For years, Tenroc has been the architect behind the hits.
The New York City-bred multi-hyphenate quietly helped shape records for global superstars like Rihanna, the Jonas Brothers and Jon Bellion, racking up more than 3.6 billion streams and earning Grammy nominations for his work along the way. He was the puzzle-solver in the studio — the producer who could translate emotion into melody and turn a rough idea into a radio-ready anthem.
But stepping into the spotlight? That was never part of the plan.
“It scared me,” he admits to Celeb Secrets in an exclusive interview.
Now, the Grammy-nominated producer is trading pitch sessions for personal testimony with his stirring new single “mourning 2 dancing” featuring Tori Kelly and Jon Keith — a song that meets listeners in their lowest moments and gently guides them toward hope. The track sets the tone for his forthcoming debut album, God Is A Person (out May 29 via Sony/Provident), a faith-forward pop project rooted in vulnerability, big 80s/90s sonic influences, and a belief that God is far more tangible than people realize.
In an exclusive conversation with Celeb Secrets, Tenroc opens up about hearing God’s call to make an album, navigating grief and joy at the same time, collaborating with longtime friend Tori Kelly, and why 2026 will mark his most life-changing role yet.
Keep scrolling to read our full Q&A with Tenroc below, and don’t forget to let us know if you’re loving “mourning 2 dancing” by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecrets.
Celeb Secrets: This is our first time chatting with you at Celeb Secrets, so for readers who are just discovering Tenroc, how would you introduce yourself as an artist?
Tenroc: “I’m a Christian artist whose goal is to make music that is exciting, competitive, and catchy, all while sharing the message of the gospel. I want my music to be compatible with all listeners, Christian or not.”
CS: You grew up in New York City and were playing piano, drums, and guitar by seven. What did little Tenroc dream about becoming? Was it always this?
T: “It was never solo artistry. It was always being behind the scenes and producing and writing for other artists. I’m grateful to have done, and to currently be doing that very thing. God is taking me on this path of artistry now, and I trust that His plan is perfect.”
CS: Before stepping into the spotlight as an artist, you were behind the scenes crafting massive hits for artists like Rihanna, the Jonas Brothers, and Jon Bellion. At what point did you realize it was time for your voice to be front and center?
T: “Again, it was never my goal to venture into solo artistry. It scared me, and I felt like I had nothing to say. One day I heard God speak to me, and he told me I needed to make an album. Without hesitation, I started working on it, and all the pieces have fallen into place perfectly since then.”
CS: With over 3.6 billion streams tied to your work, you’ve already had a huge impact on pop music. Does stepping into your own artist era feel different creatively or emotionally?
T: “It’s definitely different because I don’t have to think about anybody else’s vision other than my own, the one God‘s given to me. I absolutely love working with other artists because it feels like I’m solving a puzzle piece, trying to convey their emotions through the song we’re creating. There’s still a lot of thought behind my own stuff, but it is easier to convey my own emotions and thoughts, because they’re at the front of my mind.”
CS: “mourning 2 dancing” is such a powerful title. What was the exact moment or feeling that inspired this song?
T: “I wanted to make a song that found people where they were, whether that’s a loss or grief, or even heartbreak. You don’t have to come to the song already dancing. It’s okay that you come to it in a bad place. The hope is that it flips that around for you.”
CS: The track flips heartbreak into hope. Was there a specific personal experience that shaped the lyrics?
T: “The personal experience for me actually came after the song had been written for months. I recently lost my father-in-law, who is very dear and near to our family. At the same time I found out my wife and I are having our first child. I found myself listening to the song differently, even though it’s my own song, I was able to relate to it in a much deeper way. I learned for myself that God has a way of turning morning into dancing.”
CS: Tori Kelly’s vocals on this record are unreal. How did this collaboration come together, and what did she bring to the song that surprised you?
T: “She absolutely snapped on the vocals. That doesn’t surprise me at all, given we’ve made so many songs together. We’ve been working together for years at this point, and when I asked her to hop on the record, she was more than willing. It felt really special to be able to have her collaborate with me on something of my own.”
CS: Jon Keith adds a whole different layer of energy. What made him the perfect fit for this track?
T: “It was exactly that— his energy. We had been working together on some other stuff at the time, I was finishing up the record. My wife was the one who had the idea for me to put him on it, and when I envisioned it, I realized she was totally right. It’s his style and inflections that make the verse so infectious.”
CS: When fans listen to this song for the first time, what do you hope they walk away feeling?
T: “I hope fans walk away feeling hope where there is none– joy where there’s only sadness. That is what God does. He turns our morning into dancing, and our sadness into joy.”
CS: Your debut album God Is A Person drops May 29 and that title alone is bold and thought-provoking. What does it mean to you?
T: “It means that God isn’t academic or distant. He’s not a big inanimate force in the sky. Biblically, God has a will, emotions, and desires for us as his creation. I hope after listening to the album that people feel open to learning more about Jesus if they want to. He is more tangible than people understand.”
CS: How does this project represent who you are right now not just as an artist, but as a person?
T: “It represents me in that it’s a very human album. God, in all of His power, meets us where we are as humans. We’re flawed and imperfect, but He loves us anyway. Lots of songs center around the premise that I’m a messed up guy that makes a ton of mistakes, but God is tangible enough to understand where I am and is merciful to meet me where I am and offer love, grace, and help.”
CS: Was there a moment while creating this record where you felt, “Okay, this is the sound of Tenroc”
T: “Yes, there are big 80s/90s pop/rock undertones in almost every song— whether it be in the top line or the production. There’s some callback to bands like Toto, or The Police. That entire era influences everything I did on the album. The melodies and production decisions felt so intentional and catchy, all while staying effortless and grounded.”
CS: You’ve been Grammy-nominated for your production work. Does releasing your debut album feel more vulnerable than producing for other artists?
T: “It’s definitely a more vulnerable thing, releasing my own stuff. These are my thoughts, my ideas, my feelings. Before this, I typically wrote songs for pitch, or worked with artists, which is all about serving them (if you’re doing it well). This entire process was centered around shaping my knowledge of God’s personhood and tangibility into well-crafted pop bangers.”
CS: NYC raised you — what part of your city upbringing still shows up in your music today?
T: “NYC has such a bubbling and swift energy— I’d say everything I make has that raw feeling. It’s woven into all of my drums specifically. That New York grit and rawness peaks out naturally whenever I’m cooking up.”
CS: Finish this sentence: “Tenroc in 2026 will be…”
T: “A father.”
CS: Since we’re Celeb Secrets, what’s a secret about you or your music craft that we wouldn’t know about?
T: “I studied opera for 4 years, and can sing opera in Italian and German!”
