Hallelujah! Gospel Music
By Alana Edmond
What is Gospel?
Gospel is a type of sacred Christian music noted for its high energy style, and is predominantly performed by African Americans.
Origin
Gospel originates from African American churches in the late 1800s. After emancipation, there were more and more Black churches springing up around the south. Black musicians and church go-ers created their own form of worship music, which fused Negro sprituals, hymns, and sacred songs.
Characteristics
There are many characteristics of gospel music, some being: hand clapping, feet stomping, adlibs, call and response, and most notably, the use of a choir. Gospel is also known for its fast paced rhythms, as well as certain instruments such as the tambourine, the organ, the drums and bass guitar.
Popularity
Gospel has become a well known commercialized genre. It became popular following Jubilee Quartets and R&B as well as a result of the Great Migration, in which musical genres spread from the south to the north. The 1940s to the 1950s was considered the golden age of gospel. During this time period, “hard gospel” became popular, which consists of shouting, and has shaped the genre into what we know today.
Current gospel has fused with many other genres such as funk, disco, modern R&B and even hip hop.
Notable Artists/ Groups
- Charles A Tindley
- Thomas A Dorsey
- Sallie Martin
- Ciara Ward
- Andrae Crouch
- Kirk Franklin
- The Winans
Citations
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_black_gospel
- https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-gospel-music-definition-history-artists.html
