Memphis native Evvie McKinney releases debut for Motown Gospel, collaborates with Meghan Trainor

Correction: This story has been updated to say Evvie McKinney's new EP will feature collaborations with producers who have worked with Jason Derulo and Rihanna.

On Friday, Memphis native Evvie McKinney will release a new single called “Bring the Whole Hood.” The singer — who won the Fox talent competition “The Four: Battle for Stardom" in 2018 — penned the track with her mentor on the show, pop hitmaker Meghan Trainor.  

Following her unexpected win on “The Four,” McKinney — a Stax Music Academy alumna — signed a deal with Motown’s Gospel label. “Bring the Whole Hood” marks her first release for the company, and the song recounts her personal journey, an approach inspired by Trainor, the song’s co-author. 

"We were working and Meghan said, ‘Evvie — be free’ and when she said that my guard completely came down and that's how we came up with ‘Bring The Whole Hood,’” says McKinney. “She wanted to see me authentically as an artist and for me to just be me. So the song is literally my love letter to the city of Memphis — it is my autobiography."

The 22-year-old McKinney — who is also a graduate of the Soulsville Charter School — began her career when she moved to New York in 2015. She went there with her brother Gedeon McKinney, a former "American Idol" contestant turned soul musician, who leads Gedeon Luke and the People. 

After working on the road as a backing singer for the Memphis-rooted "Take Me to the River Tour," McKinney began her run on “The Four” in early 2018. Her singing won over the judges — including Trainor, P. Diddy and DJ Khaled — and eventually helped her claim the season’s title, which included a contract with Republic Records. 

While she released a single for Republic, McKinney felt a higher calling than pop music, and wanted to pursue both her religious faith and her singing career. This led to her signing to Motown’s Gospel imprint in late 2019.  

“Bring the Whole Hood” mixes her spiritual feeling with a mix of Memphis sounds.  "I am a literal representation of Memphis — home of the blues, rock 'n' roll, soul,” says McKinney, who last year worked with Stax legend Booker T. Jones on his album "Note By Note".  

“Memphis is rich in music and storytelling. This song is my testimony; everything I've been praying for has been knocking on my door and it's so loud," she says. "I grew up in the church so music has been in my DNA since I can remember, and this song is just an introduction into my life and upbringing.” 

After a period living in Los Angeles, McKinney is currently based in Nashville, where she’s been recording an EP set to be released later this year on Motown Gospel. McKinney says the project will feature contributions from producers who have worked with various notables, including Jason Derulo and Rihanna.  

“I'm just so excited and blessed because God has been so faithful,” says McKinney of her career. “I want to be a reflection of who God is in my life and this song will definitely show that."