An MC who entered the Top Ten of Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart with his debut, Uncle Reece was born Maurice Hicks, Jr. in Savannah, Georgia. His dad’s job in the military meant a move to Jacksonville, Florida, and after Maurice graduated from Florida State University with an associate degree in mathematics, he went off to spread the Gospel via hip-hop. His “Until I Pass Out” single landed in 2012, then “I Can’t Help Myself” followed in 2013. He gained success of both tracks and propelled his 2014 album Bold, released by Obed Music, up to number nine on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart.