There’s a moment in Antonio Newburn’s music when time seems to pause—when his rich, velvety voice wraps around a lyric about faith, fatherhood, or second chances, and the world feels quieter, more tender. It’s the sound of a man who’s lived before he sang: a U.S. veteran, youth football coach, devoted father, and now, an artist anointed with what he calls a “ministry of melody.” Newburn’s journey to music wasn’t linear—it was a calling he circled back to, a gift he once set aside for duty and family before realizing, “God placed these songs inside me not just for me, but for others.”
Newburn’s sound is a sanctuary—a blend of grown-man R&B, inspirational soul, and what he terms “gospel with grit.” Influenced by the emotional honesty of Jagged Edge and the smooth delivery of Tyrese, his music carries weight because it’s forged in real life. Take his debut single, “Sing Your Praise,” a raw worship anthem that marked his leap from dreamer to doer. “Hearing my voice on that track was emotional,” he recalls. “I knew then music wasn’t just something I loved—it was something I was called to do.” That conviction pulses through every note he sings, whether he’s crooning about divine grace or the complexities of love.
The road hasn’t been easy. As an independent artist juggling fatherhood, marriage, and coaching, Newburn faces constraints that would deter lesser dreamers. “I don’t have unlimited studio time or a big team,” he admits. Early on, self-doubt whispered that it might be too late to pursue music seriously. But his faith became his compass. Now, he’s methodically refining seven tracks for his debut album while preparing to drop two new singles: “Feel Like Singing” (June 23) and “Been Good (So Good)” (August 7). These songs, he says, are “expressions of praise and gratitude,” meant to feed listeners’ spirits.
What sets Newburn apart isn’t just his voice—it’s his vision. He’s as much storyteller as singer, with his first novel, Unexpected Rhythm (a love story), and a motivational book inspired by his son’s athletic journey both due this fall. “This season is about birthing what God placed in me,” he says. That holistic approach extends to how he connects with fans—through social media candor, heartfelt DM responses, and performances that feel like communal worship. “When someone says my music helped them heal, that’s confirmation,” he shares.
A year from now, Newburn sees himself on stages that align with his mission—faith gatherings, empowerment summits, anywhere music can “shift atmospheres.” But his ultimate measure of success isn’t streams or sales; it’s impact. “I want to change lives through sound and story,” he says.
As his voice prepares to reach new ears, Antonio Newburn leaves us with this truth: “Don’t bury your gift. Start where you are.” For a man who found his purpose in the pause between life’s demands, the music is just beginning.