Gospel artist and choir director Kevin Lemons died early Saturday after collapsing at his Union City home, according to his publicist.
Lemons, 44, was the founder and director of Higher Calling, a 100-plus member choir, which will mark its 27th year in gospel music this year.
The group’s most recent recording, “Third Round,” received both Dove and Stellar Gospel Music Award nominations. The breakout single, “For Your Good,” garnered more than 100,000 streams and reached No. 3 on the Billboard gospel digital sales chart.
Lemons, who grew up surrounded by gospel music, served as the vocal director for the Netflix film “Come Sunday,” according to a release announcing his death.
Details about a memorial service will be announced soon, according to the release.
Bishop Hezekiah Walker, in a statement, called Lemon one of the kindest and most humble artists he knew.
“His love for God seasoned everything that he did, and his palpable love for people was an extension of that. Kevin Lemons was just a beautiful human being and he will be sorely missed.”
Lemons was signed to the HezHouse Entertainment label.
His labelmate Vincent Bohanan said Lemons was “like none other. There are many things in life we may not understand, but we trust the sovereignty of God. My prayers are with the family and Higher Calling. The gospel choir community will forever remember the life and legacy of Kevin Lemons.”
Lemons was married to Tiunna Lemons for 15 years.
Kevin Lemons & Higher Calling was founded when Lemons and a group of young singers came together for a special music event created by Lemons’ father, Wilbert Lemons. Kevin’s father was the director of the historic Atlanta Masonic Choir, which was founded by Kevin’s grandmother Annie Ruth Lemons.
Kevin Lemons & Higher Calling had 50 Atlanta-based singers and 50 additional singers from other areas including Alabama, California, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, the Washington, D.C., area and New Orleans,.
Higher Calling’s albums include “Destined for Greatness,” “The Declaration,” which peaked at No. 10 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums Chart, and “Third Round,” which was released in 2021.
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