{{Short description|American gospel singer}} {{Infobox musical artist | image = | caption = | birth_name = Damon Little | birth_date = | birth_place = Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | genre = {{hlist|Gospel|Inspirational|R&B|worship }} | occupation = Singer, composer, musician, producer | years_active = 1990–present | label = {{hlist|Little World Music|Little Fats Music}} | associated_acts = | spouse = | website = {{URL|DamonLittleWorld.com}} }}
'''Damon Little''' is an American singer, songwriter, producer, record label executive, and national spokesperson for the UOAA (United Ostomy Association of America).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wmbm.com/2021/10/31/music-video-premiere-damon-littles-billboard-gospel-airplay-top-5-song-stand-up/|title=Music Video Premiere: Damon Little's Billboard Gospel Airplay Top 5 Song, "Stand Up"|publisher=WMBM|date=October 22, 2021|accessdate=November 1, 2024}}</ref><ref name="UOAA"/> In 2021, his single, "Stand Up" charted at #1 on Billboard's Hot Gospel Songs chart, and subsequent single "No Stressin" (featuring Angie Stone) reached #1 on the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart in 2024.<ref name ="Billboard Charts"/> He has performed on BET and has shared the stage with Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Hezekiah Walker, Mary J. Blige, and Dionne Warwick, among others.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ugospel.com/dottie-peoples-performs-on-bets-bobby-jones-gospel-w-damon-little-trey-howard-and-more/|title=DOTTIE PEOPLES PERFORMS ON BET’S "BOBBY JONES GOSPEL" W/ DAMON LITTLE, TREY HOWARD AND MORE|publisher=U Gospel|date=February 23, 2015|accessdate=September 16, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Billboard article">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2024-urban-one-honors-honorees-dionne-warwick-chloe-bailey-1235574595/|title=Dionne Warwick, Mary J. Blige, Chloé Bailey & More to Be Saluted at 2024 Urban One Honors by Paul Grein|publisher=Billboard|date=January 9, 2024|accessdate=September 16, 2024}}</ref>
==Early life== Damon Little was born in Baltimore, Maryland and spent part of his childhood in Pensacola, Florida. His first studio recording was with his uncle, Clarence Fountain, a founding member of the band The Blind Boys of Alabama.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hot105fm.com/news/assignment-spotlight-artist-damon-little/FRPNRYU6EZHQFAWQ3XHJ2QRW54/|title="On Assignment-Spotlight Artist: Damon Little" by Missey Bailey|publisher=Hot 105 FM|date=December 17, 2023|accessdate=September 16, 2024}}</ref> Little suffered from Ostomy for most of his youth until a reversal at age thirteen and is now a national spokesperson for UOAA (United Ostomy Associations of America).<ref name="UOAA">{{cite web|url=https://www.ostomy.org/damonlittle/|title= Singer's Ostomy Past Leads Him to Partner with UOAA|publisher=Billboard|date=July 30, 2016|accessdate=September 16, 2024}}</ref>
==Career== Little began writing music and performing as, "Damon Little and the Sons of Power," in 1990.<ref>""Concert to benefit Holly Center" ''The Daily Times,'' Page 8, November 17, 1990</ref> They released one album titled, "I've Been Changed." In 2001, Little released an album as a featured artist with Nu Beginning titled, "You Can't Straddle the Fence," whose title track was included on the compilation album, "Spirit Rising Vol. 1", which included Destiny's Child and Deniece Williams, among others.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Rising-Worship-Various-Artists/dp/B00008J2Q2|title=Spirit Rising Vol. 1|publisher=Amazon Music|date=|accessdate=September 16, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/mx/album/you-cant-straddle-the-fence/251730380?l=en-GB|title=You Can't Straddle the Fence - Nu Beginning featuring Damon Little|publisher=Apple|date=July 23, 2001|accessdate=September 16, 2024}}</ref><ref>"Spirit Rising Vol. 1" ''The Charlotte Observer,'' Page 58, October 27, 2003</ref>
In 2002, Little wrote and produced the song, "I May Not Can See" on the Blind Boys of Alabama's, "Higher Ground," album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ugospel.com/damon-little-to-premiere-music-video-for-billboard-top-25-hit-song-stand-up/|title=DAMON LITTLE TO PREMIERE MUSIC VIDEO FOR BILLBOARD TOP 25 HIT SONG "STAND UP"|publisher=U Gospel|date=May 27, 2021|accessdate=September 16, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/31104911-The-Blind-Boys-Of-Alabama-Higher-Ground|title= The Blind Boys Of Alabama – Higher Ground|publisher=Discogs|date=May 2, 2024|accessdate=September 16, 2024}}</ref> In 2003, NU BEGINNING (featuring Little) released the album, "Do Right," whose title track charted at #7 on Billboard's Hot Gospel Songs chart in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Right-Beginning-Featuring-Damon-Little/dp/B00022LISE|title= Album "Do Right" with NU BEGINNINGS|publisher=Amazon|date=|accessdate=September 16, 2024}}</ref><ref name ="Billboard Charts"/>
In 2008, he performed on Radio One's, "One Love Gospel Cruise", with Patti LaBelle, Kirk Franklin, and Hezekiah Walker, among others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://detroitgospel.com/march-3-8th-2008/|title= 2008 Radio One - One Love Gospel Cruise|publisher=Detroit Gospel|date=|accessdate=September 16, 2024}}</ref> He has also shared the stage with artists such as Mary J. Blige, Dionne Warwick, Blondie, and Lisa Page Brooks.<ref name="Billboard article"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jambase.com/festival/annapolis-songwriters-festival-2023 |title= BMI Annapolis Songwriter's Festival|publisher=Jambase|date=|accessdate=September 16, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blackamericaweb.com/playlist/kirk-franklin-tom-joyner-fantastic-voyage/|title= Kirk Franklin and More Hit the Stage at the Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage|publisher=Black America Web|date=May 2, 2024|accessdate=September 16, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Meku6Sv_vT4|title= Stone Soul Picnic 2010- Gospel Recap|publisher=Radio One Baltimore|date=August 16, 2010|accessdate=November 2, 2024}}</ref>
In 2023, he won a BMI "Trailblazer of Gospel Music Award" for "Stand Up" being of the one most performed songs on digital streaming services in 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bmi.com/award-shows/trailblazers-2023/|title=BMI Trailblazer of Gospel Music Awards|publisher=BMI|date=|accessdate=September 16, 2024}}</ref> In 2024, Little was ranked at #8 on Billboard's Top 10 Gospel Songwriters in 2024.<ref name="Top Billboard Songwriters">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/gospel-songwriters/2024-03-09/|title= Billboard's Top Gospel Songwriters |publisher=Billboard|date=March 9, 2024|accessdate=October 24, 2024}}</ref>
==Discography== {| class="wikitable |- ! rowspan="2"|Year ! width="250" rowspan="2"|Work |- ! width="36"|Hot Gospel Songs ! width="36"|Gospel Airplay ! width="20"|Ref |- |rowspan="1"| 2005 | "Do Right" | align="center"|7 | align="center"| |<ref name ="Billboard Charts">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/maverick-city-music-promises-tops-christian-airplay-chart-1235013757/|title= Maverick City Music Tops Christian Airplay, Damon Little Leads Gospel Airplay Chart by Jim Asker|publisher=Billboard|date=December 22, 2021|accessdate=September 16, 2024}}</ref> |- |rowspan="1"| 2015 | "Because of You" | align="center"|9 | align="center"| |<ref name ="Billboard Charts"/> |- |rowspan="1"| 2017 | "I Won't Be Defeated" | align="center"|2 | align="center"| |<ref name="Billboard 2"/> |- |rowspan="1"| 2019 | "Be Alright" | align="center"| | align="center"|15 |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/gospel-airplay/2019-07-20/|title= Billboard Gospel Airplay|publisher=Billboard Gospel Airplay|date=July 20, 2019|accessdate=September 16, 2024}}</ref> |- |rowspan="1"| 2021 | "Stand Up" | align="center"|1 | align="center"| |<ref name="Billboard 2"/> |- |rowspan="1"| 2024 | "No Stressing" (featuring Angie Stone) | align="center"| | align="center"|1 |<ref name="Billboard 2">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/cody-carnes-firm-foundation-number-1-christian-ac-airplay-chart/|title=Cody Carnes Scores His First Christian AC Airplay No. 1 With ‘Firm Foundation’ - Plus, Damon Little's "No Stressing," featuring Angie Stone, leads Gospel Airplay by Jim Asker|publisher=Billboard 2|date=|accessdate=September 16, 2024}}</ref> |- |}
==Personal life==
Little suffered from Ostomy for most of his youth until a reversal at age thirteen. He is now a national spokesperson for UOAA (United Ostomy Associations of America).<ref name="UOAA" /> In 2013, he underwent open heart bypass surgery.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://praiserichmond.com/759650/damon-little-celebrates-his-birthday-after-successful-open-heart-surgery/|title= Damon Little Celebrates His Birthday After Successful Open Heart Surgery!|publisher=Praise Richmond|date=April 30, 2013|accessdate=September 16, 2024}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Little, Damon}} Category:American gospel singers Category:Christian music Category:American record producers Category:American songwriters Category:American male songwriters Category:African-American singers Category:Living people Category:Year of birth missing (living people)