Kelontae Gavin

Kelontae Gavin, an energetic contemporary gospel vocalist from Ridgeville, South Carolina, unwittingly launched his career with a performance of the Rev. Paul Jones' "I Won't Complain." Recorded in his high school cafeteria in 2014 and uploaded to YouTube, the interpretation caught the attention of Atlanta-based pastor and music executive Marquis Boone. Gavin signed with Marquis Boone Enterprises in early 2016, and through Boone's affiliation with the long-running Tyscot label, released his debut single, "Higher," that November. The song was written by his mother, Priscilla Smalls, and produced by the Grammy-winning Myron Butler. Around that time, Gavin made his national televised debut on BET's Joyful Noise. In 2018, he returned with his full-length debut, The Higher Experience, which peaked at number two on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums chart. Included on the album was the single "No Ordinary Worship." ~ Andy Kellman