Take Me to the King: The Best of Black Gospel Music on YouTube

Looking for some amazing black gospel music to listen to? Look no further than YouTube! There are tons of great channels and artists to check out, and we’ve compiled some of the best ones for you right here.

What is black gospel music?

Black gospel music is a genre of American music that originated in the African-American churches of the United States. This music often combines elements of traditional black gospel, spirituals, and blues.

The origins of black gospel music can be traced to the 18th century, when the 404 hymns known as the Negro Spirituals were first compiled and published. These hymns were later included in The Gospel Gun, which was published in 1867 by Allen T. Rice.

One of the most influential figures in black gospel music was Thomas Dorsey, who was known as the “Father of Gospel Music.” Dorsey was a prolific songwriter and composer, and his compositions “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” and “Peace in the Valley” are some of the most well-known and beloved gospel songs of all time.

Other important early figures in black gospel music include Mahalia Jackson, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Roberta Martin, James Cleveland, and Shirley Caesar. Jackson was one of the most celebrated and influential gospel singers of all time, and her album Amazing Grace is considered one of the greatest gospel albums ever recorded. Sister Rosetta Tharpe was a legendary singer and guitarist who blended gospel with rhythm and blues to create a new style of music that came to be known as “rocking’ gospels.” Roberta Martin was a highly respected composer, arranger, and pianist who helped to shape the sound of modern black gospel music. James Cleveland is considered one of the most important figures in contemporary black gospel music, and his album Live at Carnegie Hall is considered a classic. Shirley Caesar is a Grammy-winning singer whose career spans six decades; she is one of the most popular and influential figures in black gospel music today.

The origins of black gospel music

Black gospel music has its roots in the hymns and spiritual songs of the African-American church. These early songs were adapted and developed by Shirley Caesar, James Cleveland, Thomas A. Dorsey, Mahalia Jackson, the Swan Silvertones, and many other artists into the powerful anthems we know today.

In the early 1920s, Dorsey – known as the “Father of Gospel Music” – wrote “Take My Hand, Precious Lord,” which quickly became a gospel standard. His career took off after that, and he went on to write such classics as “Peace in the Valley” and “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen.”

Jackson was one of the most popular gospel singers of all time, with a career that spanned five decades. Her signature song, “ Take Me to the King ,” was released in 1961 and quickly rose to the top of the gospel charts. She went on to record more than 50 albums and won numerous awards, including eight Grammy Awards.

The Swan Silvertones were one of the most influential groups of the early gospel era, with a sound that blended spirituals, blues, and jazz. Their hits included “Oh Mary Don’t You Weep,” “Blessed Quietness,” and “When Jesus Comes.”

Black gospel music has continued to evolve over the years, with artists like Kirk Franklin , Yolanda Adams , Smokie Norful , Hezekiah Walker , Brian Courtney Wilson , Marvin Sapp , and dozens more carrying on its legacy.

The influence of black gospel music

African American gospel music is a form of euphoric, rhythmic, spiritual music rooted in the solo and responsive church singing of the African American South. Its development coincided with — and is germane to — the development of rhythm and blues, jazz, and rock and roll. All of these genres are seen as forms of black popular music that developed out of the ecclesiastical singing traditions of black Americans known as “singing in the Spirit” cultures.

Black gospel music has its roots in the hymns, Spirituals, and Protestant anthems sung by slaves during periods of bondage in America. These songs were later passed down through oral tradition, transcribed into notation by white U.S. missionaries eager to spread Christianity throughout Africa and eventually evolved into distinctively African American styles like Sanctified Soul, Hard Gospel, and New Orleans Jazz Gospel.

Despite its well-documented origins, black gospel music has often been marginalized within wider discussions of American religious music. This is largely because most scholars interested in the topic have focused primarily on white evangelical musical traditions — such as hymns, shape-note singing, or southern gospel music — to the exclusion of other musical styles. As a result, much of what is known about black gospel music comes from secondary sources rather than from first-hand accounts or experiences.

The best black gospel music on YouTube

Do you love listening to black gospel music? There are tons of great black gospel music videos on YouTube. In this article, we’ll share some of the best ones with you.

“Take Me to the King” by Tamela Mann

Take Me to the King is a song by American gospel singer Tamela Mann. The song was released on June 25, 2012, as the lead single from her album Best Days (2012). Written by Kirk Franklin, the song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart and won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance/Song at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards.

The music video for “Take Me to the King” was directed by Derek Blanks and premiered on BET’s 106 & Park on July 16, 2012.

“I Need You to Survive” by Hezekiah Walker

When it comes to Gospel music, there are few voices as big or as powerful as Hezekiah Walker. Walker’s 1992 hit, “I Need You to Survive,” is a pulsing, unrelenting declaration of dependence on God that has become one of the most popular and well-known Gospel songs of all time.

The popularity of “I Need You to Survive” is due in large part to its simple, direct message. The lyrics offer a clear statement of faith and trust in God, even in the midst of difficult times. And Walker’s stirring performance brings those lyrics to life, delivering a powerful and uplifting message of hope and encouragement.

“I Need You to Survive” is just one of the many great Black Gospel songs you can find on YouTube. If you’re looking for more great Gospel music, be sure to check out some of the other great videos listed below.

“Break Every Chain” by Tasha Cobbs

“Break Every Chain” is a song performed by American gospel singer Tasha Cobbs. The song was released in 2013 as the lead single from her debut album Grace.

The song peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance/Song.

In an interview with The Grio, Cobbs said that the song was inspired by a sermon by T.D. Jakes in which he talked about how Jesus came to break every chain. Cobbs said that she wanted to write a song that would help people feel like they could be set free from whatever was holding them back in life.

“Break Every Chain” has been covered by numerous artists, including Courtney Pine, Michelle Williams, and Tamela Mann.

Why you should listen to black gospel music

There are many reasons why you should listen to black gospel music. It is a genre of music that is rich in history and culture, and it has the ability to touch your soul in a way that few other genres can.

Black gospel music is often infused with elements of blues, jazz, and even hip-hop, which makes it unique and exciting to listen to. There are few things more stirring than a soulful gospel singer belting out their faith through song. If you have never experienced black gospel music, you are missing out on something truly special.