Richard Smallwood, the eight-time Grammy-nominated gospel singer and composer, has died. He was 77.
A representative for Smallwood confirmed the “Total Praise” musician died on Tuesday, Dec. 30, at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Maryland.
Smallwood’s family also shared a statement announcing his death on his verified Instagram account.
“We are saddened to announce the passing of world-renowned artist, songwriter, and musician, Richard Smallwood,” the post said. “The family asks that you respect our privacy during this difficult time, while helping to celebrate the legacy he leaves behind and the gifts he unselfishly shared with the world.”
A graduate of Howard University, Smallwood founded the group the Richard Smallwood Singers, which released their eponymous debut album in 1982. They “created a distinct sound that caught on with middle class, mostly black Christian young adults,” an obituary for Smallwood provided to USA TODAY noted. He later formed Vision, a backing choir with which he released several albums into the 2010s.
Throughout his recording career, Smallwood received eight Grammy nominations for his influential gospel music, including three for best contemporary soul gospel album. His most recent Grammy nod came in 2012, when his track “Trust Me” received a best gospel song nomination.
Songs written by Smallwood include “I Love the Lord,” which Whitney Houston performed for her 1996 film “The Preacher’s Wife.” Destiny’s Child also memorably covered his song “Total Praise” for their “Gospel Medley.”
“World-class composer, pianist and arranger, Richard Smallwood has clearly and solidly changed the face of black gospel music,” the Gospel Music Association notes. “His impeccable blend of classical movements with traditional gospel has earned Smallwood many honors in his 20-plus year career including multiple Dove Awards, Stellar Awards and a Grammy.”
In 2019, Smallwood published an autobiography titled “Total Praise,” taking the title from his song. In an interview with the Journal of Gospel Music at the time, Smallwood discussed his decision to open up about his battle with depression in the book.
“My manager Roger Holmes and I were sitting at Verity Records in New York,” Smallwood said. “I hadn’t told him about my depression battle, so I decided I would tell him. He said, ‘Are you going to write about it?’ I said, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Richard, that would help so many people.’ I guess I was ashamed of it, I was embarrassed by it, I felt like I would be judged by it, but the more I thought about it, the more I knew that this would help people.”
Richard Smallwood cause of death
The representative for Smallwood confirmed the musician’s cause of death was complications of kidney failure.
According to an obituary provided to USA TODAY, “mild dementia and a variety of other health issues” prevented Smallwood from recording in recent years.
Singer Gene Moore remembered Smallwood as “a giant” of gospel music in an Instagram tribute on Tuesday, writing, “His voice, his piano, his pen changed the sound of gospel forever.”
This story has been updated to include additional information.
