Andre Byrd

With Powerful vocals and energy that empowers listeners, Andre Byrd isn’t your typical male vocalist. Andre is also known throughout the New York Christian music industry as a gifted songwriter, vocal arranger and producer; His work with Degree 180 Enterprises, Inc. the arts/entertainment company he created in March of 2009 for which he is both founder and CEO, has earned him the respect of his peers with the message that dares Christians to believe that they are capable of living sinless, blameless lives. “One of the things that plagues believers is a life of complacency, a 360 Degree life. Geometrically, 360 degrees is indicative of a circle, therefore a 360 degree life says: “I’m fine the way I am: coming to church on Sunday, getting prayed through, and then by Monday night I’m back to the same bad habits and addictions that I have ALREADY been delivered from” [Byrd on the 180 message.] His primary focus has been to establish the Group "Degree 180" the company as two separate entities that compliment each other. The group is now on momentary hiatus which has shifted Andre's focus towards the company and his solo career. Having bloodline connected to Jamaica, W.I.; Son of a Preacher, his singing ministry dates back to the infancy of his father’s church, Harvestime Tabernacle, in Brooklyn, NY, where at the age of 15 he warmed the souls of the congregation delivering mixed styles and his brand of praise and worship. “The first time I really felt the anointing of God on my life was during my first time leading Praise and worship”. Andre was encouraged to venture out by the overwhelming positive response to his vocal artistry. He started to travel through church fellowships and local concerts, which reaffirmed his purpose every time he ministered. Andre wants everyone to know that: “He is so much more than an ‘inspirational artist’” and seeks to prove so through Degree 180 Enterprises. The company has four subsidiaries, all based in promoting excellence in just about every art form; both performance and visual. He considers praise and worship his heart beat and spends his time leading and teaching on its importance and effectiveness in this new era of what he called the "Revival of a true Christian heart" and "The Rise of Real Worship in Christian Music".With the year 2013 being as productive and successful for Andre as it was he is getting closer to his goal. In May 2013 he released his first complete project entitled: “The Flight Mixtape”. This project was met with rave reviews, as Andre completed his vision in effectively promoting the rise of urban worship. The music and message resonated with the “Unchurched” and created a massive boost in his fan base. In June of the same year he participated with David Wright and the NY Fellowship Mass Choir – Next Generation in their first Live Recording. Andre was blessed with the opportunity to record the lead to the song: “How Can I Forget You”, it was his first live recording. The response was electric and further solidified him as a viable artist and minister in the NYC area. The En Sound Awards recognized Andre in 2012, nominating him for Best Urban Male Vocalist and allowing him to perform at the live show in Decatur, GA. The Rhythm of Gospel Awards also named him Urban Contemporary Artist of the Year this year in Birmingham, AL. Now at last, primed for big time, “Byrd” as he affectionately known as to his peers, is set for his second independent project release which offers an array of seasoned and up and coming vocalists, genre fusions, and intense as well as simple lyrical content. He has also amassed a team of anointed and skilled musicians and singers and a project release is slated tentatively for Fall of 2014. He is excited as he is being led to revisit his praise and worship roots. Andre is sure to attract those who have a heart for God and is the latest inspirational artist helping to redefine what the gospel subgenre looks and sounds like in this era. His musical resume, well balanced to say the least, as he has ministered with the likes of Joel Lester, Latice Crawford, James Powell and Remnant, Jason Hendrickson and Nu Soundz, and David Wright and the NY Fellowship Choir (just to name a few) along his journey and looks forward to making more cameo appearances, continuing songwriting and arrangements for various artists, venture in acting, directing and the release of his book in the near future. Stay tuned for more great things from this young man. The Forgetting has begun. "Phillipians 3:12-14"