Jonathan McReynolds: A Gospel Music Icon
Introduction
By Kingdom Underground Radio
“This isn’t just music—it’s inspirational ministry.”
Have you ever heard a song that just makes you want to praise God and you can feel His Goodness coming through the music? Well, Jonathan McReynolds is an artist who creates music like that! He’s an extremely talented Gospel and Christian singer and songwriter with a powerful voice and a gift for sharing his spiritual journey through his music.
Who Is Jonathan McReynolds?
Jonathan was born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 17, 1989. Growing up, he was raised by his mom, and he had lots of support from his family, people at his church, and his pastor. Even as a young child, Jonathan showed he was special. He was very smart and talented and started playing drums at the young age of five! By the time he was eight, he was playing the piano in church every week.
Although he was skilled at playing instruments, Jonathan was initially shy about singing in public. However, as he grew older, he began to share his musical talents with others. Music became a way for him to express himself.
Jonathan continued his education in Chicago, attending Columbia College, where he earned a degree in urban and popular music. While in college, he set up a recording studio in his dorm room, recording music between classes. One of these recordings, a song called “No Gray,” became a surprise hit when it was leaked and played on a local radio station. He also studied the Bible, earning a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Moody Theological Seminary in 2015. He even shared his knowledge by teaching music at his alma mater, Columbia College Chicago, for five years. In 2018, he was recognized for his high intelligence by being admitted into Mensa, a society for people with high IQs.
Why Jonathan McReynolds Matters
Jonathan’s music career officially began in 2012 with the release of his debut album, Life Music, through Light Records and Entertainment One Music. The album was a breakthrough, reaching No. 98 on the Billboard 200 chart and performing strongly on the Gospel and Independent Albums charts. The song “No Gray” gained him wider attention, leading to appearances on BET’s Celebration of Gospel and attracting fans like India Arie and Nicki Minaj.
His second album, Life Music: Stage Two (2015), was even more successful. It received a Grammy Award nomination, topped the Billboard Gospel chart for four weeks, and won a GMA Dove Award. The album featured collaborations with artists like Israel Houghton, India.Arie, and Chantae Cann and included the hit song “Gotta Have You.” Critics praised the album’s honest and relatable approach to faith in everyday life. In 2016, McReynolds released an EP, Sessions, featuring Tweet, which quickly reached No. 1 on the iTunes Christian chart.
His third album, Make Room (2018), is considered his most successful to date. It debuted at number one on the Billboard Gospel chart and achieved a record-breaking 1.3 million streams in its first week. Make Room earned him eight Stellar Awards and two Grammy Award nominations. The album featured his first No. 1 radio hit, “Not Lucky, I’m Loved,” and the popular song “Cycles.” One reviewer described Make Room as “phenomenal,” highlighting “Not Lucky, I’m Loved” as a blend of hip hop and gospel. The album also featured collaborations with other artists, including Dee-1, Tonya Baker, and Travis Greene, whom he called his “Life Room Friends.” McReynolds also broke new ground for gospel music with a one-hour TV special for Make Room on TVOne and a partnership with the streaming service Tidal. He also released a companion book, Make Room: Finding Where Faith Fits.
In 2020, McReynolds released the EP People, which included the song “Movin’ On.” “Movin’ On” won a Grammy Award in 2021 for Best Gospel Performance/Song. His most recent album is My Truth, released in February 2023.
McReynolds is known for blending Gospel music with urban contemporary gospel, incorporating elements of traditional Gospel, Pop, and R&B. His lyrics are often described as deep, transparent, and reflective, encouraging listeners to connect with the music and reflect on their own lives. He draws inspiration from both Christian and mainstream artists, including India Arie, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, and Sam Cooke.
A key part of McReynolds’ artistry is his honesty and the use of personal stories in his music. He wants listeners to know that they are not alone in their struggles and that they can find peace through faith. In songs like “No Gray,” he addresses the challenge of staying true to faith, and in “Just As Sure” (with Tori Kelly), he sings about God’s acceptance and forgiveness. This approach is seen as helping Gospel music evolve and remain relevant to today’s listeners.
His Contributions
\Beyond his music, McReynolds has made other contributions. He founded Elihu Nation, a non-profit organization that supports “young seekers and models of wisdom” and provides college scholarships. He also released a second book, Before You Climb Any Higher: Valley Wisdom for Mountain Dreams, in February 2025. In 2018, he became an honorary member of Alpha Nu Omega, Inc., an international Christian fraternity.
McReynolds has also worked in other media. He was a judge on BET’s Sunday Best for two seasons (2018, 2019), alongside artists like Kirk Franklin and Erica Campbell. In 2021, he starred in his first acting role in the BET+ movie Favorite Son. In August 2024, he performed at the Democratic National Convention.
McReynolds has been open about the pressures faced by Gospel artists, who are often held to high moral standards. He has discussed the challenges of comparing himself to other artists and balancing his roles as both an artist and a minister. His song “Pressure” explores these themes. More recently, McReynolds has talked about experiencing “spiritual burnout” and questioning the balance between working for God and personal well-being. He suggests that true fulfillment comes from resting, being present, and simply being a child of God, rather than constantly striving for achievement.
Throughout his career, Jonathan McReynolds has received many awards, including a Grammy win, multiple Grammy nominations, Stellar Awards, and GMA Dove Awards. His albums and singles have also topped Billboard’s Gospel charts. He is considered an important figure in the present and future of Gospel music.
Top Tracks You Need to Hear
Starting your journey with Jonathan? Queue these up:
- “Cycles” (ft. DOE) – A spiritual battle cry about breaking patterns and generational curses.
- “Make Room” – Worship in its purest form. A call to clear space for God in your life.
- “People” – A raw, honest lament about betrayal, forgiveness, and emotional healing.
- “Loving Me” – A gut-punch of grace: “He keeps loving me… in spite of me.”
- “Grace” – A smooth, stripped-down reminder of what we don’t deserve but still receive.
🧠 Favorite Lyric:
“They are the best and the worst you’ve created / Loving and hating and opinionated / Lord, save me from people.”
— From “People”
Oof. Too real. Too necessary.
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🎙️ Final Thoughts
Jonathan McReynolds isn’t just a singer—he’s a spiritual mirror. Every song he drops feels like a prayer you didn’t know how to say out loud.
Here at Kingdom Underground Radio, we’re not just spinning beats—we’re spotlighting hearts set on the Kingdom. Jonathan is that voice for this generation: soft-spoken, soul-filled, and Spirit-led.
