Contemporary Gospel
Screaming, call and response, and speaking in tongues are common features of gospel music. It has gone through various stages, such as traditional and transitional, before becoming what we know as contemporary. African-Americans have produced and continue to produce contemporary gospel music.
The dynamic genre of contemporary gospel music is created by fusing new sounds with traditional gospel traditions, appealing to a broad audience. While keeping its spiritual and uplifting message, it is made more approachable for younger audiences by fusing elements from a variety of musical genres, including pop, jazz, hip-hop, R&B, and pop. Performers such as Jonathan McReynolds, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, and Kirk Franklin have been crucial in advancingthe frontiers of gospel music, using cutting-edge production methods and arrangements. Modern gospel frequently touches on issues of social justice, faith, and personal hardships, producing a deep, visceral experience that resonates strongly with listeners both inside and outside of the church.Beginning in the 1970s, contemporary gospel gained significant traction by the end of the 1980s. Artists like Kirk Franklin, Walter Hawkins, Shirley Caesar, Marvin Sapp, Mary Mary, and others have emerged and taken the genre by storm. These songs are frequently made popular by radios and megachurches.
