Tramaine Hawkins - History In Clips

Tramaine Hawkins was born October 11th, 1951 in San Francisco, California. She first entered the Gospel scene in 1968, singing with The Edwin Hawkins Singers Choir's "Oh Happy Day." She, with her distinctive soprano and extensive vocal range, became better known as a featured soloist with then-husband Walter Hawkins' Love Center Choir.

She scored several hits as a solo artist in the '70s while signed to Light Records and releasing now-classic albums such as her 1979 self-titled debut and it's 1983 follow-up Determined. Songs such as "Changed," "Goin Up Yonder," and "Highway" quickly became staples and fan favorites.


Following harsh criticism and backlash from the success of her A&M recordings, Hawkins signed with Sparrow and delivered 1988's The Joy That Floods My Soul including the opener "All Things Are Possible." The stellar set quickly re-endeared Hawkins with her core audience. Between album releases, Tramaine made a famous cameo on MC Hammer's 1990 pop-gospel hit "Do Not Pass Me By". She was also honored with a request to sing at the funeral of Sammy Davis, Jr. when the beloved entertainment legend passed away in May 1990.

Though Joy That Floods was well received, that studio effort would be eclipsed with the release of the concert recording Tramaine Hawkins Live in 1990. The grandiose recording with its sweeping arrangements and show-stopping medleys of fan favorites would become a benchmark in Tramaine's career. The set eventually vindicated Hawkins in total by winning a much-coveted Grammy Award for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album in 1991.

Following her triumphant comeback, she became one of the first gospel artists to sign with Columbia Records when she released To A Higher Place in 1994. Following this album's release Tramaine took an extended hiatus from recording. New music would not surface until Hawkins' 2000 cameo appearance on gospel trio Trin-i-tee 5:7's recorded cover of her signature tune "Highway."

Following this foreshadowing, Hawkins delivered the tour-de-force studio recording Still Tramaine in 2001 after signing a new contract with GospoCentric Records. The album would also give a nod to her former career as a dance-floor darling featuring Basement Boys club remixes of the single "By His Strength."

Hawkins again paid final tribute to an African-American legend when she was requested in 2005 to sing at the funeral service of civil rights activist Rosa Parks. Hawkins was also part of the Rosa Parks tribute recording "Something Inside So Strong" from A Celebration Of Quiet Strength featuring other gospel artists such as Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Daryl Coley.

Tramaine has been inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame. Recently receiving the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award and netting two Stellar Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year and Traditional Female of the Year for her 2007 CD release I Never Lost My Praise (2007). She also sang at James Cleveland's funeral.

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[anitabakerfan4life]

Awesome intro & ending for a truly anointed & appointed Gospel Singer; Lady Tramaine! Thanx 4 doing her justice in such an excellent way ~ Blessings!

[AnnNoire]

Best singer ever!

[shieldsff]

so beautiful !! Does anyone else notice that Beyonce looks just like Traimaine ?

[b2chapter]

She's AMAZING!!! I still listen to her first 3 solo projects. It's sooo sad that the Love Alive era is over....

[MsMinisterS]

May God's face forever shine upon Lady Tramaine Hawkins. Her voice can never be imitated nor emulated. She is genuine, not to be compared. The richness and purity that flows from her vocals, only Jesus our Lord and King could have done such a "Marvelous" thing. Amen!! God Bless!

[steven2312]

You Better Sing Tramaine!!!!!!

[dsoulfulone]

Lady Tramaine Hawkins ... Legend. Pioneer. Trailblazer. Historymaker.