Exclusive: MAJOR. Sings "Why I Love You' To His Wife Nichelle

By Jasmine Grant · Updated May 25, 2021

R&B singer MAJOR. is responsible for creating one of the most romantic love songs of our time – “Why I Love You” – and you can bet your bottom dollar that you know a couple (or a few) who have walked down the aisle to it. But what happens when the mastermind behind one of the most iconic wedding songs finally gets his chance to sing it as his own wedding? ESSENCE had the privilege of speaking with the R&B singer and his new Nichelle about their magical Texas wedding, and why it was the perfect respite in a time of chaos.

MAJOR. and Nichelle first met in 2002 by way of his friend, who was also Nichelle’s cousin. “I invited her on a date when I graduated high school, right before going off to college,” he says. “We went to Olive Garden. I brought flowers and everything. She called me old fashioned. It didn’t really connect. I thought, ‘she’ll be back.'”

MAJOR.’s prediction was right. Three years ago, they ran into each other at a wedding and started to date. “I was starting to realize all of these deeper connections we had,” said Nichelle. “I just took that as an opportunity to kind of just get to know him again.” MAJOR. interjects jokingly, “She wasn’t trying to try and recap to know friendships,” he said. “She was like, ‘how can I make sure my husband today?'”

When I found Nichelle, I really found my ‘why. I love you,

After getting engaged, they decided to set their wedding date on the eighth day of the eighth month of the year. The number eight has a spiritual significance for the couple, which is why they proceeded even in light of the pandemic. “Our theme was Agape love, which is God’s love,” says MAJOR. “That’s what we wanted to give people. We wanted to give them an escape from all the noise of this pandemic and civil unrest. ‘Rona didn’t stop the show.”

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MAJOR, beautifully explains how Nichelle embodies the soulful lyrics of “Why I Love You” as he beams with pride. “When I wrote that song, I only knew relationships that didn’t work. I didn’t know a relationship that felt like forever outside of my relationship with God and my mama. So I wrote it as a love letter to and from God. When I found Nichelle, I really found my ‘why. I love you,” he says. “She literally embodied the fullness of that song.”

MAJOR. sang “Why I Love You” for his bride at their wedding reception, adding in strings and special arrangements, and changing the lyrics to be more personal and heartfelt. The performance is enough to bring a tear to your eye.

Watch the full clip below and scroll through the gallery browse more photos of MAJOR and Nichelle’s heavenly wedding reception shot by Pharris Photography & Film.

Article continues after video.

Soul Ties

"We did not intentionally plan for people to have masks on their faces," says MAJOR. "We wanted to be able to see everybody's smile. When we made the wedding about our love, everything connected in energy, spirit and in memory."

The Perfect Fit

Nichelle looked stunning in her fully beaded Morilee wedding gown. "I initially wanted a dress with no embellishment at all. But when I tried on this dress, they couldn't get me out of it," she says.

Let Love Rule

When asked for advice he'd give other couples faced with carrying out their wedding during a pandemic, MAJOR. says to always put love first. "The event should not overshadow the love. I'm telling you, the love will show you what you can go without and what you simply can't miss."

Where There's A Will, There's A Way

"We definitely had a lot of prayer around this wedding," says Nichelle. "Every week we were talking to the venue and looking at regulations for our city and state. There were times when we were like, 'how is this going to work?' We got to a point where we felt confident continuing with the event [while protecting] the health and safety of our guests and ourselves."

Lovely Day

Nichelle and her bridesmaids came to slay.

All Black Everything

MAJOR. and Nichelle were intentional about choosing mostly Black vendors for all of their wedding services. "We wanted to honor black-owned businesses," said the groom. "We have a way of making each other feel like family while still executing on a level of excellence that can literally outdo any competitor."

Love In Bloom

MAJOR. and Nichelle had a first look at the reception space before guests arrived. "We had already been wowed by the ceremony," says MAJOR. "But the reception, oh my. It was like stepping into another world."