LaShell Griffin

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = LaShell Griffin

| image =

| caption =

| image_size =

| birth_name = LaShell Renee Thomas

| alias =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1968|1|14|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Detroit, Michigan

| origin =

| instrument = Vocals, singer-songwriter

| genre = Christian R&B, gospel, traditional black gospel, urban contemporary gospel, contemporary R&B

| occupation = Singer, songwriter

| years_active = 2004–present

| label = Epic

| associated_acts =

| website = {{URL|lashellgriffinsings.webs.com}}

}}

LaShell Renee Griffin (born January 14, 1968, as LaShell Renee Thomas) is an American gospel musician. Her first album, Free, was released by Epic Records in 2004. This was a Billboard magazine breakthrough release upon four charts, The Billboard 200, Gospel Albums, R&B Albums, and Heatseekers Albums. She released two more subsequent albums, but they have not placed on any charts.

Early life

Griffin was born on January 14,{{cite web |title=U.S. Public Records Index|author=Family Search |year=2009 |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints}} 1968, as LaShell Renee Thomas, to mother Geraldine, whose maiden name was Mundy, and she won Oprah Winfrey's singing competition, Pop Star Challenge.{{cite journal|title=Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia|first=Bil|last=Carpenter|year=2005|page=166}}{{cite web|title=LaShell Griffin : Discography |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/lashell-griffin-mn0000778320/biography|first=Heather|last=Phares|website=AllMusic|access-date=April 17, 2015}} This got her a record deal with Epic Records.

Music career

Her music recording career commenced in 2004, with the album, Free, and it was released by Epic Records on May 25, 2004.{{cite web|title=LaShell Griffin : Discography |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/lashell-griffin-mn0000778320/discography|author=AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=April 17, 2015}} The album was her breakthrough release upon four Billboard magazine charts, and it placed on The Billboard 200 at No. 166, Gospel Albums at No. 2, R&B Albums at No. 43, and Heatseekers Albums at No. 5.{{cite web|title=LaShell Griffin : Awards|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/lashell-griffin-mn0000778320/awards|author=Billboard|website=AllMusic|access-date=April 17, 2015}} While she has released two more albums, they have failed to gain any commercial traction or achieve any national exposure.

Personal life

Griffin and her now deceased former husband, LeVoties Griffin, has five children together, and she still resides with them in Detroit, Michigan.

Discography

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" \|+ List of selected studio albums, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;" \| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;" \| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="4" \| Peak chart positions
style="width:3em; font-size:90%"\|US !style="width:3em; font-size:90%"\|US Gos !style="width:3em; font-size:90%"\|US R&B !style="width:3em; font-size:90%"\|US Heat
scope="row"\|Free \| Released: May 25, 2004 {{nowrap\|Label: Epic}} CD, digital download \| 166 \| 2 \| 43 \| 5
scope="row"\|The Gift \| Released: 2006 {{nowrap\|Label: DAP Music}} CD, digital download \| - \| - \| - \| -
scope="row"\|Dreams Are Possible \| Released: September 16, 2008 {{nowrap\|Label: DAP Music}} CD, digital download \| - \| - \| - \| -

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of selected studio albums, with selected chart positions

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;" | Title

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;" | Album details

! scope="col" colspan="4" | Peak chart positions

style="width:3em; font-size:90%"|US

!style="width:3em; font-size:90%"|US
Gos

!style="width:3em; font-size:90%"|US
R&B

!style="width:3em; font-size:90%"|US
Heat

scope="row"|Free