Singer Tasha Layton is considered one of contemporary Christian music’s top artists. Since her breakout single release in 2020, she’s experienced Billboard chart success while spreading messages of faith, hope, and love through her original music.
Before reaching critical acclaim with her faith-based songs, she spent time in the secular entertainment industry as a backup singer, and also was a contestant on “American Idol.” When she was presented with a mainstream record deal, she had a tough decision to make—continue chasing success in the pop music world or transition to the Christian music world and carve out her own path.
Creating and sharing songs of faith had always been her dream, and she was aware that it would be hard to release those types of songs as secular entertainment.
It’s been over four years since she switched to the Christian music genre. Now, Layton enjoys sharing the lessons she’s learned along the way. She also shares stories behind some of her biggest Christian chart-toppers so far.
Connecting People to God Through Music
Layton grew up in the small town of Pauline, South Carolina. When she decided to pursue a career in music, she headed where many singers go to find a record deal: Los Angeles. Her first opportunity on the national stage came when she competed on Season 9 of “American Idol.” Though she didn’t win, she caught the attention of pop singer Katy Perry, who invited her on tour to be one of her backup singers.
She spent four years backing Perry’s vocals. But she knew pop music wasn’t her dream and hoped there was something more she could do musically. As she grappled with a genre change from pop to contemporary Christian, she recalled a passage from the Bible. To her, its message was, “You can gain the world and lose your soul.”
In an interview with CBN News, she said: “The cool famous venues, the ... private plane thing—I’d already done all that.”
She yearned for something more. When the opportunity arose for her to sign a record deal, she made the tough decision to turn it down: “I was offered a deal on … the secular side, and I felt so firmly that it wasn’t what I was called to do.”
For Layton, what she’d have to give up in exchange for mainstream success was too precious. She explained: “I wanted to connect people to God with my music, with my actions, with my team, with my integrity—and I didn’t feel like I could fully do that with freedom, going that route.”
Layton relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, and embarked on her own journey, carving out a niche for her individual voice in the Christian music community.
‘A Testimony to God’s Transforming Power’
Cover for Tasha Layton’s 2022 album “How Far,” featuring hit songs "Into the Sea" and "Look What You've Done." Bec Recordings
It didn’t take long for Layton to find success in this new world. Though it took her a bit to get her footing, she found a home in a genre that encouraged her to be bold in expressing her faith through music.
Under the Christian label BEC Recordings, she released her single “Into the Sea (It’s Gonna Be OK)” in 2020. Described as a “stirring ballad,” it quickly became her breakout hit while climbing Billboard charts. The single landed in the Top 10 on the Christian Airplay chart.
Her success in 2020 garnered attention from critics, who said she was “one of Billboard’s Top 5 female Christian artists of the year.”
In 2021, she released another single, “Look What You’ve Done.” Described as a “soaring anthem” and “autobiographical track,” the powerful tune raced up Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart to the No. 1 spot. Her husband, Grammy Award winner Keith Everette Smith, helped her co-write the song. He produced the song as well.
Just like the song’s message, the success of “Look What You’ve Done” left Layton in awe. She said to The Courier-Times:
“This song is such a testimony to God’s transforming power in my life. ... As I consider my salvation, I am left with a sense of awe and wonder saying, ‘Jesus, look what You’ve done!’ My prayer is that when others feel the finger of shame pointed at them—or even their own—that this song would be a reminder of God’s redemption.”
Inspired by her powerful song of the same title, the book “Look What You’ve Done,” published in 2023, by Tasha Layton, delves into the singer’s journey of finding freedom in God.
When speaking on the popularity of the single among the Christian community, she said to Billboard: “Even though it’s very personal for me ... it’s not just my song … it’s everyone’s.”
In 2022, she experienced more chart success when the title track to her album, “How Far,” landed in the Top 5 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart, and took the top spot on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart.
Her rapid and continued success over the last few years earned her the recognition of being “one of the fastest rising stars in Christian music.”
‘United We Worship’ Tour
Tasha Layton onstage during the 10th annual K-LOVE Fan Awards at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, 2023. Terry Wyatt/Getty Images
Her latest album release, “Worship Through It“ features a poignant title track. In the studio, Layton was joined by Chris Brown, a Gospel Music Association Dove Award-winning vocalist. He contributed guest vocals to the song.
While writing it, Layton joined forces yet again with her husband. The two, along with other co-writers, penned the deeply personal composition after learning about a friend’s cancer diagnosis.
“I wrote this song ‘Worship Through It’ to encourage our community to worship through that valley. To worship as much in the valley as on the mountaintop. To worship when it’s hard, to worship when it’s easy. Just to worship through it all.”
In November 2024, Layton will hit the road with fellow Christian artist Danny Gokey for a series of special show dates called the “United We Worship” Tour. Performances span several states across America. The message of the tour is in perfect alignment with the type of experience Layton always strives to create with her music and live events.
CCM Magazine says that concertgoers will be in for a treat, with “an unforgettable experience, featuring powerful worship sessions, uplifting music, and a spirit of unity that will resonate with attendees long after the concerts conclude.”
