It’s easy to see that DJ Allen & Righteous represent the new generation of Gospel quartets—but spend just a few minutes with them, and you’ll quickly realize they’re also carrying something much deeper: legacy. The young, family-based group, ranging in age from 13 to 20, is already making waves and earning recognition, including a nomination for a Quartet Music Award (QMA) for Emerging Artist of the Year. In addition to leading the group, DJ released his debut single, “The Good News of God,” last year.
Rooted in tradition yet driven by youthful passion, their sound reflects the influence of gospel greats while carving out a path of their own. Positively Gospel recently sat down with twenty-year-old lead singer Dionne “DJ” Allen to talk about his early start in quartet music, the impact of his late uncle, Bishop Kenneth Robinson, and the message he hopes to share through song. Joining the conversation was his “momager,” Tanisha Shumpert, offering insight into the heart behind the music and the journey ahead.
Q. Thanks for speaking with me, Dionne, and congratulations on the nomination! How did you get your start in quartet music?
DJ Allen: Every way they would go, they used to carry me around, so I started at the age of 7, and then it just goes on from there.
Q. Wow! There are many genres in gospel music, what led you to quartet?
DJ Allen: My family on both sides, my mom and my dad.
Q. What message do you want your music to deliver to listeners?
DJ Allen: I want to let the people know you can be young or old, it doesn’t matter. Just stay with God, you know that He’s your rock.
Q. As a quartet artist, do you think there are any unique challenges that quartet groups face today?
DJ Allen: Yeah, it’s several groups that are just going through it, and I’m just praying for them, you know.
Q. What would you say those challenges are?
DJ Allen: Stereotypes.
Q. Let’s talk more about that. Your mom, Tanisha Shumpert is also here with you. When you say quartet groups are stereotyped, what do you mean? And mom, please feel free to join in.
Tanisha Shumpert: I would say, you know, just looking at the outward appearance and not really knowing someone’s heart. DJ really started this early on, and a lot of times, you know, people think that being young, they’re not able to really have a heart for God or know what they’re singing about. DJ, he’s a very humble kid, and then you know he has a heart for God. He really loves God, where he’s not doing it for any type of competition. He just loves to do it. He grew up on Willie Neal Johnson, Lee Williams, and the Spiritual QCs because you know we all grew up in there, and he started it very young.
Q. Starting at seven, that’s about 13 years in the genre. Has there been a memorable performance or moment along your journey that stands out?
DJ Allen: Oh, yes, just staying with my uncle (the late Bishop Kenneth Robinson), we were at a lot of showcases and the GMWA. I think that’s enough, but I don’t remember some of the showcases that my uncle and I used to be on.
Q. You have my condolences. What are some of the lessons that will stay with you from Bishop Robinson?
DJ Allen: To just stay focused and just stay yourself.
Q. How do you choose the songs you decide to sing?
DJ Allen: My cousin and me, we just sit around and look at the songs together.
Tanisha Shumpert: That’s my nephew. His name is Kejuan Shumpert; he’s actually the son of my brother Leonard Shumpert. He sung with Lee Williams and the Spiritual QCs. He’s the musical director for the group. He wrote all the songs that we’ve sung actually. He wrote My Rocks and then we’ll get ready to actually release some new music and he wrote those as well.
Q. As an emerging artist, that title carries weight. What responsibility do you feel comes with it as you continue your journey?
DJ Allen: I think it means that it’s definitely something that I wanna keep doing this.
Q. What do you think the future holds for you, what’s next?
DJ Allen: There’s new music from me and new performances, so hopefully you know we follow in the footsteps of our family, you know Bishop Kenneth Robinson and chosen as well as Lee Williams and the Spiritual QCs. We just actually over the weekend performed one of their older songs over the weekend, and that was led by one of the original members, who really needed on the song is called “Call Him” so we were able to pay tribute to them at one of our shows over the past weekend. Hopefully, we will follow in the footsteps of the legacy that’s been placed before us.
Q. You started at seven, so you’ve had a 13-year career in quartet music. What keeps you committed to this genre?
DJ Allen: It’s just something I love to do. This is just wonderful.
Q. Do you have any upcoming tour dates?
Tanisha Shumpert: We’ll be at the stellar week, we should be performing a lot there. That will also be the week of DJ’s birthday. He’ll be turning 21, so it’s a very exciting week for us. We’ll be down in South Mississippi this coming weekend, and we’ll be in the Carolinas coming up. We have a lot of big dates coming up.
Q. How can readers connect with you?
DJ Allen: My Facebook is Dionne Allen On Instagram it’s djandrighteous. Our group’s Facebook page is DJ Allen & Righteous
Thank you, Dionne. It’s really been great talking with you, Dionne, and your “momager.”
EvoWorld is set to release new music from DJ Allen & Righteous later this year, signaling that this rising group is only getting started. With a growing list of tour dates and a highly anticipated appearance during Stellar Awards week in August, audiences across the country will have multiple opportunities to experience their music firsthand.
Blending youthful energy with a deep-rooted gospel heritage, DJ Allen & Righteous are proving that quartet music is not only alive, but evolving. Whether on stage or through their upcoming releases, one thing is clear: this is a group committed to honoring the past while inspiring the future. DJ Allen would have it no other way.
Enjoyed the article, great interview