During Gospel Music Heritage Month, Billboard-charting gospel artist, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Kentrell Ragin is preparing to release his new album, The Sound, on Oct. 9. Blending gospel and praise and worship with influences of R&B, hip-hop, pop and rock, the project reflects Ragin’s creative evolution while exploring themes of faith, mental health, grief, freedom and testimony.
The Sound explores what gospel can sound like when an artist gives himself the freedom to create beyond traditional sonic boundaries. For Ragin, that freedom is not about changing the message, but expanding the musical language through which it is expressed.
A former touring musician with J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise, Ragin has shared stages with gospel artists including Erica Campbell, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Marvin Sapp, Tye Tribbett, Karen Clark Sheard, Kierra Sheard Kelly, Deitrick Haddon and Deon Kipping. With The Sound, Ragin showcases his own evolution as an artist, songwriter, and producer.
His creative process is anything but conventional. Rather than routinely listening to other records for inspiration, Ragin often finds music in peculiar sounds, unexpected noises, and sonic textures others might overlook. At times, he even approaches songwriting in reverse, beginning with where he wants a song to land and building backward. Influences ranging from Prince and Journey to traditional gospel echo throughout a project that challenges the idea that gospel must have one particular sound.
Behind that musical freedom is a deeply personal story. Ragin serves as a worship leader at Change Church in Ewing Township, New Jersey, where he regularly pours into others through worship and ministry. While continuing to serve, Ragin was navigating his own season of grief, loss, and depression — experiences that ultimately helped shape The Sound.
“I want people to know that God can meet you right where you are, because that’s what He’s done for me,” Ragin said. “I’ve had to walk through loss, pain and seasons where I didn’t understand what God was doing, but He still gave me a reason to keep going. The Sound is me sharing that journey. I want young men, creatives and anybody who feels disconnected to know that what you’ve been through doesn’t disqualify you. God can still use your story, your gifts and your sound.”
Those themes also emerge on “Testify,” the second single from The Sound, released July 31. Written and produced by Ragin, with additional production from his brother DJ Brown, the Prince-influenced single honors his late grandmother while drawing from the Black church tradition of testimony.
The Sound features appearances from Deon Kipping, Kymberli Joye, and Courtney “CoCo” Crosson and reflects Ragin’s desire to reach listeners both within and beyond traditional gospel spaces.
About the Author
