I am probably one of the few black people who has not been raised on black Gospel music. My mother tolerates it, and my father hates it. They consider the whining and moaning too depressing and, in some respects, reminders of the not-so-great things from their childhood. What I mean by “black gospel “ is that old Gospel music from back in the day that you hear on the black radio stations on Sunday morning. The same radio stations that play rap and hip-hop during the week that, not only, does not mention God, but leaves God entirely out of the picture by insinuating and sometimes out-right declaring sinful and immoral acts. But wait!  On Sundays they must play some Gospel to rectify their actions.

My mom, my brothers and I entered the church in ’81, and the style of music that was popular in the church we attended was the Lanny Wolfe Trio, Amy Grant and Sandi Patti. That’s basically what I was raised hearing. My introduction to urban-gospel music was Pentecostal choirs that were made up of mostly white people, singing gospel in different churches, and in Bible College. I was so naïve that I didn’t realize that most of the music these choirs sang was from black artists and choirs. To be honest, I love black music when Apostolic choirs sing it. I think it’s because they know when it’s time to stop singing a song.

There are a few black artists that I will listen to that are backed up by choirs. One of those artists is Fred Hammond. I have always loved Fred Hammond and his music. I saw him in concert one time at Six Flags. The audience consisted of blacks, and Apostolics of different nationalities that, surprisingly, had rhythm. I, of course, fit into both categories. Fred Hammond’s concert was the only concert I’ve been to where the people in attendance actually worshipped God rather than just danced.

I have followed him ever since he was with the group Commissioned. I love his attitude, spirit, his way with lyrics and ability to humbly acknowledge God in everything he does. I have several of his CDs. I buy all of them without listening to them first because I know there will be five or six songs on the CD that I will definitely like. (He usually has between 13 and 16 tracks on each CD.) The Pages of Life CDs were exceptionally long.

Purpose by Design was outstanding. Hammond has it going on in many ways. (How can you fail when you put God up front?) Although he appeals to young and old audiences alike, it’s not his goal to win awards.  Purpose by Design is already Gold, and Fred Hammond sells millions of albums—but that’s not his goal. His goal is ministering and evangelizing to people’s needs while he identifies and recognizes that God is the center of everything.

Purpose by Design is devotional and will have you bouncing and feeling good. For those of you who haven’t heard Fred Hammond, his anointed voice will make you just say, “Yes this is good". Every song on this CD approaches the idea of destiny such as, “What is my Destiny?” If you enjoyed Purpose by Design, go a step further and buy Hammond’s latest CD, consisting of some new artists, titled In Case You Missed It. Urban-Gospel lovers will not be disappointed.

ninetyandnine.com

© 2001, Lakesha Stokes

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Lakesha Stokes is an elementary music teacher in the St. Louis area. She earned a Church Music degree from Gateway College of Evangelism and a Bachelor of Arts in Church Music/Music Education from Missouri Baptist College. She is presently working on her Master of Arts in Vocal Pedagogy at Webster University.