Praiz'

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{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Praiz'

| image = Mikey Way.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Praiz' in 2005

| birth_name = Vance Lee Watt II

| birth_place = Gary, Indiana, U.S.

| alias = V'land, V'leezy, Bro. Vance

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|08|16}}

| origin = St. Louis, Missouri

| death_date =

| website = {{URL|www.iampraiz.com}}

| genre = R&B, Pop, Gospel, Christian Rap, CCM

| occupation = Singer, songwriter, music producer, recording engineer, mixing engineer

| instrument = Vocals, piano, drums, guitar, bass, talkbox

| years_active = 1995–present

| label = 5464 Music, Parking Lot Praiz' Beats, Lighthouse Records, Jericho Records, 5464 Entertainment, W.B.M.S

| associated_acts = {{flatlist|

}}

Vance Lee Watt II (born August 16, 1976), known professionally as Praiz', is an American entertainer, singer-songwriter, record producer, and worship leader.

Early life

Watt was born in Gary, Indiana, and is the youngest of four siblings. After his father died, he moved to St. Louis. He began writing songs at the age of 13 and had taught himself to piano by the age of 16.

Career

=1995–1999 Career beginnings=

Praiz' began his career as a producer, performer, and writer in St. Louis, Missouri. He honed his production and performance skills while touring with his uncle, Sonny Metcalfe, a promoter and manager.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Praiz' performed with several R&B groups before performing as a solo act. In 1999, Praiz' released his first self-produced R&B solo album, Wave Yo Hands. He has since performed in concerts with R&B acts, including Boyz II Men, Ginuwine, Outkast and oldie artists Con Funk Shun and The Dells.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}

=1999–2003: ''Jericho Records''=

Wave Yo Hands became the only R&B album Praiz' officially released. After a serious car accident, he focused on producing and writing for several hip-hop, R&B, gospel and Christian rap artists, including Chingy and Thi'sl.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}} During this time, Praiz' formed Jericho Records with his business partner and mentor, Darren Mack Sr.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}} With Praiz' as the sole producer and writer, they produced for a series of Contemporary Gospel artists, including Young Saint, Holy Child, Psalms and 2 Life 2 Christ compilations. They received several awards for production work, including Praise God Productions' 'Record Company of the Year Award' in 2000.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}} During this period, Praiz' released two self-produced independent contemporary gospel albums: The Race and Preacher's Ball.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

=2004–2011: ''Parking Lot Praiz' Beats''=

In 2004, Praiz' parted ways with his previous recording partners and established his own production company, Parking Lot Praiz' Beats. The following year, he released The Take Over as an independent artist. The album featured singles such as "Deliver Me," "Selah Selah," "Praiz'," and "More Than Conquerors."

Following its release, "Deliver Me" received significant airplay on major R&B and gospel Clear Channel radio stations, becoming the most requested track for several consecutive weeks. The St. Louis American featured a front-page review by editor Chris King, who described the artist as "STL's new prince of Praiz" and remarked, "The devil must be mad as hell."{{Cite news|url=http://www.stlamerican.com/entertainment/living_it/the-nelly-of-gospel/article_7f77a01d-9e37-5357-a016-d0e595a73bfc.html|title=The Nelly of gospel|last=King|first=Chris|date=July 28, 2005|work=St. Louis American|access-date=May 10, 2018}}

Awards

In 2006, Praiz' won 'Best Contemporary Gospel Artist' from the Saint Louis Music Awards, sponsored by KDHX FM 88.1 and Playback STL magazine.{{Cite news|url=http://www.stlamerican.com/religion/local_religion/praiz-live-at-music-awards-and-christian-ferguson-benefit/article_86cbb6c8-c21b-5ead-ad1d-9775713972d9.html|title=Praiz' live at Music Awards and Christian Ferguson benefit|last=King|first=Chris|date=April 27, 2006|work=St. Louis American|access-date=May 11, 2018}}

Praiz has also won 'Best Gospel Artist of 2006.'{{Cite news|url=https://www.riverfronttimes.com/stlouis/BestOf?category=2349229&year=2006|title=Best of St. Louis 2006|work=Riverfront Times|access-date=May 11, 2018}}

Praiz' is included in the 2012 list 'The Best St. Louis Gospel Musicians of All Time.'{{Cite news|url=https://www.stlmag.com/The-Best-St-Louis-Gospel-Musicians-of-All-Time/|title=The Best St. Louis Gospel Musicians of All Time|date=June 1, 2012|access-date=May 11, 2018}}

Style of music

Praiz' has been called the 'Nelly of Gospel.' Reporter Chris King described Praiz' in an article, saying "But where Nelly came up with the club, the grind, and the streets in his verses, Praiz' is all about God and Jesus and the Holy Ghost. What can I say? The Nelly of the gospel is in the house – God's house, that is, but we get to listen, and it sure does sound good."