Podcast Summary

The Breakfast Club

Episode: INTERVIEW: MAJOR. Talks Faith, Purpose & Music, Grammys, Beyoncé, Chadwick Boseman, Spirituality + More
Date: February 17, 2026
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God, Lauren LaRosa
Guest: MAJOR. (singer, songwriter)

Episode Overview

This engaging episode features an in-depth conversation with Grammy-nominated artist MAJOR., known for his uplifting hit "Why I Love You." The discussion centers around faith, purpose, positivity, navigating the music industry, wrestling with categories at the Grammys, and the importance of hope—both personally and socially. MAJOR. also opens up about his inspiration from Beyoncé, a moving group text from Chadwick Boseman, and the weight of living up to his unique name and spiritual calling.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. MAJOR.’s Faith Journey & Church Roots

• MAJOR. and Lauren reminisce about their time at One Church in LA, under Pastor Toure and Sarah Jakes Roberts.
  • "[Pastor T]—sometimes when you go there now, it's other pastors that will step in... it used to you would never miss him if you went to church on Sunday." — Lauren LaRosa (03:23)
• He shares how faith and anointing from figures like Bishop T.D. Jakes have validated his life's purpose.
  • "Bishop just said, yo, there's something on your life. There's an anointing on your life. Stay locked. I got you. I'll support you." — MAJOR. (05:26)

2. Hope, Purpose, and Positivity in Music

• MAJOR. discusses the intentionality behind his discography, especially his album Hope Dealer.
  • "Hope is not the denial of reality, it's the commitment to believe greater is on the other side of it." — MAJOR. (07:45)
  • Emphasizes staying true to purpose in an industry that celebrates negativity.
• Explains the term "Hope Dealer" and addresses skepticism about gospel/inspirational artists “peddling hope.”
  • "Hope is powerful. Hope ain't ever canceled. It's necessary. It's a disruptor. It's an anchor." — MAJOR. (09:55)
  • Credits the Breakfast Club itself for being an unconventional source of hope within the culture.

3. Origin and Meaning of “Why I Love You”

• “Why I Love You” was initially written as a love letter to God, not conventionally labeled gospel.
  • "I was just singing my producer Harmony... We made this love letter to God. It's a love letter to God. And love wrote me back... to help people really understand how to do this love thing on Earth." — MAJOR. (08:50)
• Shares a humorous and humble story about how a viral chicken salad sandwich craving led his producer to encourage him to transform that melody into a timeless song.
  • "Chicken salad sandwich changed my life. It did." — MAJOR. (14:29)
• Notes that the language is purposely universal (never says "God" explicitly), to meet listeners wherever they are.

4. Owning Identity and Destiny: The Meaning of “MAJOR.”

• His real given name and story behind it:
  • "...She got pregnant with me in college... On her way to the abortion clinic, the tire went flat... She was like, 'God, if I have this kid and if I name him Major, I pray that he makes a major impact.'" — MAJOR. (17:46)
• Reflects on growing to accept, and now proudly embody, a name that once felt like a burden.

5. Industry Obstacles: Grammys & Category Margins

• MAJOR. wrote an open letter to the Grammys (Recording Academy), detailing how screening committees miscategorized his music.
  • "...the screening committees move them out of both gospel to... CCM, which is more of a white-facing genre... and they moved my project, my hope Dealers, to R&B... Artist intent should be respected..." — MAJOR. (21:47)
• Speaks on the financial and creative disadvantages this poses for independent artists.
  • "Every dollar that I spend, I feel it in real time. It's not an advance." — MAJOR. (22:45)

6. Advocacy for Diversity in Genre Representation

• MAJOR. is pushing for the recognition of Black artists beyond default genres.
  • "Black people are not a monolith. It's not just R&B, gospel, jazz, and rap... we are the blueprint... When we show up in those spaces...we're qualified." — MAJOR. (28:13)
• Names artists trailblazing in diverse genres (Gary Clark Jr., Beyoncé, CeeLo Green, John Baptiste).

7. Starstruck: Making Connections with Icons

• Shares an awkward but charming story about trying to reconnect with Beyoncé at the Grammys.
  • "It's Beyoncé, bros. Beyoncé... My mind was like, I gotta say the right thing. So I'm like, you know, I'm MAJOR from Houston..." — MAJOR. (31:00)
• Charlamagne and MAJOR. exchange stories about meeting Prince and Oprah, highlighting the surreal anxiety of facing legends.

8. Inspiration from Chadwick Boseman

• Reveals a profound group text from Chadwick in April 2020, where Chadwick asked friends to “pray for the hope of the world.”
  • "Chadwick... sent a text message to a group of us asking us to pray for the hope of the world... He said this bar... 'The plague was asked why it had killed so many. The plague responded, I only killed a hundred. The thousands that died, died from the fear of me.'" — MAJOR. (37:00, 37:52)
  • This message inspired the Hope Dealer Sessions project.
• Reflects on the short but powerful life and legacy Chadwick left.
  • "The man lived. He lived. Well. He didn't wait." — MAJOR. (42:04)

9. Legacy & Purpose

• Shares his aspiration for the next phase of his life and career:
  • "I want my legacy to be, he gives what he lives. He lives what he gives... I want to help as many people as I can." — MAJOR. (45:32)
  • Recounts a recent, emotional meeting with Reverend Jesse Jackson, who encouraged him: "Keep hope alive." (47:00)
• Reminds listeners of the value and necessity of hope, even when it’s not the trendiest message.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Hope and Purpose:
  "Hope is not the denial of reality, it's the commitment to believe greater is on the other side of it." — MAJOR. (07:45) "Hope ain't ever canceled. It's necessary. It's a disruptor. It's an anchor." — MAJOR. (09:55)

• On the Industry’s Short-Sightedness:
  "Black people are not a monolith. It's not just R&B, gospel, jazz, and rap... we are the blueprint... When we show up in those spaces...we're qualified." — MAJOR. (28:13)

• On Chadwick Boseman and Overcoming Fear:
  "The plague was asked why it had killed so many. The plague responded, I only killed a hundred. The thousands that died, died from the fear of me." — Chadwick Boseman (via MAJOR., 37:52)

• On Naming and Destiny:
  "If I have this kid and if I name him Major, I pray that he makes a major impact. So it's... this is a prayer in real time." — MAJOR. (17:56)

• On Living Out Your Assignment:
  "We were each created to be an answer to a specific need in the earth... lock into what you do. Can't nobody do radio like y'all... The way will be made. It ain't gonna be easy all the time, but it'll be made." — MAJOR. (19:19)

• On Legacy:
  "I want my legacy to be, he gives what he lives. He lives what he gives... I want to help as many people as I can." — MAJOR. (45:32) “Hope ain’t ever canceled.” — MAJOR. (repeated thematically at multiple points)

Important Timestamps

• 02:38: MAJOR. enters, shares early praise for hosts
• 07:45: Defining hope, industry obstacles
• 11:34: “Why I Love You” origin story
• 17:46: Meaning behind the name “MAJOR.”
• 21:47: Grammy categorization issues and industry advocacy
• 28:13: Discussion about recognition of Black artists in multiple genres
• 31:00: The Beyoncé encounter
• 37:00–38:30: Chadwick Boseman’s last inspirational group text
• 42:04: Reflection on Chadwick’s impact and legacy
• 45:32: MAJOR. on his legacy and desire to help others
• 47:00: Reverend Jesse Jackson’s encouragement — “Keep hope alive”

Tone and Style

• The episode is marked by warmth, humor, and candor. MAJOR. is open about personal and professional struggles, offering deep spiritual insights, while the hosts maintain their signature blend of playful ribbing and genuine admiration.
• The conversation is both entertaining and uplifting, full of moments of laughter (the chicken salad story), starstruck humility, and reverence for the power of faith and hope.

Final Thoughts

Anyone listening—or reading—will come away with a deeper appreciation for MAJOR. as a person and artist. This episode is a powerful testament to the necessity of faith, authenticity, advocacy, and above all, the enduring force of hope.