Gospel

Originating from African American spirituals and Protestant hymns in the early 20th century, Gospel music is a genre defined by its vocal expression of personal and communal belief. Its sonic character is built upon piano and Hammond organ, underpinning powerful, melismatic lead vocals and call-and-response choir arrangements. The work of pioneers like *Thomas A. Dorsey* merged secular blues structures with sacred lyrics, establishing a format that would be popularized globally by artists such as *Mahalia Jackson*. The genre's structural and emotional framework became a primary foundational element for the development of R&B, soul, and rock and roll.