Top Black Gospel Artists

Black Gospel delivers an urban flare and an R&B flavor with lyrics that lift you up and get you on your feet. From choirs and ensembles to solo artists, gospel has it all.

Hezekiah Walker

Picture of Hezekiah Walker
© RCA Inspiration

Bishop Hezekiah Walker is the founder and Senior Pastor of the Love Fellowship Tabernacle church (LFC) with locations in Brooklyn, NY, Bensalem, PA, Long Island, NY, Lilburn, GA and Columbia, SC.

Since 2010, he has held the position of Presiding Prelate of the Pentecostal Churches of Jesus Christ.

Hezekiah Walker Discography:

Hezekiah Walker Starter Songs:

Mary Mary

Picture of Mary Mary at the 2013 Stellar Awards
Mary Mary (2013 Stellar Awards). © Getty Images for GMC TV, The FrontPage Firm

Sisters Erica and Tina Atkins make up the duo known to the world as Mary Mary. These ladies have won awards from BET, the Doves, the Grammys, the NAACP, Soul Train and the Stellars.

Taking a break hasn't slowed down their fan base at all, and with Erica doing solo work, we've still got something to hold on to!

Mary Mary Discography:

Erica Campbell Discography:

  • Help 2.0, 2015
  • Help, 2014

Mary Mary Starter Songs:

Donald Lawrence

47th Annual GMA Dove Awards - Arrivals
Donald Lawrence/Getty Images

Grammy Award-winning producer, composer and recording artist Donald Lawrence has spent the past 20 years giving us music to love.

He's been the driving force behind the Tri-City Singers (made up of singers from the Carolina cities of Charlotte, Gastonia and Spartanburg) and The Co.

Donald Lawrence Discography:

Donald Lawrence

Donald Lawrence & Co.

Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers

Donald Lawrence Starter Songs:

Kirk Franklin

Picture of Kirk Franklin
Kirk Franklin. © Kirk Franklin

Since 1993, the name Kirk Franklin has been synonymous with Urban Gospel music. He has won 3 Grammy Awards, 14 Doves, 33 Stellars and 3 NAACP Image Awards.

Kirk Franklin Discography:

Kirk Franklin Starter Songs:

James Fortune and FIYA

Picture of James Fortune
James Fortune. © Getty Images / Johnny Nunez

We first heard James Fortune & FIYA in 2005 when You Survived hit stores and saw the lead single and title track shoot all the way to #2 on the R&B Gospel singles chart.

James Fortune & FIYA Discography:

James Fortune & FIYA Starter Songs:

Earnest Pugh

Singer Earnest Pugh performs onstage at 2017 Praise In The Park
Paras Griffin /Getty Images

With a five-octave vocal range, Earnest Pugh is a powerhouse singer. He's appeared on networks like the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) and Black Entertainment Television (BET) as well as on stage, acting in major plays such as "Love the One You’re With," "Secret Lover" (Michael Matthews), "Crazy Love" (D'Atra Hicks) and "Real Men Pray" (Angela Barrow and Lizzie Berry).

Earnest Pugh Discography:

Earnest Pugh Starter Songs:

Fred Hammond

Picture of Fred Hammond
Fred Hammond. © Verity Records

Fred Hammond has spent the past 25 years immersed in Gospel music. As a solo artist, founder of the urban group, Commissioned, and genius behind Radical for Christ, he has sold over 7 million albums and won multiple BET, Dove, Grammy, Image, N.A.A.C.P., Stellar, and GMWA Excellence Awards.

Fred Hammond Discography:

Fred Hammond Starter Songs:

J Moss

Singer J. Moss performs during the Allstate Gospel SuperFest 2015
Raymond Boyd /Getty Images

Singer/songwriter/producer J Moss was signed by Island/Def Jam Records at the same time his cousin, Karen Clark-Sheard, was. Her success led him to launch PAJAM Productions, which contributed to projects from both major Gospel and secular artists.

J Moss Discography:

J Moss Starter Songs:

William McDowell

Picture of William McDowell
William McDowell. © eOne Music

The lead pastor at Deeper Fellowship Church in Orlando, Florida has shared his music on tour in over 30 countries around the world.

William McDowell Discography:

  • Withholding Nothing, 2013 
  • Arise, 2011
  • As We Worship Live, 2009

William McDowell Starter Songs:

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Your Citation
Jones, Kim. "Top Black Gospel Artists." Learn Religions, Feb. 19, 2021, learnreligions.com/top-black-gospel-artists-710697. Jones, Kim. (2021, February 19). Top Black Gospel Artists. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/top-black-gospel-artists-710697 Jones, Kim. "Top Black Gospel Artists." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/top-black-gospel-artists-710697 (accessed March 19, 2024).