Gospel Music’s Top Female Artists

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

Looking for some new gospel music to add to your collection? Check out our list of the top female gospel artists making waves in the industry today. From established legends to up-and-coming talents, these women are sure to inspire and uplift.

The History 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.

The 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 has been around since the early 17th century, and its roots are in the African-American oral tradition. In addition to traditional hymns, there are also gospel spirituals and blues-influenced gospel songs. The genre grew out of the spirituals sung by slaves in the American South. These slave spirituals were communal songs that were created to strengthen religious faith and bring comfort in times of hardship.

During the Civil War, black soldiers in the Union army sang gospel songs to lift their spirits and inspire hope. After the war, many white Americans became interested in this new form of music, and gospel actually began to cross over into the mainstream. The first commercially successful gospel song was “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” which was released in 1868.

By the early 20th century, gospel music had become an important part of American culture. Mahalia Jackson—often referred to as “the Queen of Gospel”—was one of the most influential gospel singers of her generation. She recorded more than 30 albums during her career and helped to popularize gospel music around the world. Jackson’s powerful voice and emotionally charged performances reached a wide audience and helped to shape the sound of gospel music for years to come.

The Development 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. Chapel choirs, comprised of students from nearby schools, existed from the early days of Negro spirituals.

The Top Female Gospel Artists of Today

Gospel music has always been a source of hope and inspiration for people around the world. It is a genre that is rich in history and culture, and its female artists are some of the most talented and respected musicians in the industry. Today, we’re going to take a look at some of the top female gospel artists of today.

Yolanda Adams

A native of Houston, Texas, Yolanda Adams is a classically trained singer who has achieved great crossover success, releasing albums that appeal to both gospel and secular audiences. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Adams has sold more than 4 million records and has scored multiple hits on both the gospel and pop charts. Known for her powerful vocal delivery, Adams is widely considered one of the best gospel singers of our time.

Tamela Mann

With a powerful voice that exudes both strength and vulnerability, Tamela Mann has become one of the most successful and beloved gospel artists of our time. Her string of hits includes “Take Me to the King,” “This Place,” and “I Can Only Imagine,” which she co-wrote with her husband and longtime collaborator David Mann.

A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Tamela began her career as a member of the famed Gospel musical group Kirk Franklin & The Family. She went on to release her solo debut album in 1999, and has since released eight more albums, including the Grammy-nominated Best Gospel Albums The Master Plan (2010) and One Way (2012). In addition to her work as a recording artist, Tamela has also appeared in a number of stageplays and films, including Tyler Perry’s Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005) and Meet the Browns (2008). She currently stars alongside her husband David in the hit sitcom on OWN network Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns.

Tasha Cobbs

Tasha Cobbs is a contemporary gospel singer, songwriter, record producer, worship leader, and occasional actress. She began her career singing gospel music at her church and appeared on local television singing competitions. In 2010, she was signed to EMI’s gospel music label. Her breakthrough came with the release of her debut album Grace (2013), which peaked at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart and went on to be certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album’s lead single “Break Every Chain” topped the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart for twelve consecutive weeks.

Cobbs has won numerous awards, including five Stellar Awards, a Billboard Music Award, five Dove Awards, and a Grammy Award. In 2015, she was presented with the BMI President’s Award for her “outstanding achievement in songwriting.” Her second album One Place Live (2015) debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart and was nominated for three Grammy Awards. She released her third album Heart. Passion. Pursuit. (2017), which won Cobbs her first Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Gospel Album.

The Future of Gospel Music

The sound of Gospel music has changed drastically over the past few decades. With the rise of Mahalia Jackson in the 1940s and 50s, Gospel music became more mainstream. In the 1970s and 80s, Gospel artists like Shirley Caesar and James Cleveland helped to bring the sound of Gospel music to a wider audience. Today, there are a new generation of Gospel artists who are taking the sound of Gospel music in a new direction.

The Growth of Gospel Music

Over the last few years, gospel music has seen a huge resurgence in popularity, both in the US and internationally. This is largely due to the hard work and dedication of a new generation of female artists who are taking the genre by storm. Here are just a few of the most successful and influential women in gospel music today.

Kirk Franklin
Kirk Franklin is one of the biggest names in contemporary gospel music. He got his start in the early 1990s, when he formed the group Kirk Franklin & The Family. Over the years, he has won numerous awards, including 12 Grammy Awards and 42 Stellar Awards. Kirk is also a highly sought-after producer, and he has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Whitney Houston, Bono, Mary J. Blige, and Stevie Wonder.

Tamela Mann
Tamela Mann is a platinum-selling recording artist who has achieved huge success both within the gospel community and beyond. She got her start as an actress, starring in such films as Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005) and Meet the Browns (2008). Tamela made her musical debut with her album Best Days (2012), which topped both secular and gospel charts. She has since released two more albums, One Way (2014) and Love Lasts Forever (2017), both of which have been hugely successful.

Tasha Cobbs-Leonard
Tasha Cobbs-Leonard is a Grammy Award-winning artist who first came to prominence with her 2013 album Grace. The album was certified gold by the RIAA and won two Dove Awards. Tasha’s follow-up album One Place Live (2015) was even more successful, debuting at number one on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart. In 2017, Tasha released her third studio album Heart Passion Pursuit, which garnered widespread critical acclaim and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.

The Impact of Gospel Music

Gospel music is one of the most popular genres in the United States, with a devoted and ever-growing following. It has also been one of the most influential genres in American music, playing a pivotal role in the development of other genres like rock and roll, soul, and R&B.

In recent years, gospel music has seen a resurgence in popularity, with a new generation of artists carrying on the tradition while also bringing their own unique style to the genre. This has led to some exciting new developments in gospel music, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

One of the most important aspects of gospel music is its message. Gospel music is all about spreading a positive message of love, hope, and redemption. This message is often conveyed through the lyrics of the songs, which are typically about faith, family, and social issues.

Gospel music is also known for its beautiful harmonies and for its uplifting sound. The vocals are often accompanied by instruments like piano, drums, guitars, and horns. This combination creates a Sound that is both powerful and moving.

Gospel music has always been about more than just entertainment; it’s about making a difference in the world. The genre has long been used as a tool for social change, and that continues to be true today. With its positive message and uplifting sound, gospel music has the ability to inspire people to do great things.

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