A Brief History of Gospel Music

[url=elohimtunes.com]Gospel music [/url]has deeply influenced American popular culture from its eighteenth-century origins to the present day.

- Anglican roots: Some of the most famous contemporary gospel songs, including "Amazing Grace" and "Rock of Ages," began as hymnal songs in the eighteenth century Anglican church. These hymns would later be set to the melodies we know today.

- Defined in the nineteenth century: The phrase "gospel music" appears to have first been printed in 1874, when composer and Baptist evangelist Philip Bliss published Gospel Songs: A Choice Collection of Hymns and Tunes. The word "gospel" referred to the Biblical message of Jesus Christ as the son of God. The published music was generally catchier and more accessible than most church hymns of the era.

- Country music and rural gospel: While Black American gospel music would eventually become the prevailing style, from the 1870s through the 1920s, gospel music centered around white churches and the country music tradition. Prominent gospel artists of the era included Ira D. Sankey, George F. Root, and the Carter Family.

- Gospel in the Black church: Praise songs have long been a part of the Black church, and popular recordings of Black gospel music gained recognition in the 1920s and 1930s. Early Black American gospel stars included the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, the Five Blind Boys of Alabama, Sister Rosetta Tharpe (an early progenitor of rock ‘n’ roll), and Arizona Dranes.

- Formal gospel music publishing: Chicago musician Thomas A. Dorsey saw great potential in Black American gospel music, and in 1930, he began a publishing house dedicated to the art form. As a songwriter, Dorsey came to be known as the “Father of Gospel Music” and partnered with vocalist Mahalia Jackson to consciously usher gospel music into popular culture.

- The golden age of gospel: Black gospel music reached its popular peak in the decades surrounding World War II. Vibrant gospel scenes emerged in cities touched by the Great Migration (the Black American emigration from the South to the North)—including New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. Major gospel stars of the era included Roberta Martin, Clara Ward, Pilgrim Travelers, Soul Stirrers, and the Reverend James Cleveland.

- Crossover artists: By the 1950s and 1960s, many gospel artists began forays into mainstream secular music. Soul and R&B singers such as Little Richard, Aretha Franklin, and Sam Cooke all learned their trade in Baptist and Pentecostal gospel choirs, which laid the foundation for secular R&B and rock music. Gospel music also deeply influenced the sound of soul in the 1960s. In more recent decades, artists like Kirk Franklin and Yolanda Adams have toggled back and forth between gospel and secular music, selling millions of records in the process.

- Urban contemporary gospel: In the 1970s, artists like the Clark Sisters, Andrae Crouch, Edwin Hawkins, Yolanda Adams, and Kirk Franklin merged spiritual music with the popular styles of the time. Today’s gospel artists delve into new popular music styles such as hip-hop and contemporary R&B.

1. Adeyinka Alaseyori

Adeyinka Akinyemi or simply Yinka Alaseyori is a Nigerian gospel singer and songwriter.

She hails from Ondo State, Nigeria, and was born into the family of Adeshina and Funmilayo Adesioye on the 4th of June (Year of birth unknown).

Education

Yinka Alaseyori had her Secondary School education at Methodist Girls High School. She attended Lagos State Polytechnic where she obtained a National Diploma in accountancy.
Read latest Nigerian news & celebrity gossips here

Yinka Alaseyori is an alumnus of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

Career

At the age of 3, Adeyinka was already an active church member. She was a chorister at Christ Apostolic Church and used to lead in praises and other church activities.

She has also ministered in several churches in Nigeria including Miracle Ministry, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Mountain of Fire, Christ Apostolic Church, and several other churches.

Her music ministry kicked off in 2011 and in 2012 her gospel music career started professionally.

In 2011, she released her debut album, a 14-track album titled ‘Alaseyori Mi’.

In 2021, Adeyinka became an internet sensation after her church dance video went viral online.

Shortly after that, veteran gospel singer, Tope Alabi criticized her song. Tope Alabi stated that the Holy Spirit rebuked her for using the term ‘Oniduro Mi’ from her song. Tope Alabi faced serious backlash online and many showed support for Adeyinka Alaseyori which made her become more popular.

You can download All her songs here>>

2. Bidemi Olaoba

Bidemi Olaoba, better known by her family name Bidemi Olaoba, is a popular Nigerian musical artist. Born on in Nigeria, Bidemi Olaoba started his career as musical artist .

Olaoba was born into a Christian home in Lagos, Nigeria into a family of six and he comes from Ikale Okitipupa, Ondo State. Bidemi’s studied Civil Engineering at the Yaba College Of Technology, Lagos Nigeria and also studied Economics at the University Of Lagos, Nigeria.

You can download All his songs here>>

3. BUKOLA BEKES

Bukola Bekes (September 10, 1980) is a Nigerian Gospel singer and songwriter. She is a music minister at the RCCG City of David Parish. She is well known for composing songs for Redeemed Special Holy Ghost Services and conventions.

Quick Facts
Birth Name: Olubukola Bekes
Birth Date: September 10, 1980
Birth Place: Lagos State
Nationality: Nigerian
Occupation: Gospel Singer
Husband: Damilola Bekes (m. 2004)
Net Worth: Not Estimated

Olubukola is from a family with rich music culture.

She is a seasoned worshiper with a unique voice and also captivates the audience with her energetic stage performance.

You can download All her songs here>>

4. Chidinma EKILE

Chidinma Ekile was born on the 2nd of May 1991, in Ketu in Lagos State. She is the sixth born in a family of seven children. Not much is known about her childhood, especially her parents' and siblings' details. However, while growing up, she always had a passion for music and was a church choir member in their village. She attended her primary and secondary education in Ketu before relocating to Ikorodu with her family.

You can download All her songs here>>

5. Chioma JESUS

Evangelist Mrs Amaka Okwuoha, popularly called CHIOMA JESUS, was born on the 12th of February in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria. She was born to late Nze Euzebius Chukwumaeze Ebizie, Omeokachie 1 Of Amanator & Lolo Dorathy Ebizie Of Ogboza Autonomous Community, Amanator clan in Ideato south Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria. Unfortunately Chioma Jesus lost both father and mother at a tender age, Leaving seven children with her as the eldest among them.

She is Married to Evangelist Callistus Okwuoha and their marriage is blessed with wonderful Children.
Christianity – born again on the 28th Of August, 1986, at a very tender age in a revival programme organized by her local church in her village. She is a member of scripture union [SU]. As a highly committed born again christian, she suffered several persecutions both at home and in school. In her final year during her secondary school days, the school authority and the final year students agreed to contribute money for exam malpractice, Amaka being a highly committed born again christian even though very young was the only student in the whole school, who said that she was not contributing any money to bribe the examiners as to allow them practice examination malpractice. She decided that it is better for her to fail her WAEC than sin against God by involving in such crime.

Other final year students planned to disturb her in the examination hall in addition of confiscating her properties. She reported this to one of her brother, OAU Ugoha who wrote a petition to the school and informed the principal of the school the consequences of their action. The issue raised very serious controversy both in the school and in the community; this helped to put a stop to their action and even the planned examination malpractice.

6. EBEN

Nigeria's Emmanuel Benjamin, aka EBEN , is a popular gospel vocalist, songwriter, and minister known for his Afro-pop-, hip-hop-, and dance-influenced sound. Raised in Lago, Nigeria, Eben started out as a rapper, and eventually transitioned to studio work singing backing vocals. From there, he launched his own faith and worship-based performance career, debuting in 2007 with On the Rock, which featured the songs "Imaranma," "Good Dey," and "I Don Hammer." He followed up with several equally popular albums including 2010's Phenomenon, and 2013's Justified. Also in 2013, he married fellow gospel vocalist Jahdiel. Magnified followed a year later. Along with his commercial success, Eben has garnered other plaudits including taking home a handful of Believers World Wide (BLW) awards including the 2014 and 2015 Worship Song of the Year. In 2016, he released his fifth studio album, Victory.

7. ELIJAH OYELADE


ELIJAH OYELADE, a man driven with a strong passion to see the reality of the manifestation of God in our days like it was in the bible days. He believes in the release of the transforming power of God through the preaching and singing of the word of God.

Elijah Oyelade is a deep worshipper, a pastor, a teacher and a song writer. His worship lifestyle and songs is impacting and inspiring many around the world.

In 2010 God spoke to him about a revival that is to be stirred which will fly on the wings of worship. Being inspired by the Holy Spirit to record and package deep worship songs as a revival and evangelistic tool in the hands of God for the enforcement of His kingdom in the heart of men in all places, the project titled “Show Us Your Glory” was released. The project is more than songs and music, it is the enforcement of the Kingdom; it is revival.

He has been in practical ministry since 1990 involved in rural, city and house to house evangelism and leading people in various meetings in worship.

His ministry is characterized with an unusual release of the presence of God bringing deep revival in the spirit of men, healing the sick and setting the oppressed free.

Elijah is a graduate of civil engineering; he is married to Olamide and blessed with two children, Flourish and Joyous.

8. FRANK EDWARDS

FRANK EDWARDS is a Nigerian gospel artiste and songwriter. His full name is Frank Ugochukwu Edwards. He owns the record label, ‘Rocktown Records’ which is home to other prominent gospel musicians, including Micah Heavens, King BAS, Divine, David, and Nkay.


Frank Edwards is also known by the nickname, Frank Richboy. He has been nominated for several awards and has won quite a good number of them. Frank has released over 60 songs and albums. Some of his hit songs include “You Too Dey Bless Me”, “Opomulero”, “Okaka”, and “No One Like You”.



Frank Edwards’ songs have become globally popular and are being sung at worship events in different parts of the world.

9. GUC



Gift Ugochi Christopher, professionally known by his stage name GUC , is a Nigerian gospel singer and songwriter. GUC was born on October 8, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

He lived and grew up in Port Harcourt where he also learned how to speak Ikwerre Igbo. While growing up, he lost both parents and had to do menial jobs like selling water & driving trucks in order to make ends meet. With a vision to spark a revival through music, GUC started his music career in the city of Port Harcourt in 2013 and on the 1st of January, 2014, he released his first official single ‘I Believe‘.

With sheer determination, zeal, and passion, he pushed his music career independently up until November 2019 when he got signed to Eezee Conceptz, one of the top Nigerian gospel record labels. The record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu Thankgod welcomed him to the label with a brand new car after which he was prayed for and blessed by the label boss, Chioma Jesus, and other artists at the label including Mercy Chinwo, Toby Godwin & Judikay.

10. JUDIKAY

JUDIKAY was born on October 26 as the first child in a family of four children. She originally hails from Osimili South Local government area of Asaba in Delta State part of Nigeria.

She attended Dalos College Ota for her secondary education. She also obtained a degree in theatre arts at the Redeemer’s University,Osun state


Judikay began by performing in her church, Christian Pentecostal Mission. She has been on the gospel music scene for quite a long time. Her music career began with her being the back-up singer for Akinwunmi Nathan Oluniyi Akiremi better known as Florocka. In 2013, she released her first single titled “Nobody Else”. Ever since Judikay has been a voice to reckon with in the gospel music niche.

In 2019, Judikay earned her spot in the limelight when she released “More than Gold”, a piece of heart-warming gospel music that adores the beauty of God. Judikay’s “More than Gold” features Mercy Chinwo, a star female gospel artist in Nigeria and amazing vocal, and by their melody, lives was blessed.

She later released her debut album “Man of Galilee” in November 2019. The album which comprises of 14 solid tracks is centered on the Goodness of God; the gospel. The album plays for 1 hour and 4 minutes and is available on all streaming platforms and digital resellers.