Biography
Donielle Houston
To understand the depth of Donielle Houston’s voice, you have to look at where it began.
Long before her voice reached a national audience, Donielle was a staple of the Philadelphia Christian cafe scenes. Starting in 2007, she used those intimate stages to share the gospel and testify of Jesus, while also testing her songwriting and blending heartfelt worship with a soulful CCM approach. It was this “soulful-meets-CCM” authenticity that eventually led to her indie record deal and a breakout moment in 2010. Formerly known by her maiden name, Donielle Rodwell, she captivated the Christian Hip Hop community with her and her label-mate’s stripped-back cover of Lecrae’s “Jesus Muzik”—a stripped-back rendition that earned a personal nod of approval from Lecrae himself and set the stage for what would follow.
Donielle’s creative influence extended well beyond her vocals; she was the pen behind the memorable hooks for tracks like Jahaziel’s ‘Better’ and Da’ T.R.U.T.H.’s ‘Freedom’. Her versatility also made her a go-to session vocalist, providing the soulful foundation for songs like ‘Real Love,’ proving her ability to help shape the sound of a record even when her contributions were behind the scenes.
But for Donielle, the music was always an extension of a much deeper life story. Having grown up in foster care before being adopted, her life has been a tapestry of “God’s grace found in unexpected places.” This foundation of faith became vital when her career faced its most difficult season: a heartbreaking departure from a former label that left a collection of master recordings behind, never to see the light of day.
Following this professional loss, Donielle experienced a physical transition as well. The higher notes of her early career were replaced by a mature, velvety lower register.
“I felt like I lost a part of myself,” Donielle shares. “Between the music that would never be released and years later, the change in my physical voice, I felt defeated.”
Today, as a wife, mother, and independent artist, Donielle Houston is reclaiming her voice through a new lens. Her current work—including her blog, A Life Revised—bridges the gap between the girl who first sang in the cafes and the woman who now leads worship with a “refiner’s fire” authority. Stepping into a new creative season as an aspiring producer, Donielle is currently writing, arranging, and self-producing her upcoming EP. With the new EP on the horizon, Donielle is a seasoned witness to the truth that God’s promises never fail. Her ultimate goal remains to minister and worship God through her life and craft, inviting others to know Jesus as the healer, deliverer, and Savior she has found Him to be. It is her deepest prayer that this music serves as a bridge, drawing listeners closer to her great, gracious, and loving Savior: Jesus Christ.
