Deitrick Haddon

Deitrick Vaughn Haddon is an American gospel singer, songwriter, producer, pastor and actor from Detroit, Michigan. Born on May 17, 1973, he grew up in a deeply religious family and became involved in church ministry at an early age. Over a career spanning more than three decades, Haddon has become known for bringing contemporary R&B, soul and hip-hop influences into gospel music while maintaining a strong focus on Christian faith and ministry.

Haddon first gained national attention as the leader of Deitrick Haddon & Voices of Unity before establishing a successful solo career in the early 2000s. His 2002 album Lost & Found reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart and earned a Grammy nomination. He followed it with albums including Crossroads, 7 Days, Revealed, Church on the Moon, R.E.D. (Restoring Everything Damaged) and Masterpiece. Beyond music, he has worked in film and television and has continued his pastoral ministry.

Quick Facts

Early Life and Ministry

Deitrick Haddon was born and raised in Detroit, where music and ministry were central to his upbringing. His father, Bishop Clarence Haddon, was a pastor, while his mother, Joyce Haddon, was also involved in Christian ministry. Growing up in the church exposed him to gospel choirs, preaching and the traditions of Detroit gospel music from an early age.

Haddon began preaching when he was a child and was already directing music at his family’s church as a teenager. His early exposure to Detroit’s rich gospel tradition gave him a strong foundation, but he was also drawn to artists outside traditional gospel. He has cited figures including Marvin Winans, Rance Allen, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Sam Cooke and Michael Jackson among his influences.

This combination of church music and contemporary popular music eventually shaped the sound he became known for. Rather than keeping gospel music within traditional boundaries, Haddon wanted to communicate Christian messages through sounds that could also connect with younger and unchurched listeners.

Voices of Unity and Early Recording Career

Haddon formed Deitrick Haddon & Voices of Unity in the 1990s. The group signed with Tyscot Records and released Come into This House in 1995. Their 1997 album Live the Life brought them wider recognition and earned Gospel Music Workshop of America Excellence Awards for New Artist of the Year in Urban Contemporary and Album of the Year in Urban Contemporary.

The group continued with projects including This Is My Story, Chain Breaker and Nu Hymnz: Live from the Motor City. Their music combined traditional gospel choir arrangements with soul, contemporary R&B and hip-hop influences. Haddon referred to this developing sound as “gospel soul.”

His work with Voices of Unity established him as a creative force in contemporary gospel and prepared the way for his transition to a solo career.

Solo Career and Breakthrough

Haddon launched his solo career with Lost & Found in 2002. Released through Tyscot and Verity, the album became a major success, reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart. Its best-known song, “Sinner’s Prayer,” received substantial attention on both gospel and mainstream R&B radio.

He followed the success of Lost & Found with Crossroads in 2004. The album continued his blend of gospel, soul and contemporary R&B, with “God Is Good” serving as one of its prominent songs. Haddon even performed on the long-running television programme Soul Train, an unusual platform for a contemporary gospel artist at the time.

In 2006, he released 7 Days, an album that leaned further into contemporary R&B production while retaining its Christian message. His ability to move between traditional gospel audiences and broader contemporary music listeners became one of the defining characteristics of his career.

Major Albums and Songs

Haddon’s discography expanded significantly throughout the 2000s and 2010s. His 2008 album Revealed included “Love Him Like I Do,” featuring Mary Mary and Ruben Studdard. The song became one of his best-known collaborations and demonstrated his ability to work with prominent artists from both gospel and mainstream R&B.

His 2012 album Church on the Moon debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart and also reached the Billboard 200. Other major projects include R.E.D. (Restoring Everything Damaged), Deitrick Haddon’s LXW (League of Xtraordinary Worshippers) and Masterpiece, released in 2015.

Across these projects, Haddon has repeatedly addressed themes of faith, restoration, perseverance, praise and personal transformation. His music often combines polished contemporary production with lyrics rooted in Christian teaching.

Film, Television and Pastoral Ministry

Haddon’s work has extended beyond recording and performing. He made his acting debut in the 2010 film Blessed & Cursed, in which he also contributed to the film’s music. He later appeared in other screen productions, including A Beautiful Soul and The Fallen.

In 2013, Haddon became part of the cast of Oxygen’s reality series Preachers of L.A. The programme followed the personal and ministerial lives of several Los Angeles pastors and introduced Haddon to an audience beyond gospel music.

Pastoral ministry has remained an important part of his life. He has continued to combine preaching, worship and music through his ministry work and Hill City Church. His approach to ministry reflects the same contemporary outlook that has characterised his music, with an emphasis on reaching people beyond traditional church settings.

Awards and Recognition

Haddon has received significant recognition throughout his career. His work with Voices of Unity earned Gospel Music Workshop of America Excellence Awards, while his solo work has brought multiple nominations and awards within the gospel music industry.

He has received three Grammy nominations. Lost & Found was nominated for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album at the 45th Grammy Awards, while Deitrick Haddon Presents… Together in Worship received a nomination for Traditional Gospel Album at the 51st Grammy Awards. His collaboration on “Have Your Way” earned another Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Song at the 56th Grammy Awards.

He has also received Stellar Award recognition, including honors connected with his work as a male gospel vocalist and with the League of Xtraordinary Worshippers.

Recent Music and Legacy

Haddon has remained active in gospel music into the 2020s. His recent projects include One Night in California in 2024 and Homecoming Live in Detroit in 2025. He has also continued releasing music with Voices of Unity and the Hill City Collective.

In 2026, he released Chain Breaker 2.5 with Voices of Unity, along with singles including “The King of Glory,” “I Need You,” “Without Christ” and “Through the Fire.” These releases show that his contemporary approach to gospel music remains central to his work decades after his first recordings.

Deitrick Haddon’s career has been defined by his willingness to expand the musical language of gospel without separating it from its spiritual purpose. From Detroit church choirs and Voices of Unity to his successful solo career, film appearances and pastoral ministry, he has built a career around music that brings together gospel tradition, contemporary production and personal testimony. His influence is particularly evident in the continued growth of progressive and contemporary gospel music that speaks to audiences across generational and cultural boundaries.