The gospel community is mourning the loss of another of its great voices. Richard Smallwood — the legendary gospel singer and songwriter whose music touched the world and was reimagined by icons like Destiny’s Child and Whitney Houston — has passed away at the age of 77.
The news was shared in a heartfelt statement on social media:
“We are saddened to announce the passing of world-renowned artist, songwriter, and musician, Richard Smallwood. The family asks that you respect our privacy during this difficult time, while helping to celebrate the legacy he leaves behind and the gifts he unselfishly shared with the world.”
Smallwood wasn’t just a classically trained pianist, he was also a composer and founder of The Richard Smallwood Singers. Over the decades, his unmistakable sound earned him multiple Grammy nominations from 1985 to 2012 and helped shape modern gospel music.
Many people know his work through songs like “Total Praise,” famously covered by Destiny’s Child in their 2007 a cappella “Gospel Medley,” and “I Love the Lord,” which Whitney Houston brought to life in The Preacher’s Wife.
You May Also Like
Roberta Flack was one of his high school teachers before her career took off, and he graduated cum laude from Howard University. Smallwood was a member of the school’s first gospel group, the Celestials, and taught music at the University of Maryland before founding the Richard Smallwood Singers in 1977.
The group — including Dottie Jones, Jackie Ruffin and Darlene Simmons — were Grammy-nominated, and topped Billboard’s Spiritual albums chart with Psalms in 1984.
You May Also Like
Smallwood disbanded the Smallwood Singers in the 1990s, and formed a large backing choir called Vision, with whom he released “Total Praise,” which went on to become his biggest hit.
He released his final album, Anthology, in 2015, and a memoir followed in 2019. He was nominated for eight Grammys over his long career, and won three Dove Awards and multiple Stellar Gospel Music Awards.
Smallwood was diagnosed with “mild dementia and a variety of other health issues” in recent years, which kept him from recording music, according to a release. But his cause of death was ruled to be kidney failure.
Kidney Failure & Black Men: The Disturbing Connection
Black men face a significantly higher risk of kidney failure, developing it at over three times the rate of white men, driven by higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, along with socioeconomic barriers, and specific genetic factors like the APOL1 gene variant, leading to disparities in diagnosis, treatment access, and transplant outcomes. Early detection through risk awareness and management of underlying conditions like blood pressure and blood sugar are crucial for prevention.
Why Does it Target Black Men?
Higher Rates of Comorbidities: Black Americans have higher rates of hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes, major causes of kidney failure.
Socioeconomic Factors: Lack of insurance, access to healthy food, and quality healthcare (social determinants of health) lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
APOL1 Gene: A specific gene variant (APOL1) significantly increases kidney disease risk in about 13% of Black Americans, though genetics aren’t the sole cause.
Diagnostic Bias: Historically, racial bias in kidney function formulas (now corrected) underestimated disease severity in Black patients, delaying care.
Risk Factors & Prevention for Black Men
Control Blood Pressure & Diabetes: Manage these conditions closely.
Healthy Lifestyle: Exercise, eat a healthy diet, and reduce sodium and red meat.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water.
Get Tested: Know your kidney health; see a doctor if you have risk factors or symptoms.
Symptoms Black Men Must Look For
Common Symptoms
Fatigue & Weakness: Lack of EPO hormone leads to anemia, causing tiredness.
Swelling (Edema): Fluid buildup causes puffiness in feet, ankles, hands, or face.
Urination Changes: Urinating more or less, foamy urine, or blood in urine.
Shortness of Breath: Fluid in lungs or anemia.
Skin Issues: Dry, itchy skin due to waste buildup.
Nausea & Vomiting: Waste buildup (uremia) causes digestive upset.
Appetite Loss: Metallic taste or feeling full can reduce hunger.
Muscle Cramps: Electrolyte imbalance causes spasms.
Other Signs
Cognitive Issues: Trouble concentrating, “brain fog,” or confusion.
Sleep Problems: Insomnia or restless legs.
Bad Breath/Metallic Taste: Uremia.
Bone Pain: Weakening bones.
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Symptoms (Sudden)
Sudden decrease in urine.
Confusion, seizures, or coma.
Flank pain (between ribs and hips).
Smallwood won top honors in gospel music throughout his decades-long career, including several Dove and Stellar Awards. He performed for three presidents — Richard M. Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton — and became the rare gospel artist to tour the Soviet Union. In 2006, he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
In 2019, he published his autobiography Total Praise, in which he opened up about his struggles with grief and depression.
Richard Smallwood leaves behind a legacy of worship, excellence, and inspiration that will continue to live on in churches, choirs, and hearts around the world.
