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.^[9][10] In July 2021, she 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	Nominee / work	Award	Result
2021	Herself	Favorite Artist – Gospel	Nominated

ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Awards

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
2017[27]	"Put a Praise on it"	Award Winning Gospel Songs	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	Nominee / work	Award	Result
2016	Herself	Best Gospel Artist	Nominated
2017	"My World Needs You" (Kirk Franklin featuring Sarah Reeves, Tasha Cobbs & Tamela Mann)	Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award	Nominated
2018	"I'm Getting Ready" (featuring Nicki Minaj)		Nominated

Billboard Music Awards

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

GMA Dove Awards

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

Grammy Awards

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

NAACP Image Awards

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
2018	Heart. Passion. Pursuit.	Outstanding Gospel Album – Traditional or Contemporary	Nominated
2019	Heart. Passion. Pursuit. Live at Passion City Church		Nominated

Soul Train Music Awards

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

Stellar Awards

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

Notes

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