Naomi Raine and Chandler Moore have officially announced their exits from Maverick City Music, marking a major shift for one of the most influential worship collectives of the past decade.

The news arrives without scandal or spectacle, but it still carries weight. Maverick City Music didn’t just produce songs — it helped reframe what worship could sound like, look like, and feel like for a generation raised on genre-blending playlists, vulnerability, and authenticity. Naomi and Chandler were central to that identity.

In many ways, the transition had already begun.

Just weeks before the announcement, Naomi Raine released her solo project, Jesus Over Everything, on September 14. The album feels stripped-back and intentional, less focused on communal anthems and more on personal conviction. Songs like “Lost in Hallelujah” lean into restraint rather than climax — worship that doesn’t rush resolution or try to sound bigger than it is.

Addressing the shift directly, Naomi framed the moment as growth rather than departure.

“This isn’t really an ending. It’s a new beginning. A new chapter,” she wrote. “I learned so much about God, about people, and about myself. Every song was written from a pure place — just wanting to please God.”

Her statement reflects a throughline that’s been present throughout her work: faith as something lived and evolving, not fixed or performative.

Chandler Moore followed with his own message, emphasizing clarity and forward momentum rather than nostalgia.

“These last few years have been locked in on what really matters in my life and my career,” he shared. “It’s been scary at times, but full of fresh vision and real excitement about the future.”

That recalibration has increasingly shaped Chandler’s solo direction, which he says is focused less on production and more on connection.

“I’m stepping into the next phase, ready to make music that helps people feel a little more human, a little more understood, and a little less alone.”

That approach mirrors what drew so many listeners to Maverick City Music in the first place. The collective disrupted traditional worship norms by embracing cultural nuance, emotional honesty, and musical hybridity — pulling from gospel, CCM, soul, and contemporary Black music without forcing clean lines between them.

Naomi and Chandler weren’t just contributors to that sound — they helped define it.

Their exits don’t signal an abandonment of that vision so much as an expansion of it. Naomi’s Jesus Over Everything and Chandler’s forthcoming solo work suggest both artists are exploring what faith-centered music looks like when it’s untethered from a single collective framework.

For fans, the moment may feel like the closing of a chapter — but Maverick City Music was always designed as a community, not a container. Its influence was never meant to stop at the group itself.

As Chandler put it plainly:

“The dream hasn’t changed. The sound continues.”

What changes now is scale and direction, not intent.

Naomi Raine and Chandler Moore aren’t leaving behind what they helped build. They’re carrying it forward — on their own terms, in their own voices, and into whatever comes next.

About ArtSoul Radio

ArtSoul Radio is a faith-forward media and culture platform spotlighting the intersection of Christian R&B, Gospel, CHH, and creative expression. Through storytelling, sound, and community, we amplify the voices shaping the next era of faith-driven culture.

Boston, MA—Toast (NYSE: TOST) and acclaimed food critic, Keith Lee, are joining forces to celebrate extraordinary restaurants and the little details that make them special. Beginning today, Toast and Lee will surprise the first of three restaurants with $50,000 each over the next few weeks.

Based on three categories, Commitment to Hospitality, Community Connection, Employee Care and Engagement, Keith has selected the first two restaurants. Toast and Keith Lee will also select a third restaurant based on submissions entered on social media, awarding a final $50,000 cash prize to one restaurant — and $25,000 to the individual that nominates them. 

“As guests, we often see only what arrives on the plate, while restaurants orchestrate a complex symphony of details — from ingredients to atmosphere to staff choreography, and more – to make for amazing dining experiences,” said Kelly Esten, Chief Marketing Officer at Toast. “Like Toast, Keith Lee recognizes that it’s those little things that often set restaurants apart, not big marketing budgets or big name chefs. We’re delighted to work with him — and invite our community on social media to do so as well — to recognize some truly special businesses.”

“Getting a 10 out of 10 in my book is about more than the taste of the food alone — it’s also about the energy when walking in the door, the way food might be packaged, or how the server made me feel when I ordered,” said Lee. “I’ve made a career highlighting the way these details come together to make for great meals, and I’m thrilled to work with Toast to celebrate just a few of the people in our big, broad restaurant community who make it happen.”

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As part of ArtSoul Radio’s 365 Initiative to support Black & BIPOC-owned businesses throughout the year, this is a story worth reviewing.

In 2009, Venus and Serena Williams became minority owners of the Miami Dolphins, making them the first Black women to own an NFL franchise. Since then, the growth of their investment has been remarkable. In 2009, the Dolphins were valued at 1 billion dollars. By 2023, 14 years later, the Miami Dolphins were valued at 4.6 billion dollars.

Despite the fact that 70% of the league’s players are Black, the majority of NFL ownership remains white. However, Venus and Serena became the first Black women to own an NFL team, creating a pathway for others to follow. Following their lead, Mellody Hobson became the third Black woman to become a minority team owner in 2022. Lewis Hamilton and Condoleezza Rice joined the list when they purchased a stake in the Denver Broncos. In 2023, Magic Johnson became a minority owner of the Washington Commanders.

Venus and Serena Williams are true trailblazers! Forbes reported in 2022 that Venus was the second highest-paid female athlete. Their investment in the Miami Dolphins, in partnership, is not only changing the investment landscape but also breaking barriers both on and off the court.

Their success in business complements their legendary status in tennis. Their investment in the Miami Dolphins is just one example of how they are reshaping the investment landscape. It’s inspiring to see them use their platform and influence to make an impact beyond tennis!

With their track record, their investment is bound to yield excellent results. It’s only a matter of time before we see the first Black majority owner of an NFL team.