I know there's no thread for it, but is anyone else (besides myself) interested in the Gospel field? It's one of the ones a observe annually, along with the R&B, rap, pop, country & general fields.
I'm especially excited about this field this year, partially due to the massive crossover success of Mary Mary's "God In Me" featuring Kierra "KiKi" Sheard. I fully expect the 2x Grammy-winning duo to pick up a second consecutive Grammy for Best Gospel Performance this year, as well as Best Gospel Song for "God In Me," bringing their Grammy count to four. Also, I really want to see KiKi Sheard pick up her first Grammy.
I also really can't wait to see who get into the album categories.
These are my CURRENT predictions.
Best Gospel Performance: "God In Me," Mary Mary feat. Kierra Sheard "I Wanna Thank You," The Clark Sisters feat. Kierra Sheard & J. Moss "Just Wanna Say," Israel Houghton "The Lord Will Make A Way," Aretha Franklin "Wait On The Lord," Donnie McClurkin feat. Karen Clark-Sheard
Best Gospel Song: "Dear God," Smokie Norful, songwriter. (Smokie Norful) "God In Me," Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell & Warryn Campbell, songwriters. (Mary Mary feat. Kierra Sheard) "Just Wanna Say," Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsey & Tommy Sims, songwriters. (Israel Houghton) "Restored," James L. Moss, songwriter. (J. Moss) "Wait On The Lord," Donnie McClurkin, songwriter. (Donnie McClurkin feat. Karen Clark-Sheard)
Best Rock Or Rap Gospel Album: I don't know who to predict here, but Third Day will win for Live Revelations. I can't pick enough other standout nominees (there are only 19 submissions in all), and nobody will defeat 3x Grammy-winners Third Day.
Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album: Freedom, Mandisa The Long Fall Back To Earth, Jars of Clay Peace On Earth, Casting Crowns The Power of One, Israel Houghton Speaking Louder Than Before, Jeremy Camp
Best Southern, Country, Or Bluegrass Gospel Album: I'll leave this one alone. I'm no expert in this category.
Best Traditional Gospel Album: Just The Beginning, Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers The Law of Confession, Part I, Donald Lawrence & Company Shari Addison, Shari Addison Souled Out, Hezekiah Walker & LFC We All Are One (Live In Detroit), Donnie McClurkin
Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album: Audience of One, Heather Headley Bold Right Life, Kierra "KiKi" Sheard Just James, J. Moss Smokie Norful: Live, Smokie Norful The Winner In Me, Coko
This message has been edited. Last edited by: MrTalented,
How come "Close To You" was submitted to the R&B field but not "God in Me"?
"God in Me" is huge on urban radio and has a more contemporary R&B sound than a Gospel sound. Is "Close To You" really an R&B song? I heard it; it sounds like it could be either or.
BeBe & CeCe Winans have always made music that sounds like it could be either R&B or Gospel. In fact, they've received nominations for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group before. They've been nominated in that category twice: "Celebrate New Life" (32nd, Feb. '90) and "If Anything Ever Happened To You" (37th, March '95).
Coko's first Gospel album, Grateful, was nominated a few years back. I don't think she should have a problem getting another nomination this year.
As for Mary Mary, I fully expect them two pick up both trophies for "God In Me." They're 2x Grammy-winners already, and they just won Best Gospel Performance last year for "Get Up." You know how Grammy voters of every field LOVE to repeat winners every year and with the major crossover success of the song, I can't imagine it not being nominated or losing when it is nominated.
I'm not an expert and know very little about gospel. I also didn't get to look at the submissions. Under Rock or Rap Gospel album was Skillet's Awake submitted. If so I think it has a chance at getting nominated. Although winning is a different story.
Posts: 7 | Location: Spokane Valley | Registered: October 09, 2009
MsErica: I would give some predictions, but I know absolutely nothing about that category...lol. I like country music, but I don't ordinarily listen to Christian country music.
As for Skillet's Awake, I just check the entry list and it wasn't submitted. I really think Skillet would have had a strong chance at a nomination had the album been submitted. However, they would've had an uphill battle at winning; I truly think that Third Day has it locked.
Another soldier went home on Monday, January 26th. Ethel Holloway, who worked and recorded with Jessy Dixon, Milton Brunson and Clay Evans, passed in Chicago. So, next to the Gospel Giants, I will be listening to:
Hasnt anyone noticed all the controversy over "God In Me"? Alot of Christians say it's too worldly and are outragedg by Mary Mary for their performance with Queen Latifah at this year's BET Awards. What do you guys think?
I think they should listen to the words of the song.
Mary Mary has been catching controversy since Shackles but they keep going despite of. I know Tina the one with the red hair said it bothered her at first but not so much anymore. She told Essence in a latest interview. Erica goes back at them on twitter with scriptures and tells them to bring it on. She is funny.
Many Gospel artist that do contemp Gospel get some negative feedback especially Kirk Franklin, BeBe and CeCe and others. It won't be the last.
By the way Tina just delivered a 7 pound baby boy earlier this week.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: MsErica,
Yeah I noticed that too. People have always known MaryMary as a Gospel Group with R+B Appeal. I never knew it bothered Tina though. It's good that they dont let the haters get to them anymore. I used to be just like that.
And Kirk Franklin is the epitome of Contemporary Gospel Artists who get negative comments.
Originally posted by Classof2006: Hasnt anyone noticed all the controversy over "God In Me"? Alot of Christians say it's too worldly and are outragedg by Mary Mary for their performance with Queen Latifah at this year's BET Awards. What do you guys think?
Yeah, I know. Some in the Christian community are very upset about it. Not everyone, but some are. A lot of people in particular don't like "God In Me"'s striking resemblances to "Blame It" (and when that argument is made, I always bring up the fact that "God In Me" had already been recorded & released before anybody even heard "Blame It").
I don't have any problems with the song. No, it doesn't sound like your "typical" Gospel song, but I don't think that's a bad thing. Like MsErica said, they need pay more attention to the song's message and less to the production.
MsErica made a lot of valid points. Mary Mary has been receiving heavy criticism from some people within the Christian community since they released "Shackles" nearly a decade ago.
This isn't new for Mary Mary, and they certainly aren't the only Gospel artists to come under heavy criticism. In all honesty, Kirk Franklin has been criticized more than anyone else in contemporary Gospel. In recent years, the female artist to come under the most scrutiny has been Yolanda Adams. When they first started during the early '80s, the Clark Sisters struck up controversy with "You Brought The Sunshine" because they were being asked to perform it in clubs. The Winans were heavily criticized during the mid-late '80s when they started collaborating with New Jack Swing artists and producers like Teddy Riley and for recording a song with Anita Baker (which subsequently earned them a Grammy). And as usual, BeBe & CeCe Winans have always been criticized because their music can pass far to easily as R&B music and not Gospel. The interesting thing there is that, as solo artists, there's no mistaking that BeBe & CeCe's solo material is genuinely Gospel with no wiggle room to mistake it for R&B. But as a duo, their music always sounds borderline.
So Mary Mary's criticism over "God In Me" isn't new, and they aren't the first to go through it. I think a lot of Christians need to stop being so uptight about these artists and their music. At the end of the day, the lyrics are what matter, and if you listen to the words in "God In Me," it's overwhelmingly clear that it's a Gospel song.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: MrTalented,
Yeah A LOT of Gospel Artists get criticized for their music but as you said THE MESSAGE of the song should be the most important thing. And doesnt it say in the bible that by taking the "Gospel" to the streets, we are spreading the Word Of God? Some people make big issues out of little things. So what if "God In Me" sounds more like an R+B Record. I'm willing to bet that the message of the song has inspired alot of people.
How did I know Mr. Talented would respond with an essay lol. Good points though! I forgot about Yolanda getting some negative feedback these past several years.
I have to slightly disagree with you Mr. Talented on one of CeCe Winans solo albums is VERY contemporary the one where she worked with Lauren Hill. The lead single was called Alright check it out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Px7cjxLzDk
Mary Mary also has a couple of traditional gospel songs on this last album. Then there's the song with David Banner lol.
Oh yeah, I remember "Well Alright." It's from CeCe's Everlasting Love album. Ironically, that's my favorite CD from her. Love it!
"Well Alright" was my joint. But you bring up an excellent point about Mary Mary. Not only do they have a few traditional gospel tracks on The Sound, but they have some on ALL their albums. People just choose to pick out the few songs of theirs that blow up, but if they'd actually listen to the rest of their albums, they'd hear a nice balance of both.
Tonex is definitely receiving more criticism than anyone else in gospel right now. If you don't know why already, then just do a quick Google search. Tonex has always been heavily criticized for years for quite a few reasons, but he's really catching it now.
I don't know how Marvin Sapp wasn't nominated last year for "Never Would Have Made It." That still baffles me. It should have won both Best Gospel Performance and Best Gospel Song.
How did I know Mr. Talented would respond with an essay lol. Good points though! I forgot about Yolanda getting some negative feedback these past several years.