His album "We Are" stands out as one of his finest, earning a Grammy and showcasing his second-highest-charting track, "Freedom." The song reached No. 13 on the Billboard Adult Alternative Airplay chart, where it remained for 14 weeks. His highest-charting single, "I Need You," climbed to No. 2 on the same chart.

Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” a song often called the Black national anthem, was sung before the Super Bowl for the fifth year in a row Sunday.