Top Gospel Music of 2015
Contents
Looking for some good gospel music to get you through the year? Check out our top picks for the best gospel music of 2015!
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 society. Gospel music is composed and performed for many purposes, including aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, and as an entertainment product for the marketplace.
Origins of 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. Singing was formalized in the published Protestant hymnals of the 17th century. A collection of English prayers called Psalter for singing was published in 1549.
What are the characteristics of 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. Changing arrangements, Keyboards such as pianos and organs are sometimes used as well as drums in some modern gospel music styles. Gospel music has been a part of the African American experience since its infancy In addition to its origins in the Black church tradition, African American gospel music also draws on freely improvised African percussion traditions.
Top Gospel Songs of 2015
The year 2015 was a great one for Gospel music. There were many great songs released this year, and it was hard to narrow it down to just 10. However, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best Gospel songs of 2015.
“Amazing Grace” by John Newton
The late 18th century hymn “Amazing Grace” is a widely known and cherished song throughout the English-speaking world. Originally written by John Newton, the hymn was popularized by Methodist preacher John Wesley and has been performed by a wide array of artists over the years. In 2015, “Amazing Grace” was once again thrust into the limelight when it was adapted into a film starring Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson. The film tells the story of Newton’s life and how he came to write the beloved hymn.
“How Great Thou Art” by Carl Boberg
How Great Thou Art is a Gospel song originally written in Swedish by Carl Boberg in the early 20th century. The song was translated into English and popularized by George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows during the Billy Graham crusades of the 1950s and 1960s. It is based on a poem written by Boberg in 1885 as a devotional. The song has been recorded by many Christian artists over the years and was named Song of the Century in 2001 by the Gospel Music Association.
“The Old Rugged Cross” by George Bennard
“The Old Rugged Cross” is a song written in 1912 by George Bennard, a minister who traveled across the Midwest preaching the Gospel. The song became popular among Christians of all denominations, and it remains one of the most beloved hymns of all time. There are many versions of “The Old Rugged Cross,” but one of the most popular is sung by country music legend Alan Jackson.
Top Gospel Artists of 2015
It was a great year for Gospel music in 2015. We saw a lot of new artists emerge and break into the scene. But it was also a great year for some of the more established artists as well. Here are our picks for the top Gospel artists of 2015.
Kirk Franklin
Kirk Franklin is an American gospel singer, songwriter, record producer and musician. He is best known for his hit gospel songs “Stomp”, “Revolution”, “Declaration (This Is It!)” and ” Hero “. In 2015, Kirk Franklin was ranked as the sixth top gospel artist of the year by Billboard.
Tamela Mann
Tamela Mann is an American gospel singer and actress. She started her career in 1992 with the release of her album, ‘This Place’, which was followed by a number of other successful albums, including ‘Gotta Have Hope’ (1996), ‘Alabaster Box’ (1999) and ‘The Master Plan’ (2000). She has also appeared in a number of films, including ‘Joyful Noise’ (2012) and ‘Sparkle’ (2012).
James Fortune
One of the most popular and polarizing figures in gospel music, singer/songwriter/producer James Fortune scored another hit with his 2013 album Identity. Fortune has a way of making his presence felt whether it’s through his chart-topping music, or sharing stories of his troubled past that included being shot three times and incarcerated.
