Michael Whitaker Smith is an American musician who has charted in both contemporary Christian and mainstream charts. His biggest success in mainstream music was in 1991 when "Place in This World" hit No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. Over the course of his career, he has sold more than 18 million albums.
Zimbabwean music is heavily reliant on the use of instruments such as the mbira, Ngoma drums and hosho. Their music symbolizes much more than a simple rhythm, as the folk and pop style styled music was used as a symbol of hope for Zimbabweans looking to gain independence from Rhodesia. Music has played a significant role in the history of Zimbabwe, from a vital role in the traditional Bira ceremony used to call on ancestral spirits, to protest songs during the struggle for independence. The community in Zimbabwe used music to voice their resistance to their oppression, as one of the only weapons they had available to fight back with. In the eighties, the Music of Zimbabwe was at the center of the African Music scene thanks to genres such as Sungura and Jit. However, several performers were banned by state TV and radio leading to the closing of several music venues.
Andraé Edward Crouch was an American gospel singer, songwriter, arranger, record producer and pastor. Referred to as "the father of modern gospel music" by contemporary Christian and gospel music professionals, Crouch was known for his compositions "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power", "My Tribute " and "Soon and Very Soon". He collaborated on some of his recordings with famous and popular artists such as Stevie Wonder, El DeBarge, Philip Bailey, Chaka Khan, and Sheila E., as well as the vocal group Take 6, and many popular artists covered his material, including Bob Dylan, Barbara Mandrell, Paul Simon, Elvis Presley and Little Richard. In the 1980s and 1990s, he was known as the "go-to" producer for superstars who sought a gospel choir sound in their recordings; he appeared on a number of recordings, including Michael Jackson's "Man In the Mirror", Madonna's "Like a Prayer", and "The Power", a duet between Elton John and Little Richard. Crouch was noted for his talent of incorporating contemporary secular music styles into the gospel music he grew up with. His efforts in this area helped pave the way for early American contemporary Christian music during the 1960s and 1970s.
Oslo Gospel Choir is a Norwegian gospel choir centred in Oslo, Norway conducted by Tore W. Aas. The choir started up in 1988 and has since then become one of the most successful in Europe with success both in Europe and America. They have released around 20 albums. They are very much influenced by the American black gospel sound and Andraé Crouch is a major source of inspiration, with his approach in taking the gospel out of the churches and into other arenas, reaching a larger audience. Crouch has sung and been involved on several of their albums. The choir has sold over 1.5 million albums.
Walter Lee Hawkins was an American gospel singer, songwriter, composer, and pastor. An influential figure in urban contemporary gospel music, his career spanned more than four decades. He was consecrated to the bishopric in 2000.
Winky D is a Zimbabwean reggae-dancehall artist known popularly as "The Big Man". He is also known as Dancehall Igwe, Gaffa, Ninja President, Proffessor, and Extraterrestrial. Winky D is often considered the Zimdancehall pioneer and one of the most accomplished modern Zimbabwean music artists. His music provides social commentary about Zimbabwean society.
Carol Mujokoro is a Zimbabwean Christian/gospel music artist and pastor.
Shingisai Suluma is a Zimbabwean Christian singer, songwriter and worship leader.
Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu, known professionally as Sinach, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and senior worship leader, serving in this capacity for over 30 years. She is the first singer-songwriter to top the Billboard Christian Songwriter chart for 12 weeks in a row. Her song "Way Maker" received three nominations and won the Song of the Year at the 51st GMA Dove Awards, making her the first Nigerian to win the Award. She also won the BMI song of the year, and in 2021 was recognized by the US Congress while on tour in the United States of America.
Mechanic Manyeruke and the Puritans are a Zimbabwean gospel music group.
Obey Makambureyi, popularly known under the stage name Tocky Vibes, is a Zimbabwean award-winning Zimdancehall artist, songwriter and lyricist. He has released multiple singles.
The Bala Brothers are a vocal trio from the Kwa Nobuhle Township outside Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. The group consists of brothers Zwai Bala, Loyiso Bala, and Phelo Bala. The brothers first gained prominence when Zwai Bala joined the Drakensberg Boys' Choir School in 1988, becoming the first black member of the previously segregated group six years before the end of apartheid.
Mobolaji Yemisi Adekunle-Oniyo,, popularly known as Psalmos, is a Nigerian gospel singer, praise and worship leader and a songwriter who rose to prominence following the release of her hit song "Oluwa ku'se" featuring Kore, since then, Psalmos has ministered in a number of churches across Nigeria and UK, including Gloryhouse church in London.
Joseph Omo Ebhodaghe,, popularly known as Joe Praize, is a Nigerian gospel singer, praise and worship leader, songwriter and music director who rose to popularity following the release of his hit song "Mighty God" off his debut album My Praise.
Clive 'Mono' Mukundu is a Zimbabwean music producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist largely known as a guitarist. He is also an author. Mukundu has featured on more than 1000 albums and over 200 singles from 1988 to date.
Janet Manyowa is a Zimbabwean gospel musician.
Takesure ‘Zamar’ Ncube is a Zimbabwean award-winning gospel musician, producer, songwriter, instrumentalist and vocalist based in South Africa. Takesure is a recipient of the Best of Africa Award from SABC Crown Gospel Awards.
"24" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his tenth studio album, Donda (2021). The song features additional vocals from Kenyan-American rapper KayCyy and the Sunday Service Choir. The rappers wrote it alongside Brian Miller, Ojivolta, and Warryn Campbell. The song is titled after the jersey number of Kobe Bryant, for whom it was recorded shortly after his death in January 2020. While the song did experience different reiterations over time, West had written its melody a day before Bryant died. A gospel song that includes church organ stabs, it is a tribute to Bryant.
Temba Tagwireyi, known professionally as Tembalami, is a Zimbabwean gospel artist and businessman.
Everton Mlalazi is Zimbabwean gospel artist.
