Featured in TIME and Rolling Stone articles, Ricky Dillard has been sharing his gift for gospel with the world for more than three decades, making an immeasurable mark on the genre and inspiring some of the most successful artists in the music industry.

On Breakthrough: The Exodus, he breaks through the hardship of the past year, directing his famed choir through rousing, up-tempo songs and passionate, heart-stirring ballads that declare freedom and hope. The album is punctuated by Dillard’s signature band hits, staggering soloist features, and over-the-top soprano, alto and tenor parts. It is a live choir experience unlike any other.

A true pioneer, Dillard’s influence can be heard across genres and generations, inspiring the sounds of acts like Kirk Franklin and Kanye West. He has shared the stage with the likes of Patti LaBelle, Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah, Debbie Allen, Bonnie Raitt and P. Diddy.