Posted: June 02, 2026, 5:00 PM | Category:New Releases Artist Tags: Bri Babineaux Source: Bill Carpenter
"Briana is more than a title -- it's a declaration," says Bri Babineaux who burst on to the gospel music scene just over a decade ago with a series of dramatic, viral YouTube vocal performances that earned her a record deal and celebrity admirers such as Drake, Rihanna and Justin Bieber. Even Ye sampled her on his track "Lord, I Need You." After earning over 300 million digital streams for her passionate songs of praise, Babineaux is now charting a soulful, new musical direction. On her first album in six years, Briana (Tyscot Records), the Louisiana native showcases a slick urban inspirational sound that is sure to broaden her appeal beyond the walls and pews of the church.
"This album marks both the beginning of my journey and the woman I've become today," Babineaux says. "Briana tells the story behind the songs people have known since 2014, but it also reveals the chapters they've never seen. These records trace my walk with God through seasons of growth, uncertainty, faith, and transformation, highlighting not only what I've endured, but who God has been to me every step of the way."
It's a message that will resonate with others who are reevaluating their lives and making new plans. The album opens with the commanding piano-laced Hip Hop track, "Confident," in which Babineaux boldy proclaims, "I know where I'm going, but I'm not where I been." It was produced by Rickey Slikk Muzik Offord (who's produced other cutting-edged ladies such as Ariana Grande and GloRilla) and it sets the atmosphere for this poignant, ten-song set that brings the rhythm of city streets and urban culture into Babineaux's personal pulpit.
The second track "Grace" opens with a dreamy mid-tempo mix of acoustic guitars and atmospherics for an affirmative plea for grace. "Go easy on me 'cuz I had all I can take, worn my heart out on my sleeve, give me...grace," she sings on the alluring track that would fit nicely on a playlist featuring tracks by the likes of young R&B queens Ella Mai and SZA.
Babineaux's musical style has evolved as she's experimented with a variety of sounds in pursuit of finding her personal groove. When the world first noticed her -- as a pre-law student at the University of Louisiana - belting out an acapella version of Tonex's "Make Me Over" from a couch somewhere in Louisiana, she was singing in your face church songs. After YouTube posts of her singing went viral, she was offered a variety of recording contracts. She eventually ended up with Tyscot Records where her debut album Keys to My Heart shot to No. 1 on Billboard's Gospel Album sales chart in 2015. The track "My Everything" crossed over to the Smooth AC charts. The self-penned "Jacob's Song" and "I'll Be the One" were both Billboard chart hits but the biggest streamers were Babineaux's hearty covers of Jesus Culture's "Set A Fire" and Francesca Battistelli's "Holy Spirit."
In 2017, Babineaux finally formerly recorded "Make Me Over" which has become her most streamed song to date. Between 2020 and 2022, she released two albums of live praise and worship music, The Encounter and The Encounter Continues. The latter featured her own co-write, "He's My Rock," which became her first Billboard Gospel Airplay chart No. 1 single.
After some down time to focus on family issues, Babineaux is back in the recording booth and back in school to finish the bachelor's degree in criminology that she arressted when she became a viral star a decade ago.
The renewed passion in Babineaux's life permeates through Briana. There are heartfelt urban Pop songs that are directed to God as the ultimate love of Babineaux's life on tracks such as "Serve You" and the current radio single, "All." The climatic "Faithful" is a straight-ahead gospel power anthem.
The street beat "Real One" features Christian rap phenom Anike who is known for tracks such as "Blessed Up" and "Restored." On the slick, "Love Me, Love Me Not," Babineaux compares a quest for human romance with the perfect love she receives from God. The bop "Make Me Feel" is reminiscent of Toni Braxton's tone and style.
Briana closes with a soul-stirring, piano-centered gospel track that is surrounded by a sky of majestic strings. On, "Stay Here," she cries out to the Most High with a plea to stay in His Holy presence. It's one of the most dramatic performances on the set. "This album is an invitation into my life beyond the stage -- into Briana the person, not just the artist," Babineaux says. "It's honest. It's reflective. It's rooted in testimony. Every song represents a moment, a lesson, or a reminder that God's faithfulness has been consistent, even as I was becoming."
Briana is the sound of my journey unfolding -- past, present, and forward -- told with vulnerability, worship, and purpose.
