Six Reasons Why UK Gospel Music is Stagnant: The Causes Behind the Continuing Underachievement of British Acts

Kirk Franklin is Gospel Music's biggest artist. Since bursting unto the scene in 1997 with hit single Stomp, he's sold 12 million albums worldwide, holds multiple Dove and Grammy awards and tours the world taking in South Africa, Brazil, the Netherlands and Japan with his high-energy sound.

The impact Franklin and other US artists like Mary Mary (who had a top five UK hit with Shackles in 2000) have in spreading the gospel through music has inspired many UK acts to aim for similar success. But are such achievements replicable in Britain?

Successful UK Gospel Artists

Muyiwa and Riversongzs, a choir led by singer and broadcaster Muyiwa Olanrewaju have sold over 80,000 units of their Nigerian-inspired sound, and their latest release Declaring His Love in 2007 reached number one on the HMV Gospel chart and was followed by an eight city UK tour. The group have been deemed "Britain's best selling Gospel act" by the BBC's 'Africa Beyond' Arts Site.

Five-piece vocal group Raymond & Co became Britain's highest profile gospel act after winning GMTV's Gospel Challenge Contest in 2003 and releasing Playing Games two years later; and Four Kornerz, a band made up of four brothers released the eagerly awaited funk/Jazz/neo-gospel album Soulectric in 2007 which sold well in the UK and Europe and received airplay on mainstream radio.

Why UK Gospel is Underachieving

But in terms of international popularity and mainstream impact, these acts lag far behind US Gospel in terms of production, promotion and sales. Even though both the UK and US music industries are rooted in Pentecostalism and the artists have similar musical styles and influences, UK Gospel seems decades behind its US counterpart . Here are six reasons why:

Although Christian music by nature is more of a calling than a business, in order to inspire non-believers and not just 'preach to the choir' British Gospel has lots to do. Muyiwa from Riversongz suggested that "the...punter could choose to buy a record, rather than burn a copy from a friend. For the artist, record five songs that are very good, instead of 30 half-baked ones...[and] the media have to do a conscious job of supporting our brothers and sisters who may not have as much resources as, say, the Americans, but have a lot of potential" ("Declaring His Power", Cross Rhythms, February 16, 2006)

Aug 19, 2009 11:14 AM

Guest :

Very interesting article and very true.
Marcia Dixon

Nov 1, 2009 3:51 PM

Guest :

Very well puy together and Yes -true!
Maggie Akale

Nov 3, 2009 7:36 AM

Guest :

very good article and this raises points that need to be made. However the last point should be expanded further. Christian music is more of a calling than a business, but herein lies the problem in the UK. In the US, it IS a business! Many of the US american gospel acts are signed to major records labels. This has become so popular that the companies themselves have recognised this and started to look for more gospel artists as it has become very popular.
Another point that I would like to add is that, in the UK and europe we haven't had many artists that have crossed over from the church. Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Brian Mcknight, Beyonce etc. These artist all started in the church and have "crossed over" into the american pop market. This has had a major effect on the sound of pop music in the US and the audience have become used to the sound. These artist in turn have then continued to make and influence gospel music. (eg producers like J-Moss producing for destiny's child and gospel act Ramiyah in the same year). These days American Gospel Music stand on its own 2 feet against american pop music. I truly believe that if the likes of Mica Paris, Beverley Knight, Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke, promote their "gospel upbringing" then this will lead to increased interest in gospel music.
Harlano
www.ckgospelchoir.com