Search results
People also ask
Who are the top black gospel artists today?
Who are the greatest black female singers?
What is black gospel music?
Is gospel music a sacred part of Black History?
Feb 9, 2024 · Gospel music as we know it today remains a sacred part of Black History and continues unifying congregations worldwide. Below are 21 Black gospel artists who have significantly impacted the genre and its history over the last 50 years.
- Mahalia Jackson (1911-1972) Known as the “Queen of Gospel Music,” Mahalia Jacksonwas one of the most influential gospel singers of all time. She had a powerful contralto voice and sang songs that brought hope and inspiration.
- Shirley Caesar (1938-)
- CeCe Winans (1964-) CeCe Winansis an American gospel singer, songwriter, and actress who has been praised for her powerful vocals, passionate delivery, and uplifting messages.
- Yolanda Adams (1961-) Yolanda Adams is an American gospel singer, actress, and host of her own nationally syndicated morning gospel show and her brilliant high notes that gave her the nickname “The High Priestess of Praise.” .
- Hezekiah Walker. Bishop Hezekiah Walker is the founder and Senior Pastor of the Love Fellowship Tabernacle church (LFC) with locations in Brooklyn, NY, Bensalem, PA, Long Island, NY, Lilburn, GA and Columbia, SC.
- Mary Mary. Sisters Erica and Tina Atkins make up the duo known to the world as Mary Mary. These ladies have won awards from BET, the Doves, the Grammys, the NAACP, Soul Train and the Stellars.
- Donald Lawrence. Grammy Award-winning producer, composer and recording artist Donald Lawrence has spent the past 20 years giving us music to love. He's been the driving force behind the Tri-City Singers (made up of singers from the Carolina cities of Charlotte, Gastonia and Spartanburg) and The Co.
- Kirk Franklin. Since 1993, the name Kirk Franklin has been synonymous with Urban Gospel music. He has won 3 Grammy Awards, 14 Doves, 33 Stellars and 3 NAACP Image Awards.
- Tasha Cobbs
- Tamela Mann
- Kierra “Kiki” Sheard
- Karen Clark Sheard
- Le’Andria Johnson
- Erica Campbell
- Vanessa Bell Armstrong
- Tramaine Hawkins, A Talented Black Female Gospel Singer
- Dorinda Clark-Cole
Grammy award winning American gospel musician and songwriter Tasha Cobbs grew up in the church at Jesup New Life Ministries. She launched her solo career in 2010 and released Smile, an independent, self-released album. Since then, she’s also released Grace in 2013, One Place: Live in 2015, Heart. Passion. Pursuit. in 2017, Heart. Passion. Pursuit.:...
American gospel singer and actress Tamela Mann’s music career started when she joined the Kirk Franklin and the Family. Her acting career began shortly after she was discovered by actor, writer, producer, comedian and director, Tyler Perry, in 1999. Mann has since appeared on both the small screen and big screen in a variety of roles. She and her h...
Gospel singer Kierra Sheard is also a fashion designer and radio host. Daughter of gospel singer Karen Clark Sheard (also see next entry), she launched her music career with her debut album, I Owe You, in 2004. When she was six years old, she began singing in the choir at Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ. By 10, she had made h...
Karen Clark Sheard is a Grammy award winning gospel singer, musician and songwriter that seemingly defies age. She is best known as the youngest member of The Clark Sisters. Her fame, however, would explode after she released her first solo album, Finally Karen, during a Clark Sisters hiatus. After the success of her debut album and a great deal of...
Le’Andria Johnson is a Grammy award winning gospel musician and singer-songwriter. She was also the season three winner of the BET show Sunday Best. Born into a musical family, Johnson began singing at the age of 2 at HQ Ministries, where she would also go onto become the worship leader. Inspired by her three children, Johnson auditioned for Sunday...
Erica Campbell is a Grammy award winning contemporary gospel recording artist, musician and radio host. Campbell began her music career in 1998 with her younger sister Tina Campbell, forming Mary Mary. Mary Mary earned multiple Stellar Music, Dove, Grammy, NAACP Image, American Music, Soul Train and BET awards. Campbell is a wildly successful singe...
Gospel singer Vanessa Bell Armstrong made her solo debut in 1983 with the album Peace Be Still. The tittle track is now her signature gospel song, and her second album, Chosen made it to the top of the US BillboardTop Gospel Albums chart. In the late 80s, Armstrong enjoyed her 15 minutes of fame with her self-titled 1987 Jive Records debut. The Bil...
Image source: Tramaine Hawkins Tramaine Hawkins is an award-winning gospel singer. Her career, spanning five decades, has earned her two Grammy awards, two Doves and 19 Stellar awards. Hawkins grew up in the Ephesians Church of God in Christ in Berkeley, California. In high school, she sang in a group called the Heavenly Tones with her friends. Haw...
Gospel singer, musician, songwriter and evangelist Dorinda Clark-Cole, like Karen Clark Sheard, is best known for her involvement with The Clark Sisters, a group with three Grammy awards to their name. Known as the “Rose of Gospel Music”, she began singing at an early age along with her sisters. As a mezzo-soprano, she was known as the “jazzy siste...
- Mahalia Jackson. Mahalia Jackson "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" from "Louis Armstrong at Newport 1970"
- Shirley Caesar. I Remember Mama Pastor, Evangelist, Shirley Caesar. Shirley Caesar is a gospel legend, born in 1938 in Durham, North Carolina. Her career spans over six decades, during which she has earned 12 Grammy Awards and numerous Dove Awards.
- Yolanda Adams. Yolanda Adams - Open My Heart.
- CeCe Winans. CeCe Winans - Goodness of God (Official Video) CeCe Winans, born in 1964 in Detroit, Michigan, is another gospel sensation known for her remarkable voice and songwriting talents.
While many white musicians gravitated toward country, folk, and old-timey music to express their spirituality outside of traditional Christian hymns, Black Gospel music drew heavily upon the traditional spirituals that had been passed down from the days of slavery, picking up its more driving rhythmic emphasis from blues and early jazz.
Each of these black gospel singers have unique styles and voices, contributing endless value to the religious community through their tireless efforts to convey the beauty of God, strength, and friendship. Check out their songs and listen to the powerful spirituality these artists portray.
