Gospel music

Gospel music is a genre of Christian music. Its creation, performance, significance and even its definition vary according to culture and social context. Gospel music is composed and performed for many purposes, including aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, as an entertainment product for the marketplace or simply as a form of spiritual communication. It generally has dominant vocals (often with strong use of harmony) referencing lyrics from the Bible; it often also has very characteristic instrumentation such as Hammond organs which strongly evoke church services in their soundscape.

In terms of its origin among African-American singers during slavery times in America’s South region by combining elements of Protestant Christianity with traditional African musical forms like call-and-response singing and idiophonic percussion instruments – primarily drums – gospel thus became one of the most powerful vehicles used to transmit messages about faith through song. This combination gave rise to some great musical innovations throughout history such as Spirituals—a type of American folk hymn that evolved out from this blending process—and later on Blues/Rhythm & Blues (R&B).

By merging both sacred texts into popularly accessible songs designed for dancing—an element prohibited within churches at that time due to strict rules regarding proper behavior inside them–gospel emerged not only as a new style but also brought forward important topics related to human rights struggles while still maintaining reverence towards God’s love overall message: freedom above all else! Thus making it so attractive amongst oppressed people who found in these songs words they could relate too emotionally without being judged by society’s conservative standards yet keeping up their beliefs intact despite adversity faced daily outside home walls… In addition there are several subgenres within gospel itself like Southern Gospel quartets performing acapella harmonies together since early 20th century up until today where contemporary urban styles have become increasingly common place bringing forth innovative sounds appealing especially young audiences around world wide thanks largely part due internet revolutionizing how listeners access their favorite tunes any given moment day after day!.