Singers
    

Some of Detroit's finest artists have sung the "Light Up Detroit" theme song on stage, television, radio, or in the studio. Featured here are some of the recent stars who have served as ambassadors for the "Light Up Detroit" campaign.

 

Ayla Stackhouse Ayla is the current recorded voice for the "Light Up Detroit" theme song. She has appeared on American Idol, Disney's "U Rock" and Broadway. She won Best Singer at The Omni Awards and Best Actress at The Jerry  Herman Awards. She has also written and recorded several songs. Ayla is a trained Operatic singer.

 

Angela Davis Angela is the winner of the WDIV-TV "Super Singer" contest that was broadcast live to over 400,000 viewers as part of the Ford Fireworks Show. Angela has opened for The Temptations and The Beach Boys at Freedom Hill and can be heard singing every week at Baker's Keyboard Lounge.

 

Detroit Youth Choir The Detroit Youth Choir is comprised of over 40 student voices from ages 6 to 16 drawn from the entire Metro-Detroit area. They are particularly known for their rich 3-part harmonies. They have appeared throughout the city and all across the country. They are the official Youth Ambassadors for the "Light Up Detroit" song.

 

Thornetta Davis Thornetta is known as Detroit's "Funky Rockin' Blues Diva". She is an Inductee into the Detroit Music Hall of Fame and recipient of over 20 Detroit Music Awards honors. She has opened for legends like Ray Charles, Etta James, Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson, and Bonnie Raitt and has performed a duet with Kid Rock.

 

Kiko Hardison Kiko is the lead singer for the Larry Lee and the Back in the Day Band" and a national tour singer for K'Jon. She has opened for Charlie Wilson and performed in the stage play, "My Brother Marvin", about the life of Marvin Gaye. Kiko was nominated for the DBMA "Female R&B Vocalist of the Year" for 2013.

 

GWEN FOXX Gwen is the former vocal director and background singer for Mary J. Blige's "Share My World Tour" and has performed for music greats like Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross, KEM, Marion Meadows, and Brian McKnight. She is a DBMA award winner and considered to be one of Detroit's most renowned vocalists.

 

K'Jon K'Jon's smash hit, "Ocean", was ranked #1 on the Urban Adult Contemporary Radio charts and and has reached classic status. His album, "I Get Around", reached #1 on the R&B charts. His song, "Miami", appeared in the movie, "2 Fast 2 Furious".

Heartfelt thanks to the following singers who have been a part of stage performances or studio recordings:
 

Song Introduction: Laurie Wilson

Lead Singers: Jennifer Sheffield, Yvette Meadows, The DMK Girls, Beth Griffith, Tasha Page
Background Singers: Laurie Wilson, Dodi, Tracey Triplett, Nicole Cain
Demo Singers: Kymberli Wright, Dal Bouey, LaBritney D'Angela

Choir Singers: The Citadel of Praise Gospel Choir, The Detroit School of Arts Lady Achievers Choir

Student Singers: Vicha'e Nance, Tiara Hall, Redi Shorter, Calvin Lyons

Vocal Advisors: Curtiss Boone, Gwen Foxx, Connie Malabed, Laurie Wilson