Date and Place of Birth: Born on September 17, 1989, in Chicago, Illinois, USA.Early Life: Raised by a single mother in Chicago, he was a musical prodigy, learning the drums at age 5 and the piano at 8. Despite being a shy child, he began recording music in his college dorm room at Columbia College Chicago, which led to his first viral hit, "No Gray."Musical Career: He is credited with bringing a fresh, "acoustic-soul" sound to gospel music. His debut album, Life Music (2012), was an immediate success, but his 2018 album Make Room truly solidified his global influence, debuting at #1 on the Billboard Gospel charts.Notable Achievements: He is a multi-Grammy, Stellar, and Dove Award winner. Beyond music, he is an author (Make Room and Before You Climb Any Higher), a former judge on BET’s Sunday Best, and a member of Mensa.Current ResidenceBase: He is primarily based in Chicago, Illinois, where he has also served as an adjunct professor at Columbia College.Activity: As of early 2026, he remains at the forefront of the genre. He recently released a new project (March 2026) that blends his signature acoustic style with 80s pop influences. He continues to lead his non-profit, Elihu Nation, which provides college scholarships, and his own record label, Life Room Label