John P. Kee

John Prince Kee (born June 4, 1962) is an American gospel singer and pastor.

Kee has been active for more than 35 years in the music field. He is primarily known for mixing traditional gospel with modern contemporary gospel, and for having a soulful, husky voice. Kee is also known as "The Prince of Gospel Music".

In 2024, Kee fell seriously ill from an undisclosed illness that rendered him unavailable for a short period.

Early life and education

John P. Kee was born on June 4, 1962, in Durham, North Carolina. At an early age, he began developing his musical talent both instrumentally and vocally. He attended the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. At age 14, he and his brothers, Wayne and Al, moved to California. There, he began attending the Yuba College Conservatory School of Music in Marysville, California. During this time, he began playing with various groups such as Cameo, Donald Byrd and the Blackbyrds.

Due to having a hard time adjusting in California, he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina (only to find himself living in a part of the city known for its violence and drug activities). After watching one of his friends being murdered in a drug deal gone bad, he rededicated his life to God during a visitation to a revival meeting.

Music career

In the mid-1980s, Kee formed a community choir in Charlotte known as the New Life Community Choir or "NLCC". Over time, the choir grew in popularity and has continued to travel throughout the area. The choir also included Kee's own children.
 

In 1990, Kee founded the Victory in Praise Music and Arts Seminar Mass Choir, or "V.I.P." to fellowship with various ministries, songwriters, musicians and choir directors from all over the country.
 

In 2007, Kee was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame.
 

In 2025, Kee received the BMI Trailblazer of Gospel Music Award.