By Danielle Dillard

A lot has been made lately of the emergence of spiritual themes in Billboard-topping hip-hop (e.g. Kanye West) and R&B (e.g. John Legend). Thanks to Dilated Peoples' hit, it's hard to turn on MTV2 without seeing video images of Run-DMC rappers-turned-pastors riding an escalator to the heavens.

But what about real gospel music?

Gospel originated during the 1600s on slave plantations. Referred to as "field hollers," laborers would holler phrases while picking cotton or tilling the ground. These phrases would turn into songs while workers laid railroad tracks or worked in turpentine camps in the 1800s. Black culture started to evolve in churches and sparked the interest of those who could hear the choir symphonies miles away. Early gospel composers such as Thomas A. Dorsey, who introduced There Will Be Peace In The Valley, and Charles A. Tindley, who composed We'll Understand It Better By and By, would leave gospel doors open for a variety of renown legacies from Mahalia Jackson, James Cleveland, Shirley Caesar to Sandi Patti, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Amy Grant.

What’s new in gospel?

Presently, gospel sets a multitude of musical trends. Whether it's church choirs singing praises or a trendy inner city teenager blasting hymns from a stereo, gospel music has always been enriched harmonious tunes that lift spirits and soar the profits of successful gospel artists and their record companies. What were once only crystallized chants to the Creator or holy soulful country rhymes are now a hypnotic mix of jazz, rock, pop, hip-hop, reggae, blues and Latin conglomerates, all making gospel a mainstream genre appealing to a wide range of listeners.

Superchick, a contemporary pop band consisting of funky male and female Gen Xers, define their music to be anywhere from jazz to hip-hop hardcore. Their songs appeal to younger listeners and deal with emotional issues many teens face today. Their song Barlow Girls, from the album Karaoke Superstars, encouraged purity and patience when it comes to dating. With most teens feeling pressured into premature sex, Superchick's lyrics help remind them that it is okay to wait. They also set an example that proves that artists can be successful and accepted yet still maintain a positive image and represent wholesomeness. Their most recent album titled, Beauty From Pain, came in at Number One on Soundscan’s Top Christian Album Chart.
 

Jump5

Fans of Hilary Duff, Lindsey Lohan or Stevie Brooks will no doubt love hot pop sensation Jump5. The teen foursome -- Brandon, Brittany, Chris, and Lesley -- not only perform in church youth group arenas, but they have toured with Radio Disney Live, Baha Men, and Aaron Carter. Their songs have also been soundtracks for Hollywood films including Ella Enchanted, The Lizzie McGuire Movie and the upcoming Sleepover. The motivating muse that keeps this group focused and grounded is This teen prodigy states that what keeps them grounded is "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity," (1 Timothy 4:12). Explains Brittany, "Even at our age, we can still be strong Christians and set examples for people everywhere." With five albums on their resume, it looks as though they'll continue to set enlightening examples for a long time to come.

 

Smokie Norful

In 2002, then-unknown gospel artist Smokie Norful released his debut album I Need You Now. He went onto become a Grammy winner and Billboard's Number 1 Gospel Artist of 2003. His recent sophomore album, Limited Edition, also came in at Number One. With his mesmerizing R&B vocals and dashing good looks, his fan base may consists of mostly women, but his lyrics which reflect the trials and tribulations of spirituality allow men to also relate.

Known as "a new Don," R&B gospel singer/preacher Donnie McClurkin overcame a troubled upbringing to being one of gospel's most treasured artists with hits like We Fall Down -- delivering the message that as humans we are going to make mistakes and have downfalls, but no matter what the situation may be we still have chances to make positive changes. With several albums under his belt, McClurkin emphasizes there are no boundaries in gospel music. On website Familychristian.com he explained, "What I want them to take away is that there are no boundaries, there are no limitations, there are no racial lines."

 

Donnie McClurkin

To further prove McClurkin's point, gospel Latina lyricist Jaci Velasquez has had a nine year career span with eight top selling records and contemporary gospel phenomenon Nicole C. Mullen has an extraordinary career path from songwriting to choreography to singing.

As the years roll on gospel is bound to remain a music staple. What was once a message of hope from the slave will always be a respected and now mainstream craft. On one hand, many will persist in seeking peace and spiritual inspiration from this genre -- especially during increasingly stressful times. At the same time, gospel music provides a wellspring for innovations in creative expression. In the words of multi-platinum gospel recording artist Kirk Frankin, "For those of you that think that gospel music has gone too far, you think we've gotten too radical with our message. Well, I've got news for you. You ain't heard nothin' yet...Glory, glory!"