Bobbi Storm

A powerful singer who is grounded in classic soul yet adept in modern pop techniques and comfortable with hip-hop, Bobbi Storm started her career in R&B and gravitated toward gospel after the COVID-19 pandemic. Calling herself "God's Holy Mixer," Storm developed a signature style of spinning secular songs into gospel, sampling original recordings, and interpolating the melody in a sacred fashion. This blend was apparent on her breakthrough single, "We Can't Forget Him," an adaptation of Michael McDonald's hit "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)," topped Billboard's Hot Gospel Songs in late 2023.

A native of Detroit, Michigan born on June 3, 1987, Bobbi Storm was the only person interested in music her household. After attending Michigan State University, she decided to pursue music professionally. Inspired by turn-of-the-century R&B and pop singers, Storm took whatever gigs came her way, including singing at weddings, birthdays, and all manners of corporate events. Eventually, she signed with Songbook Entertainment, a company run by Trey Songz collaborator Troy Taylor. Her first break arrived when she appeared on the Fox television show Star in 2016.

Storm was part of the "Trap Choir" on "Good Drank," a modest rap hit by 2 Chainz & Gucci Mane in 2017. That same year, she released her first single, "Poor Dat." "Feelings" followed in 2018, chased later that year by "Favors (UnPlugged)" and "Boy Bye," and "La La" in 2019. "Beautiful Robbery" arrived in 2021, with "What's Love," a duet with Rod Hardy, appearing in 2022 alongside her solo track "Lazy Love."

Storm converted to gospel sometime during that run of singles. The instigating incident happened in 2021. During a fast, Storm had a spiritual vision that told her she should remix Muni Long's "Hours and Hours" into a tribute to the Lord. Building a following with her "Holy Mixes" single, Storm became a featured vocalist on Maverick City Music's "Firm Foundation (He's Gonna Make a Way)," a track on The Maverick Way. The record earned the group a nomination for Best Gospel Album at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. Although she wasn't up for a Grammy herself, Storm celebrated this news by singing her new single, "We Can't Forget Him," at full volume while on a Delta flight on November 10, 2023, an event that led to her almost being kicked off the plane -- she protested, "I sing for the Lord, I'm doing what the Lord is telling me to do" -- generating a mountain of free publicity in the process. Featuring a recognizable sample of Michael McDonald's classic smooth rock hit "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)," "We Can't Forget Him" topped Billboard's Hot Gospel Songs chart in late 2023, staying in the Top Ten into early 2024. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine