Gospel

Gospel music is a genre of Christian music. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is composed and performed for many purposes, including aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, and as an entertainment product for the marketplace. Gospel music usually has dominant vocals (often with strong use of harmony) with Christian lyrics. Gospel music can be traced to the early 17th century, with roots in the black oral tradition. 

Gospel music was created in the 17th century, but began popular through mainstream in the early 20th century. Gospel music began to bloom in predominantly black cities in America, like New York, Chicago, Detroit and Los Angeles. But with gospel music and its relationship to the church, there was soulful sound that came from Pentacostal churches. Such popular singers that are here today got their start singing gospel songs in the church (Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, Patti Labelle, and even quartet groups). 

Gospel music has definitely transcended and evolved into many different sub-genres. Even though Gospel is a sacred music group, now it has hip-hop and R&B influences in the sound now. Gospel music originally was more syncopated in song which differed in sound from Jazz and Blues, but now the sound is infused.