Rudy Currence, also known as early 2000s R&B act "Rudy", is an American singer, songwriter, producer, and keyboardist, best known for co-writing "Sophisticated Lady" for Mya's album Moodring, Grammy-nominated "Sunday A.M" for Karen Clark Sheard's 2015 album Destined to Win, and his 2020 Gospel single "I Belong Here" that peaked at #1 on the Billboard Gospel Airplay Chart. [2][3][4] Trained in classical and jazz piano, Currence recently secured an endorsement deal with Kawai Musical Instruments. [5]
Rudy Currence | |
|---|---|
| Born | Rock Hill, South Carolina, United States |
| Other name | Rudy |
| Alma mater | Furman University |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Label | Platinum Entertainment [1] / Mike Chek Entertainment / Disturbing tha Peace |
Personal life
editBorn in Rock Hill, South Carolina, Currence is the son of a preacher who embraced many different genres of music, creating a religious household that often listened to Motown, Prince, The Bee Gees, and The Carpenters alongside gospel standards.[6] This led to Currence and his siblings singing the national anthem at Charlotte Hornets games, which raised their profile in the region. They would later compete and win on Showtime at the Apollo, the TV show hosted by Steve Harvey at the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem.[6]
Currence is a 2002 Graduate of the Furman University Classical Music program.[7] He recently received the key to the city of Greenville, South Carolina.[8]
Discography
editStudio projects
- More Than You'll Ever Know (2003)
- Here With You (2006)
- Digital Analog (2016)
- Stained Glass Windows (2023)
Singles
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US R&B |
Hot Gospel Songs [9] |
Gospel Airplay [10] |
Gospel Digital [11] | ||||
| "Do It Like Us" (as "Rudy") [12] | 1999 | 113 | |||||
| "Believe Me" (as "Rudy") [13] | 2002 | Bourne Identity OST | |||||
| "Cha Cha / Superstar" | 2003 | More Than You'll Ever Know | |||||
| "Cry Wolf" | 2004 | The Urban Griot: Cold Blooded | |||||
| "Send Me, I'll Go" [14] | 2016 | ||||||
| "Testimony" [15] | 2017 | 21 | 18 | ||||
| "Love Lifted" | 2018 | ||||||
| "#HOPE" (and Remix Featuring David Banner) | 2020 | ||||||
| "I Belong Here" [16][17] | 2020 | 10 | 1 | 3 | Stained Glass Windows | ||
| "No Greater Love" (With Chrisette Michele) [18] | 2022 | 16 | 1 | ||||
| "One Of These Days" | |||||||
| "Ransom" | 2023 | 11 | |||||
| "God Don't Cancel Me" | 2024-26 | 14 | 1 | ||||
Guest appearances
edit| Title | Year | Other performer(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Soul Bossa Nostra" | 2010 | Quincy Jones, Ludacris & Naturally 7 | Q Soul Bossa Nostra [19] |
| "Nobody Wins a War" | Jill Scott, Bilal, Anthony Hamilton, Algebra, Chrisette Michele, Shelby Johnson, Ledisi, Citizen Cope, Dwele, Chico DeBarge, Guile, & Norman Lutz | The Love & War MasterPeace | |
| "Lucky Ones" | 2012 | Lecrae | Gravity |
| "Marry Me" | 2017 | David Banner | The God Box |
| "Christmas Pick Me Up" | 2021 | Raheem DeVaughn | Non-album single |
| "Shine" | Mykal Star | Appear Small | |
Songwriting, keyboard and production credits
editCredits are courtesy of Discogs, Tidal, and AllMusic. [20][21][22]
| Title | Year | Artist | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Sophisticated Lady" | 2003 | Mya | Moodring |
| "No Sleep Tonight" | |||
| "Let's Play House" | 2005 | Ray J | Raydiation |
| "Gravity" (Featuring J.R.) | 2012 | Lecrae | Gravity |
| "Walk With Me" (Featuring Novel) | |||
| "Paper Heart" | 2013 | Algebra | Recovery |
| "Sunday A.M." | 2015 | Karen Clark Sheard | Destined to Win |
| "Come By Here" | 2021 | Prince Tai | Non-album single |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Ceremony | Award | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 44th GMA Dove Awards | Dove Award for Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year (Gravity) | Won | [23] |
| 2015 | 57th Annual Grammy Awards | Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance/Song (Sunday A.M.) | Nominated | [24] |
References
edit- ↑ "Platinum Exec Caldwell Professes Faith In Indie Labels & New Blood". Billboard. November 13, 1999.
- ↑ "Rudy Currence rides wave of popularity as gospel recording artist".
- ↑ "Rudy Currence's New Single "I Belong Here" Available Friday". May 20, 2020. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ↑ "Positive Change". ASCAP. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ↑ "Rudy Currence - Kawai Featured Artists". Archived from the original on February 8, 2023. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- 1 2 "Rudy Currence rides wave of popularity as gospel recording artist". The Charlotte Post.
- ↑ Underwood, Tina (September 5, 2025). "Gospel singer-songwriter Rudy Currence '02 gives back to alma mater". Furman University.
- ↑ "Harmony in hardship: The Rudy Currence story". Rolling Out. March 24, 2024.
- ↑ "Rudy Currence Chart History: Hot Gospel Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
- ↑ "Rudy Currence Chart History: Gospel Airplay". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
- ↑ "Rudy Currence Chart History: Gospel Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
- ↑ "New & Noteworthy Singles - Previews & Reviews: Rudy - "Do It Like Us"". Billboard. October 16, 1999. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ↑ "Rock Hill native leaves no note untried". Archived from the original on February 8, 2023. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ↑ "Rudy Currence Says 'Send Me I'll Go'". September 21, 2016. Archived from the original on February 8, 2023. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ↑ "Grammy Winning Triple-Threat Rudy Currence Opens up About His "Testimony"". March 19, 2018. Archived from the original on February 8, 2023. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ↑ "Rudy Currence Notches First Gospel Airplay No. 1 with 'I Belong Here'". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ↑ "Grammy Winner and New Artist Rudy Currence #1 Single "I Belong Here" Spends Two Weeks Atop Billboard Gospel Airplay Chart". February 11, 2021. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ↑ "Rudy Currence & Chrisette Michele Top Gospel Airplay with 'No Greater Love'". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ↑ "Quincy Jones ' Q: Soul Bossa Nostra' Track-By-Track". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ↑ "ASCAP Audio Portrait: Rudy Currence". ASCAP. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ↑ "Rudy Currence is an Old Soul for a New Generation". YouKnowIGotSoul. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ↑ "Rudy Currence". Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ↑ "Past Winners | the 54th Annual GMA Dove Awards". Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ↑ "Rudy Currence". The Recording Academy. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
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