The Artist
Dave Hollister
30+
Years in Music
8
Studio Albums
Millions
Records Sold
Gospel
& R&B Legacy
Chicago, Illinois
Born from the Soul of Chicago
Dave Hollister was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago — a city whose music runs deep with blues, gospel, and soul. From the church pews to the street corners, Dave absorbed the sounds that would shape one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary R&B and Gospel music.
His voice carries the weight of lived experience — love found and lost, faith tested and strengthened, and a relentless pursuit of truth through music. Dave doesn't just sing songs. He tells stories that feel like your own.
Roots
"Chicago made me who I am."
The South Side gave Dave Hollister his foundation — the church gave him his voice, and the streets gave him his story. That combination of sacred and secular, of Sunday morning and Saturday night, is the tension that lives in every note he sings.
The Journey
Early 1990s
The Blackstreet Years
Dave Hollister's national breakthrough came as a member of Blackstreet alongside Teddy Riley. His soulful tenor anchored some of the group's most beloved recordings, introducing his voice to millions and establishing him as a force in new jack swing and R&B.
1999
Ghetto Gospel — A Solo Statement
His debut solo album Ghetto Gospel announced Dave Hollister as a singular artist. Raw, honest, and deeply personal, the album blended street-level storytelling with gospel-rooted conviction — a combination that resonated with fans across generations.
2000s
Chicago '85 — The Movie
With Chicago '85 – The Movie, Dave delivered a cinematic concept album that told the story of his upbringing with unflinching detail and emotional depth. Critics and fans alike recognized it as one of the most ambitious R&B projects of its era.
2010s – Present
Gospel, Growth & Legacy
Dave's journey led him deeper into his faith, producing Gospel music that carries the same emotional weight as his R&B work. His transition wasn't a departure — it was a fulfillment. Today he ministers through music, speaks to audiences worldwide, and continues recording with the same fire that launched his career.
Three Pillars of a Life in Music
The Voice
A tenor of rare emotional range — capable of a whisper that breaks your heart and a run that lifts a room. Dave Hollister's voice is instantly recognizable and impossible to imitate.
The Faith
Faith has always been the foundation. From gospel-rooted R&B to full ministry, Dave's belief system isn't a chapter in his story — it's the spine of the entire book.
The Legacy
Thirty-plus years of music that still moves people. Albums that defined eras. A catalog that spans R&B, Gospel, and soul — and a live show that reminds you why music matters.
Official Biography
David Hollister was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. Raised in the church, he developed his vocal gift singing gospel music before discovering the broader world of R&B and soul. His early influences ranged from Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye to the great gospel voices that filled his childhood home.
In the early 1990s, Dave joined forces with Teddy Riley as a member of Blackstreet, one of the defining groups of the new jack swing era. His contributions to the group's sound helped establish Blackstreet as a commercial and critical force, and his voice became known to millions of fans worldwide.
His 1999 solo debut, Ghetto Gospel, was a landmark release — a deeply personal album that blended the sacred and the secular in a way few artists had attempted. The album's honesty and emotional depth earned Dave a devoted following and critical acclaim. He followed it with Chicago '85 – The Movie, a concept album widely regarded as one of the most ambitious R&B projects of its generation.
Over the course of his career, Dave Hollister has released eight studio albums, collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, and performed for audiences across the United States and internationally. His live performances are known for their raw emotional power — a combination of vocal mastery, personal testimony, and genuine connection with the crowd.
In recent years, Dave has deepened his commitment to Gospel music, releasing projects that reflect his faith journey while maintaining the musical excellence his fans expect. He continues to record, tour, and speak — a living testament to the power of music rooted in truth.