Since the Fall of 2018, we’ve been exploring the influence of gospel music on early rock and R&B music. The culmination of our interviews with musicians and historians, as well as our live gospel music concerts will be realized with …
A conversation with internationally acclaimed Philadelphia DJ and producer King Britt
Philadelphia-based music producer and DJ, King Britt is not a gospel musician, but that doesn’t mean his music isn’t religious. Whether on the dancefloor or in the studio, King has the aptitude to shift vibes, and in that, conjure a …
Turning Gospel classics into R&B classics
Not only did R&B and soul artists borrow the sanctified sound and fervent emotion of gospel—sometimes they even borrowed the songs. In his autobiography Brother Ray, Ray Charles gave coauthor David Ritz a frank insight into his musical transformation from …
Stephanie Renee on the significance of historically Black colleges and universities on gospel and contemporary music
Stephanie Renee doesn’t need a microphone. After years of vocal training, she knows how to project her voice at any range. Stephanie’s musical education started at the Galbraith AME choir in Washington DC where she grew up, and by high …
Watch The Performances: Gospel Roots Finale Celebration at Bright Hope Baptist Church
Friday evening, November 30th, 2018 was a glorious night of song and spirituality at the Bright Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia, as the live music series for the Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul celebrated its grand finale. Produced by, …
Inside the Linwood Heath “Gospel Highway” interview archives
Linwood Heath, the “Gospel Historian,” is a Philadelphia gospel radio legend. Born and raised in Philadelphia, experienced his first taste of gospel music in high school when he joined with five classmates and found the Savoy Singers. WDAS Radio personality, …
Sample this: Gospel samples in hip-hop music
(Chance the Rapper at Made In America | Photo by Cameron Pollack for WXPN) Note: This article was written for WXPN’S GOSPEL ROOTS OF ROCK AND SOUL. GOSPEL ROOTS OF ROCK AND SOUL has been supported by The Pew Center …
Listen to Cece Winan’s new Christmas album, Something’s Happening!
(photo of Cece Winans by Cameron Powell) Legendary gospel singer Cece Winans has a new Christmas album, Something’s Happening! A Christmas Album. On her first new Christmas album since 1998, Winans once again presents a beautiful collection of songs, five …
Photo Recap: Gospel Roots Finale Celebration at Bright Hope Baptist Church
Friday evening, November 30th, 2018 was a glorious night of song and spirituality at the Bright Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia, as the live music series for the Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul celebrated its grand finale. Produced by, …
A conversation with Pastor Mitty Collier
Born in Birmingham, Alabaman, Mitty Collier was an R&B crooner. She sang to screaming audiences at the Apollo and her song “I Had a Talk with My Man” was top 10 on Billboard’s R&B chart. She had a number of …