The Session: Where Music Isn’t Just Heard—It’s Felt

By Dr. Sharon H. Porter | Thursday, September 4, 2025 | Musically Speaking

In a world of overproduced tracks and heavily layered recordings, The Session has carved out its own lane. It’s an intimate platform where the spotlight shines solely on the artist, the song, and the moment. With stripped-back staging, live instrumentation, and an emphasis on raw vocal power, the platform delivers music in its purest, most authentic form.

While platforms like NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts and The Terrell Show have popularized intimate performances, The Session sets itself apart by centering gospel, neo-soul, and independent vocalists—allowing artists to blend genres, explore personal expression, and deliver spiritually and emotionally resonant performances.

When performers like Darrel “Musiqcity” Walls and Perri Jones take the stage, the result is nothing short of unforgettable.

Darrel Walls: Fire Meets Soul

Known for his powerhouse vocals with the Grammy-nominated Walls Group, Darrel Walls steps into his own light on The Session. His cover of “First Began” is more than a performance—it’s an experience.

Standout Moment: Midway through, Darrel masterfully infuses Jill Scott’s “The Way”(3:58), blending gospel intensity with neo-soul smoothness. The mash-up showcases his creativity, versatility, and fearless artistry, proving he can command both worshipful emotion and contemporary style in one seamless performance.

Perri Jones: Freedom in ‘Free’

If Darrel brings fire, Perri Jones brings liberation. Her The Session performance of “Free” is an anthem of release—a journey from struggle to empowerment.

Backed by live instrumentation, Perri’s voice glides effortlessly between gentle vulnerability and commanding strength, each note radiating authenticity and emotional depth.

Standout Moments:

• Authentic Storytelling: Perri doesn’t just perform “Free”—she embodies it, giving every lyric a deeply personal weight.

• Emotional Climax: Soaring runs and dynamic phrasing mirror a journey from confinement to liberation.

• Audience Connection: The performance feels communal, inviting listeners to experience freedom alongside her.

Why The Session Stands Out

The Session brings something uniquely its own:

• Focus on Gospel and Neo-Soul: Elevating spiritually rooted music that often goes underrepresented.

• Faith-Infused Authenticity: Performances maintain worshipful and emotionally resonant energy without compromising artistry.

• Creative Freedom: Artists can reinterpret classics, blend genres, and experiment boldly.

• Heart Over Hype: The platform emphasizes storytelling, presence, and connection above production or polish.

  
  

Darrel Walls and Perri Jones illustrate these principles perfectly—one blending gospel and neo-soul, the other offering a liberating and emotionally immersive anthem. Together, they embody the very essence of what makes The Session unique.

Beyond the Stage

The Session isn’t just a performance series—it’s a movement. It proves that when production fades, what remains is heart, authenticity, and presence.

Through Darrel’s fearless fusion of gospel and neo-soul, and Perri’s soulful declaration of freedom in “Free,” The Session reminds us that live music is at its most powerful when it is stripped to its core: a voice, a song, and the story behind it.

About the Creator: Isaiah Parks

As Production Manager at the BeyGOOD Foundation, Isaiah Parks is responsible for coordinating all aspects of audiovisual and lighting for the BeyGOOD Luncheons on the Renaissance World Tour. With over six years of experience in music event management, Parks has worked extensively with hotels, event staff, production technicians, and equipment procurement to ensure seamless, high-quality productions.

Before joining BeyGOOD Foundation, Parks founded The Session, a performance platform designed to showcase artists’ vocal talents and help them build loyal fanbases. In addition, he brings more than a decade of production management experience from The Fountain of Praise, where responsibilities included camera directing, sound mixing, streaming services, and staffing for a 2,200-member congregation. Notably, Parks also served as Production Director for the George Floyd Funeral, a historic and complex event that required exceptional coordination and communication skills.

With a passion for music and media, Parks holds a background in Communication and Media Studies from Lamar University. Previous roles include serving on the marketing team at RCA Records and working as an A&R representative at Music World Entertainment, experiences that provided valuable insight into the music industry and artist development. Known for a collaborative spirit and eagerness to embrace new skills and technologies, Parks thrives on creating unforgettable music events that blend creativity, excellence, and impact.

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