“REDEMPTION is truly a beautiful thing. In some ways it implies darkness, but more than that, it symbolizes the opposite: the discovery of light and hope, escaping the bondage of your past and using it to ascend to a higher level of oneself.

Over the years, l've been faced with many situations where my only choice was to lean on God.

Instead of leaning on Him, I began to trust in my own will, causing me to grow distant from God, my family, and the person that I was truly meant to be. In this season, I lost myself. I would look in the mirror and not recognize the person that I had become. I was ashamed, disappointed, and embarrassed by how far I had allowed myself to drift from my purpose. Eventually, I reached a point where I told myself enough is enough. All of my trials, all of my struggles, I had to give them all to God.

Since making this declaration, my life has completely been turned around for the better. I now have earned a bachelor's degree, have been able to play all around the world, made significant strides as an artist, and have been able to teach and pour into those around me so that they don't go down the same paths that I have. All of the desires of my heart that I felt like I could never attain, God has bountifully laid them at my feet. To anyone going through anything right now, I want you to know that it won't be like this forever: Put your trust in God and watch just how quickly things change.

This album, REDEMPTION, is my way of displaying the emotions that I felt during my season of once being lost and then being found again through God's love. As you listen, I pray that you feel inspired to live another day and to keep pressing onwards and upwards.”

-Joshua Watkins