The musical impact and the meaningful messages of gospel and contemporary Christian music extend far beyond the walls of the church. Unexpected yet unforgettable collaborations between hip-hop, R&B, country, soul, and gospel artists have created a rich tapestry of sound that defies the boundaries of any genre. Influential artists have collaborated with choir leaders, pastors, and gospel music icons to produce songs that are expanding the reach of gospel music and by extension, the reach of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Plus, they just sound really good!
1. T.I., Kirk Franklin, Young Dro, and Sunday Service – "Thank God"
Franklin joined forces with Atlanta’s own T.I. and Young Dro along with the Sunday Service choir for an intimate song about maintaining faith in God throughout the hardships of life. The collaboration is at once uplifting and heartbreaking, but maintains a truthful message that sinners and saints will find understandable and relatable.
2. Kanye West, Kirk Franklin, Chance the Rapper, The Dream, and Kelly Price – “Ultra Light Beam”
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On February 14, 2016, Kanye West stunned the audience of Saturday Night Live and the billions watching when he debuted a new single from his upcoming album, Life of Pablo. From the moment the first keyboard note played, it was clear we were in for something unexpected and transformational from the GRAMMY award winning rapper. Featuring an ensemble of prominent rap artists, R&B singers, gospel producers and more, “Ultralight Beam” is a musical saga about the arduous yet essential journey of maintaining faith in a harsh world.
3. Kirk Franklin, Mary J. Blige, R. Kelly, Bono, Crystal Lewis, and Tamela Mann – “Lean On Me”
An oldie but an oh-so-very goodie! Franklin earned his third Grammy with this unexpected yet sensational collaboration across musical genres. The deeply moving power ballad catapulted Franklin into superstardom as the lead single from his third album, The Nu Nation Project, which went on to be 2x platinum.
4. Kirk Franklin and Cheryl “Salt” James – “Stomp (Remix)”
“For those of you that think that gospel music has gone too far…,” Kirk Franklin was right: You ain’t seen nothin’ yet! Franklin proved early in his career that there were no limits to the reach of the word of God. He can be credited as one of the artists who expanded the reach of the genre of gospel, and songs like “Stomp” are the reason why. Featuring a rap verse from Cheryl James (aka “Salt” from the groundbreaking hip-hop group Salt-n-Pepa), “Stomp” truly changed the game.
5. Cece Winans and Whitney Houston – “Count On Me”
Not necessarily gospel music, but definitely a feel-good song with a feel-good message sung by two musical giants. Cece Winans and Whitney Houston celebrated their real-life friendship by performing a loving duet on the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack. “Count On Me” is a song about friendship, love, and companionship through thick and thin, featuring the legendary voices of gospel great Cece Winans and dynamic diva Whitney Houston.
6. Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Nicki Minaj – “I’m Getting Ready”
When two musical powerhouses get together, the shockwaves are felt far beyond any boundaries of genre or category. Tasha Cobbs’ vocals plus Nicki Minaj’s lyrics over a folksy guitar strum combine to create an unforgettable musical story about waiting for a blessing for God and claiming victory over your life.
7. Destiny’s Child – “Say Yes”
Beyoncé and Kelly couldn’t let Michelle have all the fun! Destiny’s Child reunited on William’s fourth studio album for a modern reimagining of a classic African worship song. Their melodic harmonies combined with the up-tempo afrobeats made this song an instant dance staple for folks both in and out of the church.
8. Darwin Hobbs and Michael McDonald – “Everyday”
The distinguished, smooth vocals of famed soul singer Michael McDonald are a welcomed addition to a high energy of Darwin Hobbs’ choir-sung single about the everyday goodness of the Lord. The refrain is a welcomed reminder for both church veterans and the newly saved: “Surely, the mercy is new each and everyday/It’s gonna be alright.”
9. Michelle Williams and Carl Thomas – “Heaven”
A bonus track on the aforementioned album, Williams collaborated with her musical peer, R&B crooner Carl Thomas, to cover “Heaven,” a contemporary gospel song originally performed by the brother-sister duo Bebe and Cece Winans. Their soulful vocals combine to spread the message of the beautiful life that awaits us if we believe.
90’s babies, stand up! The finale number from Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit will go down in history as one of the greatest gospel choir performances and it’s no secret why this film and its music have been so beloved across decades and generations. From Ms. Lauryn Hill’s heartfelt solo performance plus the exuberant performance of her fellow cast members (directed by Whoopi Goldberg), the joy of “Joyful, Joyful” leaps off the screen and into history.
11. Shirley Ceasar and Michelle Williams – “Steal Away”
When former Destiny’s Child member Michelle Williams released her first solo gospel album, Heart to Yours, she hit the jackpot when she scored a duet with a gospel music legend. Shirley Caesar lended her venerable voice to the classic hymn, “Steal Away,” for Williams’ debut project which went on to critical acclaim.
12. Missy Elliot, MaryMary, Kim Burrell, Yolanda Adams, Karen Clark Sheard, and Dorinda Clark Cole – “Higher Ground”
Who didn’t collaborate on this song? In a hidden bonus track on her third studio album Miss E…So Addictive, hip-hop heavyweight Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot is joined by some of the most recognizable voices in the gospel industry including Tina and Erica Campbell, the sister singers of genre breaking gospel duo MaryMary, two Clark sisters, Yolanda Adams, and pastor Kim Burrell. The song evokes the old school traditions of gospel down to the organ and call-and-response, bringing the culture of Christian music to a brand new audience.
