Magdalen Hsu-Li, “I am a person that is about breaking the barriers”. Magdalen Hsu-li is an internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter, painter, and cultural activist that is redefining the female musician and smashing the ceiling in the American music industry. As she carves her identity as an artist in an industry where Asian women are not thought of as musical powerhouses or innovators, Magdalen is “a rare force with which to reckon.”

Born in a small southern town into one of a handful of Asian families, Magdalen experienced extreme racism and prejudice on a daily basis while battling cross-cultural conflicts and a rare disability (Tourette’s syndrome). She shattered all adversities and channeled her harsh beginnings into the positive, uplifting, and electrifying force she is today, achieving international and critical renown on both stage and canvas.

Magdalen’s songs visually portray what she sees with her painter’s eyes while addressing universal themes about identity, spirituality, consciousness, love, loss, and relationships. “I write completely from the heart,” she says, “but also from my cultural heritages and the places I’m from (the southeast, northeast, and west coast). “One of the problems of our society is a lack of awareness for the wealth of cultural diversity that surrounds us,” says Magdalen. “I intend to always be defining issues of identity, raising awareness, and bringing communities together through my music & art.” Magdalen has sold over 12,000 records through her own independent label.

In addition to a musical performance Magdalen has agreed to speak on racial prejudice as well as sexual prejudice. She is a long-time activist for these issues and speaks out against hatred at every opportunity. She offers a wide and unique perspective on prejudice and the right of all people to ascend to greatness. Reviews indicate that Magdalen is a very powerful communicator and an amazing artist.

Urban contemporary gospel (sometimes marketed as "Black gospel" to help distinguish it from other forms of Christian music) is a subgenre of Gospel music. The music—popularized by urban contemporary gospel pioneers—has its roots mostly in spirituals sung by southern slaves during the 18th and 19th century but also in the freewheeling forms of religious devotion of 'Sanctified' or 'Holiness' churches. These churches encouraged individual church members to 'testify', speaking or singing spontaneously about their faith and experience, sometimes while dancing in celebration.

Gospel has developed right alongside the movements for the freedom and equality of blacks, and at many points in history gospel was a time for blacks to sing about things that they were scared to openly speak about. Gospel music is a very personal and very emotional form of communication that can speak to all people no matter what their histories.