Chicago was the backdrop for a moment you couldn’t script any better: GRAMMY®, Dove, and Stellar Award-winning powerhouse Jonathan McReynolds linking arms with American Idol Season 23 winner Jamal Roberts to deliver a live ballad that hits straight to the soul. Their new single, “Still,” isn’t just another worship record—it’s a reminder that God’s love is the one thing that doesn’t shift when life does.

Recorded live in McReynolds’ hometown, the song is lifted from his forthcoming project Closer—an album already carrying heavy anticipation. What unfolds in “Still” is classic Jonathan: heartfelt storytelling, layered with rich theology, now elevated by Roberts’ fresh, unshaken voice.

👉 Watch the live performance here.

Legacy Meets New Fire 🔥

Jonathan McReynolds has carved out a lane few can touch—an artist who makes Gospel feel as real as your group chat confessions. His catalog has always balanced honesty and worship, bringing Sunday morning depth into everyday playlists.

Enter Jamal Roberts: the new voice America fell in love with on American Idol. His win wasn’t just about vocal ability—it was about heart, authenticity, and the kind of presence that feels rare. Pairing him with McReynolds doesn’t just make sense; it feels prophetic. It’s the kind of intergenerational link-up that keeps Gospel fresh while honoring its roots.

The Vibe

With “Still,” Jonathan McReynolds and Jamal Roberts don’t just give us another Gospel single—they give us a soundtrack for resilience. It’s raw, it’s soulful, and it’s proof that the future of faith-based music is in good hands. Expect this one to be on repeat long after the Stellars.

Holy Smoke! Festival returns to Rocketown (Nashville, TN) this week for three days of Christian hip-hop, alternative faith-based music, community, and culture—plus a free industry conference and pop-up market. Running August 14–16, the 2025 edition features Indie Tribe and a stacked roster of special guests. Holy Smoke!

Fast Facts

• Dates: August 14–16, 2025
• Venue: Rocketown, 601 4th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37210
• Ticket Types: 2-Day GA (Fri/Sat) and VIP (3-day access + VIP perks)
• What’s New/Notable: Free Indie Institute conference, an outdoor Holy Smoke! Market, VIP party with a cypher/listening session, and Meet & Greet access. Holy Smoke!+1rocketown.org

The Lineup

Headlined by Indie Tribe — nobigdyl., Jon Keith, Mogli the Iceburg, Torey D’Shaun, and DJ Mykael V — Holy Smoke! also features WHATUPRG, Alex Jean, Aha Gazelle, West Indies (Miles Minnick & Jon Keith), Zauntee, Briana Shanae, gio., Sarah Juers, Taylor Hill, Bodywash, and Josh P. Expect surprises, collabs, and a DJ Mykael V super set. RapzillaHoly Culture

What’s Happening Each Day

Thursday (VIP Only)

• VIP Party with a cypher, special guest performances, and an exclusive Indie Tribe listening party. (VIP ticket includes 3-day access.) Holy Smoke!

Friday

• Indie Institute (FREE) — the festival’s industry conference (RSVP required).
  Time: 1:00–3:00 PM • Location: Rocketown
  Expect panels with “heavy hitters” covering artistry, business, marketing, and more. (RSVP is free; you don’t need a festival ticket to attend.) Holy Smoke!X (formerly Twitter)
• VIP Meet & Greet + Early Entry
  VIP Doors: 3:15–4:30 PM • GA Doors: 4:30 PM
• Main Stage: 5:00–9:30 PM. Holy Smoke!

Saturday

• Holy Smoke! Market (OUTSIDE): 12:30–8:00 PM — pop-ups, merch, and community.
• VIP Doors: 1:00 PM • GA Doors: 1:30 PM
• Main Stage: 2:00–9:30 PM.
• VIP Inner Circle: Note the Native Stage opens early for VIP (limited capacity) and a 2:45 PM Main-stage Meet & Greet. Holy Smoke!+1

Tickets & VIP Perks

• 2-Day GA: Access Friday + Saturday festival programming.
• VIP: 3-day access, Thursday VIP party (cypher/listening session + special guests), early entry both days, and Indie Tribe Meet & Greet. Prices are tiered and may change; rain-or-shine; no refunds.

In late July 2025, Norman Gyamfi—CEO of Insignia Assets, which owns TRIBL Records (and affiliated with Maverick City Music)—appeared on The Isaac Carree Show and sparked controversy. He criticized the traditional gospel sound, suggesting it’s become outdated. He said, “Y’all sing too hard, y’all oversing … Stop doing that,” calling for a more streamlined, contemporary approach. His remarks ignited fierce backlash, especially from those who saw his words as dismissive toward the legacy and emotional depth of gospel music.

Marvin Sapp—the longtime gospel artist—responded thoughtfully, emphasizing grief for the manner of the message even while acknowledging Gyamfi’s call for modernization had some merit.

Naomi Raine Steps In With Instagram Response

Naomi Raine, now a Grammy award winning artist and a foundational voice and worship leader with Maverick City Music, addressed the controversy via Instagram. In her post, she acknowledged that the group hasn’t always gotten everything right, but emphasized their commitment to integrity in worship. Though the post was shared publicly, Naomi later deleted it. The reasons for its removal remain private and unconfirmed. You can view what her full Instagram post said below:

“I can sleep at night knowing that when it comes to the content of our worship and our songs, it has always been pure and released with the intent to glorify God,” she wrote.

Raine also pushed back on the idea that Maverick City had distanced itself from gospel music, saying the collective has always honored its roots.

“From the beginning, Maverick has been unapologetically committed to the advancement and celebration of gospel music and Black people,” she wrote. “We stood for Black lives even when some fans unfollowed us, attended and led worship at marches, and used our platform to speak up when it wasn’t popular.”

She went on to affirm the gospel community and the ongoing evolution of its sound: “I deeply value the evolution of [gospel music’s] sound and space that’s happening … I pray that as things continue to shift and grow, we never lose the essence of what makes gospel music so powerful.”

As of now, Maverick City Music has not issued a formal statement on the interview, and Gyamfi has not responded publicly to the criticism.

Going To the Deep End: Naomi Raine on Lecrae’s Podcast

Shortly after her Instagram post—and its removal—Naomi joined Lecrae on The Deep End With Lecrae in episode 84, released on August 1, 2025 Instagram. Her appearance felt like a continuation of her IG remarks, stepping into a space that allowed for deeper reflection.

On the podcast, Naomi spoke candidly—tackling backlash, addressing the double standards in ministry, unpacking the business side of worship music, and exploring what authenticity means when faith, fame, and tradition collide. She was praised for being “raw, hilarious, and heartfelt,” offering a version of herself that was “real, funny, wise, and unafraid to go deep” Apple Podcasts.

The Deep End guest appearance is described as one of her most honest and transparent—to the point of being deeply vulnerable as she navigated personal and spiritual crossroads. It made for compelling listening, drawing in both fans and newcomers alike.