Feature Artist of The Week

Briana “Bri” Babineaux

Briana “Bri” Babineaux who goes by the stage name Bri, is an American urban contemporary gospel artist and musician.

Born in Hawaii and bred in Lafayette, LA, Babineaux has always been connected to music. As a child, Babineaux was surrounded by singers and musicians. Babineaux’s mom was a singer, her grandfather played the bass, and many of her family members were musicians. Babineaux has been groomed in music ministry and always had an affinity for singing. Babineaux is the daughter of ministry leaders. Her dad and mom pastor at Life Change Ministries in Lafayette, LA. Babineaux fondly remembers singing in the children’s choir at 4 years old and remained involved in music ministry throughout her formative years. She continued to cultivate her relationship with God and her musical chops but began to take an interest in sports. Babineaux describes her memories with singing growing up this way, “I enjoyed singing, but I never planned to become a professional singer.” During her high school years, she excelled in basketball and volleyball, eventually earning a track scholarship to McNeese State University. She studied criminal justice with her sights set on becoming a lawyer until a pivotal moment occurred that changed the course of her life.

In the fall of 2014, a moment of destiny unfolded when a video of Babineaux singing Tonex’s “Make Me Over was uploaded to YouTube and within hours, her riveting cover had gone viral. Babineaux describes the experience this way, “I guess I was releasing all of my emotions out through the song”. This destiny moment sparked the beginning of a movement and #Brination was birthed. Babineaux began to cover a variety of songs on social media and with each new video, her fan base increased. Babineaux caught the eye of top R&B producers that were interested in signing her to a major label deal, but Babineaux was determined to sing for God. In 2015, Babineaux signed to Tyscot Records and embarked on a new journey as a solo Gospel artist. In 2018, Babineaux met and married her husband, Keeslon Fontenot

Babineaux has experienced amazing success since her debut album. Babineaux won two Stellar Gospel Music Awards for New Artist of The Year, and Contemporary Worship Album of The Year. She has received critical acclaim and is viewed as an artist to watch. In 2019, Babineaux took another brand-defining step and joined the Agency 22 management team, as well as The Icho Group. Babineaux’s current album, The Encounter, embodies worship experiences where believers intimately encounter God. Babineaux describes it this way, “I pray that this music is life-changing, that people understand and desire encounters with God, and that they believe that when they encounter Jesus everything changes for the better”. At her core, Babineaux is a worshipper. Babineaux collaborated with noted Gospel artist Todd Dulaney on her lead single, “Baptize Us Again”. It’s all about renewal, refreshing, and reigniting one’s passion for God. (via iambribabineaux.com)