Grammy Winner Samara Joy’s Grandfather, 93, Leaves Social Media Speechless After Singing Hymn At Birthday Party

Grammy-winning jazz singer Samara Joy recently shared a video of her grandfather singing on social media, leaving fans speechless.

On Tuesday, the 23-year-old posted the clip of her “pop pop,” Goldwire McLendon, singing a gospel hymn at his 93rd surprise birthday party on TikTok.

“We love you pop pop!! elder goldwire mclendon ❤️✨,” Joy wrote in the post’s caption.

In the nearly two-minute video, McLendon was surrounded by family members at a dinner table singing the classic gospel song “It Is Well with My Soul.” As he continued to sing, the others joined in with him.

TikTok users shared their thoughts on the song, McLendon’s incredible voice and the fact that he doesn’t look his age.

“It is well with my soul, thank you because I felt broken 💔I needed this thanks again, I shall recover ❤️‍🩹,” one user shared.

Rapper Sa-Roc also chimed in, raving over the man’s powerful vocals.

“How is he 93? And still singing like that? Y’all’s genes are top tier!” she wrote.

“This man look and sound good for 93. Black don’t crack!!” a third user commented.

The McLendon family’s roots in gospel music are something Joy has kept at the forefront of her success. In a March interview, the Bronx native told journalist Terry Gross her grandparents were pastors and started a gospel choir called The Savettes. They would travel throughout the city of Philadelphia, NPR reported.

During the interview, Joy revealed her grandfather was concerned about her singing secular music. He explained to her that “music belongs in the church.” However, Joy has shown through her music there’s more than one way to express her faith in God.

“I think he’s realizing there’s more than one way to spread the Gospel,” she said.

In February, Blavity reported Joy won the best new artist award at the 2023 Grammys.