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Overview

The intensity and enthusiasm accompanying a well-executed gospel song have all the trappings of engaging music that arrests the listener's attention. Its global exportation to other parts of the world or even just across state lines attests to this fact. Furthermore, each time someone outside of the African American community learns to perform gospel music, that contributes to the globalization of African American music in general. This lesson will expand on the development and globalization of gospel music.

Be ready to:

Name the essential musicians and describe the three watershed moments that were important to the globalization of gospel music.

Name and write about countries outside of the United States where gospel music has taken a foothold.

Articulate the importance of Kurtis Blow to the dissemination and expansion of rap and hip-hop music into the church's liturgy.

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Conclusion

The secular/spiritual divide has existed within gospel music since its beginnings. The three watershed moments in the history of gospel music are the publication of " Precious Lord Take My Hand♫ ," by Thomas Dorsey, " Oh Happy Day♫ " by the Edwin Hawkins Singers, and "Stomp♫" by Kirk Franklin. These songs have successfully reached across that divide, attracting Christians and non-Christians alike. Still, then, as now, some church members found church music that relied too heavily on secular music to be contrary to the teachings of the church. But it's the very fact of its listenability-in addition to its heart-that allows gospel music to reach across that divide as well as continents. Christian rap is perhaps the most recent version in the evolution of gospel music. Although we can't say what gospel music will sound like in the future, we can surmise that it will continue to evolve with the times.

Christian rapper Tedashii performing live in 2012 at an Ichthus Music Festival

As John 4:23 says, it's time, as worshipers of God, to give him all we have. For when he is exalted, everything about me is decreased. So many times, we stand in the way of really stepping into the secret place of worship with God. Just abandon tradition and the 'expected' ways of Praise & Worship and get lost in the holy of holies with the sole intention of blessing the Father's heart.

(Jessica Leah Springer)

Kurtis Blow

Hip-hop is incredible. If you travel outside of the country, everybody is into hip-hop. We live in a hip-hop generation. Hip-hop is the number one music in the whole world.

Edwin Hawkins "Oh Happy Day"

Oh happy day (Oh happy day)
Oh happy day (Oh happy day)
When Jesus washed (When Jesus washed)
Oh when he washed (When Jesus washed)
When Jesus washed (When Jesus washed)
He washed my sins away (Oh happy day)