Gospel recording artist and longtime Virginia police officer Mervin Mayo has officially crossed a major career milestone, earning more than one million digital streams in a single week for the very first time thanks to the growing success of his new album Through It All.
Known for blending old-school R&B soul with heartfelt gospel ministry, Mayo continues to emerge as one of the genre's most compelling under-the-radar success stories. The Richmond, Virginia policeman - who has served on the force for 21 years - has built a loyal audience through authenticity, viral church performances, and music rooted in real-life testimony.
Last week alone, Mayo's latest project Through It All generated more than 614,000 streams, while his previous album God Did It added another 440,000 streams, pushing his combined weekly total past the one million mark for the first time in his career. The achievement further solidifies Mayo's growing impact in gospel music, where he has already amassed more than 85 million career digital streams.
Three songs from Through It All - "You Can't Tell Me That God Ain't Good," "One More Chance," and Mayo's soulful rendition of Elevation Worship's "Trust in God" - each surpassed 100,000 streams individually during the week. Meanwhile, fan-favorite tracks "In This Place" and "I'm Healing" from God Did It continue to resonate strongly with listeners.
Unlike many contemporary gospel artists, Mayo's appeal comes not from flashy production or theatrical performances, but from his rugged honesty and deeply personal storytelling. Often preaching or singing immediately after finishing a police shift, sometimes still in uniform, Mayo ministers from a life marked by hardship, survival, and faith.
"I've been through it all," Mayo shared while reflecting on his journey. "I've been homeless. I've been divorced. I've had cancer. I've seen people killed in the streets. So when I sing or preach, I'm ministering from a place of pain and experience. This isn't something I heard about - this is what I've lived."
That testimony forms the emotional backbone of Through It All, a project steeped in retro soul influences reminiscent of legends like Bobby Womack, Charlie Wilson, and Eddie Levert. Songs such as "I'm Moving," "The Air I Breathe," and the title track channel classic 1970s R&B textures, while tracks like "Never" lean into smooth neo-soul territory. Elsewhere, Mayo delivers a church-infused interpretation of "Trust in God" and reinvents Stephanie Mills' iconic hit "Never Knew Love Like This Before."
Mayo first gained national attention in 2020 after a church performance video went viral, eventually leading to coverage on CNN. Since then, he has appeared on SiriusXM's Sway in the Morning, performed Thinking Out Loud on America's Got Talent, and signed a joint venture deal with legendary gospel label Tyscot Records, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
For Mayo, however, the success of Through It All is ultimately about something deeper than streaming numbers.
"This album is a journey," he explained. "It's me telling God that through every up and down, He was there holding me. Even when I thought I was alone, He was there through it all."
Listeners can stream Through It All here: Mervin Mayo - Through It All
