Edwin Reuben Hawkins, born on August 19, 1943, in Oakland, California, was a pioneering American gospel musician, pianist, vocalist, choir master, composer, and arranger. He is celebrated as one of the originators of the urban contemporary gospel sound. Hawkins displayed musical talent from a young age, playing the keyboard for his family’s gospel group by the age of seven.

In 1967, alongside Betty Watson, Hawkins co-founded the Northern California State Youth Choir of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), which had nearly fifty members. The choir recorded its debut album, "Let Us Go into the House of the Lord," to fund a trip to the 1968 Youth Congress in Washington, D.C. A track from this album, "Oh Happy Day," unexpectedly became a massive hit after receiving radio airplay in San Francisco, leading to a major record deal with Pavilion under Buddah Records. "Oh Happy Day" crossed over to the pop charts, selling over a million copies within two months and achieving high chart positions internationally. This success earned Hawkins his first Grammy Award.

The Edwin Hawkins Singers continued their success with a collaboration on Melanie's hit "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" in 1970, which also charted highly. Hawkins' influence extended beyond gospel music; he worked with the Oakland Symphony Orchestra in the 1980s and contributed to film soundtracks, including the 1992 movie "Leap of Faith." His iconic 1969 performance of "Oh Happy Day" was featured in the 2021 documentary "Summer of Soul."

Hawkins' contributions to gospel music have been profound, blending traditional gospel with contemporary sounds to inspire future generations. He passed away on January 15, 2018, in Pleasanton, California, leaving behind a legacy of joy and inspiration in gospel music.