Stereotypes Associated with Gospel Music

Gospel is one of my favorite genres of music. It comes from a place of gratefulness, hurt, pain, joy, and longsuffering. This genre comes from those places because gospel started centuries and centuries ago during slavery. Slaves would sing songs to the Lord with hurt and pain but with faith that he will see them through the hard and vicious times. This is why some people think gospel songs are about slavery.

Contemporary gospel is quite similar to its roots. All gospel tells a similar story about struggles, trials and how through it, God is in the mist of it all. But another stereotype of gospel is that it’s all hype with no substance. That’s a lie. When God's presence fills the room and the Holy Ghost touches souls it causes you to run, shout and cry out. That is a whole lot of substance to me! Gospel is all about praising and worshipping our Savior.

Another stereotype is that contemporary gospel is bad and can’t be good because it’s jazzy and makes you want to dance. But that’s dumb because any good music should make you feel something. Some gospel music is deep and caresses the soul and some gets the spirit shaking and alive making you want to dance for the Lord. This could only be bad if church members were bumping and grinding in the sanctuary. That would be crazy!

Gospel music is very close to my heart. It picks me up when I'm in a bad mood and I'm so grateful to know the Lord and appreciate this genre.

One more stereotype is that all gospel sound the same. Not true, listen to these different styles listed below!

Lecrae-Give In https://youtu.be/_urURyaQOvs
The Winans- Tommorrow https://youtu.be/KB_xxO0jBBI
Kirk Franklin- Melodies From Heaven https://youtu.be/zgT-DbTdyqY


Zari Gary