Billy Always, the godson of Mahalia Jackson, began his musical journey in gospel at a young age, eventually catching the attention of Aretha Franklin and Barrett Strong. In the '70s and '80s, he collaborated with legends like Willie Mitchell and Ann Peebles, making a mark with songs like "Man up in the Sky" and "Didn't We Do It."

His self-produced LP in 1979 led to further success, with tracks like "I Mean to Love You" gaining popularity. Always's work extended beyond his solo efforts, with compositions like "Come to Me" being recorded by Walter Jackson. With a career rooted in gospel and soul, Billy Always left a lasting impact on the music industry with his powerful vocals and songwriting collaborations.