Tori Kelly is no stranger to turning Christian tunes into YouTube sensations, but none of us were ready for her mesmerizing rendition of “O Holy Night” to take the site by storm. Uploaded two days before Christmas 2020, this tender tune has already amassed over 3M hits online and prompted some viewers to call Tori “one of the best vocalists of this generation.”
Singing from a room full of Christmas trees in an oversized cream suit, Tori (aged 28 in this clip) took on the complex melodies of the Victorian hymn with an ultra-stylish sense of perfection. Her angelic voice took flavors of pop and R&B into its mix, reinventing the traditional tune into a modern ballad capable of becoming a radio hit, and we at Music Man can’t get over how magical the effect comes across.
Once the beat kicks in, the power of gospel becomes unstoppable as the festive vibes overflow. “O Holy Night” may have been written all the way back in 1847, but Tori’s extra dash of soulful magic has the church hymn sounding like a Disney soundtrack, working through every convoluted melody and vocal run with unimaginable control. Once the backing singers join and Tori hits her final high notes like a new Mariah Carey, even an atheist will be stirred by the spirit.
This is just one snippet of Tori’s 2020 performance at Capitol Studios, where she played her Christmas album released that same year, “A Tori Kelly Christmas,” in its entirety. Tori’s own Christmas song, “25th,” features in the midst of 12 covers of festive classics, including “Silent Night,” “Joy To The World,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” and, on the deluxe version of the album, a rendition of “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”
While Tori’s Christmas album failed to break the pop charts, it received a Grammy Award nomination in 2022 for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album while winning over critics like an instant classic with her “powerful and silky” voice and “engaging, contemporary spin on holiday classics.”
Tori broke into the spotlight in 2010 when she appeared on American Idol’s ninth season. Despite failing to make it through to the live shows, she released her debut EP in 2012 and her first album in 2015, which hit #2 on the US album charts. Tori’s second album “Hiding Place” won her two Grammy Awards, cementing her name in gospel music history. While her later albums may have slumped in record sales, Tori has achieved some remarkable feats for a young musician, including a number of stellar performances alongside the living opera legend Andrea Bocelli.
If you would like to hear more from this talented artist, you can subscribe to her YouTube Channel for more incredible music. Stay connected by following her on Facebook and Instagram, or visit her Website for more updates.