CalledOut Music

CalledOut Music is the stage name of Samuel Nwachukwu, a British-Nigerian gospel singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist whose music blends gospel with soul, Afrobeats, R&B, pop and contemporary worship. Born in Nigeria and raised in Hampshire, England, he has developed a distinctive sound shaped by his Nigerian heritage, British upbringing and Christian faith. He is best known for creating contemporary gospel music that combines meaningful Christian themes with modern production and African-inspired rhythms.

Nwachukwu began playing the keyboard as a child and became increasingly involved in church music during his teenage years. After developing his skills as a musician, songwriter and producer, he launched his solo career in 2016 with “Working on Me”. His early releases quickly attracted attention within the UK gospel scene, while songs such as “Love Around” helped establish him as one of the genre’s emerging artists. His career reached a major milestone when he won Best Male and Best Video at the 2019 Premier Gospel Awards, followed by the 2020 MOBO Award for Best Gospel Act.

Quick Facts

Early Life and Background

Samuel Nwachukwu was born in Nigeria and spent part of his early childhood in Kaduna. When he was 12, his family moved to the United Kingdom, and he grew up in Hampshire. His experiences in both countries would later become an important part of his musical identity, giving his work a combination of African cultural influences and contemporary British sounds.

His interest in music started at an early age. When he was seven, his father bought a keyboard for the family, giving Nwachukwu an opportunity to begin learning the instrument. What started as childhood curiosity gradually developed into a serious musical interest. During his teenage years, he became more involved in church music and eventually took on responsibilities as a worship leader and music director.

Nwachukwu began writing songs when he was around 15 or 16. Alongside songwriting, he developed skills in production and musicianship, eventually becoming capable of contributing to music in several different roles rather than focusing exclusively on singing.

Education and Musical Development

Before pursuing music professionally, Nwachukwu balanced his creative interests with his education. An earlier biography published on his official website described him as studying finance at university while continuing to write and produce music.

His development as a musician was closely connected to his church background. Playing the keyboard and serving in worship environments gave him practical experience with arranging music, performing with other musicians and leading songs. These experiences later influenced the way he approached his own recordings.

He has cited several gospel musicians as influences, including Kirk Franklin, Andraé Crouch, Fred Hammond and Richard Smallwood. Kirk Franklin in particular influenced his understanding of how Christian music could combine a strong spiritual message with contemporary sounds and production.

How His Music Career Started

CalledOut Music’s professional solo career began in 2016 with the release of “Working on Me”. The song arrived on his 21st birthday and marked the beginning of his career as a recording artist under the CalledOut Music name.

His early music stood out for its combination of gospel songwriting and contemporary production. Rather than limiting himself to traditional gospel arrangements, he incorporated elements of soul, R&B, pop and African rhythms into his songs. This approach helped him appeal to younger listeners while retaining the Christian focus of his music.

Songs including “You’re Mine”, “I Am Free”, “My Prayer” and “Love Around” followed during the early stages of his career. As his catalogue grew, he began attracting attention beyond his immediate church and gospel audience.

Career and Breakthrough

CalledOut Music’s breakthrough gathered momentum with the release of his debut project, In Due Time (Genesis), in 2018. The project introduced a wider audience to his songwriting and production style and included “Love Around”, which became one of his most recognisable early songs.

The success of “Love Around” was reflected in his achievements at the 2019 Premier Gospel Awards. He won both Best Male and Best Video, establishing him as one of the notable emerging figures in British gospel music.

His growing profile reached an even wider audience in 2020 when he won Best Gospel Act at the MOBO Awards. The achievement was particularly significant because the MOBO Awards recognise artists across contemporary Black music in Britain, placing CalledOut Music’s work within a broader musical landscape beyond the gospel community.

In July 2022, he released My Beautiful Reality, an 11-track album that explored themes of faith, personal experiences, relationships and everyday life. The album featured collaborations with artists including Guvna B, Samm Henshaw, IMRSQD, Rore, Still Shadey and Zo Chilengwe.

Musical Style and Influences

CalledOut Music’s music draws from several genres, although gospel remains at its centre. His songs frequently combine Afrobeat and Afro-Soul rhythms with soul, R&B, pop and contemporary worship. This mixture reflects his personal background and his exposure to different musical cultures.

His Nigerian heritage and British upbringing are particularly noticeable in the rhythmic and melodic character of his music. Rather than treating these influences as separate identities, he brings them together into a sound that feels contemporary and distinctly his own.

His songwriting often focuses on faith, God’s character, personal growth, relationships and the experiences of everyday Christian life. He has also spoken about allowing songs to develop naturally, with some beginning from personal experiences or lessons he has learned and others emerging through improvisation and freestyle sessions.

This combination of musicianship and personal songwriting has become one of the defining characteristics of CalledOut Music’s work. His background as a keyboardist and producer also allows him to participate in the creative process beyond performing vocals.

Notable Songs, Albums and Collaborations

Throughout his career, CalledOut Music has released songs that have helped define his place in contemporary gospel music. “Working on Me” introduced his solo career, while “Love Around” became an important early success and one of his best-known songs.

His 2022 album My Beautiful Reality expanded his musical palette and included collaborations with several artists from the wider Christian and contemporary music scenes. Among its notable tracks are “Walk with Me”, featuring IMRSQD and Samm Henshaw, and “Trust In You”, featuring Guvna B.

In 2025, CalledOut Music began a new chapter after signing with Integrity Music. His work with the label included “Worthy Of It All”, recorded with Integrity Worship, and further connected his music with the international contemporary Christian music community.

His 2026 album, The Room, represents another significant stage in his artistic development. Released on August 21, 2026, the seven-track project was recorded live at Gnome Studios in Nashville. The recording process brought musicians together in the same room, giving the project a more organic and live feel.

The album draws from different chapters of Nwachukwu’s life, including his Nigerian roots, British upbringing and experiences in the United States. Songs released around the project include “My Love”, “Shine Jesus Shine”, “Grateful Heart (Thank You Jesus)”, “Everything and More” and “What A Life”.

Awards, Recognition and Current Career

CalledOut Music’s achievements include two Premier Gospel Awards in 2019 for Best Male and Best Video, as well as the MOBO Award for Best Gospel Act in 2020. These honours helped establish him as an important contemporary voice in British gospel music.

His signing with Integrity Music in 2025 marked an expansion of his international career. By this point, his music had already reached audiences well beyond the United Kingdom, and his subsequent work has continued to connect African, British and American influences.

His latest album, The Room, reflects this international perspective while retaining the faith-centred songwriting that has characterised his career from the beginning. Following its release, he has also been scheduled to support Pat Barrett on selected US tour dates.

CalledOut Music’s career is notable for the way it brings together several aspects of his identity as a Nigerian-born, British-raised Christian artist. His ability to move between gospel, Afrobeats, soul, R&B and contemporary worship has allowed him to reach listeners across different musical communities without losing the spiritual focus of his work. From learning the keyboard as a child to becoming a MOBO-winning recording artist and international performer, Samuel Nwachukwu has built his career around creating modern Christian music that reflects both his personal story and the diverse musical world in which he grew up.