Tasha Cobbs Leonard

Natasha Tameika Cobbs Leonard (born July 7, 1981), better known by her stage name Tasha Cobbs Leonard, is an American gospel musician and songwriter. She released the extended play Grace in 2013 with the hit lead single "Break Every Chain". The EP reached No. 61 on the Billboard charts.^{[clarification needed]} Her biggest hit song was "Break Every Chain".^[1]

Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Birth name	Natasha Tameika Cobbs
Also known as	Tasha Cobbs-Leonard, Pastor Tasha C. Leonard
Born	(1981-07-07) July 7, 1981 (age 44) Jesup, Georgia, U.S.
Origin	Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Genres	CCM, urban contemporary gospel
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter
Years active	2006–present
Labels	EMI Gospel, Motown Gospel, TeeLee Records (Tasha's record label)
Spouse	Kenneth Leonard ​ (m. 2017)​
Website	tashacobbsleonard.com

Cobbs Leonard has won various awards during her music career, including 3 Billboard Music Awards, 12 Dove Awards, 3 Grammy Awards, and 16 Stellar Awards.^[2]

Early life

Natasha Tameika Cobbs^[3] was born on July 7, 1981, in Jesup, Georgia,^[4][5] to Bishop Fritz Cobbs (1954–2014) and Pastor Bertha Cobbs.^[6][7] She started leading worship at Jesup New Life Ministries, founded by her father.^[2]

Personal life

In 2016, Cobbs Leonard revealed that she had been diagnosed with depression in 2007.^[8]

On March 3, 2017, in a private ceremony attended by family and friends, she married Kenneth Leonard, a music producer and her longtime love. Leonard brought into the marriage three children, Alanaa, Nehemiah, and Symphony. ^[9][10] In July 2021, they adopted a son, Asher.^[11]

Ministry

In 2006, she moved to Atlanta and became a charter member of the dReam Center Church of Atlanta under the leadership of Bishop William Murphy.^[12] She was ordained as an Elder and led praise & worship and managing the Worship and Arts department until 2020.^[2] In 2018, she appeared as herself in the film Sinners Wanted.^[13]

In 2020, Cobbs-Leonard and her husband, Kenneth Leonard, founded The Purpose Place Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina,^[14] where they co-pastor. Bishop William Murphy continues to serve as Cobb-Leonard's spiritual father and mentor.

Music career

She started her solo music career in 2010 with the independently self-released album Smile.^[5] The album got the attention of EMI Gospel (now Motown Gospel), and they released her EP, Grace, on February 5, 2013. This was listed on two Billboard charts: the Billboard 200 at No. 61, and at No. 2 on the Top Gospel Albums chart.^[15] The EP later reached No. 1 on the Top Gospel Albums chart.^[15] The singles "Break Every Chain" and "For Your Glory" also reached No. 1 on the Hot Gospel Songs charts.^[15] At the 56th Annual Grammy Awards in 2014, Tasha Cobbs took home Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance, winning her first Grammy. Cobbs also won Gospel Performance of the Year, Contemporary Gospel/Urban Song (and Album) Of The Year at the 44th GMA Dove Awards. In 2015, Cobbs was awarded the Gospel Artist of the Year, at the 46th GMA Dove Awards.^[16]

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions

Title	Project details	Peak chart positions[15]			Certifications	Sales
US [17]	US Gospel [18]	UK C&G [19]
Smile	Released: July 7, 2010 Label: Tasha Cobbs Formats: CD, digital download	—	23	—
Grace	Released: February 5, 2013 Label: EMI Gospel/Motown Gospel Formats: CD, digital download EP with 8 tracks and deluxe edition with 10 tracks	61	1	—	RIAA: Gold[20]	US: 178,000[21]
Heart. Passion. Pursuit.	Released: August 25, 2017 Label: Capitol Christian Music Group/Motown Gospel Formats: CD, digital download Standard edition with 10 tracks and deluxe edition with 16 tracks	35	1	19
Hymns	Released: October 7, 2022 Label: TeeLee/Motown Gospel Formats: CD, digital download	—	3	—
Tasha	Released: July 25, 2025 Label: Motown Gospel Formats: CD, digital download	—[A]	1	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory

Live albums

List of live albums, with selected chart positions

Title	Project details	Peak chart positions[15]			Sales
US [17]	US Gospel [18]	UK C&G [19]
One Place: Live	Released: August 21, 2015 Label: Capitol Christian Music Group/Motown Gospel Formats: CD, digital download Standard edition with 12 tracks and deluxe edition with 16 tracks	28	1	—	US: 80,000[22]
Heart. Passion. Pursuit.: Live at Passion City Church	Released: November 2, 2018 Label: Capitol Christian Music Group/Motown Gospel Formats: CD, digital download	—	1	—
Smile (Reissued Live)	Released: November 22, 2019 Label: Capitol Christian Music Group/Motown Gospel Formats: CD, digital download	—	—	—
Royalty (Live at the Ryman)	Released: September 25, 2020 Label: TeeLee/Capitol Christian Music Group/Motown Gospel Formats: CD, digital download	—	1	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory

Compilation albums

List of compilation albums, with selected chart positions

Title	Project details	Peak chart positions[15]			Sales
US [17]	US Gospel [18]	UK C&G [19]
10 Years of Tasha	Released: June 2, 2023 Label: Motown Gospel Formats: Digital download	—	10	9
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory

Singles

As a lead artist

Title	Year	Peak chart Positions		Certifications	Album
		US Gospel [23]	US Adult R&B [24]
"Break Every Chain"	2012	1	29	RIAA: Platinum[20]	Grace
"For Your Glory"		1	—	RIAA: Gold[20]
"O Come All Ye Faithful"		21	—		Motown Christmas
"Fill Me Up"	2015	25	—	RIAA: Gold[20]	One Place
"Overflow"		16	—
"Jesus Saves"		10	—
"Put a Praise on It" (featuring Kierra Sheard)		2	—	RIAA: Gold[20]
"Great God"	2017	13	—		Heart. Passion. Pursuit.
"I'm Getting Ready" (featuring Nicki Minaj)		1	—
"Your Spirit"	2018	—	—	RIAA: Platinum[20]	Non-album single
"This Is a Move"	2019	4	—		Non-album single
"O Holy Night"		—	—		Non-album single
"In Spite Of Me" (featuring Ciara)	2020	7	—		Royalty (Live at the Ryman)
"Lift Every Voice and Sing"	2021	—	—		Non-album single
"Gotta Believe"		13	—		Non-album single
"The Moment"	2022	11	—		Hymns (Live)

As a featured artist

Title	Year	Peak chart Positions			Album
		US Gospel [23]	US Christ [25]	US Adult R&B [24]
"My World Needs You" (Kirk Franklin featuring Sarah Reeves, Tasha Cobbs and Tamela Mann)	2015	4	—	—	Losing My Religion
"Gracefully Broken" (Matt Redman featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard)	2017	—	18	—	Glory Song
"Together (We'll Get Through This)" (Steven Curtis Chapman featuring Brad Paisley, Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Lauren Alaina)	2020	—	36	—	—
"Something Has To Break" (Kierra Sheard featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard)	2022	5	—	—	Kierra
"What He's Done" (Passion featuring Kristian Stanfill, Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Anna Golden)		12	34	—	Burn Bright
"Your Power" (Lecrae featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard)	2023	8	27	—	—
"More Than Able" (Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard)		8	23	—	—
"In the Room" (Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard)		2	11	—	—
"You Carried Me" (Jekalyn Carr featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Blanca)	2024	25	—	—	JEKALYN

Other charted and certified songs

Title	Year	Peak chart Positions			Certifications	Album
		US Bubb. [26]	US Gospel [23]	US Adult R&B [24]
"We Give You Glory" (James Fortune & FIYA featuring Tasha Cobbs)	2014	—	18	—		Live Through It
"Gracefully Broken"	2017	—	16	—	RIAA: Gold[20]	Heart. Passion. Pursuit.
"Here As in Heaven" (Elevation Collective featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard)	2018	—	22	—		Evidence
"You Know My Name "		—	2	—	RIAA: Platinum[20]	Heart. Passion. Pursuit.: Live at Passion City Church
"Blessings" (Nicki Minaj featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard)	2023	22	1	—		Pink Friday 2
"Burdens Down"	2024	—	25	—		Hymns (Live)

Guest appearances

Song	Year	Artist	Album
"Little Chicago Boy"	2016	Common	Black America Again
"My World Needs You" (featuring Sarah Reeves, Tasha Cobbs and Tamela Mann)	2016	Kirk Franklin	Losing My Religion
"Jesus Is Willing"	2017	Kristene DiMarco	Where His Light Was
"Rattle!"	2020	Brandon Lake	House of Miracles
"Blessings"	2023	Nicki Minaj	Pink Friday 2

Awards and nominations

American Music Awards

Year	Category	Work	Result
2021	Favorite Artist – Gospel	Herself	Nominated

ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Awards

Year	Category	Work	Result
2017[27]	Award Winning Gospel Songs	"Put a Praise on it"	Won
2019[28]		"I'm Getting Ready"	Won
2020[29]		"You Know My Name"	Won
2022[30]		"In Spite of Me"	Won
		"Jehovah Jireh"	Won

BET Awards

Year	Category	Work	Result
2016	Best Gospel Artist	Herself	Nominated
2017	Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award	"My World Needs You" (Kirk Franklin featuring Sarah Reeves, Tasha Cobbs & Tamela Mann)	Nominated
2018		"I'm Getting Ready" (featuring Nicki Minaj)	Nominated

Billboard Music Awards

Year	Category	Work	Result
2016	Top Gospel Artist	Herself	Nominated
	Top Gospel Album	One Place Live	Nominated
2017			Nominated
	Top Gospel Song	"Put a Praise On It" (featuring Kierra Sheard)	Nominated
2018	Top Gospel Album	Heart. Passion. Pursuit.	Won
	Top Gospel Artist	Herself	Won
2019			Won
2020			Nominated
2021			Nominated

GMA Dove Awards

Year	Category	Work	Result
2013	Song of the Year	"Break Every Chain"	Nominated
	Gospel Performance of the Year		Won
	Contemporary Gospel/Urban Recorded Song of the Year		Won
	Contemporary Gospel/Urban Album of the Year	Grace	Won
	New Artist of the Year	Herself	Nominated
2015	Gospel Artist of the Year		Won
2016			Nominated
	Urban Worship Recorded Song of the Year	"Fill Me Up"	Nominated
	Urban Worship Album of the Year	One Place Live	Nominated
	Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year	"Put a Praise On It"	Nominated
2017	Gospel Artist of the Year	Herself	Nominated
2018			Won
	Artist of the Year		Nominated
	Urban Worship Recorded Song of the Year	"The Name Of Our God"	Nominated
	Urban Worship Album of the Year	Heart. Passion. Pursuit.	Won
2019	Gospel Artist of the Year	Herself	Nominated
	Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year	"This Is A Move (Live)"	Won
	Gospel Worship Album of the Year	Heart. Passion. Pursuit. (Live)	Won
		Settle Here (credited as producer)	Nominated
2020	Gospel Artist of the Year	Herself	Won
	Artist of the Year		Nominated
	Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year	"Something Has To Break (Live)" (Kierra Sheard featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard)	Won
2021	Gospel Artist of the Year	Herself	Nominated
2022	Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year	"Gotta Believe"	Won
	Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year	"Life Every Voice and Sing"	Nominated
2023		Hymns (Live)	Won
	Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year	"It Is Well"	Won
	Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year	"The Moment (Live)"	Nominated
2024	Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year	"Burdens Down (Live)"	Nominated
2025	Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year	"In The Room (Afro Beat Version)" (as songwriter for Maverick City Music and Annatoria)	Pending
	Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year	"One Hallelujah"	Pending

Grammy Awards

Year	Category	Work	Result
2014	Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance	"Break Every Chain (Live)"	Won
	Best Gospel Album	Grace	Nominated
2016		One Place Live	Nominated
2020	Best Gospel Performance/Song	"This Is a Move (Live)"	Nominated
2022	Best Gospel Album	Royalty: Live At The Ryman	Nominated
2024		Hymns (Live)	Nominated
	Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song	"Your Power"	Won
2025		"In The Room"	Nominated
	Best Gospel Performance/Song	"One Hallelujah"	Won

NAACP Image Awards

Year	Category	Work	Result
2018	Outstanding Gospel Album – Traditional or Contemporary	Heart. Passion. Pursuit.	Nominated
2019		Heart. Passion. Pursuit. Live at Passion City Church	Nominated

Soul Train Music Awards

Year	Category	Work	Result
2013	Best Gospel/Inspirational Song	"Break Every Chain"	Nominated
2019	Best Gospel/Inspirational Award	Herself	Nominated
2021			Nominated

Stellar Awards

Year	Category	Work	Result
2014	Contemporary CD of the Year	Grace	Won
	Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year		Won
	New Artist of the Year		Won
	Artist of the Year		Nominated
	Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year		Nominated
	CD of the Year		Nominated
	Contemporary Artist of the Year		Nominated
2015	Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year	One Place Live	Won
	Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year		Won
	Praise & Worship CD of the Year		Won
	Artist of the Year		Nominated
	CD of the Year		Nominated
	Contemporary CD of the Year		Nominated
2018	Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year	Heart. Passion. Pursuit.	Won
	Contemporary CD of the Year		Won
	Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year		Won
	Artist of the Year		Nominated
	CD of the Year		Nominated
	Praise & Worship CD of the Year		Nominated
	Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year	"I'm Getting Ready" (featuring Nicki Minaj)	Nominated
2019	Song of the Year	"You Know My Name (Live)" (with Brenton Brown)	Nominated
2020	Artist of the Year	Heart. Passion. Pursuit. (Live at Passion City Church)	Won
	Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year		Won
	Album of the Year		Nominated
2021	Song of the Year	"Something Has to Break (Live)" (with Kierra Sheard)	Won
	Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year	Royalty: Live at the Ryman	Won
	Contemporary Female Artist of the Year		Won
	Praise & Worship Album of the Year		Won
2023		Hymns	Won
	Artist of the Year		Nominated
	Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year		Nominated
	Contemporary Female Artist of the Year		Nominated
	Praise & Worship Song of the Year	"The Moment"	Nominated

Notes

1. Tasha did not enter the Billboard 200, but peaked at No. 41 on the Billboard Top Album Sales