The family of Richard Smallwood, the world-renowned gospel singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer, has confirmed his passing on December 30, 2025. He was 77 years old. No cause of death has been disclosed.
A towering figure in gospel music, Smallwood leaves behind a legacy that reshaped the sound of modern worship and sacred choral music. A classically trained musician with a deep theological and musical vision, he was celebrated for fusing classical composition, rich choral arrangements, and profound expressions of faith into songs that continue to resonate across generations.
Smallwood's extensive catalogue includes enduring gospel classics such as "Total Praise," "Angels," "Healing," "Center of My Joy," and "Anthem of Praise." His compositions have become staples in churches, concert halls, and worship services around the world, widely regarded as benchmarks of excellence in gospel music.
Over the course of his distinguished career, Smallwood earned eight Grammy Award nominations and numerous accolades within the gospel and Christian music community. His influence extended well beyond gospel circles, with his music performed and recorded by artists across genres, including Destiny's Child and Whitney Houston, most notably Houston's celebrated rendition of "I Love the Lord."
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in Washington, D.C., Smallwood was educated at Howard University, where he studied classical piano and vocal performance and later founded what became one of the institution's most influential gospel ensembles. In 1977, he formed The Richard Smallwood Singers, a group that helped usher gospel music into new artistic and cultural spaces while maintaining its spiritual core.
Throughout his life, Smallwood consistently described his music not merely as performance, but as ministry. His work reflected a lifelong commitment to excellence, reverence, and faith, offering comfort, hope, and worship through sound.
Richard Smallwood's voice, vision, and compositions will continue to echo in sanctuaries and hearts around the world. He is remembered not only as a musical genius, but as a faithful servant whose songs gave language to praise, lament, and healing for millions.
