2020 Black Gospel Music: What to Expect
Contents
As we move into 2020, the world of black gospel music is poised for some exciting changes. Here’s a look at what to expect in the coming year.
Introduction
Gospel music has been around for a long time and has undergone many changes throughout the years. Today, it is enjoyed by people of all ages and cultures. If you are a fan of gospel music, then you may be wondering what to expect in 2020. Here is a look at some of the most popular trends in black gospel music:
1. Gospel rap and hip hop are becoming more popular than ever before. This type of music is often characterized by its positive message and uplifting beats.
2. Contemporary gospel is also becoming more popular, as it provides a modern twist on traditional gospel music.
3. Gospel choirs are still going strong and are often featured on television shows, movies, and commercials.
4. There is also a growing trend of gospel music being used in worship services at churches across the country.
5. Finally, many artists are beginning to fuse different genres together, such as rock, R&B, and pop, to create their own unique sound.
The Biggest Black Gospel Music Stories of 2020
The last year has been full of challenges and obstacles, but through it all, music has been a constant source of hope and inspiration. As we look ahead to the new year, there are a few things we can expect in the world of black gospel music. Here are the biggest black gospel music stories of 2020.
Kirk Franklin’s New Album
Kirk Franklin is one of the most celebrated and well-known faces in black gospel music. In 2020, he is set to release a new album, Long Live Love. The album will be his first full-length project in three years and is highly anticipated by fans. gospel music stories of 2020, Franklin’s new album is sure to be one of the biggest.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard’s New Single
After much anticipation, Tasha Cobbs Leonard has finally released her new single, “Good Good.” The song is a upbeat, energetic track that is sure to get listeners on their feet and clapping along. Featuring production from HITCO’s Teddy Riley and Warryn Campbell, “Good Good” is a total can’t-miss anthem.
The Rise of Gospel Rap
In 2020, we expect to see a continued rise in the popularity of gospel rap. Artists like Lecrae, NF, and Trip Lee have been breaking onto the mainstream music scene, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down. With their positive messages and infectious beats, these artists are attracting new fans to the genre every day.
The Best Black Gospel Albums of 2020
The 2020 black gospel music scene promises to be an exciting one. Some of the best black gospel artists are releasing new albums this year. 2020 is shaping up to be a great year for black gospel music lovers. Here are some of the best black gospel albums that you can expect to be released in 2020.
Kirk Franklin’s Long Live Love
Kirk Franklin’s Long Live Love is the best black gospel album of 2020. Released on February 28, 2020, the album debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart. The album features the singles “Love Theory” and “Good Feeling.”
Tasha Cobbs Leonard’s Heart. Passion. Pursuit.
The title of Tasha Cobbs Leonard’s new live album, Heart. Passion. Pursuit., couldn’t be more accurate or apt. On her third full-length release, the 33-year-old musician unleashes a veritable tour de force of10 original songs and worship anthems that brim with not only anointed musicianship but also an uninhibited joy for God and unshakeable faith that He is good, even when life gets hard.
Born and raised in Jesup, Georgia, Cobbs Leonard began playing piano and singing in church at just 4 years old. After stints leading worship at churches in Atlanta and Charlotte, North Carolina, she released her debut album, Smile, in 2012 to both critical and commercial acclaim. Her follow-up effort, One Place Live (2015), debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart and garnered her a Grammy Award for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance.
With Heart. Passion. Pursuit., Cobbs Leonard ups the ante even further, inviting listeners on a musical journey that runs the gamut from stripped-down ballads to high-energy club bangers — all while remaining firmly rooted in her gospel roots. The result is an album that is equal parts soulful and celebratory, honest and transparent — an intimate portrait of a woman who has learned to lean into God’s grace even when life doesn’t go according to plan.
Lead single “Great God” sets the tone for the album with its infectiously upbeat melody and Cobbs Leonard’s powerhouse vocal performance, which soars over a backdrop of brass horns and driving percussion. It’s a moment of pure worship that recalls the best work of Kirk Franklin and Fred Hammond — two artists who have been hugely influential to Cobbs Leonard throughout her career.
Other standout tracks include “Your Spirit,” a hauntingly beautiful ballad featuring guest vocals from kingdom singer Kierra Sheard; “Put A Praise On It,” a joyous call to dance featuring rap verses from label mate (and husband) Steven Malcolm; “I’m Getting Ready,” an uptempo declaration of hope reminiscent of Destiny Child’s classic hits; and “Oh My Soul,” a moment of introspection set against sparse acoustic instrumentation that finds Cobbs Leonard baring her heart and soul in a way that is both vulnerable and powerful.
Throughout the album, Cobbs Leonard is flanked by an all-star cast of musicians and singers, including GRAMMY-winning producer Henry Jackson Jr., Worship leader William Murphy III, music directors James Vaughn Jr. And Derrick Lee Coleman Jr., session guitarist Corey Pulley And up-and-coming singer Koryn Hawthorne , who joins Cobbs Leonard on the project’s final track, “You Know My Name.”
The end result is an album that feels both fresh and timeless — a modern classic in the making from one of gospel music’s most electrifying voices
Jekalyn Carr’s The Life Project
This year has been particularly special for Black gospel music. New artists have continued to emerge while some veteran artists have released their best work in years. Below are my picks for the best Black gospel albums of 2020 (in alphabetical order by title).
Jekalyn Carr’s The Life Project is one of the year’s strongest releases. Carr’s powerful voice is on full display on this album, which features the hit single “You Will Win.” Other standouts include “forceful” tracks like “He Always Wins” and “Put Your Trust in God.”
Tasha Cobbs Leonard’s Heart. Passion. Pursuit. Live At Passion City Church is another live album that impressed me this year. From start to finish, the album is packed with strong vocal performances and moving songs like “YourGreatName” and “I’m Getting Ready.”
The Williams Brothers’ I Recall a Time When… celebrates the group’s 50th anniversary in style. This album features some of the group’s best work in years, including the anthemic lead single “Praise Party.” Other highlights include the wrenching ballad “A Mother’s Cry” and the celebratory title track.
The Most Anticipated Black Gospel Albums of 2020
2020 is already shaping up to be an amazing year for black gospel music. With new albums from some of the genre’s biggest names, as well as exciting debuts from promising up-and-comers, there’s a lot to be excited about. Here are some of the most anticipated black gospel albums of 2020.
Kirk Franklin’sUntitled Album
Kirk Franklin is one of the most popular and influential names in Black Gospel music, and his forthcoming album is one of the most anticipated releases of 2020. Franklin has won multiple Grammy Awards and is widely credited with helping to popularize contemporary Christian music. His last album, 2015’s ‘Losing My Religion,’ was a critical and commercial success, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. Franklin has not announced a release date for his new album, but it is expected to arrive later in 2020.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard’s One Place Live
A few years ago, Tasha Cobbs Leonard memorably took the phrase “There’s power in the name of Jesus” and made it into a rousing call-and-response moment on her live album. She returns to that same creative well on her forthcoming live album, One Place Live, but this time she takes it a step further by surrounding herself with an army of worship leaders — William Murphy, Isaiah Thomas, Tye Tribbett, James Fortune, Kierra Sheard and more — to lead the charge. The end result is a fire-starter of an album that raises the bar for what a live gospel recording can be.
Jekalyn Carr’s You Will Win
“You Will Win” is the highly-anticipated follow-up to Jekalyn Carr’s chart-topping album, “Greater.” This new album features signature anthems of hope, inspiration, and perseverance that have become Carr’s trademark. You Will Win is sure to encourage and empower listeners to overcome any challenge they may face.
Conclusion
After reading this guide, you should have a better understanding of the different types of gospel music that will be popular in 2020. Whether you enjoy uplifting melodies, soulful ballads, or toe-tapping rhythms, there is sure to be a style of black gospel music that you will enjoy. So turn up the radio and get ready to sing along!
