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Gospel's Second Century

Season 1 Episode 4 | 52m 56s

GOSPEL’s hour 4 opens in the 1990s, when a new generation of music producers, record executives and artists embraced the secular rhythms of R&B and hip-hop to modernize the gospel sound. The launch of the Platinum Age of Gospel brought commercially successful songs about faith to millions in clubs, on cable TV and on urban radio, but drew criticism that gospel music had gone too far.

Aired: 01/31/24 | Expires: 03/12/24
Corporate support for GOSPEL was provided by Bank of America. Major funding support was provided by the Lilly Endowment Inc., Gilead Sciences, Inc., the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Emerson Collective and the Ford Foundation. Funding was also provided by members of The Inkwell Society and by public television viewers like you.
Latest Episodes
In GOSPEL’s hour 3, gospel goes mainstream, taking the good news everywhere.
GOSPEL’s hour 2 traces the Golden Age of Gospel from the Lord’s music to the mainstream.
GOSPEL’s hour 1 follows the sonic influences of blues and jazz music.
Extras
Rev. Franklin recorded more than 70 albums of sermons
Dionne Warwick weighs in on what was special about Mahalia Jackson's voice.
Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. visits the Hampton University Ministers' Conference.
The success of "Move on Up a Little Higher proved that Gospel could be profitable.
Rev. Dwight Andrews discusses C.L. Franklin and what Black preaching is.
GOSPEL explores Black spirituality in sermon and song.
Cory Henry plays "Just A Closer Walk with Thee."
Mahalia Jackson recorded on a major label for the first time in 1937, to mixed reviews.
Thomas Dorsey co-founds the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses in 1933.
The legendary Mahalia Jackson provided the soundtrack for the Civil Rights Movement.
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