Crystal Renee Aikin (born September 21, 1974) is an American gospel singer-songwriter from Tacoma, Washington, and the winner of the first season of Sunday Best. Her eponymous debut album was released on January 13, 2009, through Verity Records.
Biography Early life and career Aikin grew up in Tacoma, Washington. From childhood, she attended Altheimer Memorial Church of God in Christ, where she sang in the Sunshine Band. During her teen and young adult years, she sang on the Praise and Worship team while performed as a singer in the Tacoma–Seattle area. During this time, Aikin also obtained a Bachelor's degree in Biology and Psychology.
While a teenager, Aikin was part of a local group called Heaven Sent Us. In the late 1990s, Aikin joined a local singing group called Soul (Hendrix/Trinity Records). The group performed outside the Tacoma area, including at the Gospel Music Workshop of America.
After leaving Soul, Aikin continued singing in the Tacoma area. In 2005, she enrolled at Pacific Lutheran University and obtained a nursing degree. Aikin's mother, a registered nurse also, is a Professor of Nursing at the university. After that, she started working as an emergency room nurse.
Sunday Best
In 2007, Aikin auditioned for the reality television contest, Sunday Best, a gospel singing competition series. After being chosen to participate, Aikin went to Los Angeles. She won the competition and received a recording contract with Zomba Gospel Music (now Verity Gospel Music Group). She also won a 2008 Toyota Camry.Crystal Aikin Named BET's Sunday Best on Dallas Gospel Connection
Performances/results Week #Song choiceOriginal artistOrder #Result3"Alabaster Box"CeCe WinansN/AAdvanced4"Running Back to You"CommissionedN/AAdvanced5 "What's Going On" Marvin GayeN/AAdvanced6 "Shackles" Mary MaryN/AAdvanced7 "Optimistic" Sounds Of BlacknessN/AAdvanced8 "Higher Ground" Stevie WonderN/AAdvanced 9 Winner
Post Sunday Best career
After signing with Verity, Aikin released her eponymous debut album on March 17, 2009. The album featured producer contributions from PAJAM, Dre & Vidal, Gerald Haddon, Derek Clark, and Asaph Ward, among others.Biography at BlackGospel.com
In 2010, she was nominated for a GMA Dove Award for New Artist of the Year at the 41st GMA Dove Awards.
Discography Albums Year Album details Peak Certifications(sales threshold) US Gospel 2009 Crystal Aikin Released: January 13, 2009 Label: Verity Records Format: CD 127 3 2012 Silent Night Released: October 2012 Label: Verity Records Format: CD — — 2015 All I Need Released: 2015 Label: RCA Records Format: CD — 8 "—" denotes releases that did not chart
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Result 2010 Stellar Awards New Artist of the Year Award 2010 GMA Dove Awards New Artist of the Year
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