Gospel music continues to grow and expand while still staying true to songs that point people to Jesus. In 2022, there were many highlights, including the highly successful Maverick City and Kirk Franklin tour.
As we move into 2023, artists continue to drop new albums, singles, EPs, podcasts, and radio shows, making it an exciting year for gospel fans. Here are some must-listen new gospel songs that are worth a listen.
"Beautiful" Gene Moore & India Arie
Gospel singer Gene Moore is arguably one of the best vocalists in gospel and R&B music. Artists from both genres admire and respect him. The things he can do vocally, whether with his range or placements, are amazing.
While he's busy putting together a new EP, he has released a new single titled "Beautiful," which features his mentor, India Arie. The single’s instrumentation and background vocals were produced and played courtesy of the gospel band RedHands.
What’s great about this song is it could apply as a love song to God or as a tribute to marriage. Check the first verse: "Every day I wake up with you on my mind/When it comes to love you're getting all of mine/I will never tell you no. It's yes all the time/Every single thing I need, you multiply." "Beautiful" has a catchy beat and showcases Gene and India's smooth vocals. It serves as a satisfying teaser for fans eagerly expecting Gene's EP.
Erica Campbell "Feel Alright (Blessed)"
Gospel artist Erica Campbell and her husband and long-time hit-making producer Warryn Campbell do it again with the latest single, "Feel Alright (Blessed)." It’s a tune that can serve as a personal theme song for many listeners and be a staple in playlists. Also, the song’s high-energy beat will make you want to dance and hit the repeat button many times.
It won’t surprise me to see this song used for TikTok challenges and to reach a wider audience outside of the church. Erica invites us on this ride: "Back when I was trippin'/I made some wrong decisions/And now I'm on a mission/God, you got my attention/And, it don't get no better/When You and me together." She has another hit.
"I feel alright/Right now, I feel alright/Today, I feel alright/And ain't nothin' gonna bring me down/’Cause I'm blessed/Yeah, yeah, yeah." Erica Campbell is back again.
Aaron Lindsey "Blessed (feat. Fred Hammond)"
Gospel artist Aaron Lindsey has garnered several accolades as a producer, writer, musician, and artist. He’s someone who has maintained integrity and kept his family as a priority amid the praise that he’s received. Now, he and his wife have opened Believe Church, a place of worship in Los Angeles. The launch of a new church is a momentous occasion, not only for the Lindsey family but for Christians as well. We need pastors who have a true heart for ministry and a strong desire to reach souls for Christ.
To coincide with the launch of the church, Aaron has released his rendition of the popular Fred Hammond hit, "Blessed,” featuring the original gospel artist himself. Aaron played keyboards for Fred and his group, Radical for Christ, in the late ‘90s. Now, things have come full circle, and they blazed "Blessed" together. Aaron stayed true to the original song but gave it his own musical twist. To hear these two gospel music giants duet together is a dream come true.
Chicago Mass Choir "Tell God Thank You"
At the end of 2022, the Chicago Mass Choir released a wonderful choir ballad, "Tell God Thank You," proving that gospel music is not and will not die (this includes good ole' choir music).
Music, like this song, can evoke powerful emotions and memories, making it a source of comfort and hope during dark seasons. This song doesn’t have prolific lyrics. But there’s something about a song with ‘thank you’ in it that can have a lasting impact. The verse says, "Make sure you tell God 'Thank You'/For all He's done/All victories He's won/Make sure you say, 'Thank You." The tag simply says, "Thank You Jesus/ Oh Lord, we thank You."
Seth & Nirva "Armor"
The husband-and-wife duo Seth & Nirva are no strangers to several subgenres of Christian contemporary and gospel music. The duo’s decision to write music together was a gift to all music fans. Their newest song, “Armor" is a smoothed-out R&B vibe that draws inspiration from Ephesians 6:10-18: The Armor of God.
Putting on God’s full armor—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, His word as the sword, and the shield of faith—in this spiritual battle called life enables us to be strong against temptations, deceptions, and many other weapons of the enemy. Nirva's airy vocals and Seth's smooth delivery weave together wonderfully to the backdrop of a nice beat, keyboards, and acoustic guitar.
Dwayne Lacy is a long-time history teacher in Houston, Texas. He also has a passion for diversity in unity in music and the church.
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