head2toemagDeitrick Haddon & Voices of Unity Celebrate 25 Years of Chainbreaker An Album That Changed Gospel Music Forever
Grammy® Award–nominated recording artist and producer Deitrick Haddon, alongside Voices of Unity, is celebrating the 25th anniversary of their groundbreaking 19-track album Chainbreaker. Released at the turn of the millennium, Chainbreaker arrived at a pivotal moment in gospel music—before Billboard Magazine even introduced a dedicated Gospel Airplay chart—yet it still produced multiple radio hits that reshaped the sound of modern gospel.
Tracks like “Anybody Here,” “We Worship You,” and “Chain Breaker” boldly fused urban rhythms with traditional choir harmonies, creating a sound that resonated deeply within Black churches, inner-city youth ministries, and praise teams across the country. The album didn’t just make waves—it became a cultural moment, serving as the soundtrack for a generation seeking authenticity, faith, and relevance in worship.
“It was really exciting because nobody was making gospel like this when I did the album,” Haddon recalls. “Chain Breaker was the song that shifted the sound in gospel music. We pushed some boundaries.”
🎧 Listen: https://DHVOUCB25.lnk.to/E1f7DJ
Chain Breaker 2.5: Honoring Legacy While Pushing the Culture Forward
True to form, Haddon continues to evolve. This Friday, he releases Chain Breaker 2.5 (ManHaddon Ministries / Tyscot Records)—a project that honors the legacy of the original album while reintroducing it to a new generation of gospel listeners.
The updated release features fresh reworks of six original songs, trading the rock-leaning edge of the first album for a polished, urban contemporary groove. The project includes powerful collaborations with gospel icons Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker, and John P. Kee—artists whose influence mirrors Haddon’s impact on gospel culture.
Hip-hop hitmaker Zaytoven adds his signature musicality on keys, while rapper T. Church delivers verses that bridge faith and street culture—an approach Head2Toe readers know is essential for reaching today’s audiences.
Reimagining Gospel Classics for a New Generation
The album’s most iconic track, “Anybody Here,” receives two distinct updates. Rising gospel powerhouse Jekalyn Carr joins Haddon for a quartet-inspired Southern Soul Mix that pays homage to traditional Black gospel roots. Meanwhile, DJ Malaski and Angel Chisholm bring fresh energy to the street version, reflecting gospel’s continued evolution.
Haddon also introduces new tracks such as the acoustic pop-leaning “Find Jesus” and the progressive worship anthem “Back to Life.” The project further revisits an early Voices of Unity classic, “Hold On 2 Your Faith,” featuring original soloist Damita alongside powerhouse vocalist Tasha Page Lockhart, a former V.O.U. member.
A Career Rooted in Faith, Culture, and Black Musical Excellence
Over the years, Haddon has secured more than two dozen entries on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart, including four No. 1 singles: “A Billion People,” “Open Door Season,” “Here Comes the Joy,” and “Never Be the Same.” His catalog also includes gospel staples like “Sinner’s Prayer,” “Well Done,” “Heaven Knows,” and “He’s Able.”
His Top Ten collaboration “Love Him Like I Do” united Haddon with Ruben Studdard and Mary Mary, while additional collaborations with Usher, Faith Evans, Q Parker, and Moby highlight his cross-genre influence.
A three-time Grammy® Award nominee, Haddon has earned multiple Stellar Gospel Music Awards and a Dove Award for Urban Album of the Year for Church on the Moon. His impact extends beyond music into film, with roles in Blessed and Cursed (2010) and The Fallen (2022).
Why This Moment Matters to Head2Toe Readers
At Head2Toe, we celebrate artists who don’t just create music—but shift culture, honor legacy, and inspire the next generation. Chainbreaker is more than an album anniversary; it’s a reminder of how Black faith-based artistry continues to evolve while staying rooted in purpose.
MEDIA CONTACT: Bill Carpenter
(202) 441-9870 / [email protected]
“Anybody Here (Southern Soul Mix)” : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31VcjVtMI6k
“Find Jesus” Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3ifpsD2JvQ&list=RDq3ifpsD2JvQ&start_radio=1
“Say the Name: Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aOwSpXQm4Q&list=RD6aOwSpXQm4Q&start_radio=1
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