Over the last half dozen years, Cortez’ big voice and spine-tingling vocal gymnastics have distinguished James Fortune & FIYA’s radio smashes “I Believe” and “The Blood,” and made him one of the most sought-after singers in the business today for concerts and work in touring musical plays in this age of auto-tune stars. Now, he’s stepping into the spotlight with his own Top Ten radio smash, “One More Time,” a rousing duet with his mentor, Pastor John P. Kee. Born and raised in Houston, Zacardi Cortez began his music career as a member of his family’s gospel group, the Cortez Singers. He later began singing under the mentorship of John P. Kee, who recruited Cortez for his V.I.P Mass Choir. After guest appearing on Kee’s 2005 release, Live at the Fellowship, the vocalist led James Fortune and FIYA to their first Top 20 hit with “The Blood,” and took the number-one spot on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart for 14-weeks straight as the lead man on their 2010 smash “I Believe.”
