Rev. W.R. “Smokie” Norful, Jr. is an American gospel singer and pianist, best known for his 2002 album, I Need You Now and his 2004 release, Nothing Without You, which won a Grammy at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album in 2004.
He was nominated for and won a Grammy in 2005 for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. He is also signed to EMI-CMG Publishing and his own Norful Music Publishing as a songwriter. He performed on June 6, 2005, for President George W. Bush in a concert honoring Black Music Month.
Norful’s music is best described as a fusion of gospel, 70’s soul, and contemporary R&B; the influences of Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway and other male soul/R&B vocalists of the 70’s and 80’s are clear.
