The song also introduces gospel group Korean Soul, and will appear on singer’s first solo album in six years.
Written by Winans, “LAUGHTER” will be one of the featured tracks on the singer’s album due later this year from Malaco Records. He was inspired to write the song after locking himself out of the house one day. While waiting in the garage for the locksmith, Winans explains to Billboard that “instead of becoming angry, I chose laughter which made my situation easier to endure. There is a scripture [Proverbs 17:22] that says ‘a merry heart does good like a medicine.’ One definition for merry in the dictionary is ‘laughingly happy.’ So the truth about laughter is that it’s a medicine that comes free to all of us.”
The single and video also double as Winans’ worldwide introduction to Korean Soul, whom he has signed to a production deal. The Seoul, Korea-based male quartet wasn’t a formal group when Winans first met them. They were just four friends who got together to record themselves singing gospel songs. Winans’ friend and fellow gospel star Donald Lawrence sent along a clip of the group singing from one of the members’ Instagram pages, which was also getting co-signs from Missy Elliott and other artists.
“I was blown away,” recalls Winans. “Initially Boyz II Men were going to be on the song [“Laughter”], but our schedules just wouldn’t allow it. Then one day it hit me: ‘What about the guys from Korea?’ We connected and agreed to partner in a production deal.”
Winans also introduced another new singer last May. Kiandra appeared on the artist’s earlier single, “He Promised Me” featuring Tobbi & Tommi. The song topped Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart, marking Winans’ first solo No. 1 in his career.