Howard alum and gospel music icon Richard Smallwood, whose music reshaped contemporary gospel and influenced generations of artists and worship leaders, has died at the age of 77. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Smallwood passed away following complications related to kidney failure. His death marks the loss of one of gospel music’s most revered composers, arrangers, and musicians—an artist whose work bridged sacred tradition with musical excellence and cultural impact.
News of Smallwood’s passing sparked an outpouring of tributes across the music and faith communities, with artists, pastors, and fans reflecting on a body of work that defined modern gospel worship and transcended denominational and generational boundaries.
A Howard University Foundation Rooted in Excellence
Born in Atlanta and raised in Washington, D.C., Richard Smallwood displayed extraordinary musical talent from an early age, teaching himself to play piano by ear before formally studying music. That gift would later be refined at Howard University, where Smallwood graduated cum laude and helped establish the school’s gospel choir, laying a foundation that continues to influence Howard’s musical legacy today.
While at Howard, Smallwood combined classical training with gospel tradition, a fusion that would become the hallmark of his sound. His connection to the university placed him within a long lineage of Howard alumni who have shaped Black music, culture, and intellectual life, and his impact remains deeply felt within the HBCU community.
Building a Sound That Changed Gospel Music
After graduating, Smallwood went on to teach music at the University of Maryland before forming the Richard Smallwood Singers in 1977. The ensemble introduced a sophisticated, choir-driven approach to gospel that emphasized musical complexity, theological depth, and emotional resonance. Songs such as “Total Praise”, “I Love the Lord,” and “Order My Steps” became modern gospel standards, regularly performed in churches across the country and around the world.
Smallwood later expanded his musical vision with the group Vision, continuing to push the boundaries of gospel music while maintaining its spiritual core. His compositions were widely praised for their intricate arrangements and scriptural grounding, elevating gospel music to new artistic heights without sacrificing its worship-centered purpose.
Influence Beyond the Church
Smallwood’s influence extended far beyond traditional gospel spaces. His song “I Love the Lord” reached mainstream audiences after being recorded by Whitney Houston for The Preacher’s Wife soundtrack, introducing his work to a global audience. Over the years, his music was also performed or cited as influential by artists across genres, including Destiny’s Child, Stevie Wonder, and Boyz II Men, underscoring the universal reach of his artistry.
Throughout his career, Smallwood earned eight Grammy Award nominations and received multiple Stellar Awards and Dove Awards, cementing his status as one of the most decorated and respected figures in gospel music history. He was later inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, a recognition that reflected both his artistic achievements and his enduring spiritual impact.
A Lasting Legacy of Faith and Culture
Beyond awards and accolades, Richard Smallwood’s greatest legacy lies in the way his music continues to shape worship experiences across denominations and generations. “Total Praise” alone has become a global anthem, performed at funerals, graduations, protests, and moments of collective reflection, often serving as a soundtrack for both grief and hope.
As a Howard alum, Smallwood’s life and career stand as a powerful example of the cultural and spiritual influence HBCUs have on American music. His work represents a tradition of Black excellence that blends intellectual rigor, artistic mastery, and faith-driven purpose—values deeply rooted in the HBCU experience.
Remembering a Gospel Giant
Following news of his passing, tributes poured in from across the gospel and music communities, with many describing Smallwood as a composer whose work did more than inspire—it ministered. Family members have asked for privacy as they prepare to celebrate his life and legacy, with memorial details expected to be shared at a later date.
As the world remembers Richard Smallwood, his music remains—a living testimony to faith, discipline, and creative brilliance. For the Howard University community, the gospel world, and generations of listeners, his legacy will continue to echo wherever voices are lifted in praise.
