David Kushner’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. With viral hits like “Daylight,” the 24-year-old singer-songwriter has racked up billions of streams (yes, billions), captivated social media and secured his place as one of the most compelling new voices in music today.
His deep, textured vocals and hauntingly honest lyrics stand out in a crowded music landscape, and his ability to blend themes of faith and human struggle into mainstream hits has made him a force to be reckoned with.
This article is part of RELEVANT issue 116. Click here to see the rest of the issue, and click here to get our interactive digital magazine with RELEVANT+!
But Kushner isn’t just about catchy hooks and streaming stats. Beneath the immense success lies an artist unafraid to wrestle with life’s deepest questions.
His debut album, Dichotomy, digs into the tension between light and dark, faith and fame, and the relentless pull between good and evil—a struggle he mirrors in his own journey as a Christian navigating a world that often pulls him in opposing directions.
Kushner sat down with RELEVANT to talk about his career, his faith and the music that connects him with millions.
When did you know you wanted to pursue music as a career?
As a kid, I always loved creative hobbies, especially singing. My brother was in a band, and my sisters took classical piano lessons three times a week, so music was always around me. By middle and high school, I was drawn to everything from hip-hop to folk to pop. I’d sing for fun all the time.
After high school, I didn’t want to go to college. I worked for my dad’s small business and started taking vocal lessons in Chicago. For five years, I learned everything I could and began writing my own songs. That’s when I realized music wasn’t just a passion—it was my calling. I felt this undeniable push from God, like it was something beyond myself.
Did you grow up in church?
I didn’t grow up in a predominantly Christian household. My mom was the biggest influence. She was in the Salvation Army her whole life. My dad was not much of a faith influence. We would do devotions with my mom sometimes and go to church on Christmas and Easter, but it wasn’t about wanting to know who Jesus is or what the gospel is about.
After high school, I had this big existential crisis. It was a really stressful time. I got depressed, and I feared death. I was thinking about big questions like my purpose and where all this music was leading. What are my intentions? Is there a purpose we are commanded to follow? Long story short, I realized I didn’t really know who Jesus was, and I started pursuing the Lord. I began reading my Bible and was fascinated with various philosophical topics—not just the gospel but also who Jesus is and what He did for us. I dug deep, even exploring non-Christian perspectives and comparing them to the story of Christ. I was curious about the validity and reliability of the Gospels and found many theologians compelling.
This exploration shook my world and led me to realize that life is bigger than flesh and blood—that there’s an immaterial reality. I credited it all to the Holy Spirit. Despite how difficult that time was—from late 2019 to the summer of 2020—I came out of it. I asked God for strength, and He presented some hard questions for me to ponder.
This process forced me to rely on His strength rather than my own understanding. I realized my purpose is to love God and Jesus and to share that information when the opportunity arises.
How does faith impact your music career?
Faith is everything. From the beginning, I questioned whether music was God’s will for me, but I kept receiving confirmation that it was. My songs are intentionally structured to resonate with everyone—not just Christians.
For example, my song “Miserable Man” touches on relationship struggles, but the chorus reflects my faith: “All we wanted was a place to feel like home. That’s why we parted from our ways to heal our souls.” It’s about leaving behind old selves to pursue healing and sanctification
My faith is embedded in all my lyrics. That’s where it always starts and ends. I recently became close with rapper NF, who lives in Nashville. I talked to him about this. I’m not a Christian worship artist per se, but it’s similar to a plumber who believes in Jesus. They don’t brand themselves as a Christian plumber; they’re just a plumber. If you ask about their faith, they’ll say they’re Christian.
What message are you trying to convey on your debut album, Dichotomy?
The message of Dichotomy is about choosing to follow God or not. It explores how we should live our lives as human beings, delving into the existential side of humanity and our desires. Do we just give in to any desire we have? Obviously, faith says no, and I agree with that. I want this album to make people think.
There’s a lot more faith influence on my album, which people might not expect. I want everyone to feel welcome to listen to my music, even those who don’t engage with the faith aspect. But I’ll leave it up to their own interpretation.
I believe God has given me a significant voice. That comes with a lot of responsibility, and I strive to steward it well by talking about Him at my shows. It’s amazing to see the impact and pray for fans. It’s beautiful and crazy to think that He’s not done with it yet, and we’re still releasing albums. I’m super grateful.
At the end of the day, I’m just an artist who loves incorporating my faith, making it a space for everybody.
