Richard Smallwood, the legendary gospel musician behind timeless anthems like “Total Praise” and “I Love the Lord,” passed away on December 30, 2025, at the age of 77.

While his music brought hope and healing to millions, Smallwood’s own life was marked by deep personal struggles that he courageously shared with the world.

Born on November 30, 1948, in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in Washington, D.C., Smallwood exhibited extraordinary musical talent from an early age.

He went on to study at Howard University, where he honed his unique ability to blend classical music with gospel, creating a revolutionary sound that would dominate the genre for decades.

His debut album with the Richard Smallwood Singers spent an unprecedented 87 weeks on Billboard’s gospel chart, cementing his status as a cultural icon.

But behind the accolades and success, Smallwood battled a painful past.

In his 2019 autobiography Total Praise, he revealed that he had been abused as a child by the man he believed to be his father, only to discover later in life that this man was not his biological parent.

The trauma left deep scars, contributing to a lifelong struggle with clinical depression.

For years, Smallwood felt trapped by the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black church, where seeking help was often seen as a sign of weak faith.

However, he ultimately sought therapy and medication, becoming a vocal advocate for mental health awareness in the church community.

Smallwood never married or had children, choosing instead to dedicate his life to his music and his ministry.

His choirs, including the Richard Smallwood Singers and Vision, became his family, and his songs became his legacy.

Over his five-decade career, Smallwood earned eight Grammy nominations, multiple Stellar Awards, and a place in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

His music transcended religious and racial boundaries, with artists like Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder performing his compositions.

“Total Praise,” perhaps his most famous work, has become a universal anthem of hope, sung in churches, hospitals, and homes worldwide.

Its lyrics have comforted countless people in their darkest moments, proving the healing power of music.

For Smallwood, music was more than a career—it was his salvation, his ministry, and his way of transforming pain into praise.

As the gospel community mourns his loss, they also celebrate a life that exemplified resilience, faith, and authenticity.

Richard Smallwood’s story is a testament to the fact that even in the face of trauma and struggle, one can create beauty, inspire others, and leave a lasting impact.

His legacy will continue to resonate, reminding us that the most profound worship often comes from those who have endured the deepest pain and emerged stronger on the other side.