Joy Enriquez

California's Joy Enriquez is soulful pop and CCM-vocalist known for her Latin and R&B-inflected sound. Raised in Whittier, CA, <a href="spotify:artist:2SykN4Mx8CyC91jSB5vk4i">Enriquez</a> began performing before audiences at a very young age. By her teens, she was attending the Orange Country Performing Arts High School. In the evenings and on weekends, she appeared at local clubs, gaining confidence and experience. <a href="spotify:artist:2SykN4Mx8CyC91jSB5vk4i">Enriquez</a>' rise to fame began in 1995 when at 15 she was selected to appear on the popular show Star Search. She won female vocalist 11 times in a row on the television series. Suddenly, after years of hard work, there were offers coming in from labels and the overwhelming choice was hers to make. It was a decision she took her time on, but finally signed with the Arista Records label.

In the late '90s, <a href="spotify:artist:2SykN4Mx8CyC91jSB5vk4i">Enriquez</a> did background vocals on songs like "When You Believe," done by <a href="spotify:artist:4iHNK0tOyZPYnBU7nGAgpQ">Mariah Carey</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:6XpaIBNiVzIetEPCWDvAFP">Whitney Houston</a> for the movie Prince of Egypt. She also lent her vocal talents on the soundtrack for the film Anna and the King, with the song "How Could I Not Love You." The tune was nominated twice for a Golden Globe Award.

In 2001, the singer debuted with the full-length, Joy Enriquez, featuring the single "Tell Me How You Feel." Produced by Babyface, Soulshock, Kenneth Karlin and others, the album also included several more singles including, "Losing the Love," "Someday," and "Shake Up the Party." Several years later, <a href="spotify:artist:2SykN4Mx8CyC91jSB5vk4i">Enriquez</a> married producer/songwriter Rodney Jerkins and started a family.

Following her marriage to Jerkins and with much of her sophomore album recorded, <a href="spotify:artist:2SykN4Mx8CyC91jSB5vk4i">Enriquez</a> underwent a creative and spiritual transformation that led her away from secular R&B and towards a faith-based, contemporary Christian pop sound. She showcased this change on her 2006 album, Atmosphere of Heaven, released on her own independent JoyfulChild label. Over the next several years, Enriquez stayed busy contributing songs to various soundtracks, including "Boom Chika Boom" for the Our Family Wedding soundtrack, "Beatz Be Rockin'" for Nickelodeon's iCarly. She also starred in the NuvoTV reality show House of Joy, for which she also suppled a soundtrack EP in 2013. In 2016, Enriquez released her third studio album, The Call. Produced by her husband, Rodney Jerkins, the album also included guest appearances from Heavenly Joy, Kirk Franklin and Lindsey Sterling. ~ Charlotte Dillon, Rovi