Richard Smallwood, the legendary gospel composer, pianist, and singer whose music has uplifted millions, died on December 30, 2025, at the age of 77. His family announced his passing in a heartfelt statement shared on social media: "We are saddened to announce the passing of world-renowned artist, songwriter, and musician Richard Smallwood. 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." According to Variety and other outlets, Smallwood died at the Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Sandy Spring, Maryland, due to complications from kidney failure.
Smallwood's death marks the end of a remarkable era in gospel music. Over a career that spanned five decades, he not only garnered eight Grammy nominations but also won several Dove and Stellar Gospel Music Awards, as reported by Black America Web and The Root. His influence stretched far beyond the gospel community, with his compositions covered by mainstream superstars such as Whitney Houston and Destiny’s Child. Smallwood’s music, especially his signature song "Total Praise," became a staple in churches and concert halls around the world, resonating with audiences of all backgrounds.
Born on November 30, 1948, in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in Washington, D.C., Smallwood’s musical journey began early. By the age of five, he was playing piano by ear, and by eleven, he had already formed his first gospel group. His prodigious talent was evident to those around him, including Roberta Flack, who taught him in high school before her own rise to fame. Smallwood’s mother, Mabel, and his stepfather, Rev. Chester Lee "CL" Smallwood, pastor of Union Temple Baptist Church, were central figures in his upbringing, nurturing his musical and spiritual gifts.
Smallwood’s formal education was as impressive as his early start. He graduated cum laude from Howard University with a degree in music, studying alongside future luminaries like Donny Hathaway, Debbie Allen, and Phylicia Rashad. According to The Washington Post, he was a founding member of Howard’s first gospel group, the Celestials, and the university’s Gospel Choir. The Celestials made history as the first gospel act to perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, a testament to Smallwood’s ability to bridge cultural and musical divides.
After college, Smallwood briefly taught music at the University of Maryland before founding the Richard Smallwood Singers in 1977. Inspired by the Edwin Hawkins Singers, Smallwood’s group brought a contemporary edge to gospel, captivating a young, educated, mostly Black Christian audience. Their debut album, released on Onyx Records in 1982, spent an astonishing 87 weeks on Billboard’s Spiritual Albums chart. The 1984 album "Psalms" hit number one on the same chart and earned a Grammy nomination, with songs like "Center of My Joy"—co-written with Bill and Gloria Gaither—introducing Smallwood to a broader, even white Christian, audience.
Smallwood’s music was not only popular among gospel fans. His compositions found new life when covered by major artists: Whitney Houston recorded "I Love the Lord" for "The Preacher’s Wife" soundtrack, and Destiny’s Child included "Total Praise" in their 2007 a cappella "Gospel Medley." Boyz II Men also paid tribute to Smallwood’s songwriting, closing their 1997 album "Evolution" with "Dear God," which featured a refrain from "I Love the Lord." These cross-genre collaborations cemented Smallwood’s place as a bridge between gospel and mainstream music.
In the late 1980s, the Richard Smallwood Singers broke new ground as the first gospel group to tour the Soviet Union, further expanding the global reach of gospel music. The group also contributed background vocals for Candi Staton’s albums and participated in Quincy Jones’ "Handel’s Messiah – A Soulful Celebration." As the gospel landscape evolved, so did Smallwood. He disbanded the Richard Smallwood Singers in the early 1990s and formed Vision, a large backing choir that would accompany him on a string of albums through 2015. Vision produced hits like "Angels," "Trust Me," and, most notably, "Total Praise."
"Total Praise" was born out of personal hardship. In a candid moment at the 2014 BMI Trailblazer Awards, Smallwood shared, "My mother was ill and my god brother was terminally ill with brain cancer. So, I was feeling helpless in terms of what I could do as a caregiver. And God just sort of gave me that song in the middle of all that which really gave me a peace about the whole thing and let me know that he was still in control of the situation. So, it came to me in a very difficult time of my life, but certainly I had no idea it was going to have the impact that it had." The song’s lush, near-classical arrangement and message of faith and resilience struck a chord with listeners worldwide, becoming Smallwood’s most enduring legacy.
Beyond his music, Smallwood was a storyteller and minister. His 2019 autobiography, "Total Praise: The Autobiography," revealed intimate details of his family history and his struggles with grief and depression. He described music as his solace and ministry, once reflecting in a 1993 Washington Post interview, "I don’t know that I have all the answers or any of the answers. But being a minister of music, I need to be open to listen and give a word of encouragement through songs of testimony. Singing is only part of it. The ministry itself is much more than that."
Smallwood’s later years were marked by health challenges, including mild dementia, which prevented him from recording new music. Nevertheless, he remained a beloved figure in the gospel community, honored with three Dove Awards, multiple Stellar Gospel Music Awards, and the enduring love of fans around the world. His final album, "Anthology," was released in 2015, featuring the gospel radio hit "Same God."
Richard Smallwood is survived by his brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, several godchildren, and a worldwide community of admirers who continue to celebrate his life and contributions. As his family said in their announcement, the best way to honor his memory is to celebrate the legacy he leaves behind and the gifts he unselfishly shared with the world. His music, a blend of classical sophistication and gospel passion, will continue to inspire generations to come.
Smallwood’s journey from a prodigious child pianist in Washington, D.C., to a global gospel icon is a testament to the power of faith, resilience, and the universal language of music. His legacy lives on in every choir that sings "Total Praise," every artist inspired by his work, and every listener who finds comfort in his songs.
