A singer whom Pharrell Williams has compared to the likes of Beyoncé, Louisiana native Koryn Hawthorne puts a fresh and deeply personal spin on urban contemporary gospel. Born on the day after Christmas in 1997, Hawthorne grew up belting out gospel standards in church, but her rich, dynamic voice also reflects a childhood spent listening to R&B, trap, and hip-hop. She was still a teenager when she received her first taste of fame, finishing in fourth place on The Voice in 2015. Landing a record deal with RCA Inspiration soon afterward, she has notched a string of hits, including 2017’s “Won’t He Do It” and 2020’s “Speak to Me,” that match religious conviction with unshakable self-confidence. As Hawthorne is quick to point out, she’s a firm believer in her own gifts, but her success ultimately is a product of trusting God’s plan for her.