Along with the likes of Kirk Franklin and Yolanda Adams, William Becton is another contemporary gospel artist who made waves on both the religious and popular charts, with fans of gospel as well as secular listeners who simply enjoy positive music. The singer and producer from Washington, D.C. released four albums billed as William Becton & Friends. Led by Becton, the group debuted with the gospel chart-topping Broken in 1995 on Intersound, and watched the single "Be Encouraged" cross into the R&B Top 40. Heart of a Love Song (1997) and B2K: Prophetic Songs of Promise (2000) went Top Ten gospel. After that, Becton was a proper solo artist. He released Broken, Vol. 2: Live (2003), served as pastor of Kingdom Purpose Worship Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, and released the single "Thank You" (2012). ~ John Bush