BRVNDONP Brings Gospel, Hip-Hop and Worship Together With Anthem Nights
The founder of Anthem Nights discusses his new single «Thank You Chant» and his vision for a global worship movement that bridges generations and musical styles.
BRVNDONP is building a musical movement that he believes can unite traditional gospel, contemporary worship, hip-hop and modern culture in a single space. As the founder and creative force behind Anthem Nights, he has created an event series that goes beyond the conventional concert experience, bringing together creators to worship, collaborate and produce new music.
In a recent conversation on «Get Up Mornings» with Erica Campbell, BRVNDONP described Anthem Nights as «really an event for creators to just come together and worship and sing and create an amazing moment in time.» He added that «songs come from it» — a statement borne out by the movement's latest release, «Thank You Chant,» which features gospel singer Lisa Knowles-Smith.
The collaboration represents the kind of cross-generational and cross-genre exchange that Anthem Nights seeks to foster. Knowles-Smith, known for her work in the traditional quartet tradition, said the events bring together musical styles that might not ordinarily share a stage. «You kind of get old school, new school, trap, worship,» she explained. «It's all in one conglomerate of a moment.»
That blend was part of what drew Knowles-Smith to the project. She said she wanted to be part of something larger than herself while also preserving the traditional sound that has shaped her musical identity. «I appreciate him for allowing me space to be myself in their world,» she said.
The partnership also introduced Knowles-Smith to a younger audience. She recalled attending an Anthem Nights event where young people stood and danced throughout the experience, joking that she wondered whether «Auntie» would be allowed to join in. The moment underscored the event's ability to draw listeners across generational lines.
«Thank You Chant» took shape after BRVNDONP noticed a music clip gaining traction online. He recorded a verse, and the idea gradually developed into a full song. After hearing Knowles-Smith's music, he knew he wanted her involved, though he was uncertain how the connection would come about. «God just brought it together at the right moment,» he said.
Now BRVNDONP is looking beyond individual events. He wants to establish Anthem Nights hubs in major cities around the world, including Chicago, Atlanta, London and cities across Africa. During the conversation, Erica Campbell and Knowles-Smith also made sure Los Angeles was included in that vision.
With «Thank You Chant» now available on streaming platforms, BRVNDONP hopes Anthem Nights will continue to expand while creating room for different generations, musical styles and expressions of faith to meet. The project reflects a broader current in contemporary gospel music, where traditional worship and modern sounds increasingly share the same stage rather than occupying separate spheres.
For Knowles-Smith, that shared space is not a compromise but an opportunity. She described the experience as one that allows artists to remain true to their roots while reaching listeners who might never encounter quartet music otherwise. The result, she suggested, is a moment that holds both heritage and innovation together.
BRVNDONP's ambitions for Anthem Nights suggest the movement is still in its early stages. If the planned hubs take shape, the event could become a regular gathering point for creators across genres and regions, with new songs emerging from each encounter. For now, «Thank You Chant» stands as an example of what the movement hopes to produce: a collaboration that honors tradition while inviting new audiences into the room.
8
