Gospel singer Fred Hammond played bass in The Winans and was a founding member of the group Commissioned, before making a name for himself as a solo artist. ∙ In 1991, he quickly found an audience with the R&B-infused sound on his solo debut, I Am Persuaded, which became a Top 20 Billboard Gospel hit. ∙ After leaving Commissioned in 1995, he recorded several albums with gospel choir Radical for Christ, including the double-Platinum Pages of Life - Chapters I & II. ∙ Hammond has dominated the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart over the past two decades, taking the No. 1 spot an astounding 10 times. ∙ One of gospel music’s most celebrated artists, he’s picked up multiple Dove and Stellar awards, along with 15 Grammy nominations—and 1 win, for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album in 2008. ∙ In 2020, he received the Gospel Music Icon Award from Black Music Honors and was invited to perform at the 2021 Inaugural Gospel Celebration. ∙ A go-to collaborator for secular music artists, Hammond has worked with Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Diddy, and Brian McKnight.