Lurine Lilian Cato (born 9 September 1974) is a British gospel singer, songwriter, and session vocalist. She won the MOBO Award for Best Gospel Act in 2013 and was a finalist on the 12th season of Britain's Got Talent in 2018 with the B Positive Choir. In 2019 she appeared on the BBC programme Songs of Praise. In 2020, she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her contributions to charity and music.
Early life Cato was born on 9 September 1974 into a family of 11 children.
She began her musical career at age three at the COGIC UK National Convention. At age 8, she entered the Enfield London Borough Council, performing Deniece Williams' 'Let's Hear It For The Boy' where she won second place. The following year, she won first place with a rendition of George Benson's 'The Greatest Love of All' and was consequently awarded the Aunty G Cup.
Career Cato toured with the Lighthouse Family and Lynden David Hall in her mid-twenties. She later formed a duo, Redeemed, with Marie Carter. The duo performed as opening acts for artists such as Hezekiah Walker, Kirk Franklin, and the Bibleway Mass Choir.
As a backing vocalist, Cato toured with Australian singer Kylie Minogue on two tours in the early 2000s. In 2008, Cato recorded vocals for Adele's debut album 19 on the track 'Best For Last'. She performed at the 2012 London Olympics for the Evening of Olympians celebration.
Cato was a featured artist at the first annual European True Worship Summit, a gospel conference at the Dominion Centre in Wood Green. The event culminated in a final concert where the B Positive Choir performed with Cato.
Cato was invited by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to sing at his campaign dinner held at the Museum of London and was appointed as the official Vocal Coach for ITV's Sing It To Win It Competition 2018. The competition presenters included Girls Aloud member Kimberley Walsh and UK-based Afropop and Dancehall duo Reggie 'n' Bollie.
Cato has been involved with the NHS 70th Celebrations performing at York Minster Cathedral. Lurine was the featured soloist with the B Positive choir at Westminster Abbey, a service of celebration for Commonwealth Day. Other performers included the Dhol Foundation drummers, Clean Bandit, William Barton and Alfie Boe.
On 20 October 2019, Cato performed at Rudolph Walker's OBE 80th birthday celebrations at the Hackney Empire. On 17 and 24 November 2019, BBC1 aired its semi-final and final rounds of Songs of Praise' Gospel Choir of the Year, where Cato made a special guest appearance. She was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to charity and music.
On 6 March 2020, she was awarded the International Women's Day Award by the Mayor of Enfield along with Her Excellency Justina Mutale and Team GB sprinter and Olympics medal winner Desiree Henry.
On 14 December 2021, Cato attended her investiture at Windsor Castle to be presented with the MBE award for services to charity and music. The award was presented by Princess Anne.
Britain's Got Talent 2018
Cato and the B Positive Choir participated in the Britain's Got Talent 2018 competition. After a successful audition on 14 April 2018 on ITV, they received a Yes vote from all four judges. The judges, combined with a public vote, ultimately sent Calum Courtney through to the finals. A decision between Calum and the B Positive choir moved Simon Cowell to give B Positive a wild card.
After a week of performances, the wild card recipient was reported in OK Magazine sending B Positive to the finals of Britain's Got Talent. Cato and the B Positive Choir reprised their audition song. Though they made it through to the finals, they did not make it to the top three.
Awards Cato's music award wins - aside from her MOBO Awards and nomination - the Premier Gospel Award (Best Female Artist) in 2016 and 2017, GMA Italy (Best International Vocalist of the Year), BEFFTA Award 2013 (Best Gospel Act), Wise Woman Award 2012 (WWA Woman In Music Award), and an Honorary UK Entertainment Award 2017 (Outstanding Contribution to Gospel Music).
Charitable work Lurine Cato has participated in various charity-related musical performances. In 2016, she performed at St. James’s Palace for the Diana Award’s INSPIRE series, which recognizes young people for their contributions to their communities.
In November 2017, she performed at the MOBO Awards with the B Positive Choir at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England. The following month, the choir released a charity single, Rise Up, originally sung by Andra Day, with Lurine Cato as the lead vocalist. Later that December, she sang Christmas songs with the choir at St. Pancras station.
On 11 June 2019, Cato and the B Positive Choir performed at the Audi Sentebale Concert at Hampton Court Palace alongside artists such as Rita Ora, Morena Leraba, and the Inala Zulu Ballet. The event was in support of Sentebale, a charity focused on assisting children affected by HIV in South Africa.
Community work Cato sang at One Minute in May, a concert focusing on young victims of violent crime held outside Downing Street.
Cato presented and performed at HM Prison Elmley for the Aspire Higher Violence Reduction Program, focusing on personal development, self-reflection, breaking bad habits, positive thinking, motivation, and general inspiration for prisoners and staff.
Cato formed The Mighty Men Experience, a program highlighting positive male role models in society and reducing knife and gun crime. She created the anthem "Keep Fighting", used as the project's main theme.
In April 2020, Cato and several notable British artists came together to record the popular hymn 'Great Is Thy Faithfulness' in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cato collaborated with singers from the UK and abroad to record Amazing Grace by Dottie Rambo in aid of the Cavall Nurses' Trust. The effort, led by Cato, raised funds for National Health Service nurses who faced personal and financial challenges.
Discography
+Release AlbumTracksLabelOctober 2016Chosen To Serve13Fresh Manna RecordsSinglesRelease SongTracksLabel2022"Lamb Of God"1WorldWide2019"Keep Turning"1Fresh Manna Records 2018"Be Loved"1Fresh Manna Records2017"Rise Up" (Lead Vocals)1B Positive Choir2016"Wave It Away"1Fresh Manna Records2016"Power"1Fresh Manna Records2016"Power" (Rare Candy Deep Mix)1Fresh Manna Records2016"Power" (Rare Candy Club Mix)1Fresh Manna Records2016"Power" (Giant Killer Mix)1Fresh Manna Records2016"Power" (Extended)1Fresh Manna Records2016"Keep Fighting" (The Mighty Men Choir)12012"Following The Star (Closer)" [Feat. Tony Momrelle & Jay Ess]12012"Following The Star (Closer)" [Remix] [Feat. Tony Momrelle & Jay Ess]12016"You Revive Me" (Green Remix)1Fresh Manna Records2012"You Revive Me" 1Fresh Manna Records2012"You Revive Me" (Remix)1Fresh Manna Records2002"Shout It" [Feat. Brixton Gospel Choir]1Check Mate Records2002"We'll Get Thru It" [Feat. Royalty]1Self Released2000"Soul Inside"1Baby Angel RecordingsVarious Album Appearances2003Lost In Love (Sgt Slick vs. John Course DubKlash) Andy Van – Vicious Cuts – Top Tunes From Australia's Top Label (CD, Mixed, Comp)Ministry (Magazine) Australia2003Lost In Love DJ John Course – A Night Out With Vicious Grooves (CD, Mixed)Vicious Vinyl, Vicious Grooves, Festival Mushroom Records2002We'll Get Thru It Various – Twice As Nice Presents Mobo 2002 (The Very Best Of Urban) (2xCD, Comp, Mixed)Warner Dance2000FriendsTony Touch – R&B #25 – Get Your Sh*t Straight (CD, Mixed)Touch Entertainment2000FriendsDJ Poska – What's The Flavor? 40 (Cass, Mixed, Promo)Funky Maestro Entertainment2000Friends (The Sovereign Mix) – EZ Pure Garage 3Warner Strategic Marketing UK, Warner Music UK Ltd.Other Writing/Arranging2012You Revive Me – You Revive Me (CDr, Single)Fresh Manna Records2003I Don't Mind Tellin UGalactic Mutherland / Tiffany Persons – Destiny / Best Of Me (12")Varsity InternationalVocals (Various)2015Wash The Pain Away [Markus Feehily – Fire] (CD, Album, Dlx)Harmoney Entertainment2015Changing (Radio Edit) Various – Fack ju Göhte 2 (Original Saundträck Zum Film)(CD)Polydor2015Changing (Sigma's VIP Remix Feat. Stylo G)Various – Drum & Bass Arena 2015 (3xCD, Mixed)AEI Music2013Hand On Heart (Radio Mix)Olly Murs – Right Place Right Time (CD, Album + DVD-V, NTSC + S/Edition)Syco Music, Epic, Sony Music2010The Winter Of My SpringsIncognito – Transatlantic R.P.M.Dome Records2006Seamus Haji & Steve Mac Feat. Erire – Happy (12")Big Love2003Lost In LoveDJ John Course* – A Night Out With Vicious Grooves (CD, Mixed)Vicious Vinyl, Vicious Grooves, Festival Mushroom Records2002I Will Follow (Full Intention Club Mix)Various – Las Tardes En Ibiza (2002) (2xCD, Mixed, Comp)Vendetta Records2002I Will Follow (Full Intention Club Mix)Various – Danceclub Awards 01 (2xCD, Comp)Kaos Records, Vidisco2002I Will Follow Various – Electricidade 2002 (2xCD, Comp)Vidisco2002I Will Follow (Wally Lopez & Dr. Kucho Weekend Remix)Various – Funktásticamix – This Is True House Music #2(2xCD, Comp, Mixed)Funktástica Records2002Una Mas – I Will FollowHussle Recordings2002I Will Follow You (Full Intention Club Mix)Various – Disco Heaven 02.02 (2xCD, Comp)Hed Kandi2002Tom The ModelBeth Gibbons & Rustin Man – Out Of SeasonGo! Beat2001All I Need (Deep Swing Filter Vocal) Una Mas – All I Need (12")Union Square Recordings2001CurtainsPolydor2000Independence Day Gabrielle – RiseGo! BeatVarious Music CreditsReleaseAlbumArtistCredit2021All I Need (Is Believe) Milk & SugarLead Vocals2019Rocketman [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] – "Tiny Dancer"Elton John / Taron EgertonVocals (Background)2019Wasteland, Baby!HozierVocals (Background)2013James ArthurJames ArthurChoir/Chorus, Vocals (Background)2010Transatlantic R.P.M.IncognitoVocals (Background)2007ImaginacionDebbieChorus2007Louie Vega in the HouseComposer2007Stereo Sushi Version 10Composer2007Connected: Full IntentionProducer2006For the Love of House, Vol. 3Vocals (Background)2006Soul Heaven Presents DJ Spen & OsunladeComposer2003Club Nation 2002, Vol. 2DynamixVocals2002Clubber's Guide to 2000Judge JulesVocals2002Defected Sessions: Full Intention and SmokinojoMasters at WorkVocals2002Kylie Fever 2002: Live in ManchesterKylie MinogueVocals (Background)2002Out of SeasonBeth Gibbons / Rustin ManVocals (Background)200121st Century Disco [Smooth]Vocals2001BeetrootCastVocals (Background)2001You'll Love to Hate ThisRichard BlackwoodVocals2000RiseGabrielleVocals (Background)Tales from the Beach/Transatlantic R.P.M.IncognitoVocals (Background)
Awards and nominations