Richard Smallwood, a legendary figure in gospel music and an eight-time Grammy nominee, has passed away at the age of 77. His family confirmed the news via his official Instagram account on Wednesday, December 31.
“We are deeply moved by the incredible outpouring of love and support during this time of mourning,” the family stated. “The tributes we’ve seen are a beautiful reflection of Richard’s lasting legacy. We ask that you keep his family, friends, and the entire music community in your prayers.”
A representative for the artist informed Variety that Smallwood died on Tuesday, December 30, following complications from kidney failure. He was receiving care at the Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Maryland at the time of his passing.
Born in Atlanta in 1948 and raised in Washington, D.C., Smallwood was the son of a prominent pastor. His musical genius emerged early; he began playing the piano at just five years old and organized his first gospel group by age 11. He later refined his talent at Howard University, where he was a founding member of the school’s inaugural gospel group, the Celestials.
Following his graduation, he formed the Richard Smallwood Singers in 1977. The ensemble achieved massive success with their 1984 album Psalms, which climbed to the top of the Billboard Gospel Albums chart and earned the group its first Grammy nomination for Best Soul Gospel Performance.
In the early 1990s, Smallwood transitioned from a small group format to a larger choral sound, forming the choir known as Vision. This collaboration resulted in several chart-topping projects, including Journey: Live in New York (2007) and Anthology: Live (2015). Their powerful single “Trust Me” reached the Top 10 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart and secured Smallwood’s final Grammy nomination in 2012.
Throughout a career spanning half a century, Smallwood’s influence as a vocalist, songwriter, and pianist was unparalleled. His compositions became staples in the music industry; Whitney Houston famously recorded “I Love the Lord” for the 1996 soundtrack of The Preacher’s Wife, and “Total Praise”—perhaps his most enduring masterpiece—has been performed by icons ranging from Destiny’s Child to Boyz II Men.
In 2019, he detailed his life and spiritual journey in his autobiography, Total Praise. In his final years, Smallwood stepped back from recording as he navigated health challenges, including mild dementia.
