Gospel Music

Music is an artistic expression of the spirit. It is used to relax, create a pleasant atmosphere and to set a mood. Different from commercial music, Gospel music is formal, refined and shares a common theme "praising God". Pastors proclaim Gospel music as a medium to bond with the Almighty. The lyrics and tunes are very soothing and healing and can generate a feeling of penitence. This genus of music has an increasing number of audiences around the world.

The music first became popular in America in the 18th century. It was an era of the enslavement of African Americans. These slaves were prohibited from moving freely among the "whites". They weren't allowed to worship freely and their worship required the presence of the master. However, soon they began attending "underground" prayer services and created their own hymns and Gospel music.

Initially, their Gospel music imitated the tunes of the white Americans. The Gospel lyrics were full of the woes of slavery and the prayers for redemption. The gospel music and lyrics were instrumental in instilling faith among the slaves regarding their freedom. During the 1930s, Gospel music became extremely popular in African-American churches. The music was classified into two styles, the black gospel music and the pious music. The styles differ in their sense of worship and content of lyrics.

The two branches of music were separated, with the division in the black and white American churches. Although in the last 50 years the division has narrowed, the black gospel and southern or white gospel still have their differences.

Contemporary Gospel music was developed in the 1930's. Thomas Dorsey contributed greatly, merging lyrics of praise and emotion with contemporary music. He is known as the "Father of the Contemporary Gospel" and the 30's are referred to as his era. However, the American church never accepted this style, believing it to be a commercial enterprise. During the 1950s, noted artists and performers like Mahalia Jackson, Clara Ward Jordanaires, The Golden Gate Quartet, Al Green, The Staple Singers of Chicago, Solomon Burke, Yolanda Adams, Albertina Walker, and others contributed to Gospel music.