Tasha Cobbs Leonard knew she was anointed long before she was named Billboard’s Gospel Artist of the Decade in 2020.
The “Break Every Chain” singer has come a long way since she first embarked on her musical journey. Like many other extraordinary singers, her story had humble beginnings in the church.
“My entire family sings,” Cobbs Leonard said. “I grew up in a family of musicians and singers, so it was not new doing music. I just wasn’t like the lead singer. I sang alto in the choir.”
By the age of 15, she noticed she had something more in her voice. Those around her could hear it, too ― especially her parents, Bertha and Fritz Cobbs.
“We discovered that there was something special in my gift that was just a little different and impacted people’s lives. It had God’s hand on it.” said Cobbs Leonard.
After performing at a concert where the audience was moved to worship and tears, Cobbs Leonard’s parents realized they needed to cultivate their daughter’s talent.
Cobbs Leonard is now a three time Grammy award winner and platinum selling artist. Her songs and onstage performances continue to captivate the hearts of listeners, who receive messages of God’s grace and love through thoughtfully arranged vocals and lyrics. She is also a Greer, South Carolina, resident who serves the church ministry at The Purpose Place in Spartanburg.
“Tasha” ― Cobbs Leonard’s first studio album ― was set to be released on Friday, July 25. With it comes a look into the powerhouse vocalist’s more vulnerable side, like in the single “The Hand that Keeps Holding On.” The album also showcases the singer’s ability to move seamlessly through different genres as she holds her own alongside other trailblazing artists like John Legend, Kirk Franklin, and Lecrae.
Honesty is the heartbeat behind the new project, the singer explaining, “It’s about utilizing the platform that God has given me to share the good, the bad, and the ugly ― to help people make it through the seasons that they’re in.”
Here’s what to know about Cobbs Leonard’s new album and what she loves about being a Greenville County resident.
What seasons inspired Cobbs Leonard’s new album?
Fans who have already taken a sneak peek at the album art for “Tasha” may have noticed the words framing Cobbs Leonard on the cover. Among them are “mother,” “heart,” “passion,” and “worship leader.” Then there are others that listeners may not have expected to read, such as “anxiety,” “depression,” and “miscarriage.”
These words tell the story of the singer’s highs and lows.
Before adopting son Asher with husband Kenneth Leonard in July 2021, Cobbs Leonard endured infertility struggles that made her question her faith. During this time, she also suffered from depression, which she first struggled with in 2016 due to feelings of rejection and unworthiness despite her career accomplishments.
Facing and overcoming these life seasons are what have shaped Cobbs Leonard today — as well as her new album. And her faith has only grown stronger through the storm.
“We experienced a miscarriage that was heartbreaking and faith-shattering for me, and I share that testimony in hopes that someone who may be dealing with grief and heartbreak would hear my story, and it would encourage them to keep moving, to keep pushing, and that it’s going to get better day by day.” Cobbs Leonard said.
She also expressed that the album is about worshipping through whatever season in life you are in. Through sun and rain, you can count on Cobbs Leonard to be your “personal worship leader.” Take upbeat single “Already Good (Tasha Slide)” for instance, where those in the music video groove along to uplifting lyrics like “I didn’t know this valley could/Become a mountaintop/God, I have felt Your kindness/And I know/That it’s gonna end good (Already good).”
The cover art for Tasha Cobbs Leonard’s first studio album, “TASHA.”
Cobbs Leonard talks about life as a Greenville County resident
Local fans of Cobbs Leonard’s work may not know she resides right here in Greenville County.
Initially called to be worship pastors at a Greenville church, Cobbs Leonard and Kenneth Leonard have lived in the area for almost seven years now. The couple are enjoying the change, Cobbs Leonard originally hailing from Atlanta, Georgia.
“We just fell in love with South Carolina,” Cobbs Leonard said. “First of all, Greenville is beautiful, great people. We grew community here, fellowship of people here, family here. My mom moved here, so it’s, you know, basically just become home for us. We’re raising our baby boy, our kids here. So it’s home for us and just a great place to raise your children.”
When she’s not on the move, Cobbs Leonard enjoys spending time with family and friends. Attending the Spartanburgers minor league baseball game in Spartanburg and Main Event in Greenville are some of her favorite things to do. Going to the movies is an activity she enjoys doing with her husband.
The Purpose Place opens in Spartanburg amid COVID-19 pandemic, restoring hope to locals
Meeting people where they are is something that Cobbs Leonard makes an effort to do on a daily basis, whether she is on or off stage. The impact of her music alone cannot be understated, and neither can the singer’s work in giving back to the community.
The Purpose Place Church in Spartanburg ― opened by Cobbs Leonard and Kenneth Leonard during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic ― is where you can find the couple being “the hands and feet of Jesus outside of the four walls of the church.” Watching members develop and grow into who they were called to be is something that brings the singer true joy. It is also something that pulls at her heartstrings.
“I tell people all the time, ‘I’m not much of a crier,’ but when I see people like really embracing their calling, embracing their gifts, it just does something to my heart. I will cry just to watch people walk out purpose.” the vocalist shared.
A message to those who feel stuck in a season
Cobbs Leonard will begin touring for her new album in October. On the Whole and Free Tour, she will be joined by special guests Naomi Raine of Maverick City, therapist Kobe Campbell, and Dr. Jackie Greene.
As she enters this new season of excitement, she leaves behind a message to those who feel like they are stuck in their own season, unsure of where the road is leading them.
“Sometimes comfortability can minimize our road to success. Like, sometimes we can get comfortable in a season where God has meant, like, if you would have just taken three more steps, there was something so much bigger, so much greater there for you,” she said. “So I would say, just don’t get weary. Don’t get weary. Don’t give up.”
Press shots for Tasha Cobbs Leonard’s first studio album, “TASHA.”
Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Grammy winner, Gospel Singer of Decade Tasha Cobbs Leonard’s new album
