In one of the verses of “You Can Do Anything,” the recently released, infectious teaser single from Kendall Triplett’s in-progress full-length debut album Lose Myself, the R&B/gospel influenced indie singer/songwriter offers an inspirational line that captures the motivation behind this recording and his long term mission as an artist. “With God on your side,” he sings, “you will win this.”

Considering that Lose Myself is a fully self-funded project, Triplett’s ability to attract so many A-listers to the studio speaks beautifully of two things: God’s favor and talent that can’t be denied and whose moment has arrived. Fully committed to sharing his musical gifts with the world, Triplett is launching his first-ever online Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to complete the recording and create a debut video. Fan support via Kickstarter will help pay for music production, studio recording, vocal production, songwriting, mixing and mastering and song order and album cohesiveness – in addition to packaging items such as photography, cover art design and CD manufacturing.

With half the album completed, the singer is humbly seeking the expertise of renowned producer Chip Dixson to oversee the rest of the project. Dixson, well known for his association with Darkchild Gospel and numerous productions with Grammy winning songwriter/producer Rodney Jerkins, has worked numerous gospel and R&B artists, including Marvin Sapp, Commissioned, Joy Enriquez, Lowell Pye and William Murphy. “Chip will assist me in songwriting, producing and recording new material, as well as deciding which songs will make the final cut for the album.”

Funds from the Kickstarter campaign will also ensure that Triplett continues his creative partnership with Delisha Thomas, who received a Grammy nomination for her contribution to Beyonce’s “Déjà vu” and has also penned tracks for Janet Jackson, Justin Bieber, Joann Rosario, Virtue and Kierra “Kiki” Sheard. Thomas’ contributions to Lose Myself so far include arranging work on “My Everything” and penning “You Can Do Anything” – which has has already earned several five star ratings on iTunes and received a shout out on the popular online program, “The Mary Mary AfterBuzz TV Show.” “Delisha’s professionalism is unmatched and her expertise in songwriting and vocal production has helped me improve my craft,” Triplett says. “I call Chip and Delisha my dream team.”

Triplett is also excited about working on a video for the album’s debut single with beemac Films and director Wesley “Wuz Good” Armstrong. Wuz Good directed Martha Munizzi’s “Make It Loud” music video and has produced music video content for a number of major record labels, including Def Jam, Interscope and Atlantic Records. Beemac Films is a full production film company whose clients include B.o.B, Paul Wall and Flo Rida. Kickstarter donations will help Triplett hire Wuz Good and beemac Films.
To date, the sessions for Lose Myself have included contributions from many award winning musicians, including guitarist Michael Ripoll (Josh Groban, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige), pianist Tony Reyes, Piano (Lionel Ritchie, Joss Stone, Cee Lo Green), Shawn Rey Smith (Patti LaBelle, Gerald Levert, Kelly Price, Lil Mo), Roderick Forte (Keith Wonderboy Johnson) and Marcus Perry (Benita Washington). Dior of Trackwriterz has contributed songwriting and vocal production and Triplett has also been blessed with the production expertise of Globetrakkers. Top mixing engineers who have contributed to Triplett’s sound include Grammy Award winner Sam Thomas (India Arie, Michelle WIlliams, Day 26), Marcelo Pennell (CeCe Winans, Take 6, Kierra Sheard) and Grammy nominated Vernon Mungo (Lloyd, Monica, Usher).

“I strive to make music that both believers and non-believers can relate to and be inspired by,” Triplett says. “I don’t just want tight beats and dope sounds. It’s very important to me that the message is strong and clear. Above all else, I want to make sure that God is exalted. He has really been faithful to me throughout the journey and I feel that my dream is finally coming to fruition with the right people, in the right way at the perfect time. Being able to work in the studio with so many talented songwriters, musicians and producers makes me realize that no matter what happens from this point, I am already living my dream. I’m learning so much about music, about life and especially about God every single day.”

the author

In one of the early verses of “You Can Do Anything,” the recently released, infectious teaser single from his in-progress full-length debut album Lose Myself, R&B/gospel influenced indie singer/songwriter Kendall Triplett offers an inspirational line that captures the motivation behind his long term mission as an artist. “With God on your side,” he sings, “you will win this.” Keeping the thematic focus of the music and his approach to day-to-day life on humbling himself before the Lord, the multi-talented Ft. Smith, Arkansas based performer is making big things happen in God’s time – and sharing his musical gifts with the help of many notable forces in gospel and contemporary soul music. Considering that Lose Myself is a fully self-funded project, Triplett’s ability to attract so many A-listers to the studio speaks beautifully of two things: God’s favor and talent that can’t be denied and whose moment has arrived. “You Can Do Anything” was written by songwriter Delisha Thomas, who received a Grammy nomination for her contribution to Beyoncé’s “Déjà Vu” and has also penned tracks for Janet Jackson, Justin Bieber, Joann Rosario, Virtue and Kierra “KiKi” Sheard, just to name a few. The single has already received several five star ratings on iTunes and received a shout out on the popular online program, “The Mary Mary AfterBuzz TV Show.” Triplett, whose debut 2006 EP received favorable reviews in Suite101 and Christianity Today, also reached out to renowned producers in gospel music and beyond to develop a vibe that will affirm faith for the believer while reaching others who are open to hearing the Gospel message through music. “God impressed upon me to take an unconventional approach with this album,” Triplett says. “I selected producers and other players based on their interest in working with me.” These include Dove Award winning producer/songwriter Antonio Neal (Kierra "KiKi” Sheard, Point of Grace, Nicole C. Mullen), Grammy Nominated producer/songwriter Anthony C. Bell (Jazmine Sullivan, Jill Scott, Faith Evans), Kyle Lovett (Karima Kibble, Canton Jones, Vashawn Mitchell), Shawn Rey Smith (Kelly Price, Patti Labelle, Gerald Levert), Roderick Forte (Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson), and Marcus Perry (Benita Washington). The title track “Lose Myself” was penned by Grammy nominated songwriter and producer Mike Winans (of the legendary Winans Family), whose extensive credits include P. Diddy, Vicki Winans and Chris Brown. “My purpose in recording Lose Myself is primarily to reach my generation with the good news of the Gospel of Christ,” says Triplett. “It’s easy in the music industry for well intentioned gospel performers to get sidetracked with the business and branding side of things, but I view what I do as a ministry and always strive to stay grounded in that.” “I aim to make music that both believers and non-believers can relate to and be inspired by,” he adds. “I don't just want tight beats and dope sounds. It’s very important to me that the message is strong and clear. Above all else, I want to make sure that God is exalted. The album title accurately describes my posture toward God. I am at a point in my life where my career aspirations aren’t as important to me anymore. I had to go through a process of being humbled, and I have come to this conclusion: It’s not about me. God knows what's best for my life, and every song on the album ties in with this recurring theme of reconciliation to God.” Reflecting on the musical journey that has led to the creation of Lose Myself, Triplett – who began singing at age five in front of a church congregation, and later played piano – says, “With my father, a pastor, and my mother, a singer and pianist, I grew up singing in church. We would all travel to various churches all across eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas. My father would often have me sing before he delivered his sermon.” While his parents supported his musical dreams, Triplett had to go behind his mother’s back to listen to the secular music of the day by pop/soul greats like Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind & Fire. At 16, the singer entered a Mr. Ebony Scholarship pageant at his high school, wowing the audience and earning runner up status with Stevie Wonder’s “I Can Only Be Me.” He soon made his first “garage studio recording” in Muskogee, Oklahoma – a cover of Stevie’s “Ribbon in the Sky.” Though his early dreams of a record deal didn’t materialize, other opportunities came his way, most notably when a local church invited him to play piano for them. During his college years, he performed at talent shows, beauty pageants and with the school choir – and soon he began recording demos for Omega Sound Recording Studios accompaniment soundtracks. After graduating from University of Arkansas at Little Rock-Ft. Smith campus with a B.A. in Liberal Arts and a minor in music, Triplett moved to Arlington, Texas, where he entered an Unsigned Singer’s Promo hosted by contemporary gospel great Kirk Franklin, Fo Yo Soul Productions, and Heaven 97 KHVN. As one of the winners, he received $1,000 and was invited back to the final round where he sang for Franklin. Returning after a year and a half to Ft. Smith, he teamed up with a local producer to record “My Everything,” which he sold at his church and various community events. Building on its award winning success, he later recorded more original material and released his debut EP. In their four star review, Christianity Today called him “one of today’s best voices in urban pop.” Triplett was featured in Christian Single magazine from LifeWay and appeared on Trinity Broadcasting Network’s “Praise the Lord” in Oklahoma City, Atlanta and Chattanooga. After a short time away from music making, Triplett waited for God to open his next major opportunity – which came in the form of a headlining gig at a community wide Youth Explosion event, sponsored by a local church. The overwhelming audience response renewed his desire to begin recording and performing as a solo artist, and ever since he has balanced various day jobs with the hard work it takes to make a stellar independent album. “It has taken me a long time to fully understand my purpose on this earth,” Triplett says, “but I know it now and I am staying true to that purpose. God has really been faithful to me throughout the journey and I feel that my dream is finally coming to fruition with the right people, in the right way at the perfect time. Being able to work in the studio with Grammy nominated talents like Delisha Thomas and Mike Winans makes me realize that no matter what happens from this point, I am already living my dream. I’m learning so much about music, about life and especially about God every single day.” For more information about Triplett, check out http://kendalltriplett.com