“What happens to a dreamdeferred?  Does it dry up like araisin in the sun…….or does it explode?” For Gospel newcomer, Da’Quela,her dream of becoming the next great Gospel artist took more of a “big bang”turn in a direction she had, oddly enough, almost given up on.  EMI Gospel, the label known fornurturing some of the industry’s most amazing talent from career infancy tostardom, brings Da’Quela to centerstage with her debut releaseentitled Blue Sky.

Blue Sky is God’s biganswer to what happens to Da’Quela’sseemingly deferred dream.  As shelifts her voice, Da’Quela emits avocal collage that whisks you into the presence of Ce Ce Winans, Yolanda Adams,and Mary J. Blige all at once.  “Blue Sky”, the first single and titletrack from her debut project, speaks of a love for God that gently elevates thevocalist to a place where she can seemingly touch the sky.  Subtle strings grace the track,appearing as a heavenly orchestra waiting to greet and accompany the voice ofan angel.

Da’Quela was your average girl next door.  She carried a dream in her heart and a deadline for realizingthat dream in her head, and the clock was ticking rapidly.  Born and raised in Beloit, Wisconsin,population 37,000, she has memories of singing at the age of 2, when shewrapped her toddler fingers around her hairbrush microphone and performedaround the house with her older brother. Fast forward a few years, and picture the life of a young adult, adjustingto the reality and challenges of managing life as a single mom.  Da’Quelafelt the possibility of her dream morphing into reality becoming fainter bythe day.  Perched on the frontsteps of her home, one day Da’Quela decided to stretch her faith and presentGod with a challenge.  “If I’m notsigned (to a label), recording an album, or something by [age] 25, I’m gonnaquit,” she said.  She thought, “MaybeI could get used to just singing at church.”

After trying out for both American Idol and Exalting Him, in 2006, Da’Quelasang her way past 16,000 contestants to win the first ever, Trinity BroadcastingNetwork’s (TBN) Gifted televisioncompetition, an American Idollook-alike, showcasing the talent of Christian vocalists nationwide.  Immediately, the Gifted judges took note. The accolades from competition judges – industry veterans such as Eddie DeGarmo and Andrae Crouch – came in rapid succession during Da’Quela’s performances, as theyobserved her personality, her style, and her amazing ability to master any noteand any song placed in front of her. At one point in the competition DeGarmo remarked, “……You have a specialgift, and whether or not you win this competition….., you should be making cd’sso we can all enjoy it.”  The otherjudges agreed, and Da’Quela pulled outof the competition the winner and proved that there is, in fact, a stage withher name on it in the music industry.

With total confidence, Da’Quela delivers to the world the dreamshe’s been waiting so long to share. She holds her own against Gospel powerhouse, Darwin Hobbs, who makes aspecial guest appearance, lending his distinctly rich and powerful vocal giftto a duet on the track “Never Too Far”.  Together, the two voicesintertwine in a melodious reminder that “no mountain is high enough, no valleyis low enough” to separate us from the love of God.

Da’Quela displays her versatility, delivering up tempo tracks like “So Happy”, “I Got You”, and “U Gonna Make It” with unquestionablevocal control and power.  She seamlesslydelves deep to usher you into the presence of God’s glory on the soul stirring,worshipful love song, “Incredible”.   Her passionate conveyance of “It’s Love”, one of the more personal songs on the BlueSky project, takes you to the depths of her life and her heart.  Listen closely, and you will hearsnippets of Da’Quela’s personaltestimony sprinkled throughout the song as she wraps herself in the forgivingand endless love of God.

“Shining Star”, co-written by Antonio Neal, Kyle Lovett, andlabel-mate Darlene McCoy, is understandably Da’Quela’s favorite song on the project.  This sweet serenade dares you to close your eyes and floaton a wave of smooth jazz and R&B sounds as Da’Quela’s lead vocals invite the listener to reflect on the allsufficient and gratifying character of the Lord.  Likewise “Psalm 23”,a kindred companion, successfully breathes new life into a familiar, comfortingverse of scripture.

In her first time ever in astudio, this nouveau artist was placed in the more than capable hands ofindustry pros like Antonio Neal, DoubleDutch (Josiah Bell and Robert Marvin),and Cedric Thompson.  The evidence is lucid, and selecting a favorite fromBlueSky will prove to be a laborious task and one that will quickly beabandoned at first spin of the project. Inspirational lyrics overlay tracks full of jazz, rhythm and blues,gospel, pop, and even disco influences. Blue Sky promises a collection of sounds capable ofpacifying the ears of the most discriminating listener.  For Da’Quela, however,her “dream deferred” has now become a dream revealed.