What do Stevie Wonder, NSYNC, and T.D. Jakes have in common?

Apparently, Bryan Popin. The New Jersey-born, New York grown, Nashville dwelling musician isn't a name you probably know yet, but his influence has been felt at the heights of the music business and, recently, the depth of the gospel music movement, with three Top 20 hits on the Billboard gospel radio chart. 

With the release of his new project, I Got Out, Popin showcases the diversity of his musical upbringing, his roots in the church and his ongoing testimony. With the following answers to my questions, Popin introduces himself to the wider Christian music world, and gives us a peek into his unique story. 

For those just getting to know you, give us your musical history so far.

Wow, my entire musical history? Ha ha! Well, I was raised in the church. Like for real. My mom was a choir director, and I remember falling asleep watching her direct and play piano for the choir, and then waking up and seeing the same choir and singing and my Mom still working with them. 

My dad loved soul music and would play vinyl records with Stevie [Wonder], Donny Hathaway. Earth Wind & Fire, James Brown and Miles Davis throughout the house. So my roots are just that: church music and soul music. My mom wanted me to be trained classically on the piano and made sure I knew the old spiritual hymns of the church. As I progressed through life, I met an R&B/funk producer in NYC and we started working together on other artists' projects. I got to work and write with some amazing artists like Chaka Khan, Justin Timberlake and NSYNC. 

I soon felt more of a calling to my roots in the Church and through life's experiences--the ups and downs, twists and turns--left the NJ/NY life and moved to a suburb in Nashville. It was the best decision ever. Even though it led to more disappointments and twists and turns, it birthed music that I feel God wanted to breathe through me and get to the people. 

This new project has some of the best musicians I've ever worked with, and I've formed such a chemistry with the co-producer, AyRon Lewis. This record, I Got Out, seems to mix a little Bruno Mars, JT, Kirk Franklin, Israel Houghton and that old school church choir sound all into this 16-track new album. Yeah, I'm excited about it. It's been almost three years since I released new music.
 
Stevie Wonder gave you the nickname "Little Boy Wonder." First of all, how'd you meet? What's your connection to him? 

When I used to commute from Jersey to NYC to work with this R&B/funk producer, you just never knew who was going to stop by or we would end up jamming with or eating with. I was tired, we were working on the NSYNC project all day and night and I finally got back home and a few hours of sleep. When I woke up, I got a few calls from this producer to see if I was going to come back in and help celebrate his birthday. 

Well, I went back in, even though I didn't want to endure the tiring NJ/NYC commute process. An hour after I arrived at his apartment, there was a knock on the door, and there he was. Stevie Wonder showed up to help celebrate his birthday; they were good friends. It was crazy and surreal. To think I almost didn't even go! We jammed, ate, jammed some more and ate some more. We hung out with Stevie in his limo to the Blue Ribbon in NYC and during the ride, he listened to a snippet of this new track I was working on. It just so happened to be the vamp/groove for what became "I Can Make It." Right away Stevie starts swayin' from side to side, smiling as only he can and says, "This right here, that's the little boy wonder's music!"

Talk about the idea and message behind I Got Out.

I had been so busy with life, family, ministry, etc. that I took a moment to rest and process what God was doing. In that process, I looked back and realized He brought me through a failing marriage and showed me how to be a better husband and put my priorities in check. He provided the finances and favor to not have to declare bankruptcy. He healed my hand and wrist, as I couldn't even play keys like I wanted to because of the pain, and I was having to deal with beginning stages of carpal tunnel, yet God healed this too. There were so many things God had done that I had to just stop and take the time to shout a bit--stop and breathe in His rest, in His joy. A melody and song just came into my heart, which was, "I've been through the fire, but I got out!"

In your bio, you talk about having some "difficult and unexpected life challenges" in a recent season of life. What did financial, marital and career stress teach you?

I had to learn how to prioritize things in my life. I really and honestly had to learn to die to my flesh and stop letting me be my priority. It sounds easy, but it's not. I felt like I had become so selfish and consumed within my own career, music and goals that I had things out of check and order. 

Before I lost everything, God gave me a realization of this and a second chance or opportunity to resolve it and fix it before it got worse. Once I figured this out, it's almost like He took over even more, connecting me with the right people to help out so I didn't have to push so hard, fight so hard or stress so much. He gave me favor and mercy where things just fell into place and I didn't have to try to make it happen. I guess what I'm saying is when you get your priorities in check and your heart is right with Him, He seems to bless the things you give Him and His favor and mercy follows you. Yeah, a song was birthed from that too; "Favor and Mercy" is one of my favorites on the record.
 
Speaking of "Favor and Mercy," you wrote it about your fears and doubts surrounding your career. How do you stay in that zone of knowing and believing God above man?

Easy: constantly knowing you don't deserve all He has given you, continues to give you and even spares you from. Things that should have overtaken me, destroyed me, or taken me out, He intervened on my behalf. It's His favor and mercy that I don't deserve. Though I may not feel good enough, or have days where I don't even understand it and say, "Why me," it doesn't change the fact that His favor and mercy is still with me. It completely humbles me to know that He cares to protect me, cares to spare me, cares to direct me and cares to bless me. The lyric says, "I should've failed, I could've died, I could've lost it all ... but favor and mercy, favor and mercy, favor and mercy it follows me."

This album is very autobiographical in nature. Is it hard to be so honest with the things you've gone through? 

No, not at all.There is power and freedom in helping others through their journey. Wouldn't you want to spare your family, friends or kids from having to go through something that would hurt them? Don't you want to see people succeed and win in life for Him? I do. That's my heart. That's my goal. I want this record to encourage those to trust again, believe again, have faith again. I kinda think I'm called to encourage, called to give hope and bring unity to all so giving up is not in the equation. 

You were part of TD Jakes' Megafest. For those who haven't heard of it or haven't been there, why is it a big deal? 

Well, Bishop Jakes is like the Nike brand of gospel! Ha ha! He is an incredibly smart businessman and has so much wisdom and favor on his life. MegaFest combines so many genres, communities, cultures, age groups into one platform and in one city. For me, it is an honor to be part of anything Bishop Jakes stamps his name on. I respect him and all he has done. He has spoken into my life numerous times and is bold enough to tell you the truth, whether it hurts or not, to help you in the end.

What was it like working with Tamela Mann on this project? 

Tam is a gift. She is a powerhouse when it comes to vocals. She knows and understands tone, how to and when to use what she has. It is always an honor to be around true talent and even more humbling when true talent lets God use them to minister to others. I love her and consider her and David family. Great people and a lot of fun to be around. 
 
How is "I Got Out" different from everything else you've done so far?

I've just grown so much musically. I wouldn't say it's so much different from anything I've done so far as it's just I'm at a different place in life, in ministry, in music. I wanted to put out the best music I could, work with some great people who have good hearts and would give their blood, sweat and tears while stamping their heart on this record as I would. I think we did that. All I ask now is that God blesses what we've given Him.

Musically speaking, what is it you try to go for?

I just want to create good music--music you feel and that gets into your gut, your heart and mind. Music that motivates you, encourages you and helps you along your journey or season. For me, this music and these songs did that for me and now I get to share it with others. I think with me, you get what you get. I've been influenced by such diverse artists in the past and have always loved that good old gritty soul music, R&B and funk. Mix that with my old school church roots and even classical background and you're going to get what you get: I Got Out!

What do you bring to the table?

You'll have to ask others that, you know? I'd like to think I bring something, but it wouldn't matter if others didn't agree. Hopefully, my music has grit, has heart and moves people... ya know, you can feel it. Hopefully, my lyrics are compelling, strong and honest. Hopefully, my vocals have passion and are heartfelt or even innocent. Hopefully, the melodies become engraved in your heart and mind, allowing you to let go and give in to the message behind the music--allowing you to be encouraged, be moved, be motivated and become better than you were before you listened.
 
What's a live show like for Bryan Popin? 

Bruno Mars, JT, Kirk Franklin, Tye Tribbett, Israel Houghton, Bishop Hez--all combined into one! Ha ha! Well, maybe one day we'll get there!

What's next, and how can people be praying for you?

Just pray that God uses this new music to move people, change hearts, break down walls, bring love, hope and faith to His people and even beyond the four walls of the church. Pray that God will open people's hearts to receive. I've never fit a mold or liked to be placed in a box with my music. I definitely don't fit the normal profile of expectation, but I kinda think God knew that. I love what I do and hopefully I'll be able to do it a little longer.

Anything else to add?

Jeremiah 29:11.