Despite the satanic undertones of Sam Smith’s performance at the 65th Grammy Awards, Maverick City Music was able to bring attention to God. The group took home four Grammys, winning Best Gospel Performance/Song (“Kingdom” feat. Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore), Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance (“Fear is Not My Future” feat. Brandon Lake & Chandler Moore), Best Contemporary Christian Music Album (“Breathe”) and Best Gospel Album (“Kingdom Book One”). The 2018 group won its first Grammy last year with its album “Old Church Worship,” with Elevation Worship winning Best Contemporary Christian Album.

Accepting the award for Best Gospel Album, Naomi Raine said, “I’m super grateful to God and what He’s able to do when you just decide to give your life to serve other people and to uplift voices that are not normally heard.” She explained how the album led them to the Everglades Correctional Facility, where they could let incarcerated individuals know “that God still loves them and still sees them no matter what.” Kirk Franklin, who collaborated with the group for the album, said the win was proof that gospel music is “alive and well.” The group also took to Instagram to celebrate the success, writing on Instagram, “Wow!! Fam!! We are incredibly honored and grateful to our Father for using us in this space and to YOU for always supporting us!” The group tied with Beyoncé for most wins during the night. 

Franklin and Maverick City had collaborated on the album to raise awareness about mass incarceration. In speaking with The Christian Beat last year, John Jay said the album was important in letting incarcerated individuals know they are not forgotten. “I think it’s for every fan that loves the music and tracks with us that they will be aware of the challenges that people face every day that are forgotten. I think for me, the most impactful moment but was the prisoners’ reaction to not being forgotten about… or the reaction to being remembered,” he said. Tony Brown said he hoped the album would inspire their listeners to do something about it. “I want it to motivate people to do something about these issues. But, if it’s not just awareness, it’s being proactive. It’s giving to foundations that help figure out how to stop this thing called mass incarceration, it’s volunteering in communities that are grossly affected by it,” he told the Christian Beat. 

The group receives the win just a few months after controversy shook up their crew. Last September, the group halted ties with worship leader Dante Bowe. The group posted that the split was “Due to behavior inconsistent with our core values and beliefs.” Although the group did not give specific details, Bowe had faced some criticism due to some videos of him on a party bus where songs with explicit lyrics were playing. Bowe took a brief break from music after the announcement before releasing a new single, with plans to release his new label, “Press Play,” upcoming. In addressing the split and his time away, Bowe said, “I wanted more of Jesus when I went through that, you know what I mean? And I think that’s the point of it all. Sometimes, you know, those things happen so we can draw near right. So, I felt very close to Him in that season. Also, just the team He put around me. I felt so blessed.”