Rudy Currence, also known as early 2000s R&B act "Rudy", is an American singer, songwriter, producer, and keyboardist, best known for co-writing "Sophisticated Lady" for Mya's album Moodring, Grammy-nominated "Sunday A.M" for Karen Clark Sheard's 2015 album Destined to Win, and his 2020 Gospel single "I Belong Here" that peaked at #1 on the Billboard Gospel Airplay Chart. Trained in classical and jazz piano, Currence recently secured an endorsement deal with Kawai Musical Instruments.
Personal life Born in Rock Hill, South Carolina, Currence is the son of a preacher who embraced many different genres of music, creating a religious household that often listened to Motown, Prince, The Bee Gees, and The Carpenters alongside gospel standards. This led to Currence and his siblings singing the national anthem at Charlotte Hornets games, which raised their profile in the region. They would later compete and win on Showtime at the Apollo, the TV show hosted by Steve Harvey at the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem.
Currence is a 2002 Graduate of the Furman University Classical Music program. He recently received the key to the city of Greenville, South Carolina.
Discography Studio projects More Than You'll Ever Know (2003) Here With You (2006) Digital Analog (2016) Stained Glass Windows (2023)
Singles + List of singles, as a lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album US R&B Hot Gospel Songs Gospel Airplay Gospel Digital "Do It Like Us" (as "Rudy") 1999 113 "Believe Me" (as "Rudy") 2002 Bourne Identity OST "Cha Cha / Superstar" 2003 More Than You'll Ever Know "Cry Wolf" 2004 The Urban Griot: Cold Blooded "Send Me, I'll Go" 2016 "Testimony" 2017 21 18 "Love Lifted" 2018 "#HOPE" (and Remix Featuring David Banner) 2020 "I Belong Here" 2020 10 1 3 Stained Glass Windows "No Greater Love" (With Chrisette Michele) 2022 16 1 "One Of These Days" "Ransom" 2023 11 "God Don't Cancel Me" 2024-26 14 1
Guest appearances + List of guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name Title Year Other performer(s) Album "Soul Bossa Nostra"2010Quincy Jones, Ludacris & Naturally 7Q Soul Bossa Nostra "Nobody Wins a War"Jill Scott, Bilal, Anthony Hamilton, Algebra, Chrisette Michele, Shelby Johnson, Ledisi, Citizen Cope, Dwele, Chico DeBarge, Guile, & Norman LutzThe Love & War MasterPeace "Lucky Ones"2012LecraeGravity "Marry Me"2017David BannerThe God Box "Christmas Pick Me Up"2021Raheem DeVaughn "Shine"Mykal StarAppear Small
Songwriting, keyboard and production credits
Credits are courtesy of Discogs, Tidal, and AllMusic. Title Year Artist Album"Sophisticated Lady"2003MyaMoodring"No Sleep Tonight""Let's Play House"2005Ray JRaydiation"Gravity" (Featuring J.R.)2012LecraeGravity"Walk With Me" (Featuring Novel)"Paper Heart"2013AlgebraRecovery"Sunday A.M."2015Karen Clark SheardDestined to Win "Come By Here"2021Prince Tai
Awards and nominations Year Ceremony Award ResultRef 2013 44th GMA Dove Awards Dove Award for Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year (Gravity) 2015 57th Annual Grammy Awards Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance/Song (Sunday A.M.)
References