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Overview

Around 1968, at the close of the golden age of gospel, music approaches applied new stylistic labels to gospel such as urban contemporary gospel, holy hip-hop, hip-hop gospel, or just contemporary gospel, to name a few. Many continue to use these labels to describe gospel music from the late 1960s to the present day. As gospel music's boundaries concerning its stylistic labels continue to expand, notable differences in music characteristics and performance practices contribute to gospel music's broad appeal at this juncture.

Be ready to:

List important events and artists' accomplishments that contributed to the contemporary gospel.

Recall specific performers/composers and their songs that engendered the transition between the golden age of gospel and contemporary gospel.

Identify contemporary gospel songs that borrow music elements from secular songs, specifically how they incorporate music characteristics and performance practices similar to those found in soul, funk, and disco music.

Explain the use of many stylistic labels as applied to contemporary gospel music.

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References

Popular Gospel Performers in the 1980s and 1990s 3

The brother and sister gospel duo Bebe and CeCe Winans,(seventh and eighth child of Vickie Winans) became known for recording songs that crossed over to the rhythm and blues chart. "Heaven♫ " from their 1988 album of the same name reached the R & B Top 10 and no. 95 on the Pop Chart. Their song " Addictive Love♫ " from the 1991 album Different Lifestyles went even a bit further as the lyrics in this song could be interpreted as secular.

BeBe & CeCe Winans - Addictive Love - (Music Video) [ 00:00-00:00 ]

Other noted performers of the latter half of the 1990s, and their accomplishments, of contemporary gospel music include the following artists listed in the table below.

ARTIST	CONTRIBTUIONS
Donnie McClurkin	Vocalist and composer, Donnie McClurkin is known for his popular songs " Stand♫ " from the 1996 album of the same name and " We Fall Down♫ " from the 2000 album Donnie McClurkin Live in London and More (2000).
Take 6	Take 6 is one of the most advanced a cappella groups harmonically and rhythmically. They typically use gospel, rhythm and blues, and jazz with evangelical lyrics in their songs. Listen to "If We Ever Needed the Lord Before (We Sure Do Him Now)" and " Spread Love♫ from their 1988 debut album Take 6. As the group evolved, they began performing secular songs and with minimal instrumental accompaniment such as in their songs " Back in Love Again♫ " originally recorded in 1977 by the rhythm and blues/funk group LTD (Love Togetherness and Devotion) and " Can't Stop the Feeling♫ " from their 2018 album Iconic.
Trin-i-tee 5:7	Trin-i-tee 5:7 is a vocal trio of gospel music presented as an alternative to secular trios of the day such as Destiny's Child and TLC. The group members often share the song melody among them, such as in their songs " God's Grace♫ " and " Mary Don't You Weep♫ " from their 1998 album Trin-i-tee 5:7.
Hezekiah Walker	Hezekiah Walker is a gospel artist most noted as founder of the Love Fellowship Choir. Because of his zeal and gift for pastoring at the Love Fellowship Tabernacle, it is reported that crime decreased by 30 percent in East New York City. His gospel presentations inspire many to give their lives to Christ. Walker is known for using a wide range of instruments. Listen as he plays the harmonica in " Wonderful is Your Name♫ " from the 1992 album The Essential Hezekiah Walker. The spirited and high energy song " I've Got A Reason (Draper's Legacy)♫ " from the same album is sung with full-throated vocal production.

Whitney Houston

I'm an old-fashioned girl. And I love gospel. I like things that lift me up, inspire me.

Yolanda Adams

There is a sound that comes from gospel music that doesn't come from anything else. It is a sound of peace. It is a sound of, I'm going to make it through all of this.