Is gospel and R&B merging?

Jet, April 7, 1997

The beat and harmony of contemporary gospel music has allowed it to cross over into the mainstream with an explosive appeal making many wonder if gospel and R&B are merging.

"Most of today's R&B artists have their roots in the Black church anyway and have wanted to include gospel songs on their albums," says gospel singer Fred Hammond, who does not believe the two styles are merging. "Now that gospel is actually being accepted into the mainstream, R&B artists have more opportunities to be able to do that. That's why I think we're seeing more of an overlap between the two styles."

Vicki Lataillade, president, owner and CEO of GospoCentric, the label of gospel powerhouse Kirk Franklin, says the similarities in the musical styles lead her to believe that gospel and R&B are merging and notes that the distinction in the two styles is in the lyrics not the music.

"Gospel is not a sound," she says. "You can't be confused with the lyrics," she says, "but sometimes the tracks are very hip."

Gary Hines, director and a founding member of the Black music ensemble Sounds of Blackness, agrees the differences in the lyrical content are why gospel and R&B do not merge.

"Regardless of the rhythmic mode the lyric is the ultimate determinant," he tells JET. "Gospel is spiritually based and talks about the good news of Jesus Christ."

Hines does say, however, that the musical sounds are of the same family and have "more similarities than differences." He says all kinds of Black music have always co-existed even though contemporary gospel music has been criticized with some traditionalists referring to it as "tricks of the devil."

"Black music has never been about the devil," he says. "We have always acknowledged God in everything we do."

Gospel artist Donnie McClurkin, whose hits include Stand and Speak To My Heart, says that while the message will always cause the distinction between R&B and gospel, he does see the "musical styles merging and more practical styles emerging."

McClurkin, co-pastor at Perfecting Church in Detroit where Marvin Winans is pastor, notes that these similarities in secular and gospel music have always existed.

One of the most-played gospel songs lately is The Lord Is Real by Blackstreet, which is a remake of an R&B tune by DeBarge.

Writer, producer and member of Blackstreet Teddy Riley believes that the very distinct similarities in the musical styles of contemporary gospel is why R&B and gospel are merging.

He says that The Lord Is Real is so appealing not only because people are familiar with the music but because of its message. "It fits everybody's shoes," he tells JET. "A lot of people who are down can listen to that song and get lifted up." Riley adds that he is an example of an R&B artist coming back to his roots.

Demetrus Alexander, vice president of the gospel label Warner Alliance, notes that there will "always be a night and day difference" in what gospel and R&B represent, but what is happening is that there is more of a merging between R&B gospel artists. She says this can even be seen through appearances of artists on movie soundtracks like gospel great Shirley Caesar on the Rosewood film soundtrack and the success of The Preacher's Wife soundtrack with Whitney Houston. R. Kelly is another R&B notable who has worked with gospel artists. He has collaborated with Franklin on projects and most recently appeared with him in concert and sang a spiritual version of his hit I Believe I Can Fly.

Joe Ligon, lead singer with the Mighty Clouds of Joy, one of the pioneers of contemporary gospel music, says he also sees the merging not of the music but of gospel and R&B artists.

"I can't say gospel and R&B are merging, but I can say that every secular act I talk to, most of them started in the church. Now all of these people are coming back to where their roots are and are now successful in doing what's in their heart. The majority of secular singers love gospel music."