Singer/songwriter Josiah Queen has taken his viral hit, “The Prodigal,” from TikTok to K-LOVE. Independent of a label, the 21-year-old initially struck a chord with listeners via his social platforms by building a community of rabid fans one video at a time. The result is a folky, acoustic-driven single that’s currently being played on the radio.
“The Prodigal” takes its lyrical cues from a powerful parable told by Jesus in Luke 15 where a wayward son goes out into the world in search of wealth. Eventually, he discovers the world’s definition of success will never fully satisfy and finds his way back home, running into the arms of his patient father, who bestows gifts on his youngest son and throws a party in his honor.
The passage emits echoes of the need for God's love and salvation we all have. As Queen sings in his debut radio single, even when we run, even when we turn to things we shouldn't, our Heavenly Father still accepts us with open arms.
“We’ve all been at a point in our lives at one time where we tried to find satisfaction in money or fame or all of those things, but the truth is that nothing else can satisfy the desires in our heart except for being in the presence of God,” Queen says of the message behind the original track. “If you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired, this song’s for you.”
With both of his parents in ministry, Queen gave his life to the Lord at a young age while attending a Christian conference. Using Scripture as his lyrical foundation, he immediately began writing songs and leading worship when he was only 9 years old. At 16, he recorded and released his first original track, “God of Miracles.” Based in Tampa, Florida, he and his wife, Trinity, now travel the world full-time sharing the Gospel.
Queen is set to take “The Prodigal” on the road this spring, headlining nearly a dozen venues in cities across the U.S.
