Natasha Tameika Cobbs Leonard (born July 7, 1981), better known by her stage name Tasha Cobbs Leonard, is an American gospel musician and songwriter. She released the extended play Grace in 2013 with the hit lead single "Break Every Chain". The EP reached No. 61 on the Billboard charts.[clarification needed] Her biggest hit song was "Break Every Chain".[1]
Cobbs Leonard has won various awards during her music career, including 3 Billboard Music Awards, 12 Dove Awards, 3 Grammy Awards, and 16 Stellar Awards.[2]
Natasha Tameika Cobbs[3] was born on July 7, 1981, in Jesup, Georgia,[4][5] to Bishop Fritz Cobbs (1954–2014) and Pastor Bertha Cobbs.[6][7] She started leading worship at Jesup New Life Ministries, founded by her father.[2]
In 2016, Cobbs Leonard revealed that she had been diagnosed with depression in 2007.[8]
On March 3, 2017, in a private ceremony attended by family and friends, she married Kenneth Leonard, a music producer and her longtime love. Leonard brought into the marriage three children, Alanaa, Nehemiah, and Symphony. [9][10] In July 2021, they adopted a son, Asher.[11]
In 2006, she moved to Atlanta and became a charter member of the dReam Center Church of Atlanta under the leadership of Bishop William Murphy.[12] She was ordained as an Elder and led praise & worship and managing the Worship and Arts department until 2020.[2] In 2018, she appeared as herself in the film Sinners Wanted.[13]
In 2020, Cobbs-Leonard and her husband, Kenneth Leonard, founded The Purpose Place Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina,[14] where they co-pastor. Bishop William Murphy continues to serve as Cobb-Leonard's spiritual father and mentor.
She started her solo music career in 2010 with the independently self-released album Smile.[5] The album got the attention of EMI Gospel (now Motown Gospel), and they released her EP, Grace, on February 5, 2013. This was listed on two Billboard charts: the Billboard 200 at No. 61, and at No. 2 on the Top Gospel Albums chart.[15] The EP later reached No. 1 on the Top Gospel Albums chart.[15] The singles "Break Every Chain" and "For Your Glory" also reached No. 1 on the Hot Gospel Songs charts.[15] At the 56th Annual Grammy Awards in 2014, Tasha Cobbs took home Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance, winning her first Grammy. Cobbs also won Gospel Performance of the Year, Contemporary Gospel/Urban Song (and Album) Of The Year at the 44th GMA Dove Awards. In 2015, Cobbs was awarded the Gospel Artist of the Year, at the 46th GMA Dove Awards.[16]
| Title | Project details | Peak chart positions[15] | Certifications | Sales | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [17] |
US Gospel [18] |
UK C&G [19] | ||||||||||||
| Smile |
|
— | 23 | — | ||||||||||
| Grace |
|
61 | 1 | — |
|
| ||||||||
| Heart. Passion. Pursuit. |
|
35 | 1 | 19 | ||||||||||
| Hymns |
|
— | 3 | — | ||||||||||
| Tasha |
|
—[A] | 1 | — | ||||||||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory | ||||||||||||||
| Title | Project details | Peak chart positions[15] | Sales | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [17] |
US Gospel [18] |
UK C&G [19] | ||||||||||||
| One Place: Live |
|
28 | 1 | — |
| |||||||||
| Heart. Passion. Pursuit.: Live at Passion City Church |
|
— | 1 | — | ||||||||||
| Smile (Reissued Live) |
|
— | — | — | ||||||||||
| Royalty (Live at the Ryman) |
|
— | 1 | — | ||||||||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory | ||||||||||||||
| Title | Project details | Peak chart positions[15] | Sales | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [17] |
US Gospel [18] |
UK C&G [19] | ||||||||||||
| 10 Years of Tasha |
|
— | 10 | 9 | ||||||||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory | ||||||||||||||
| Title | Year | Peak chart Positions | Certifications | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Gospel [23] |
US Adult R&B [24] | ||||
| "Break Every Chain" | 2012 | 1 | 29 |
|
Grace |
| "For Your Glory" | 1 | — |
| ||
| "O Come All Ye Faithful" | 21 | — | Motown Christmas | ||
| "Fill Me Up" | 2015 | 25 | — |
|
One Place |
| "Overflow" | 16 | — | |||
| "Jesus Saves" | 10 | — | |||
| "Put a Praise on It" (featuring Kierra Sheard) |
2 | — |
| ||
| "Great God" | 2017 | 13 | — | Heart. Passion. Pursuit. | |
| "I'm Getting Ready" (featuring Nicki Minaj) |
1 | — | |||
| "Your Spirit" | 2018 | — | — |
|
Non-album single |
| "This Is a Move" | 2019 | 4 | — | Non-album single | |
| "O Holy Night" | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| "In Spite Of Me" (featuring Ciara) |
2020 | 7 | — | Royalty (Live at the Ryman) | |
| "Lift Every Voice and Sing" | 2021 | — | — | Non-album single | |
| "Gotta Believe" | 13 | — | Non-album single | ||
| "The Moment" | 2022 | 11 | — | Hymns (Live) | |
| Title | Year | Peak chart Positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Gospel [23] |
US Christ [25] |
US Adult R&B [24] | |||
| "My World Needs You" (Kirk Franklin featuring Sarah Reeves, Tasha Cobbs and Tamela Mann) |
2015 | 4 | — | — | Losing My Religion |
| "Gracefully Broken" (Matt Redman featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard) |
2017 | — | 18 | — | Glory Song |
| "Together (We'll Get Through This)" (Steven Curtis Chapman featuring Brad Paisley, Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Lauren Alaina) |
2020 | — | 36 | — | — |
| "Something Has To Break" (Kierra Sheard featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard) |
2022 | 5 | — | — | Kierra |
| "What He's Done" (Passion featuring Kristian Stanfill, Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Anna Golden) |
12 | 34 | — | Burn Bright | |
| "Your Power" (Lecrae featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard) |
2023 | 8 | 27 | — | — |
| "More Than Able" (Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard) |
8 | 23 | — | — | |
| "In the Room" (Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard) |
2 | 11 | — | — | |
| "You Carried Me" (Jekalyn Carr featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Blanca) |
2024 | 25 | — | — | JEKALYN |
| Title | Year | Peak chart Positions | Certifications | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Bubb. [26] |
US Gospel [23] |
US Adult R&B [24] | ||||
| "We Give You Glory" (James Fortune & FIYA featuring Tasha Cobbs) |
2014 | — | 18 | — | Live Through It | |
| "Gracefully Broken" | 2017 | — | 16 | — |
|
Heart. Passion. Pursuit. |
| "Here As in Heaven" (Elevation Collective featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard) |
2018 | — | 22 | — | Evidence | |
| "You Know My Name " | — | 2 | — |
|
Heart. Passion. Pursuit.: Live at Passion City Church | |
| "Blessings" (Nicki Minaj featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard) |
2023 | 22 | 1 | — | Pink Friday 2 | |
| "Burdens Down" | 2024 | — | 25 | — | Hymns (Live) | |
| Song | Year | Artist | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Little Chicago Boy" | 2016 | Common | Black America Again |
| "My World Needs You" (featuring Sarah Reeves, Tasha Cobbs and Tamela Mann) |
2016 | Kirk Franklin | Losing My Religion |
| "Jesus Is Willing" | 2017 | Kristene DiMarco | Where His Light Was |
| "Rattle!" | 2020 | Brandon Lake | House of Miracles |
| "Blessings" | 2023 | Nicki Minaj | Pink Friday 2 |
| Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Favorite Artist – Gospel | Herself | Nominated |
| Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017[27] | Award Winning Gospel Songs | "Put a Praise on it" | Won |
| 2019[28] | "I'm Getting Ready" | Won | |
| 2020[29] | "You Know My Name" | Won | |
| 2022[30] | "In Spite of Me" | Won | |
| "Jehovah Jireh" | Won |
| Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Best Gospel Artist | Herself | Nominated |
| 2017 | Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award | "My World Needs You" (Kirk Franklin featuring Sarah Reeves, Tasha Cobbs & Tamela Mann) | Nominated |
| 2018 | "I'm Getting Ready" (featuring Nicki Minaj) | Nominated |
| Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Top Gospel Artist | Herself | Nominated |
| Top Gospel Album | One Place Live | Nominated | |
| 2017 | Nominated | ||
| Top Gospel Song | "Put a Praise On It" (featuring Kierra Sheard) |
Nominated | |
| 2018 | Top Gospel Album | Heart. Passion. Pursuit. | Won |
| Top Gospel Artist | Herself | Won | |
| 2019 | Won | ||
| 2020 | Nominated | ||
| 2021 | Nominated |
| Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Song of the Year | "Break Every Chain" | Nominated |
| Gospel Performance of the Year | Won | ||
| Contemporary Gospel/Urban Recorded Song of the Year | Won | ||
| Contemporary Gospel/Urban Album of the Year | Grace | Won | |
| New Artist of the Year | Herself | Nominated | |
| 2015 | Gospel Artist of the Year | Won | |
| 2016 | Nominated | ||
| Urban Worship Recorded Song of the Year | "Fill Me Up" | Nominated | |
| Urban Worship Album of the Year | One Place Live | Nominated | |
| Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "Put a Praise On It" | Nominated | |
| 2017 | Gospel Artist of the Year | Herself | Nominated |
| 2018 | Won | ||
| Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Urban Worship Recorded Song of the Year | "The Name Of Our God" | Nominated | |
| Urban Worship Album of the Year | Heart. Passion. Pursuit. | Won | |
| 2019 | Gospel Artist of the Year | Herself | Nominated |
| Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year | "This Is A Move (Live)" | Won | |
| Gospel Worship Album of the Year | Heart. Passion. Pursuit. (Live) | Won | |
| Settle Here (credited as producer) |
Nominated | ||
| 2020 | Gospel Artist of the Year | Herself | Won |
| Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year | "Something Has To Break (Live)" (Kierra Sheard featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard) |
Won | |
| 2021 | Gospel Artist of the Year | Herself | Nominated |
| 2022 | Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "Gotta Believe" | Won |
| Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year | "Life Every Voice and Sing" | Nominated | |
| 2023 | Hymns (Live) | Won | |
| Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "It Is Well" | Won | |
| Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year | "The Moment (Live)" | Nominated | |
| 2024 | Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "Burdens Down (Live)" | Nominated |
| 2025 | Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "In The Room (Afro Beat Version)" (as songwriter for Maverick City Music and Annatoria) | Pending |
| Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year | "One Hallelujah" | Pending |
| Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance | "Break Every Chain (Live)" | Won |
| Best Gospel Album | Grace | Nominated | |
| 2016 | One Place Live | Nominated | |
| 2020 | Best Gospel Performance/Song | "This Is a Move (Live)" | Nominated |
| 2022 | Best Gospel Album | Royalty: Live At The Ryman | Nominated |
| 2024 | Hymns (Live) | Nominated | |
| Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song | "Your Power" | Won | |
| 2025 | "In The Room" | Nominated | |
| Best Gospel Performance/Song | "One Hallelujah" | Won |
| Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Outstanding Gospel Album – Traditional or Contemporary | Heart. Passion. Pursuit. | Nominated |
| 2019 | Heart. Passion. Pursuit. Live at Passion City Church | Nominated |
| Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Best Gospel/Inspirational Song | "Break Every Chain" | Nominated |
| 2019 | Best Gospel/Inspirational Award | Herself | Nominated |
| 2021 | Nominated |
| Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Contemporary CD of the Year | Grace | Won |
| Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year | Won | ||
| New Artist of the Year | Won | ||
| Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| CD of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Contemporary Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2015 | Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year | One Place Live | Won |
| Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year | Won | ||
| Praise & Worship CD of the Year | Won | ||
| Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| CD of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Contemporary CD of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2018 | Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year | Heart. Passion. Pursuit. | Won |
| Contemporary CD of the Year | Won | ||
| Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year | Won | ||
| Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| CD of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Praise & Worship CD of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year | "I'm Getting Ready" (featuring Nicki Minaj) | Nominated | |
| 2019 | Song of the Year | "You Know My Name (Live)" (with Brenton Brown) | Nominated |
| 2020 | Artist of the Year | Heart. Passion. Pursuit. (Live at Passion City Church) | Won |
| Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year | Won | ||
| Album of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2021 | Song of the Year | "Something Has to Break (Live)" (with Kierra Sheard) | Won |
| Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year | Royalty: Live at the Ryman | Won | |
| Contemporary Female Artist of the Year | Won | ||
| Praise & Worship Album of the Year | Won | ||
| 2023 | Hymns | Won | |
| Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Contemporary Female Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Praise & Worship Song of the Year | "The Moment" | Nominated |
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