| We all probably know a couple religious | | | | Christians to spread their faith to kids |
| hymns, but today's fast-paced society is | | | | from the street and other youth looking |
| changing, and so is the style of music | | | | for a fresh music genre. |
| we listen to. Christian music has | | | | Gospel |
| developed tremendously over the last | | | | If gospel music does not fill your sole |
| century to represent the changing style | | | | with spirit, then I am not sure what |
| of music that we enjoy. Contemporary | | | | can! Gospel music is uplifting, |
| music offers up-to-date music styles | | | | inspiring, and fun to listen to. When |
| with the same traditional Christian | | | | most think of gospel music, churches in |
| message within the lyrics. In fact, | | | | the south come to mind. In fact, gospel |
| Contemporary Christian music is growing | | | | music has been thought to have started |
| quickly in popularity, and so is the | | | | during times of slavery in the late |
| number of subgenres offered to those | | | | 1800s. The genre of gospel became more |
| interested in listening. In this article | | | | defined and gained popularity in the |
| we discuss a few of the newer genres in | | | | first quarter of the twentieth century, |
| Christian music. | | | | and is now listened to worldwide. Gospel |
| Contemporary | | | | music is known for its strong vocals |
| Contemporary music literally covers all | | | | surrounded by electric guitars, bass, |
| genres of new age Christian music, but | | | | and drums. Gospel music thrives today |
| is most commonly associated with a new | | | | and is certainly considered a staple of |
| movement of Christian music that has | | | | Christian music. |
| alternative rock, pop, and country | | | | Christian Rock |
| sounds. The contemporary movement began | | | | Christian rock music covers a lot of |
| in the 1960s, with this type of music | | | | ground with many different subgenres |
| then referred to as Jesus music. Some | | | | contained within the rock category. The |
| Christians dispute whether or not the | | | | "sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll" explosion |
| contemporary tones fit into their | | | | in the 1960s certainly made many |
| religion, but contemporary is a popular | | | | Christians wary of jumping into the rock |
| genre that gives Protestant listeners an | | | | scene, but by the early 1970s Christian |
| alternative faith-based style of music. | | | | rock bands began to separate themselves |
| The growth of contemporary styles has | | | | from a demonic image, and instead |
| been strong since the mid 1990s, and | | | | produced Christian lyrics with rock |
| newer artists and subgenres help to | | | | tones. Today many bands are considered |
| continue the expansion of Christian | | | | Christian rock artists, some more |
| music. | | | | devoted to the Christian title than |
| Hip Hop | | | | others. Although some might not realize |
| Christian hip hop, or gospel rap, is a | | | | this, the band U2 was a catalyst for |
| unique genre of Christian music. Due to | | | | Christian rock in the 1990s based on |
| the often sinful nature of mainstream | | | | their enormous success beginning in the |
| rap lyrics, it has been a tough road for | | | | 1980s. |
| Christian rap artists to gain | | | | This is hardly a complete list of |
| popularity. However, beginning in the | | | | Christian music genres, but sampling |
| 1990s Christian rap has become popular | | | | some of these genres will give you a |
| with the younger generation looking for | | | | good taste of the great listening |
| an uplifting form of music that reflects | | | | Christian music offers. Finding your |
| their urban lifestyle. The most popular | | | | favorite genre is important and will |
| innovators among Christian hip hop | | | | certainly enhance your experience. Being |
| artists would likely be DC Talk, who | | | | able to listen to your favorite |
| took the music scene by storm in the | | | | Christian bands at home or on the go is |
| late 1980s before making a switch to a | | | | a relaxing way to worship throughout the |
| more pop sound in the mid 1990s. | | | | day.article written by Justin Palmer. |
| Christian hip hop is a fabulous way for | | | | |