American Idol season 23 winner and Meridian native Jamal Roberts continues to ride high, coming off a full list of concerts and now gearing up to release a brand-new single.
Roberts plans to drop the song, which will be dedicated to his home state, on Thursday at 11 p.m. CT. According to a release from Roberts’ team, “Mississippi” is a soulful tribute to the state that shaped the rising singer.
“Blending gospel roots with heartfelt R&B, the track captures the ache and beauty of remembering where you come from,” the release noted, adding the song will be available on all major streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music.
“Mississippi” will be the first true original by Roberts, who reimagined Tom Odell’s “Heal” with new lyrics during his run on Idol. Roberts’ version later launched to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart and marked the first time a winner of the ABC show had claimed the spot.
Building on the historic achievement and new song, Roberts recently announced he will join Brandy & Monica on their incoming “The Boy Is Mine” tour this fall. The tour launches in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Oct. 16 before ending Dec. 14, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Of the 27 planned stops, the closest to Mississippi will be in Memphis on Oct. 3, Birmingham, Ala., on Nov. 15, and New Orleans on Dec. 5. The full tour schedule can be found here.
Roberts is a physical education teacher at Crestwood Elementary School in Meridian who reached stardom on Idol earlier this year. The father of three became the first Mississippian to win the competition since Amory’s Trent Harmon in 2016.
