When Marvin Sapp’s mother told him, “you can’t do both” regarding singing R&B and gospel, it’s clear that he made the right choice. Still, he’s been asked over his decades long career what his take on R&B would sound like. For years we many have wondered and now, you can wonder no more with Sapp’s “If I Were an R&B Singer,” which released today. In a press release, Sapp named Peabo Bryson and Teddy Pendergrass as two of his all-time favorite singers.
The press release names Kolton Perrine as writer and producer of the album which provides an “audibly wistful look at Marvin Sapp from a different point of view, while offering timeless, wholesome, resonant love songs. Perrine, also grew up in church and knows the dexterity with which a project of this magnitude must be handled. Perrine is no stranger to the genre, producing hits for Fireboy DML, Ed Sheeran and other secular artists. Perrine recalled R&B in the 90’s and early 2000’s and wanted to bring that feel to the project.
“This is something that I wanted to get off my chest so to speak, because I get asked so often if I would ever sing R&B. It is also a throwback to the R&B music that I grew up on, where love and emotions and romanticism were at the heart of the songs. There will not be another EP or album from me that isn’t Gospel, and I hope fans of my music will appreciate this. I also hope that fans of R&B will take a listen and enjoy what they hear.” – Marvin Sapp
If I Were An R&B Singer features four heartfelt, relevant songs: “Listen,” “Moment or Lifetime,” “Free Fallin” (co-written by his son) and “Through My Pain”. The songs are beautifully produced with a lush, resonant sound that embraces the listener and illuminates Sapp’s impeccable vocals. Live musicians on the project include: Johnny Steele (string arrangements), Theo Akai (guitar) Bubby Lewis (bass) and Jeremy Winbush (drums) and Roy Cotton who provided additional strings in post-production.
Now, let me go ahead and share my review of the EP. I listened and I think you should, too! I’ll be honest, I didn’t think I would enjoy it! But, the sound, content and context is no different than KEM, India Airie, Major or any other major R&B artist we regularly welcome to gospel platforms. I wouldn’t be too mad if either of these had been a deep cut on any of Bishop Sapp’s 16 albums. The EP sounds great, which if you’ve followed Sapp for any length of time, you know that’s a given! I listened blindly and didn’t repeat any tracks, but I wanted to repeat the last three.
You have to remember that Marvin and Malinda Sapp was a thing! I still love to hear him talk about his late wife and what she still means to him and his children. That being said, these songs are not playing around! I’m not sure if Marvin Sapp is dating or looking, but from the tone of these songs, he’s not interested in wasting any time when it comes to love. “Listen” is a jam but not it’s not playing around! The chorus says, “When you find love, what’s the use of us running from the feelings inside? They’re going to follow, no guarantees for tomorrow. When you find love, the moment is now, so don’t you waste another day when it’s true love staring right here in your face.” This song feels the most like a gospel song and the auto-tune gets a little in the way of the lead vocals. Besides that, I still like the song.
Good music is just that, good! If you like coordinated dances and can’t get into the Tamia dance or need something a little slower to fill the dance floor, you’ll love “Free Fallin (sic).” On second thought, we need a video and tutorial for that one! It’s a serious groove, though, and safe for those marriage ministry gatherings at the church. “Moment or Lifetime” is a conversation for grownups. Every serious couple has had this conversation that has either ended the relationship or led them down the aisle. In the song Sapp says, “I‘d rather take my time and take it easy. Girl, right now, it’s just too easy. It’s high what we’re feeling inside, but the question is, is this for a moment or for a lifetime?”
“Through My Pain” features everything we love about memorable R&B. It feels like Babyface and that’s enough said! Bishop Sapp said that he won’t be recording another album that isn’t gospel, but he should definitely consider bookings to sing this one at weddings, anniversaries, birthday parties and anywhere else. It’s that good. Maybe adult R&B stations could consider adding this one to the rotation or swap it out for “Never Would Have Made It.” All in all, I like it! It’s worth adding to your library and playing on the way to or from a date or social gathering. I like that Marvin Sapp has taken this leap, and I feel like more artists could follow suit. In reality, who else can talk to believers about love better than other believers?
We’ve got some crooners in gospel music, but that doesn’t mean that they want to sing about romantic love. I wish more did. We’ll see if this inspires anyone else to. You probably felt it but didn’t know it but, “Forever” co-written by Bishop Jason Nelson and his wife Tonya perfectly encapsulates God’s idea of His agape love and models in song form the commitment of marriage vows. Originally, “This Is Why I Love You” by Major was a love song to God. The song’s repurposing as a love ballad took the world by storm, making Major a household name.
The press release for the album dubs it timeless and that’s great because it’ll have to suffice in place of any other queries for Sapp to sing any other genre. Bishop Sapp concludes the album with “My Conviction,” saying, “That’s probably how I would sound if I were an R&B singer. That’s not my assignment. My assignment is to do kingdom music and I’m gonna keep doing that because that’s where it works for me!” “If I Were An R&B Singer, released on Marvin Sapp’s Elev8 Entertainment, will be available at all digital music outlets on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2025.
