Since the rapper known as "Glorilla" (Gloria Hallelujah Woods) was delivered the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award for her collab with Kirk Franklin, Maverick City and multiple other gospel artists at the 2025 BET Awards, there appears to be an outcry from certain gospel artists who have taken the time to cry "foul" to one degree or another.
Because of the apparent success of non-gospel artists in the gospel music space, others, like Deitrick Haddon, above, feel that Gospel Music, as a genre, is dying in its appeal to the masses because of the failure of those within the industry to respect the industry and recognize the work of many within the industry.
I wonder where was all this "energy" when rapper Snoop Dogg, who has presented his secular rap music with equally or more vulgar language and messages, and also won the same award in 2021 for his song "Blessing Me Again" also in collaboration with respected, top selling gospel artists, such as the late Rance Allen.
Then, there is "close the doors" Marvin Sapp, recognized as one of the highest charting gospel artists in American history, who in a rather lengthy facebook post, took the time to assert his opinion that the real problem was not that gospel music was dying, but that gospel music has lost its diversity, flavor, and appeal in part because of Christian community's bias and confusion over artists lifestyles, sins, failures and perceptions of "anointing".
The following is my partial response to Marvin Sapp's posting:
"When we took gospel music, industrialized it, and gave it to secular individuals to promote it, what do you think would happen to it???
Why would the world safeguard and care for something that has been given to us and that we have been entrusted with?"
The truth of the matter is that gospel music, as soon as it was made into an "industry" and rooted in secular appeal, it died. Yet, there were and are presentations, concerts, tours and everything else, but it is as far away from the cross of Christ as left is from right.
Secondly, far from the opining of Dr. Sapp, I believe that personal character and integrity have everything to do with the success and move forward of gospel music as a whole. To be sure, I am not talking about character flaws and idiosyncrasies. I am talking about sins and the deliberate ability to attempt to straddle the fence singing gospel while living secularly and in sin.
The real issue is salvation and the church's inability to distinguish gifts, talents and abilities from anointing and the yoke breaking power of God. The church is enamored with associations and the ability to run with, be next to, and be in concord with "the world".
James 4:4 ~ Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Now, the truth is that "the world" and "the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:2) are incompatible. Not the mere material existence, which God has given us to enjoy. "The world" is the mode, operation and motive behind life and living. Association with "the world" leads to compromise and exchange of ideals and values...That push and desire to compromise is the sin nature which is tied to "the world". As believers, we cannot run with it, in part because if we are converted or changed within our hearts. The nature of sin has been broken. We no longer want sin to be the dominant part of our nature. As believers our nature, hearts, minds, and will should be changed, and reflective of the work Christ has begun within us. As believers we begin to "mortify" the deeds and sins of the flesh.(Col.3:5)
As the late Bishop CH Mason once said, "one can't be a little saved" just as one can't be "a little pregnant". Just as a woman is either "pregnant or not", a person is either "saved or not"! Of course, practically we grow in grace, (2 Pet. 3:18) but our love of sin and desire for evil associations, should be broken.
As the late Bishop CH Mason once said, "one can't be a little saved" just as one can't be "a little pregnant". Just as a woman is either "pregnant or not", a person is either "saved or not"! Of course, practically we grow in grace, (2 Pet. 3:18) but our love of sin and desire for evil associations, should be broken.
Damage To The Kingdom
Then, what of the Kingdom of Christ? Like Gideon's idolatrous father, Joash, many contend that if God didn't want his Kingdom damaged then he would deliver those who represent his name. They would further assert that it is not our job to worry more about the Kingdom than God does himself and that a laissez-faire attitude toward all those who claim to be his servants of representatives is the best action to take.
If it were not for the fact that we are to "earnestly contend for the faith, once delivered unto the Saints" Jude 1:3 I would probably relegate myself to saying nothing or even attempting to shore up the faith of the readers of this blog, because what we are witnessing both in the so called gospel music industry, to the pulpit is a tragic shame. I cannot spend the time speaking on and or against the multiple, repugnant practices, doctrines and manipulative moves I am witnessing and have seen, but have not yet written about...I don't thing that there is enough band-width to reveal and rebuke the contemptuous acts that we are all witnessing.
For sure, because JESUS prayed and paid for it with HIS blood, the church will survive. However, the exit wound will be painful. Many that started with us, won't make it until and to the end. Many are fainting as we speak.
For sure, because JESUS prayed and paid for it with HIS blood, the church will survive. However, the exit wound will be painful. Many that started with us, won't make it until and to the end. Many are fainting as we speak.
So, is Gospel music dead?
CERTAINLY NOT! The God of gospel music yet lives and HE is an should be the reason for the song and HE is certainly the reason I sing. However, that is a far cry from saying that God is pleased with what we see and are witnessing as the gospel music industry.
I grow tired and absolutely sick of them, who give their gifts directly to the devil, in the name of "business deals" and in order to "promote the message"...It is TRICK...it will not work. Only God can touch hearts and minds. Yes, I know that there is money to be made, but as the saying goes, "not all money is good money".
Jesus gave us the example...when satan tempted him, which was only done to prove to us that HE was without sin and could not sin, Jesus decried the challenge that satan could give him riches, wealth and influence in the world. In the end, without satan, Jesus stands and says, "behold all power is given unto me" (Mt. 28:18)...Not through or by compromise or anything that satan had to offer...It was GOD who already owned it all that Jesus reveals had and has the ability, control and authority over all things.
CERTAINLY NOT! The God of gospel music yet lives and HE is an should be the reason for the song and HE is certainly the reason I sing. However, that is a far cry from saying that God is pleased with what we see and are witnessing as the gospel music industry.
I grow tired and absolutely sick of them, who give their gifts directly to the devil, in the name of "business deals" and in order to "promote the message"...It is TRICK...it will not work. Only God can touch hearts and minds. Yes, I know that there is money to be made, but as the saying goes, "not all money is good money".
Jesus gave us the example...when satan tempted him, which was only done to prove to us that HE was without sin and could not sin, Jesus decried the challenge that satan could give him riches, wealth and influence in the world. In the end, without satan, Jesus stands and says, "behold all power is given unto me" (Mt. 28:18)...Not through or by compromise or anything that satan had to offer...It was GOD who already owned it all that Jesus reveals had and has the ability, control and authority over all things.
Haddon is too far gone. He can see the issue and not perceive the real problem. Same with Dr. Sapp as far as I can see it. Then there are countless others who only see what the secular world and satan has taught and told them to see in order to judge the issue. Ooh yes, I could name them and nearly present an endless catalogue of misstatements, erroneous statements, errors, and flat out anti-Biblical diatribes flowing from many of our so called "Psalmists" on the issue...but why and to what avail???
What we are sure of is that it is time to REPENT and go back to the foundation and fountain of faith to find it again. When that happens, I am sure we will see a deliverance among the minstrels, (not ministers) that claim to lead us to the throne-room of God. They too, will lose their desire for sexual abuse, alcohol, drugs and other damnable and illicit practices...and most of all, feel the conviction about compromising the gif of God at the alter of satan. When we repent and when we pray there will be a change and folk will be blessed and saved as a result.
To the church...
What we are sure of is that it is time to REPENT and go back to the foundation and fountain of faith to find it again. When that happens, I am sure we will see a deliverance among the minstrels, (not ministers) that claim to lead us to the throne-room of God. They too, will lose their desire for sexual abuse, alcohol, drugs and other damnable and illicit practices...and most of all, feel the conviction about compromising the gif of God at the alter of satan. When we repent and when we pray there will be a change and folk will be blessed and saved as a result.
To the church...
Revelation 2:2-5 ~ 2-I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3-And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4-Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5-Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Blessed!
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