Wanting again on the painful and troublesome historical past of being Black in America, faith has all the time been an necessary cultural and religious spine — continuously sustaining and replenishing the collective soul of the Black neighborhood. Equally, gospel songs have performed an important position, serving because the accompanying theme music for the ever-evolving Black expertise.
Our enslaved ancestors used hymns and soulful spirituals to protect their hopes and goals for freedom and equality. Following emancipation, gospel music grew to become a pillar of the Black church and finally lent its elements to the event of different genres. Jazz, rock and roll, and R&B have all flourished on account of varied components borrowed from gospel.
In recent times, artists have paid homage to their non secular roots in mainstream music, by implementing key components of gospel into their sound. Artists like Jay-Z, Likelihood the Rapper, and Kanye West have all put out songs that showcase their church roots and appreciation for gospel music as an entire. For a lot of followers, these songs create an prompt reference to the artist due to shared non secular experiences, usually courting again to deeply-textured childhood reminiscences. To additional discover this advanced dynamic between conventional gospel sounds and modern artists, we sat down with the proficient vocalist, C.S. Armstrong. His soulful music is crammed with distinct gospel influences from his wonderful life journey.
A proud Houston native, Armstrong prides himself on showcasing his authenticity via his music. His lyrics are thought-provoking and reflective, pairing completely along with his gospel-inspired melodies and chords.
The early years in gospel
These conversant in gospel music are conscious of its distinctive flows and sonic actions. Complicated chord progressions and unmistakable dirging organs type the constructing blocks of many Black religious songs and hymns. For Armstrong, rising up in church throughout his adolescence had a big impact on his relationship with God and his preliminary foray into music. Because the grandson of a pastor, Armstrong was all the time in church and discovered to play the piano and organ from one of many members. When requested concerning the affect of listening to these chords on his artistic course of, Armstrong stated, “These chords resonate with me essentially the most as a result of as quickly as I hear them I believe ‘Oh man, that jogs my memory of church.’” Moreover, due to his home ties to the church, Armstrong was usually given the possibility to evangelise, primarily receiving steering for his sermons from his grandmother.
“I began preaching after I was ten years outdated,” he stated. “So my perspective on church is a really severe one as a result of when children have been simply going to bible examine and Sunday faculty, I used to be in church from Sunday to Sunday.” His grandmother additionally took a extra structured, instructional strategy to his teachings, and he instills those self same beliefs into his music. “That work ethic I discovered each week learning cross-references, concordances, Hebrew meanings, and Egyptian meanings made me take a really detailed strategy to my music,” he shares. These distinctive experiences allowed him to create music that challenges the boundaries of music and his personal creativity.
Turning level
Complicated chords and notes apart, the foundation of gospel music lies inside vulnerability. Even the oldest conventional hymns have lyrics exploring themes of ache, struggling, and hopelessness. Whereas many people are nicely conscious of the cruel residing situations of the interval these lyrics have been written, we are able to simply lose their true that means if we’re not cautious. Armstrong makes use of his music to show his personal vulnerability, and he additionally incorporates components of blues, and jazz to broaden his attain. Three of his songs specifically, “Experience On,” “GODDIDDAT,” and “By no means Depart God Behind,” function lyrics that showcase his insecurities in a type of reflection and thankfulness.
Experience On – C.S. Armstrongwww.youtube.com
C.S. Armstrong – GODDIDDAT (Official Music Video)www.youtube.com
NEVER LEAVE GOD BEHINDwww.youtube.com
When requested concerning the turning level that led him to make his music extra private, Armstrong provides quite a lot of the credit score to his household. Earlier than publicly going by C.S. Armstrong, he glided by the stage title, Rocky Evans. Nevertheless, the passing of his grandmother in 2014 led him to come back to phrases along with his grief in a means that he channeled into his picture. “When my great-grandmother handed, I checked out my delivery certificates and realized that I am unable to be anyone however me. If there’s one factor that I need to hold in my music, it’s my final title”.
Armstrong additionally shared his previous gang affiliation, and the way that have served as a catalyst for his life progressing in the way in which that it did. “I used to be a crip after I was 17 and that is what “GODDIDDAT” is about. I went to the military after I was 18, that subsequent yr after being jumped in. God simply took me on a whirlwind of various issues,” Armstrong notes. When listening to his lyrics, it’s unattainable to overlook his sincerity and reverence for his upbringing and his experiences, good or unhealthy. Armstrong’s music is a mirrored image of him and his life story, and he isn’t afraid to inform it.
Channeling his influences
Each noteworthy artist has musical influences, and C.S. Armstrong has a wide selection of people that encourage him and his music. “Ornette Colemen, Kenny Garrett, Max Roach, and Duke Ellington are nice, however Charlie Chicken is actually my favourite. I name him Chicken like I knew him, however Charlie Parker is my final, that’s the one. For the ladies, Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan. Man, there’s so many who I really feel like I don’t know everyone. I’m nonetheless studying and discovering folks frequently inside that style. The Clark Sisters and Aretha Franklin are additionally massive influences of mine in gospel. Their music is so highly effective to me.”
Armstrong additionally drew inspiration from a number of preachers and acknowledged names like C.L. Franklin, Noel Jones, Jasper Williams, and a bunch of different southern preachers.
The subsequent chapter
Gospel music as we all know it right this moment is the product of a whole bunch of years of hardship and turmoil which were channeled into timeless music. It’s heartening to see that Armstrong and different modern Black musicians are persevering with the custom and utilizing this highly effective medium to inform their very own private and sophisticated tales. With Armstrong particularly, he has deftly used components of gospel music as a robust canvas to share his deepest feelings and specific his endearing gratitude for love and household.
