b. 27 August 1962, Houston, Texas, USA. One of the fastest-rising stars of contemporary gospel music, Adams began her recording career in 1987. She had previously worked as a fashion model and a teacher before joining the Southeast Inspirational Choi…

Mary Mary is the duo of sisters Erica and Tina Atkins who grew up in Inglewood CA in a family also containing five other sisters and a brother Their parents were gospel singers and before long the children were singing in the church choir eventually …

With his soulful tenor vocals and an unerring ability to fuse contemporary gospel with hip-hop sensibilities Smokie Norful is one of the brightest lights on the current gospel scene The son of an African Methodist Episcopal minister Norful spent his …

b. USA. This gospel vocalist's lifelong friendship with Andrae Crouch has informed his own exuberant style. McClurkin's troubled childhood was redeemed by his strong faith, and his path in life was made clearer when he was introduced to Crouch at the…

b. Detroit, Michigan, USA. One of the legends of contemporary gospel music, Hammond's workload and commitment has won him an expansive fanbase and the unreserved respect of his peers. His talents first came to light in the early 80s as bass player an…

Although the general listening public can be inclusive and accepting, it's still a tough trick to achieve real crossover fame. Sibling singing duo Bebe & Cece Winans pulled it off, enjoying immense popularity amongst the CCM crowd for their uplifting…

Contemporary Christian music group the Winans comprises four brothers, Marvin, Carvin, Ronald and Michael Winans, from Detroit, Michigan, USA. The family has additionally produced two well-known solo/duo gospel performers, BeBe and CeCe Winans. After…

Hailing from Fort Worth, TX, Kirk Franklin was leading the choir in his Baptist church by the age of 11, and before long, he was contributing material to numerous successful gospel artists. A smash straight out of the gate with his 1994 debut album,…

Aretha Franklin is one of the most important and influential female soul singers of the 20th century. The daughter of famed preacher Rev. C.L. Franklin, Memphis-born Aretha started out singing gospel while still in her teens in the 1950s, subsequentl…

One of the finest groups in "contemporary" gospel, the L.A.-based Mighty Clouds of Joy were formed in 1960 and started out in a tradition-based style. Eventually they added soul, R&B, and rock flourishes into their musical mix (one of their early hit…

As a member of the Clark Sisters Karen Clark-Sheard was part of one of the most popular contempoary gospel groups of the 80s and 90s She began singing with the group at the age of seven and she stayed with them for years until she started a solo care…

From 12-year-old multi-instrumentalist prodigy to groundbreaking adult songwriter and producer, Stevie Wonder is one of the handful of pop musicians who just about everybody agrees is possessed of genius. His 1960s recordings were great straight-up R…

The multi-talented Luther Vandross first earned recognition when a song he wrote was included in the musical THE WIZ in the early '70s, but it was his golden voice that made him one of the most sought-after session vocalists in the business. His sign…

Initially a quartet known as the Sounds Of Distinction then the Alliance, this a cappella gospel group of breathtaking ability first formed at Oakwood College, Huntsville, Alabama, USA, in 1980. The group evolved into a six-piece comprising Alvin Che…

b. Priscilla Winans, Detroit, Michigan, USA. Part of the famous Winans gospel clan, CeCe was the eighth of 10 children. She worked with her brother BeBe in the PTL Singers, before recording with him as the Grammy award-winning duo BeBe And CeCe Winan…

A gospel version of En Vogue or SWV with the additional soul that their religious belief gives them Virtue was formed by Karima Kibble -- the wife of Take 6s Joey Kibble -- plus her sister Ebony Trotter Negelle Sumter and Shavonne Sampson After signi…

The LA Mass Choir was one of the most popular choral groups of the early 90s The group sang a variety of gospel styles ranging from traditional gospel to contemporary Christian material Over the course of their first five slabums they were nominated …