Jonathan McReynolds

Jonathan McReynolds launched his successful career in the music industry in 2012 with the release of his first album, "Life Music." This marked the beginning of a streak of chart-topping releases, with "Life Music: Stage Two" (2015) and "Make Room" (2018) both reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart. His track "No Gray" gained significant viral attention, enabling him to make appearances on BET's Celebration of Gospel. In 2019, he stepped into a new role as a judge on Season 9 of BET's "Sunday Best."

McReynolds continued to make strides in his career in 2020 with the release of his EP "People", which features "Moving On", the track that won him the 2021 Grammy for Best Gospel Performance/Song. His success was not only recognized in the form of awards but also with opportunities to perform in prominent events such as the 2024 Democratic National Convention. In 2021, he ventured into acting with his debut role in the BET+ movie "Favorite Son."

In addition to his musical pursuits, McReynolds has also made significant contributions in the realm of education and self-help. He has spent five years teaching at Columbia College Chicago in the music department and has shared his insights and experiences in two books, "From Sunday Best to Soul Rest" and "Before You Climb Any Higher: Valley Wisdom for Mountain Dreams" (2025). His dedication to empowering young intellectuals is further demonstrated through his non-profit organization, Elihu Nation, which has awarded at least $30,000 in college scholarships.