2015 Gospel Choice Award winner for Best Holy Hip Hop Artist, Dr. Kelly Glow
If you usually don’t listen to rap music that may change once you hear Kelly Glow. Her unique style is a rare fusion of Jazz, Rock, and Hip Hop. It’s fun, funky and full of energy. Her lyrics are clear and easy to follow. Her universal style appeals to all ages. Kelly Glow welcomes you to the Light Movement!
Who is Kelly Glow?
Dr. Kelly Deanna Williams was born in the Watts area of Los Angeles, California. Her parents are Doris, a retired registered nurse, and Rev. O. Dennis Mims, a Lutheran pastor. She has four siblings, Char, Cassandra, Divina, and Jay. During her early years, they lived near the city of Compton, CA. Growing up in Compton, she witnessed and experienced the typical challenges facing low income families in metro urban neighborhoods including: lack of resources, drugs, violence, and gang activity. Through the loving direction and guidance of her parents, she was able to avoid those pressures.
Glow’s debut album, Ready for War, was released in 2002, spawning a guest appearance on the main stage at the ELCA National Youth Gathering at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA. Her sophomore album, Back to My Future, was released in 2015 garnering a Gospel Choice Award for Best Holy Hip Hop Artist that same year.
Glow with Grace, her third project, is an EP fostering the Commemoration of the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation released in 2017. Used with permission of Augsburg Fortress, the EP features a cover song of one of Martin Luther’s most popular hymns “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Other songs include topics covered in Luther’s Small Catechism such as: The Lord’s Prayer, The Ten Commandments, The Apostles’ Creed and The Holy Sacraments. She is planning the release of another full-length album soon.
In 2004, Kelly married Elijah Williams. For several years, she worked and served as a classroom elementary teacher in Clayton County, GA. Even during her tenure, she couldn’t leave her roots in Hip Hop culture behind so she created an educational Hip Hop album titled “The Adventures of KG and ELA.” Completion of the educational CD led Kelly to further explore uses of Hip Hop in educational settings. She received her master of science degree from Troy University in 2009 and her doctorate of education from The University of West Georgia in 2015.
Dr. Kelly Glow is continually serving her mission to preserve the original principles of Hip Hop culture “Peace, Love, Unity, and Having Fun!” She is a dedicated “hiphoppa” committed to spreading the culture of HIP HOP (Higher Infinite Power Healing Our People). Her mission in music is to simply be a light in this life which stems the scripture Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men that they may see God’s good work in thee.” That is also the mission of her fan club GLOW GANG which stands for “God’s Leading Our Way, Go and Never Give Up.” Dr. Kelly Glow is a talented performing artist with a positive spirit, spreading love and light into the world. Let your light shine…
- Gospel Choice Award Winner 2015
- ELCA National Youth Gatherings 2003, 2006, 2015
- ADLA Biennial Assembly 2015, 2017
- Student Christian Movement National 2016
