THE OBSERVATION BOOTH
OP / ED By Andrea Dialect
Cover Photo: Inspirational Gospel Recording Artist: CARDENIA MONROE
When Mocha folks be shoutin’ “You Betta Sang” it means that you can. I have never been one to throw the word “Sang” around loosely; but usually, when listening to a song and even more so for the first time, I immediately kick into critique mode.
With my imaginary spectacles hanging off the nose tip and that fake clipboard and pen in hand, I form my crafty outline forging that yay or nay as gauging the depth of the very first heavenly note or the horribly gruesome last. I am nobody’s groupie let’s make that clear.
But if I were being strong-armed into making a choice, there is one woman that has stood the test of time. This woman is my go-to across the board when it comes to my having been totally impressed by a song or in her case many or when I feel like I want to “sang” as Mocha says.
I know the suspense is killing ya, but that’s your problem – just kidding, “Anita Baker” hands down. When she crones I crone and I’m not talking Karaoke style. I’m talking Grammy stage style and at that time I am her, or at least I think that I am lol.
Logically, there are tons of others that sing impressively well but who has the time? So just for today, I’ll choose just one plus the “Praise.” Cardenia Monroe & “Praise” and the Levites'” You Betta Sang” All boxes checked “Yes” on the clipboard!
DADDY, I WANT TO SING
“Cardenia Monroe is my name. I am the lead singer, the creator of the group, and the producer, and Praise is the background singers, and the Levites are our amazing musicians.
“My first song as a recording artist was gospel. Because of praise and worship, I was in the presence of God, right where I wanted and need to be. I am an Inspirational Gospel Recording Artist because I want my songs to inspire people.
“When I was a little girl around five or six I used to grab anything that could be used as a microphone and sing in front of the mirror. I loved church songs, love songs, wedding songs, and things like that. Stacy Lattisaw’s “Let Me Be Your Angel” was my favorite go-to that I used to sing all the time and looking in the mirror made me feel like I had an audience. That was the beginning of my writing and sharing songs to real ones. Now about the name Cardenia Monroe “Praise” and the Levites …
“I came up with the name “Praise” because I just love joyful things and that’s what and who I wanted singing with me. When I decided to take this thing seriously when in church, I would see a particular person that I thought could be a good fit and I’d say she, can sing, and she has a great personality let me see if she’d like to be part of the group. When looking for “Praise” I’d look at the ladies’ appearance, if they can sing, how they carry themselves, their performance, and how passionate they are. That’s how “Praise” started.
“Those joyful ladies of “Praise” are Vashti Fogle, Vashti is friend/family. Our mothers were good friends. We were in the same church as little girls and she has been with me for around fifteen years. Grace Lavington is “Praise” she and I went to the same church. Grace sang in the choir, she “sang,” and she had that powerful voice so I asked her of course. Ester Edwards is “Praise.” same difference we went to the same church, and she has a beautiful voice and that’s how we got started.
“Then there’s Ayesha Wright, Ayesha was introduced to me by one of my songwriters. She was a great fit and that’s how she became “Praise. She has been with me for about two years. Donna Mortan who is also “Praise” I met thru her husband Rayfield Morton. I informed him that we were looking for another singer Donna was a great fit too and she came on board pretty recently. That is the makings of “Praise!” Throughout the years I have had the pleasure of working with several awesome singers on this journey which I am grateful for.
“The Levites as instruments connect with the vocals and represent Music, Instruments & Praise. These are those musicians… Darian Bravo our bass player. He was introduced by our organ player Maurice; they played in the same band. Maurice Luke is our organ player and friend/family we have known each other for quite some time. He came on board after our meeting up at church one day. I mentioned that I needed an organist because I really love that sound, especially for my slower songs. He accepted the invitation and we’ve been going strong ever since.
“Mo has been with me for about three years and Chee Crafton who I met at my cousin’s church has been with us for about maybe seven. He plays the keyboard. Our drummer is my son Aaron Monroe who also produces. He and Maurice also work together on a lot of music projects.
“My son has always been on board ever since he was young. At the house, we would get together. I’d say Aaron I wrote a song and he’d come and play the keyboard for me. Music was such a love for him it was his joy, so it was never like He was being forced. I bought him a keyboard just to see what he could do with it and when I heard him playing those notes I was like “he got it.” Around that time, he was around 14 or 15. He started off playing the drums when he was about five years old. I got the drum set also to see what he could do with it. He’s our drummer now and he also produces a lot of my music as always. He has been with me for about fifteen years.
“My father William Roy Milton was a musician and a singer so it’s in my blood. I was in my twenties when my father passed. He wasn’t sick or anything, but he passed suddenly. After the incident, he lasted about an hour. During that time, I was so young when my dad died, and I just wanted something to encourage my heart. I couldn’t really or didn’t want to face reality because I was so young, and he was so young. He was 48 years old. Those words started coming to me and they were therapy for me during that time.
“The song is called “BECAUSE OF PRAISE AND WORSHIP” It goes “Because of praise and worship you’re in the presence of God, the place where I long to be; praise and worship, praise and worship, praise and worship, etc.” That was the first song that I ever wrote and recorded, and it was written for him; in honor of my father. I needed something to encourage my heart and those words came to my heart. That’s when I said to myself, “you know what? He is in the presence of God and that helped!
“As a Christian I want my songs to inspire people and to worship God. So far I have recorded five CDs and also have produced videos. The first time I sang in front of a live audience I sang my dad’s song and a song from the first CD. My first song ever recorded in 2001.
“I was very proud of was “PSALMS 100” I released my first Gospel CD myself because it had been well received. All the work that was put into it paid off. When I go into the studio for a recording it is good that it is all done. But you always wonder afterward because I have to get it out there. I have to bring that music to the world; so after creating it just knowing that people are enjoying the music and the lyrics and knowing that it touches them makes me feel really good and proud. That makes it well worth the money and time that I have invested.
“On Saturday, October 15th we honored many of those in leadership in NJ. This all came about because during the last two and half years of the pandemic. We couldn’t get around like we wanted to because we have children. We didn’t travel out of the state, just being wise. During that time God had given me very creative and powerful ways to reach people during that challenging time.
“The Live Concert and Appreciation and Recognition Performance highlighted Leaders and Pastors that allowed us to utilize their churches for various things. Because remember a lot of the doors were closed at that time. But they opened their doors for us to use for rehearsals and different things. It was a difficult time, but we accomplished a lot because of them. They gave us a space and came on our Zoom sessions. Prayed for us and encouraged us. We are grateful for that, and we wanted them to know how much we appreciated their support. These are the types of things that Cardenia Monroe & “Praise & The Levites are all about!
DID YA KNOW THAT…
Cardenia Monroe, Singer/Song Writer/Producer is the creator of Inspiration Gospel Recording Artist: CARDENIA MONROE, “PRAISE & The LEVITES
In 2001 “CARDENIA MONROE & PRAISE” Freshman Contemporary Gospel Jazz Co “GET MY PRAYZE ON” Was released shortly after called to perform on Dr. Albert Lewis gospel Hour Television Production In NJ.
In 2003 a single “COME ON CLAP YOUR HANDS” This song was to encourage the world to keep joy alive.
In, 2007 a Sophomore DC “THANK YOU” was released. Doors widely opened and it was aired on WBLS1190 AM Radio Station NY. The group traveled singing for various events.
In 2018 a Single, “KEEP THE FAITH” Cardenia’s Powerful Testimony. The song was immediately aired on The Audio Lighthouse Club Radio Station of NJ.
In May 2020, Cardenia was inspired to write a pandemic song to encourage the World titled. “ITS GONNA GET BETTER” (Music produced by Aaron Monroe-Mr. Lab Studio) The Single & Video was released on August 30. 2021. In 7 days there were 5K views and massive comments. The pandemic song opened doors for interviews, radio play and magazine issues and continues to touch many lives.
In November 2020, the Group performed a 45-minute “Virtual Live Experience Concert in Perth Amboy, NJ. This concert was a blessing with outstanding viewers.
CARDENIA MONROE & “PRAISE “thank God for keeping and protecting them, which encouraged them to release in June 2021, a Video titled “THANK YOU”.
December 2021, a Christmas song & video titled. “IT’S A HOLIDAY” was released. (Music produced by Aaron Monroe-Mr. Lab Studio)
Most recently on Saturday, October 15, 2022CARDENIA MONROE & “PRAISE” LIVE CONCERT @ Good News Sounds of Pentecost Ministries 455 South 10th Street, Newark NJ.
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