Koryn Mattanah Hawthorne (born December 26, 1997) is an American

contemporary Christian music Contemporary Christian music, also known as CCM, Christian pop, and occasionally inspirational music is a genre of modern popular music, and an aspect of Christian media, which is lyrically focused on matters related to the Christian faith and s ...

and gospel singer. Hawthorne was a finalist in season 8 of NBC's singing competition '' The Voice'', at the age of 17, as a member on

Pharrell Williams Pharrell Lanscilo Williams (; born April 5, 1973) is an American record producer, rapper, singer, and songwriter. Alongside close colleague Chad Hugo, he formed the hip hop and R&B production duo the Neptunes in the early 1990s, with whom he ...

's team. After placing fourth on the show, Hawthorne got signed to RCA Inspiration, a division of Sony Music dedicated to

gospel music Gospel music is a traditional genre of Christian music, and a cornerstone of Christian media. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is com ...

recordings. Her debut studio album, ''Unstoppable'', was released on July 13, 2018, and earned her multiple awards nominations, including two

Grammy The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pre ...

nominations.

Career

2015: ''The Voice''

Koryn Hawthorne auditioned for the eighth season of '' The Voice'' singing Emeli Sandé's "My Kind of Love". Both Christina Aguilera and Williams turned around. Hawthorne chose Aguilera as her coach. In the Battle rounds, Hawthorne faced Vance Smith, where they sang " Love Me Harder", a duet by

Ariana Grande Ariana Grande-Butera ( ; born June 26, 1993) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Her four-octave vocal range has received critical acclaim, and her personal life has been the subject of widespread media attention. She has received ...

and The Weeknd. Hawthorne was chosen over Smith. During the Knockout rounds, she covered " Try" but lost to her opponent Kimberly Nichole. She was then stolen by Williams. During the Playoffs she sang How Great Thou Art but was not chosen by the public, who could only save two artists from Williams' team. Williams, who could save one of his three remaining artists, chose her. The following week, she sang Kelly Clarkson's " Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" and was saved by public voting. In the Top 10 she performed " Make It Rain" by Foy Vance, reaching the third position on iTunes and debuting at the 84th position on

Hot 100 The ''Billboard'' Hot 100 is the music industry standard record chart in the United States for songs, published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine. Chart rankings are based on sales (physical and digital), radio play, and online streaming ...

. The following week, she covered " Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keys and was saved by the public. In the Top 6, Hawthorne showed her rock side covering R.E.M's " Everybody Hurts" and

Aerosmith Aerosmith is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Boston in 1970. The group consists of Steven Tyler (lead vocals), Joe Perry (musician), Joe Perry (guitar), Tom Hamilton (musician), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer (drums) and Brad Whi ...

's " Dream On". In the Top 5, after singing U2's "

One 1 (one, unit, unity) is a number representing a single or the only entity. 1 is also a numerical digit and represents a single unit of counting or measurement. For example, a line segment of ''unit length'' is a line segment of length 1. I ...

" and the traditional song, " Oh Mary Don't You Weep", she was, alongside India Carney, in the bottom two. She sang

Beyoncé Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter ( ; born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Beyoncé's boundary-pushing artistry and vocals have made her the most influential female musician of the 21st century, according to ...

's " If I Were a Boy" for her last chance performance, being instantly saved over Carney. In the finale, Hawthorne performed " It's a Man's Man's Man's World" by

James Brown James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American singer, dancer, musician, record producer and bandleader. The central progenitor of funk music and a major figure of 20th century music, he is often referred to by the honor ...

, The Beatles' " We Can Work It Out" with coach Williams and also her original song "Bright Fire", written by Williams. She finished in 4th place. Throughout the competition, Hawthorne's evolution as a singer caught the attention of the coaches.

Adam Levine Adam Noah Levine (; born March 18, 1979) is an American singer and songwriter. He serves as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the pop rock band Maroon 5. Levine began his musical career in 1994 with the band Kara's Flowers, of which ...

pointed out that never before in the history of ''The Voice'' had he seen "such a drastic, incredible, unbelievable journey". Williams compared her drive to succeed to that of

. Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza declared May 6, 2015 "Koryn Hawthorne Day" and presented her with the key to the city. : – Studio version of performance reached the top 10 on iTunes

2016–2017: Record deal and EP release

After finishing in fourth place on '' The Voice'', Hawthorne got signed to RCA Inspiration, a division of Sony Music dedicated to gospel music recordings, and started working on her debut material. In February 2016, she announced via Twitter she would be guest-starring on the fifth season of ''

Mary Mary Mary Mary is a female American urban contemporary gospel duo composed of sisters Erica Atkins-Campbell (born April 29, 1972) and Trecina Atkins-Campbell (born May 1, 1974). Formed in 1998, Mary Mary was launched into mainstream recognition fo ...

'', that first aired on March 3. On the reality TV show, Hawthorne got to know producer Warryn Campbell, who would later help to produce her original material. On March 6, 2016, the TV show '' Saints & Sinners'', in which Hawthorne recorded the song ''Saints & Sinners'' for the original soundtrack, was premiered on

Bounce TV Bounce TV is an American digital multicast television network owned by Katz Broadcasting, a subsidiary of E. W. Scripps Company. Promoted as "the first 24/7 digital multicast broadcast network created to target African Americans", the channel fe ...

. In 2017, Hawthorne collaborated with Christian recording artist

Branan Murphy Branan Murphy (born August 13, 1986) is a pop vocalist, rapper, songwriter and producer signed to Paravel Records / Dream Records. Career Henry “Hank” Branan Murphy grew up in Louisville, GA, first listening to The Beach Boys as a kid and ...

on the single "All the Wrong Things". Following the appearance on ''Mary Mary'', Hawthorne made a guest appearance on OWN's TV show '' Greenleaf'', debuting "Won't He Do It", the lead single from her debut material. ''Koryn Hawthorne – EP'', a four-track EP, was released on August 11, 2017. Hawthorne's vocals and delivery attracted

Award-winning producers and songwriters Warryn Campbell,

Makeba Riddick Makeba Riddick-Woods (also known as "Girl Wonder") is an American singer-songwriter who has been active since 2005. She is originally from West Baltimore, Maryland, US. Currently she is managed by Jay-Z's record label and production house, Ro ...

, Bernie Herms and Joaquin "The Bear" Bynum, who produced and penned her debut material. The EP earned Hawthorne two Stellar Gospel Music Awards nominations for New Artist of the Year and Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year.

2018–2019: Debut album release and Grammy Awards nomination

Koryn's full-length debut, ''Unstoppable'', was released on July 13, 2018, and reached number 1 on the Top Gospel Albums, while the album's lead single, "Won't He Do It", reached number 1 on

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

's three main gospel charts. Hawthorne is the first woman to top four gospel charts simultaneously in five years as well as the longest number 1 female artist holder on Billboard's Hot Gospel Songs Chart. Alongside Jeremy Camp, Matthew West and Rend Collective, she was one of the attractions of the Christian music's summer concert event ''Summer Lights Tour'', which started on July 12, 2018, in Detroit and ended on July 22, 2018, in Corbin. On July 26, 2018, Aaron Cole's new single, "Down Like That", in which Koryn is featured, was released. Later this year, Hawthorne was nominated for the 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards in two categories: New Artist of the Year and Contemporary Gospel/Urban Recorded Song of the Year for her debut single "Won't He Do It", and won the latter. In November 2018, Hawthorne took the stage on Soul Train Awards, performing her hit single "Won't He Do It". In February 2019, the music video for "Unstoppable" was released, featuring Lecrae. Koryn Hawthorne received a nomination for Best Gospel Performance/Song ("Won't He Do It") on the 61st Grammy Award. She also received seven Stellar Awards nominations and two NAACP Image Awards nominations, having won one from each award. Later this year, she was nominated for the

Billboard Music Awards The ''Billboard'' Music Awards are honors given out annually by '' Billboard'', a publication covering the music business and a music popularity chart. The ''Billboard'' Music Awards show has been held annually since 1990, with the exception of ...

2019, in three categories. In August 2019, Koryn contributed to '' Overcomer'' soundtrack with the single "Enough". Hawthorne was nominated for Best Gospel Performance/Song ("Speak the Name") on the 62nd Grammy Awards, making it her second Grammy nomination. In December 2019, Koryn's debut single "Won't He Do It" was officially certified Gold.

2020–present: ‘’I AM’’

On July 24, 2020, Koryn released "Pray", the lead single from her second album, which reached number 1 on

's Gospel Digital Song Sales chart. On August 7, the album's second single, "Speak to Me", was released. Hawthorne's album, ‘’I AM’’, was released on September 18, 2020. For the second year in a row, Koryn Hawthorne was nominated for ''Billboard'' Top Gospel Artist category alongside Kirk Franklin,

Tasha Cobbs Leonard Natasha Tameika Cobbs Leonard (born July 7, 1981) is an American gospel musician and songwriter. She released the extended play ''Grace'' in 2013 with the hit lead single "Break Every Chain". The EP reached No. 61 on the '' Billboard'' charts. ...

Sunday Service Choir The Sunday Service Choir, (commonly known as Sunday Service) is an American gospel group led by artist and producer Kanye West and conducted by choir director Jason White. Beginning in January 2019, the group has performed every Sunday, as well ...

and Kanye West. Koryn was nominated for the Best Gospel/Inspirational Award on BET’s annual Soul Train Awards 2020, competing against long-time artists

Bebe Winans Benjamin "BeBe" Winans (born September 17, 1962) is an American gospel and R&B singer. He is a member of the noted Winans family, most members of which are also gospel artists. Winans has released nine albums, seven with his sister CeCe Winans, C ...

, Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, PJ Morton and The Clark Sisters. On February 2021, Hawthorne was nominated for the Best Gospel/Christian Album on

NAACP Image Award The NAACP Image Awards is an annual awards ceremony presented by the U.S.-based National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to honor outstanding performances in film, television, theatre, music, and literature. Similar to ...

. Koryn was also nominated for the third year in a row for the

2021, in three categories. Her single "Speak to Me" was nominated for two categories on the 52nd GMA Dove Awards: Song of the Year and Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year.

Influences

Hawthorne cites a variety of artists as her main influences and inspirations, including Jt,

Etta James Jamesetta Hawkins (January 25, 1938 – January 20, 2012), known professionally as Etta James, was an American singer who performed in various genres, including gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, rock and roll, and soul. Starting her career in 1954, sh ...

, Mary J. Blige, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Lauryn Hill, Fred Hammond,

, Kirk Franklin, among others.

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Singles

As lead artist

Other charted songs

Promotional singles

As featured artist

Releases from ''The Voice''

;Albums ;Competition singles

Awards and nominations

American Music Awards

, - , 2021 , Koryn Hawthorne , Favorite Gospel Artist ,

Billboard Music Awards

, - , rowspan="3" , 2019 , Koryn Hawthorne , , , - , Unstoppable , Top Gospel Album , , - , "Won't He Do It" , Top Gospel Song , , - , 2020 , Koryn Hawthorne , Top Gospel Artist , , - , rowspan="3" , 2021 , Koryn Hawthorne , Top Gospel Artist , , - , I AM , Top Gospel Album , , - , "Speak to Me" , Top Gospel Song ,

GMA Dove Awards

, - , rowspan="2" , 2018 , Koryn Hawthorne , New Artist of the , , - , "Won't He Do It" , Contemporary Gospel/Urban Recorded Song of the Year , , - , rowspan="4" , 2019 , Koryn Hawthorne , Gospel Artist of the Year , , - , "Won't He Do It" , Song of the Year , , - , "Unstoppable" , Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year , , - , ''Unstoppable'' , Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year , , - , 2020 , Koryn Hawthorne , Best Gospel/Inspirational Award , , - , rowspan="2" , 2021 , "Speak to Me" , , Song of the Year , , , - , ''I Am'' , , Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year , ,

Grammy Award

, - , 2019 , , "Won't He Do It" , , Best Gospel Performance/Song , , , - , 2020 , , "Speak the Name" , , Best Gospel Performance/Song , ,

NAACP Image Awards

, - , rowspan="2" , 2019 , Koryn Hawthorne , Outstanding New Artist , , - , Unstoppable , Outstanding Gospel Album (Traditional or Contemporary) , , - , 2021 , I AM , Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album ,

Stellar Gospel Music Awards

, - , rowspan="2" , 2018 , , rowspan="6" , Koryn Hawthorne , , New Artist of the Year , , , - , Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year , , , - , rowspan="7" , 2019 , , Artist of the Year , , , - , Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year , , , - , Producer of the Year , , , - , Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year , , , - , rowspan="2" , "Won't He Do It" , , Song of the Year , , , - , Music Video of the Year , , , - , Unstoppable , , Contemporary CD of the Year , , , -

Soul Train Awards

, - , 2020 , Koryn Hawthorne , Best Gospel/Inspirational Award ,

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hawthorne, Koryn 1997 births Living people 21st-century African-American women singers Singers from Louisiana American contemporary R&B singers American soul singers American gospel singers The Voice (franchise) contestants 21st-century American singers Participants in American reality television series 21st-century American women singers