Gospel music originated outside of Africa, but here is some information about its history .




- The roots of Gospel music can be traced back to the 17th century, when hymns and sacred songs were performed in a call and response fashion, influenced by ancestral African music.
- The first published use of the term "gospel song" was in 1874, and was used to describe a new style of church music that was easier to understand and more singable than traditional hymns.
- The genre gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the establishment of gospel music publishing houses.
- The advent of radio in the 1920s increased the audience for gospel music, and it was often performed by traveling quartets.
- In the 1930s, Thomas A. Dorsey turned to gospel music and established a publishing house.
- Dorsey was responsible for developing the musical careers of many African-American artists, including Mahalia Jackson.
- In the 1960s and 1970s, urban contemporary gospel emerged, with artists such as Walter Hawkins and James Cleveland.
- Today, gospel music is a cornerstone of Christian media, with many subgenres and a wide range of styles.

Source: https://gospelhomes.com.ng/music