.png)
October 6, 2024
Sampling has been a cornerstone of modern music production, allowing producers to reimagine and breathe new life into old tracks. Whether you're producing hip-hop, EDM, or any genre, knowing how to...
Read more.png)
October 6, 2024
When selecting EQ and compressor plugins, musicians and producers look for more than just a shiny interface or brand recognition. It's all about how these tools perform in real-world scenarios...
Read more.png)
October 6, 2024
Drum sounds form the backbone of many music genres, and while sample packs are popular, designing your own drum sounds from scratch can elevate your production to a whole new level. Crafting custom...
Read more.png)
October 6, 2024
In modern music production, one of the most common challenges is the clash of frequencies between instruments. For example, bass guitars and drum kits often compete for space in the lower end of...
Read more.png)
October 1, 2024
Studio One by PreSonus is an incredibly powerful DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) that offers a variety of tools to streamline your music production workflow. However, like many DAWs, getting the...
Read more.png)
October 1, 2024
Crash cymbals often get buried in the mix, especially when using complex miking techniques like Glyn Johns, which balances close mics with overheads. While re-recording with higher cymbals may be a...
Read more.png)
October 1, 2024
GarageBand is often seen as an entry-level DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), but it has powerful tools that, when used effectively, can create professional-quality tracks. Many indie musicians and...
Read more.png)
October 1, 2024
When working with MIDI in Ableton, one might notice that although MIDI clips can send program changes, most of Ableton's native plugins don’t seem to respond to these changes effectively. This can...
Read more.png)
September 21, 2024
Read more.png)
September 20, 2024
One of the most common challenges for songwriters is deciding whether to write the music or lyrics first. This can feel like a "chicken-or-egg" situation, but there's no one-size-fits-all answer...
Read more.png)
September 20, 2024
Releasing a new single or album is a huge milestone for any musician. However, without proper planning, your work may not get the attention it deserves. It’s not just about putting the song online...
Read more
September 20, 2024
When it comes to music production, getting the low end right can be tricky. Many producers face a common issue: after the initial mix sounds perfect, a few days later, the low end starts to feel...
Read more.png)
What the Conversation is About
A June 13, 2025, Baptist News Global article highlights the long-standing conflicts between traditional Black gospel music and contemporary Christian music (CCM), which are exacerbated by racial dynamics, commercialization, and political uses of worship music.
Is CCM Cliché or Justifying Culture?
In order to sell more records and reach a wider audience, CCM is commonly criticized for embracing secular music styles. Leah Payne, an award-winning historian and Theologian noted that CCM has cosmic spiritual significance because evangelical parents have long viewed it as the safest marketing avenue to "save" teenagers. Critics claim that CCM frequently turns into rhetoric rather than truth, a sanitized religion influenced more by business than by more profound doctrine.
Is CCM Just Secular Music in Disguise?
Some traditionalists contend that CCM borrows the emotional impact of secular music without delving deeper into spirituality by contemporary rhythms like pop, hip-hop, and rock.
"Most CCM can be rejected on the basis of lyrics alone,"
according to one critic, with its shallow theology and secular rhythms that don't reference Jesus.
What Gospel Still Stands For
Thomas A. Dorsey, an American musician and Christian evangelist, on the other hand, laid the groundwork for Black gospel music, which grew into a true musical expression based on Black worship traditions. According to the study, even as CCM expanded into mainstream markets, the gospel maintained its cultural identity and deeper grounding.
Historically, the Gospel Music Association (GMA) and Dove Awards honored primarily white CCM singers. They have only lately begun to remedy chronic racial exclusion, including the first-ever Black Artist of the Year award as late as 2022 and 2024.
Latest Reactions & Growing Debate
Final Take
It may be harsh to refer to CCM as "secular music with Jesus lyrics," but it is not unjustified when popular formulas take precedence over spiritual depth. However, contemporary movements; particularly those led by Black people or artistic Christian acts are redefining spiritual authenticity in ways that go beyond the traditional dichotomies.
.png)
