“Chain Breaker 2.5” — Deitrick Haddon & Voices of Unity Release New Album

Three time GRAMMY Award nominated artist, producer, and gospel innovator Deitrick Haddon is celebrating the silver anniversary of his landmark project Chain Breaker with the release of a new album titled “Chain Breaker 2.5”, released through ManHaddon Ministries and Tyscot Records. This new body of work honors the legacy of an album that helped redefine contemporary gospel music while presenting its message in a fresh and modern sound for today’s listeners.

When Chain Breaker was first released, it arrived at a time before Billboard introduced a Gospel Airplay chart, yet it still produced songs that became lasting staples on gospel radio and in churches around the world. Songs such as “Anybody Here”, “We Worship You”, and the title track “Chain Breaker” carried a bold new sound that blended urban rhythms with choir driven worship. The project quickly became a defining soundtrack for inner city youth choirs and praise teams, pushing gospel music into new sonic territory and inspiring a generation of worship leaders and artists.

Reflecting on that moment, Deitrick Haddon shared, “It was really exciting because nobody was making gospel like this when I did the album. Chain Breaker was the song that shifted the sound in gospel music. We pushed some boundaries.” Those boundaries shaped a movement and helped expand the reach of gospel music beyond traditional spaces.

Twenty five years later, Haddon continues that same spirit of innovation with “Chain Breaker 2.5”. The album reimagines six songs from the original project, replacing the rock edged intensity with a sleek contemporary urban groove while preserving the heart of worship that made the originals timeless. The album features powerful guest appearances from gospel legends Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker, and John P. Kee, with musical contributions from hip hop hitmaker Zaytoven on keys and rapper T. Church, creating a blend of generations and styles that feel both nostalgic and forward looking.

One of the most iconic songs from the original project, “Anybody Here”, receives special attention with two new versions. Rising gospel powerhouse Jekalyn Carr joins Haddon on a quartet inspired Southern Soul mix that honors the roots of gospel tradition, while DJ Malaski and Angel Chisholm appear on a street styled version designed to connect with a new generation of listeners.

Beyond the reimagined classics, “Chain Breaker 2.5” also introduces brand new material. Songs like the acoustic pop leaning “Find Jesus” offer a reflective worship moment, while the progressive and uplifting “Back to Life” brings a message of renewal and hope that aligns with the spirit of the album. The project also revisits the early history of Voices of Unity with a new rendition of “Hold On 2 Your Faith”, featuring original soloist Damita alongside vocal powerhouse Tasha Page Lockhart, a former member of the choir, creating a beautiful bridge between past and present.

Throughout his career, Deitrick Haddon has placed more than two dozen songs on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart and has earned four number one hits including “A Billion People”, “Open Door Season”, “Here Comes the Joy”, and “Never Be the Same”. His catalog includes beloved classics such as “Sinner’s Prayer”, “Well Done”, “Heaven Knows”, and “He’s Able”. His Top Ten hit “Love Him Like I Do” united him with Ruben Studdard and Mary Mary, and his collaborative work has also included artists such as Moby, Usher, Q Parker, and Faith Evans.

STREAM/DOWNLOAD ALBUM

In addition to his musical achievements, Haddon has received multiple Stellar Gospel Music Awards and a Dove Award for Urban Album of the Year for Church on the Moon. His creativity also extends into film, with acting roles in Blessed and Cursed and The Fallen, further showcasing his influence across multiple creative spaces.

With “Chain Breaker 2.5”, Deitrick Haddon honors a defining moment in gospel music history while once again pushing the sound forward. The album stands as both a celebration of legacy and a declaration that innovation remains central to the future of gospel music, inviting a new generation to experience a sound that once changed everything.