Indianapolis will welcome a hometown band Nov. 14 as Grammy-nominated Christian electro-pop gospel group Royal Tailor appears with headliner rapper KB at Emmanuel Church in Greenwood.
Royal Tailor includes lead singer Tauren Wells, drummer Jarrod Ingram, guitarist DJ Cox, bass guitar Blake Hubbard, Travis Rigney, Jeremy Guzman, and Kyle Easton.
Wells, Cox and Hubbard met at Indiana Bible College, while Ingram joined shortly after.
After hearing Royal Tailor’s music, Jason McArthur, vice president of A&R of Provident Music Group signed the band, with Aaron Lindsey, Chuck Butler and Daniel Kinner producing its debut album, “Black & White,” which received a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album. The group also received a nomination as Best New Artist of the Year in 2012 from the Gospel Music Association.
The group’s hit “Remain” got wide local and national airtime. Wells has explained in an interview, “The song talks about the way love in this world can be taken away from us at any moment, but God’s love will always remain.” Royal Tailor’s music video for their single “Ready, Set, Go” was recognized by Ryan Seacrest as well as MTV Hits.
Wells, whose vocals have been compared to Michael Jackson, has stated that if he could meet any character, it would likely be David, the biblical musician-warrior-king.
KB, whose full name is Kevin Elijah Burgess, is a well known Christian hip-hop artist from St. Petersburg, Fla.
The artist has said his teen years were rocky, as he struggled with suicidal depression, academic failure and drug use following his parents’ divorce, but said he found hope and spiritual renewal through the world of Christian rap.
KB, also known as ‘K to the Second Letter’ is the bandleader of the hip-hop group HGA, and in 2010 was signed as a solo artist to Reach Records (he’s also a member of the label’s hip-hop collective 116 Clique.) KB also caught a big break when he contributed to the Lecrae album “Rehab” and performed on the “Acquire the Fire” tour.
KB’s own album debut came on July 17, 2012, with “Weight & Glory” receiving a warm reception. Last March 4, the faith-based rapper released his second album, an EP, “100.” He also appeared in the Family Force 5 music video for the song “BZRK”, released on May 23, 2014.
For more about KB, and the concert visit whoiskb.com or bandsintown.com.
