The Top Gospel Music of 2015
Contents
It’s been quite a year in Gospel music! Here are our top 20 favorite Gospel albums of 2015.
Introduction
There were so many great gospel albums released in 2015. It was hard to keep up with all of them, let alone choose the best ones. But we’ve done the work for you and compiled a list of our favorites. From classic soulful sounds to contemporary anthems, these are the albums that kept us inspired and encouraged all year long.
What is Gospel Music?
Gospel music is a genre of Christian music. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is composed and performed for many purposes, including aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, and as an entertainment product for the marketplace.
Gospel music usually has dominant vocals (often with strong use of harmony) with Christian lyrics. Gospel music can be traced to the early 17th century, with roots in the black oral tradition. Hymns and sacred songs were often repeated in a call and response fashion. Most of the churches relied on hand clapping and foot stomping as rhythmic accompaniment. Calling out ||: “Sweet hour of prayer!” :|| was a refrain.
The Top Gospel Music of 2015
There was a lot of great gospel music released in 2015. Here are some of the best albums of the year.
Kirk Franklin – Wanna Be Happy?
Kirk Franklin is an American gospel musician, singer, songwriter, and choir director. He is best known for leading urban contemporary gospel choirs such as The Family, God’s Property, and One Nation Crew (1NC), and has won multiple Grammy Awards. Franklin’s latest album, Losing My Religion, debuted at number one on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart. The album’s first single, “Wanna Be Happy?”, peaked at number one on the Gospel Airplay chart.
Tasha Cobbs – Break Every Chain
From the moment the intro to “Break Every Chain” comes in, you know that Tasha Cobbs means business. The Grammy award winning artist has been on a hot streak since 2013 and “Break Every Chain” is no exception. The song is an uptempo call to worship that will have you on your feet from beginning to end. With a powerful message and an equally powerful vocal performance, “Break Every Chain” is one of the best gospel songs of 2015.
Tamela Mann – Take Me to the King
Tamela Mann’s “Take Me to the King” is a beautifully crafted gospel ballad that became one of the top songs of 2013. The lyrics are simple, but profound, and the song has a powerful message of hope and faith. Tamela’s clear, beautiful voice is the perfect vessel for this moving song, and she delivers it with emotion and conviction. “Take Me to the King” is a must-hear for any fan of gospel music.
Smokie Norful – No Greater Love
Released in February 2015, Smokie Norful’s “No Greater Love” is the top gospel album of the year. This is the fourth album for Norful, who won a Grammy for his last album, “I Need You Now” in 2006. “No Greater Love” features the single “I Know What Prayer Can Do,” which has been a mainstay on gospel radio since its release.
Hezekiah Walker – Every Praise
As one of the most popular and respected gospel artists of our time, Hezekiah Walker doesn’t disappoint with his latest release,Every Praise. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart and features the title track, which peaked at number one on the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart. Walker’s powerful voice and uplifting message are a welcome addition to any music collection.
Conclusion
What a great year 2015 was for Gospel music! We saw many great artists and bands releasing new music, and we witnessed the continued growth of the contemporary Gospel sound. It’s hard to narrow down the best of the best, but we’ve compiled a list of our favorite Gospel albums of the year.
1. He Lives by The Williams Brothers. This album is full of great songs that will lift your spirits and fill you with hope.
2. Amazing Love by James Fortune & FIYAE. Another excellent album from one of today’s premier Gospel artists.
3. The Life Project by Deitrick Haddon. Haddon’s latest album is a powerful and moving collection of songs about God’s love and grace.
4. Grace & Mercy by Kirk Franklin. One of the most popular Gospel albums of the year, Grace & Mercy features some of Franklin’s best work to date.
5.. Worshipping Warrior by Lisa Bevilacqua. Bevilacqua’s debut album is an adrenaline-fueled collection of praise and worship songs that will get your blood pumping!
These are just a few of the great Gospel albums that were released in 2015. What are your favorites?
