Gospel music

== Subgenres ==
{{Gospel music articles}}

=== Black gospel ===
==== Traditional ====
{{Main|Traditional black gospel}}
[[Traditional black gospel|Traditional Black gospel]] music is the most well-known form, often seen in Black churches, non-Black Pentecostal and [[Evangelicalism|evangelical]] churches, and in entertainment spaces across the country and world. It originates from the [[Southeastern United States]] ("the South"), where most Black Americans lived prior to the [[Great Migration (African American)|Great Migration]]. This music was highly influenced by the hymnody of the spirituals and of Watts and, later, the musical style and vision of Dorsey. Whereas northern Black churches did not at first welcome Dorsey's music (having become accustomed to their own more Eurocentric flavorings), after the Southern migrants' new churches became more popular, so did gospel music, gospel choirs, and the general trend toward exclusive use of this music in Black churches. Dorsey, Mahalia Jackson, the [[Mississippi Mass Choir]], and the [[Georgia Mass Choir]] are but a few notable examples.

==== Urban contemporary ====
{{Main|Urban contemporary gospel}}
Developing out of the fusion of traditional Black gospel with the styles of [[Urban contemporary|secular Black music]] popular in the 70s and 80s, [[Urban contemporary gospel|Urban Contemporary gospel]] is the most common form of recorded gospel music today. It relies heavily on rhythms and instrumentation common in the secular music of the contemporary era (often including the use of electronic beats), while still incorporating the themes and heritage of the traditional Black gospel genre. [[Kirk Franklin]] is the foremost (and by far the bestselling) individual in this genre, while Andrae Crouch, the [[The Clark Sisters|Clark Sisters]], and Yolanda Adams are also very popular and noteworthy.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Farrant |first=Dan |date=October 11, 2023 |title=28 Of The Greatest And Most Famous Gospel Singers Of All Time |url=https://hellomusictheory.com/learn/famous-gospel-singers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919024623/https://hellomusictheory.com/learn/famous-gospel-singers/ |archive-date=Sep 19, 2023 |website=Hello Music Theory }}</ref>

==== British ====
British black gospel refers to gospel music of the [[African diaspora]] in the UK. It is also often referred to as "UK gospel".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/music/gospel_1.shtml |title=Gospel music |publisher=BBC |date=July 11, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830005344/http://www.bbc.co.uk:80/religion/religions/christianity/music/gospel_1.shtml |archive-date=Aug 30, 2012 }}</ref> The distinctive sound is heavily influenced by UK street culture with many artists from the African and Caribbean majority black churches in the UK.<ref>{{cite book |title=British Black Gospel: Foundations of this vibrant UK sound |first=Steve Alexander|last=Smith |isbn=9781854248961 |publisher=Monarch Books |year=2009}}</ref> The genre has gained recognition in various awards such as the GEM (Gospel Entertainment Music) Awards,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.christiantoday.com/article/freddie.kofi.wins.best.male.at.gem.awards/4441.htm |title=Freddie Kofi Wins Best Male at GEM Awards |work=Christian Today |date=November 4, 2005 |first=Maria|last=Mackay}}</ref> [[MOBO Awards]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/8076949/Mobo-Awards-2010-The-Winners.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/8076949/Mobo-Awards-2010-The-Winners.html |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Mobo Awards 2010: The Winners |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=October 20, 2010 |author=N.A.}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/gospels-lurine-cato-triumphant-mobos |title=Gospel's Lurine Cato is triumphant at the MOBOs |publisher=The Voice Online |date=October 21, 2013}}</ref> [[Urban Music Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urbanmusicawards.net|title=Urban Music Awards|website=Urbanmusicawards.net}}</ref> and has its own [[Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.recordoftheday.com/news-and-press/uk-s-first-official-christian-gospel-albums-chart-to-launch-next-week |title=UKs first Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart to launch next week |website=Recordoftheday.com |date=March 14, 2013}}</ref>

=== Southern gospel music ===
{{Main|Southern gospel}}
[[Southern gospel]] music comes from the Southeastern United States and is similar in sound to Christian country music, but it sometimes known as "quartet music" for its traditional "four men and a piano" set up. The genre, while remaining predominantly White, began to integrate Black gospel stylings in the 1960s.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Goff|first=James R.|date=1998|title=The Rise of Southern Gospel Music|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3169850|journal=[[Church History (journal)|Church History]]|volume=67|issue=4|pages=722–744|doi=10.2307/3169850|jstor=3169850 |s2cid=162017997 |issn=0009-6407}}</ref> It has evolved over the years into a popular form of music across the United States and overseas, especially among [[baby boomers]] and those living in the South. Like other forms of music the creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of southern gospel varies according to culture and social context. It is composed and performed for many purposes, ranging from aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, or as an entertainment product for the marketplace.

=== Christian country music ===
{{Main|Christian country music}}
[[Christian country music]], sometimes referred to as country gospel music, is a subgenre of gospel music with a country flair, is also known as inspirational country. Christian country over the years has progressed into a mainstream country sound with inspirational or positive country lyrics. In the mid-1990s, Christian country hit its highest popularity. This popularity was such that mainstream artists like [[Larry Gatlin]], [[Charlie Daniels]] and [[Barbara Mandrell]], just to name a few, began recording music that had this positive Christian country flair. These mainstream artists have now become award winners in this genre.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Larry Gatlin nominated for Christian Country Album of the Year|url=http://www.tollbooth.org/new/news/99list.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091104100459/http://www.tollbooth.org/new/news/99list.html|archive-date=November 4, 2009|access-date=September 11, 2008|website=Tollbooth.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Barbara Mandrell inducted into the Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame|url=http://www.countrygospelmusic.com/platinumheart.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225093800/http://www.countrygospelmusic.com/platinumheart.htm|archive-date=February 25, 2015}}</ref>