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Sounds of Blackness

Sounds of Blackness is a Grammy Award-winning vocal and instrumental ensemble from Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota who perform music from several genres music including gospel, R&B, soul, and jazz.
The Soulful Sounds of Blackness: A Look at their Musical Biography and Best Songs
From soulful ballads to groovy beats, Sounds of Blackness has captivated the hearts of music lovers since the late 1980s. This gospel group-turned R&B sensation has been a true champion of African-American music and culture. Their contribution to music has been enormous, with over 40 national and international awards, including two Grammy Awards. So, what makes this group so special and timeless? Let’s dive into their musical biography, best songs, musical genre, famous concerts, and critics' reviews.
The History
Sounds of Blackness was founded by Gary Hines, who took over from the group’s original founder, Russell Knighton, in 1981. The team started as a gospel group named the Macalester College Black Voices but later rebranded themselves as Sounds of Blackness in 1989. They released their debut album, The Evolution of Gospel, that same year, which featured their most famous single, Optimistic. The song quickly became a hit, reaching number two on the R&B charts. From there, the group went on to create several other defining albums, including The Night Before Christmas (1993), Africa to America: The Journey of the Drum (1994), and Time for Healing (1997).
The Genre
Sounds of Blackness' music genre incorporates several African-American music styles, including gospel, R&B, soul, and jazz. They fuse traditional gospel music with modern R&B sounds, resulting in a unique and soulful sound that is entirely their own. They are credited with ushering in a new era of gospel music with their fresh sound, which appealed to both secular and non-secular audiences.
The Best Songs
It is difficult to narrow down their best songs, given their extensive catalog. However, there are a few that stand out as defining Sounds of Blackness' music style. Optimistic is the group's most famous song, a soulful and uplifting tune that has stood the test of time. Other hits include Testify, Soul Holidays, and I Believe. The group's cover of The Lord Will Make a Way is another highlight, an excellent example of the group's exceptional vocal harmonies.
Famous Concerts
Sounds of Blackness has played at several famous concerts, including the Superbowl XXVI pregame festivities in 1992, President Barack Obama's 2013 inauguration, and the Vatican’s Jubilee Celebration in 2000. Their performance at Superbowl XXVI was particularly noteworthy as they performed with superstar Michael Jackson, who called the group the future of music.
A Critic's Review
A Critic's Review
According to Rolling Stone magazine, Sounds of Blackness is the most exciting and innovative vocal ensemble in contemporary music. The group's music style blends soulful gospel harmonies with hip-hop beats and catchy melodies, a unique alchemy that has captured music lovers' hearts worldwide. Their impact on the music world cannot be overstated, with their music inspiring both secular and non-secular artists worldwide.
Sounds of Blackness has made an incredible contribution to the African-American music genre. Their music style is raw, soulful, and uplifting, with powerful vocal harmonies that tug at your heartstrings. With over four decades in the music industry, Sounds of Blackness remains a champion of African-American music and culture, continuing to electrify audiences worldwide. Their music is timeless, a testament to the power of great music born from the heart and soul.

LISTEN THE BEST SOUNDS OF BLACKNESS SONGS IN STREAMING

2022-11-01

The Musical Biography of Sounds of Blackness: From Beginnings to Fame

Hailing from Minneapolis, Sounds of Blackness is a musical group that has been around since 1969. Comprising of gospel singers and musicians, the group is known for its soulful music that blends African American music traditions. They have earned a name for themselves with their harmonious vocals, profound lyrics, and meaningful messages. In this article, we take a trip down memory lane and take a look at the beginnings of the group, their most famous albums, and songs that have made them a household name.

Sounds of Blackness got their start at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota in the late 1960s. The group was formed with the aim of preserving the African American culture and promoting awareness of their history through music. At first, the group was called the Macalester College Black Voices, but it wasn't until 1971 when they changed their name to Sounds of Blackness. The group continued struggling for years until they released their breakthrough album, The Evolution of Gospel, in 1991. This album peaked at #4 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart and firmly established the group.

After the success of The Evolution of Gospel, Sounds of Blackness continued to produce top-class music that has stood the test of time. Some of their most famous songs include Optimistic, I'm Going All The Way, Hold On, and The Pressure. These songs have a unique sound that blends African American musical traditions like gospel, soul, funk, and R&B to create a sound that is hard to resist. The group's music is uplifting and speaks to everyone, regardless of age, gender, or race.

Sounds of Blackness has had quite a few albums over the years, but two of them stand out: The Evolution of Gospel and Africa to America: The Journey of The Drum. The former is the group's breakthrough album, while the latter is a tribute to the African rhythms that have influenced African American music for centuries. Africa to America: The Journey of The Drum is the group's most ambitious project to date, featuring over 200 singers, musicians, and dancers. The album blends African and African American rhythms to create a unique sound that tells a story of a people's journey across the Atlantic Ocean.

The musical style of Sounds of Blackness is a blend of African American musical traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. The group uses gospel music as a foundation, then adds soul, funk, R&B, and other musical genres to create a unique sound that speaks to people from all walks of life. Their music is not only entertaining but also carries a message of hope, love, and faith. Sounds of Blackness has also been influenced by greats like Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Marvin Gaye, and Aretha Franklin.

Sounds of Blackness is a musical ensemble that has made an indelible mark on the music industry. Their sound is unique and unapologetically rooted in African American musical traditions. The group's music is uplifting, motivational, and heartfelt, making them appeal to a broad audience. Sounds of Blackness has worked hard over the years to promote African American culture and history through their music, and their efforts have not gone unnoticed. If you love soulful, uplifting music that speaks to the soul, then Sounds of Blackness is definitely worth checking out.
Tag: Sounds of Blackness, musical biography, best songs, playlist
SONGS OF SOUNDS OF BLACKNESS - THE BEST SONGS OF THE ARTIST
1 - The Pressure
2 - Optimistic
3 - I'm Going All The Way
4 - I Believe
5 - Everything Is Gonna Be Alright
6 - Testify
7 - Chains
8 - Spirit
9 - Soul Holidays
10 - Joy
11 - Stand
12 - Try
13 - Reconciliation
14 - I'm Going All The Way
15 - Hold On (change Is Comin')
16 - Zero To Hero
17 - Black Butterfly
18 - The Lord Will Make A Way
19 - The Pressure Pt. 1
20 - Optimistic (album Version)
21 - A Place In My Heart
22 - The Pressure (frankie Knuckles Classic Mix)
23 - The Drum (africa To America)
24 - I Believe (classic Gospel Mix)