Tasha Layton

Tasha Layton is an American contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter and author who has quickly become one of the most recognizable voices in modern faith-based music. Known for her powerful vocal range and deeply vulnerable songwriting, she blends pop sensibilities with worshipful lyrics. Before establishing her solo career, she gained valuable industry experience touring the world as a backup vocalist for major mainstream pop artists.

Operating within the Contemporary Christian Music genre, Layton creates anthems that frequently address themes of healing, mental health and spiritual restoration. Her deeply personal lyrics often reflect her own journey through seasons of doubt and depression, making her music highly relatable to listeners facing similar struggles.

Layton is best known for her chart-topping radio hits, including the deeply emotional ballad “Into the Sea (It’s Gonna Be OK)” and the triumphant anthem “Look What You’ve Done”.Through her partnership with BEC Recordings, she has consistently delivered music that resonates on both a musical and spiritual level, earning her a dedicated global fanbase.

Early Life and Background

Tasha Layton was born and raised in Pauline, South Carolina.She grew up in a Southern Baptist household before her family later transitioned to the Assemblies of God denomination.Music was a significant part of her upbringing, and she actively participated in church worship. However, her teenage years brought significant challenges. Her local church experienced a painful split, which deeply affected her faith and led her into a prolonged season of spiritual wandering.Searching for truth and belonging, she spent years exploring various other religions and philosophies before eventually finding her way back to her Christian roots in a small church located hours away from her home.

Education

Her complex spiritual journey heavily influenced her academic pursuits. Layton initially began her college education as a music major but ultimately shifted her focus to religion due to her deep desire to understand faith and theology.After completing her undergraduate studies, she relocated to California to further her education.She enrolled at The King’s Seminary in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, where she earned a Master of Divinity degree. This formal theological training would later serve as a strong foundation for her songwriting.

How Her Music Career Started

While living in Los Angeles and studying at the seminary, Layton worked as a worship leader and began taking jobs as a session vocalist.Her career gained early momentum when she successfully auditioned for season nine of the reality television competition American Idol.Her immense vocal talent soon caught the attention of the mainstream music industry, leading to a major opportunity to work as a backup vocalist for pop superstar Katy Perry.For four years, Layton toured internationally with Perry, performing on massive global stages and gaining invaluable experience in live performance and the inner workings of the music business.Her voice was also featured in productions for major entertainment brands like Disneyland and Cirque du Soleil.

Career and Breakthrough

Despite her success in the mainstream pop world, Layton felt a strong calling to create her own faith-based music. She eventually stepped away from touring with Katy Perry to focus on her solo career as a Christian artist. She signed a recording contract with BEC Recordings and released her debut single, “I Belong to You,” in 2018. This was quickly followed by “Love Lifting Me,” which marked her first entry onto the Billboard Christian Airplay charts.However, her monumental breakthrough arrived in 2020 with the release of the single “Into the Sea (It’s Gonna Be OK)”.Released during a time of global uncertainty, the song’s comforting message resonated deeply with listeners and propelled her to the forefront of the Christian music scene.

Notable Songs and Albums

Following the success of her early singles, Layton released her highly anticipated debut full-length studio album, “How Far,” in May 2022. The project was a massive success, featuring the hit title track “How Far” and the chart-topping single “Look What You’ve Done,” which reached number one on the Billboard Christian Airplay chart.Her catalog also includes successful extended plays like “Love Running Wild” and holiday projects such as “This Is Christmas”.More recent hits include the anthemic track “Never” and “Worship Through It,” a powerful collaboration featuring Chris Brown of Elevation Worship.

Personal Life

Tasha Layton is married to Keith Everette Smith, who is also an accomplished musician and music producer.Together, they have two children and heavily integrate their family life into their professional endeavors.Layton is also an author, having published work that explores her life story. She is widely respected for her transparency regarding her past struggles with severe depression and a suicide attempt during her younger years. By openly sharing her darkest moments, she uses her platform to advocate for mental health awareness and to offer hope to others navigating similar pain.

Current Career and Recent Activities

Today, Layton maintains a very active presence in the music industry. She continues to record and release new music under BEC Recordings, consistently delivering tracks that perform well on Christian radio.Beyond her studio work, she maintains a busy touring schedule, performing at festivals, churches and arenas across the United States.She also frequently collaborates with other prominent voices in the worship and gospel communities, continuing to expand her reach as a leading artist and author in modern Christian media.