, Lucious and Kayron Lewis for their sacrifices and the setting aside of their dreams to allow their daughters' to fulfill theirs. Also, a special thanks to producers Sanchez Harley and brother Ayron Lewis.

For more info about RiZen, check out their website at www.rizen.biz.

Audio Excerpts From RiZen Interview

A special thank you from RiZen: Click Here For Audio Clip

RiZen Track List
(Click on songs in RED to hear sample)

1. Intro
2. Lift Up Jesus
3. Trust And Never Doubt
4. View The City (Praise Prelude)
5. View The City
6. You've Done So Much
7. We Worship You
8. Just Can't Tell It
9. I Long To See You
10. Take Care Of Me
11. It's My Turn
12. It Will Come To Pass (Intro)
13. It Will Come To Pass

To Purchase CD

Click To Buy Rizen's Self-Titled Album From Amazon.com

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