Search results
Feb 9, 2024 · Thomas A. Dorsey, the son of a southern Baptist preacher and now considered the father of gospel music, pioneered the sound by blending spirituals and traditional worship music with blues, jazz, and swing. Gospel music as we know it today remains a sacred part of Black History and continues unifying congregations worldwide. Below are 21 Black ...
- Donnie Mcclurkin
- Marvin Sapp
- Al Green
- Kirk Franklin
- Fred Hammond
- Sam Cooke
- James Cleveland
- Richard Smallwood, A Black Male Gospel Singer
- William Mcdowell
- The Blind Boys of Alabama
Born in Copiague, New York, in 1959, McClurkin experienced horrible trauma as a child that drove him to the church. As the only place to find true peace, he got involved with singing groups and gospel musicians. McClurkin and his singing groups began recording in 1975. By 1996, he worked solo and won awards at the 48th Grammy Awards. He quickly bec...
Marvin Sapp is a gospel singer and senior pastor at a Texas church. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1967, Sapp got his start at four singing in church. He went on to work with singing groups and gospel ensembles, eventually joining the band Commissioned in 1990. In 1996, Sapp made a move as a solo musician. His song “Never Would Have Made It” ea...
Known best for his hit songs like “Let’s Stay Together” and “Love and Happiness,” Al Green started working in secular music. Born in Forrest City, Arkansas, in 1946, He started performing at ten and sang with a vocal group in high school. Green’s successful career slowed in the late 1970s. During a performance in Cincinnati, he fell off the stage a...
Born in Dallas, Texas, in 1970, Kirk Franklin has been called the king of urban gospel music. He is known for leading urban gospel choirs and inspiring communities with his powerful songs of faith and trust. Franklin got his start at four, playing piano and singing. His natural musical ability made him an attractive prospect at a young age. He sang...
Fred Hammond is a skilled musician, a producer, a phenomenal bass player, and a beloved gospel singer. Born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1960, Hammond is an award-winning artist, working with vocal groups as a singer, producer, and writer. Hammond got his start with a group called Commissioned, the same group that welcomed Martin Sapp for a time. Hammo...
Source Sam Cooke is considered by many to be one of the hallmark artists of soul, R&B, and gospel music. His smooth tone and heartfelt melodies have made him a pioneer in the music industry long after his untimely death in 1964. Born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, in 1931, Cooke got his start singing with a group called the Soul Stirrers. This led to ...
Born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1931, James Cleveland was the first gospel musician to have his star put on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. His influence was critical in creating the gospel sound perpetuated by artists like Fred Hammond and Sam Cooke. Cleveland started singing in a church choir, where he damaged his vocal cords as a young man. Thi...
The head of the Richard Smallwood Singers, Smallwood was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1948. A graduate of Howard University, Smallwood specialized in vocals and piano. He launched his career as a college student, singing with gospel groups on campus. He began recording music in 1982. His debut album was highly successful on gospel charts, and his n...
A singer and a pastor, William McDowell was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1976. He released his first album in the year 2009 and has been breaking records and topping charts ever since. McDowell’s music has been charting on gospel billboards since he first began. Though he has had only a short career, he has impacted the gospel community with his di...
Sometimes called The Five Blind Boys of Alabama, or Clarence Fountain and the Blind Boys of Alabama, this gospel singing group has made music since 1939. With a changing lineup of singers and musicians, the group’s continuity has made them beloved and internationally known. Most of the group members have been visually impaired in some way. The curr...
People also ask
Who are the top black gospel artists today?
Are black male gospel singers still relevant today?
What is black gospel music?
Who invented gospel music?
- Kirk Franklin. The “Reigning King of Urban Gospel” Kirk Franklin led a difficult childhood, being abandoned as a baby by his birth mother. He was raised by his aunt, who encouraged him to develop his musical talents.
- Jonathan McReynolds. Award-winning gospel singer Jonathan McReynolds was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, by a single mother. However, he and his mom were very much loved and supported by their church, where both of them were actively involved.
- Donnie McClurkin. Dubbed the “Reigning King of Urban Gospel,” Donnie McClurkin began to experience trauma very early on. At eight years old, he witnessed the death of his little brother, who was only two years old at that time.
- Marvin Sapp. Gospel singer and pastor Marvin Sapp grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he started singing gospel very early on. He began singing at four years old at church, and by the time he was a teen, he was singing with gospel groups.
- Donnie McClurkin. Donnie McClurkin grew up in a home filled with domestic and drug abuse. McClurkin began to play the piano and sing in the church youth choir after his aunt adopted him.
- Fred Hammond. Fred Hammond addresses God and His power in his music. Hammond believes that in moments of sadness, we can find solace in praising the Lord.
- Smokie Norful. Smokie Norful won a Grammy for the Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album in 2005. He grew up as the son of an African Methodist Episcopal Church minister.
- Hezekiah Walker. Another Grammy award-winning gospel artist, Hezekiah Walker was born in Brooklyn, New York. He leads and acts as pastor for the Love Fellowship Choir.
- Kirk Franklin. 1,832 votes. Blending contemporary urban sounds with the unmistakable spirit of gospel music, Kirk Franklin has been a trailblazer in the industry for decades.
- CeCe Winans. 1,635 votes. A shining gem in the storied Winans family, CeCe Winans has made her mark as an extraordinary solo artist in the gospel world. Her angelic voice and heartfelt lyrics have resonated deeply with fans for more than three decades.
- Yolanda Adams. 1,446 votes. Yolanda Adams has been a beacon of inspiration for countless listeners with her powerful vocals and unwavering faith. Often referred to as the "Queen of Contemporary Gospel Music," she has captivated audiences worldwide with her moving performances and uplifting messages.
- Marvin Sapp. 1,476 votes. As a pastor, singer, and songwriter, Marvin Sapp's spiritual journey has undeniably shaped his soul-stirring music. His emotive vocal delivery combined with his ability to craft deeply personal songs has resonated with fans across generations.
Dec 11, 2017 · William McDowell. The lead pastor at Deeper Fellowship Church in Orlando, Florida has shared his music on tour in over 30 countries around the world. Meet some of the top Black Gospel artists in the industry today, like Hezekiah Walker, Donald Lawrence, Kirk Franklin, Earnest Pugh, and Fred Hammond.
The music was quite egalitarian in terms of gender, as both male and female performers -- Brother Joe May, Rev. James Cleveland, Mahalia Jackson, the Clara Ward Singers, etc. -- gained wide renown among both black and white audiences.
