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Ralph Paulk
Anyone who has a belief in God needs to find some escape from your everyday prayer to engage in a musical worship. Gospel has led the way for spiritual uplifting for years on end with a variety of styles for gospel lovers. Whether you like it fast, slow or melancholic there is a little bit for everyone. Over the years gospel has changed and developed a more up-tempo flare, possibly to attract a younger audience. This is expressed through beats compelling you to stomp your feet from artists such as Kirk Franklin, or straight-out hip-hop. What has led to this revolution in gospel? Is gospel merely evolving, or is it purposely attempting to attract a younger audience? Tiana Johnson, a sophomore studying psychology, is a member of the Michigan State University Gospel Choir and is exposed to many different forms of gospel on a regular basis. “It is good [to include hip-hop in gospel] because it can attract people who like that kind of music and make it easier to relate to,” Johnson said. Thomas Tobi, a junior studying political science, agreed with Johnson in the importance of up-tempo gospel. “I think modern gospel is good. It gives it an up-tempo kind of feel which will attract more people,” Tobi said. “When people think of gospel, they think of it as slow.” Modern gospel, according to a good majority of people, is a movement to draw a broader audience into a relationship with God. It can encourage a younger audience to attend church and learn the word of God with gratification. “I think that churches are trying to attract a younger audience. Most kids now-a-days don’t go to church unless they are forced to,” Tobi said. Some people are hardcore gospel fans, but there are also passive fans who do not personally engage in the music but do not mind listening to it. Kristy Cano, a sophomore studying retail, leans more toward a passive gospel listener. “I don’t have my own collection, but I listen to it when it comes on,” Cano said. Cano explained that she likes to listen to slow, classical songs that she calls “songs of praise.” “I listen to my mom’s older albums, so I’m used to those,” Cano said, referring to the older genre of gospel that she is exposed to. Even though Cano does not religiously listen to gospel music on her own time, she said she likes listening to it because it makes her thankful. She said that it is like doing prayers through song. Johnson, on the other hand, is proactive when it comes to gospel. Being part of the MSU Gospel Choir and listening to all kinds of gospel, older and newer equally, amends her dedication to the worship of God through music. Johnson was not quite sure whether she liked modern or older gospel more, but she seemed to lean toward older gospel. Tobi preferred modern gospel from artists like Kirk Franklin because of the energy that it brings. “I think that hip-hop gospel is just another way of putting the word through, just in a different way,” Tobi said. Gospel will forever be engraved into religion as an alternative for prayer and worship. Many followers engage into it and enjoy the different angles in which they can take, whether it is modern gospel or classical gospel. “Music is the only thing that can enter a man’s soul without permission,” Johnson said. Questions? Comments? Contact Ralph Paulk at paulkral@msu.edu
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