Beloved gospel musician and arranger Troy Sneed passed away Monday after suffering from COVID-19.
Sneed, 52, died Monday at a hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, due to complications of coronavirus, his publicist Bill Carpenter told Fox News. The Grammy-nominated gospel singer earned his most notable accolades for his work on Youth for Christ’s 1999 album “Higher.”
Prior to that Grammy nomination, Sneed served as assistant minister of music for the Georgia Mass Choir. During his time with the choir, he arranged music for the renowned choir as the group appeared in Whitney Houston's film and music compilation "The Preacher's Wife," according to Billboard.
A native of Perry, Florida, Sneed honed his musical talent while a student at Florida A&M University, where he studied education with a minor in music. He joined the school’s choir and after graduation began his pursuit of a gospel music career. Savoy Records executive the Rev. Milton Biggham offered him the position as the Georgia Mass Choir’s assistant minister of music.
Once he branched out on his own, Sneed climbed the gospel Billboard charts with a number of top-selling albums, including “State of Worship,” “My Heart Says Yes,” and “Taking it Back.” His songs “Hallelujah,” “Work it Out” and “Kept by His Grace” all made it to the top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart.
»COMPLETE COVERAGE: CORONAVIRUS
Sneed leaves behind his wife of more than 25 years and his children. Last month, he posted a video on Facebook as a part of Tyler Perry’s “Whole World” challenge.
Upon the news of Sneed’s death, music distribution company GoDigiPath released a statement about the beloved artist.
“With great regret, we at GoDigiPath, LLC are literally stunned, deeply and extremely saddened as we have lost a beloved colleague and dear friend.
“Words truly cannot express our sorrow regarding an innocent life taken WAY TOO SOON due to Covid19! Please pray for Emily (Sneed), the kids and the extended family/loved ones of our tragically departed brother, Troy Sneed.”
The gospel community and fans have also mourned the loss of Sneed on social media on Tuesday.
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