Gospel
Gospel Music is music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life. Gospel and rhythm & blues are deeply rooted in the Sanctified church. Blues and R&B departed onto the secular world paths and then led to rock and roll. Gospel on the other hand remained on a strong spiritual path and has survived for many years. Gospel music sheds an undeniable influence on R&B and rock and roll. Urban contemporary Gospel is a form of Christian music and a sub genre of Gospel music. There is no exact starting date for urban contemporary Gospel but it started during the slave trade when the Africans were introduced to the Christian religion.

SOUNDS OF BLACKNESS The Ambassadors of the Minneapolis Sound celebrating 40 years of music performing, The Sounds produce the modern day Afro-Anthem hit song “Optimistic” and are winners of three Grammy Awards, four Stellar Awards, one MN Black Music Award, one Soul Train Award, the International Time for Peace Award, five NAACP Image Award nominations and true variety in Black music genres.