Sometimes the most powerful moments happen before the stage lights ever turn on. That was the case when gospel legend Kirk Franklin sat across from a young Jamal Roberts during a coaching session on Sunday Best. With honesty and care, Franklin urged Jamal to stop singing with his eyes closed and start connecting with the people in front of him. “If it’s real,” he said, “they’ll connect.”
Those words stuck. Jamal’s next performance carried a new kind of boldness. Instead of retreating inward, he opened up. He sang with purpose, looked out into the crowd, and let the audience feel everything he felt. Franklins feedback helped unlock a deeper level of honesty in Jamal’s performance. You showed up big time, Franklin told him afterward. “I’m proud of you brother.” It was not just a technical adjustment. It was a heart shift.
Kirk Franklin coaching Jamal Roberts at Sunday Best
Fans noticed the difference immediately. Many commented online that Jamal’s presence had changed. He was not just performing anymore instead he was sharing. One fan wrote “When he sings, it is like he is praying for all of us.” His voice still soared but now it felt rooted in something bigger: purpose, connection, truth.
That shift came to life fully during Jamal’s breakout moment on the American Idol finale. He performed “Heal,” an original song written from personal heartbreak and hope. The lyrics spoke of pain and recovery, loss and faith. As he sang through tears, the audience rose to their feet. “Heal” became more than a song, it became a lifeline for anyone listening who needed to believe in better days ahead.
Jamal Roberts “Heal” – Extended Version
The extended version of “Heal” added an even deeper layer. Jamal included new verses about depression, illness, and emotional wounds, turning the track into a powerful prayer for healing. The updated release shot to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Gospel chart. More than that, it reached hearts across the country. “This song got me through my hardest night,” one listener shared. That kind of impact is rare and it is real.
Jamal Roberts is not just a singer. He is a storyteller, a faith-bearer, a vessel for healing. With every note, he invites others to feel less alone. That is what Kirk Franklin saw in him from the beginning. Follow Jamal Roberts on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube as the next song might be exactly what you need.