“All I See Is Your Booty and Cleavage”: Sex and the Contemporary Gospel Song (1988–2017)

Deborah Smith Pollard

doi:10.1017/S1752196321000274

“All I See Is Your Booty and Cleavage”: Sex and the Contemporary Gospel Song (1988–2017)

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 December 2021

Deborah Smith Pollard

Show author details

Deborah Smith Pollard*: Affiliation:
Department of Literature, Philosophy, and the Arts, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI, USA
*: Email: debpoll@umich.edu

Article contents

Abstract
References

Get access

Rights & Permissions

Abstract

Gospel songs traditionally feature lyrics that glorify God. However, there is music by contemporary gospel artists that addresses pre-marital sex, homosexuality, and pornography. The fact that these topics are being lyrically confronted by some of the genre's most recognized performers invites exploration into the content, purpose, and impact of the songs.

This article places these lyrics into categories: those that are testimonial narratives about the spiritual deliverance the singer has received after transgressing sexual mores of the Black Church and those that encourage the avoidance of specific sexual practices. These songs contribute to gospel music on several levels, providing a platform through which the artists can testify of their sexual journeys while giving listeners a format through which they can find direction regarding sexual steps, missteps, and spiritual realignment.

The article delineates the changes within US culture that led to less silence about sex and support for the LGBTQIA+ community from some within the Black Church. The major analysis involves the lyrics, the differences in what men and women tend to address, and the fact that despite breaking new ground, in virtually every instance, they reflect traditional Biblical interpretations.

Type: Research Article
Information: Journal of the Society for American Music , Volume 15 , Issue 4 , November 2021 , pp. 363 - 382

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1752196321000274 [Opens in a new window]
Copyright: Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Society for American Music

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

“Angie and Debbie Winans criticized for lyrics denouncing homosexuality on song, ‘Not Natural.’” Jet, November 24, 1997.Google Scholar

“BET Trips Up Taking Anti-Gay Winans Sisters to Teens.” GLAADAlert, October 31, 1997.Google Scholar

Bonner, Gerard. “Pettidee: The Legacy—Vol. 1.” GospelFlava.com, July 1, 2015. http://www.gospelflava.com/reviews/pettideelegacy.html.Google Scholar

Boyer, Horace Clarence. How Sweet the Sound: The Golden Age of Gospel. Washington, DC: Elliott & Clark, 1995.Google Scholar

Boyer, Horace Clarence. “A Comparative Analysis of Traditional and Contemporary Gospel Music.” In More Than Dancing: Essays on Afro-American Music and Musicians, edited by Jackson, Irene V., 127–46. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1985.Google Scholar

Brown Douglas, Kelly. Sexuality and the Black Church: A Womanist Perspective. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1999.Google Scholar

“B. Slade, Formerly Known as Tonex, Releases Response to Christians Opposing His Performance at Musical Tribute Honoring Kurt Carr and Lynette Hawkins-Stephens.” Black Christian News Network One, October 2016. https://tinyurl.com/dyx6khvs.Google Scholar

Bynum, Juanita. No More Sheets: The Truth about Sex. Lanham, MD: Pneuma Life, 1999.Google Scholar

Collins, Lisa, ed. Gospel Music Industry Round-Up 2016. Inglewood, CA: Eye on Gospel Publications, 2016.Google Scholar

Cuffee, Sallie. “On Sex and Sexuality in Black Churchwomen's Lives: A Womanist Call for a Moral and Justice Conversation in the Black Church.” Journal of Religious Thought 59–60, no. 1 (2006/2007): 45–65.Google Scholar

Cummings, Tony. Apostle Louis Greenup, “No Wed, No Bed.” Cross Rhythms, October 1, 1992. https://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Apostle_Louis_Greenup/No_Wed_No_Bed/11429/.Google Scholar

Cummings, Tony. “Trin-i-Tee 5:7: Spiritual Love Affair.” Cross Rhythms, February 1, 2000. https://tinyurl.com/y5kza6wl.Google Scholar

Darden, Robert. People Get Ready: A New History of Black Gospel Music. New York: Continuum, 2008.Google Scholar

Dyson, Michael Eric. “When You Divide the Body, Problems Multiply: The Black Church and Sex.” Chap. 3 in Rac Rules: Navigating the Color Line. New York: Vintage Books, 1996: 78–108.Google Scholar

Evans, Mark. Open up the Doors: Music in the Modern Church. Sheffield: Equinox, 2006.Google Scholar

“From Gangsta Rapper to Gospel Music Messenger, Samantha Coleman To Release Debut Gospel/Rap CD ‘For Such a Time as This.’” Dogon Village June 30, 2015. http://www.dogonvillage.com/african_american_news/Articles/00000497.html.Google Scholar

Gaines, E. J. “He Said: Exclusive Interview with J. Moss.” Gospelpundit.com. August 21, 2009.Google Scholar

Harrison, Kathryn. The Kiss. New York: Random House, 1997.Google Scholar

Heilbut, Anthony. The Gospel Sound: Good News and Bad Times. New York: Limelight, 1997.Google Scholar

Jones, Alisha Lola. Flaming? The Peculiar Theopolitics of Fire and Desire in Black Male Gospel Performance. New York: Oxford University Press, 2020.CrossRef Google Scholar

Kernodle, Tammy. “Work the Works: The Role of African-American Women in the Development of Contemporary Gospel.” Special issue, The Music of African-American Women: Secular and Sacred, Uplift and Self-Assertion: Black Music Research Journal 26, no. 1 (Spring 2006), 89–109.Google Scholar

Kitwana, Bakari. The Hip-Hop Generation: Young Blacks and the Crisis in African-American Culture. New York: Basic Citivas Books, 2003.Google Scholar

Kornegay, E. L. Jr. The Queering of Black Theology: James Baldwin's Blues Project and Gospel Prose. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2013.CrossRef Google Scholar

McClurkin, Donnie. Eternal Victim/Eternal Victor. Lanham, MD: Pneuma Life, 2001.Google Scholar

McCune, Jeffrey Q. “Transformance: Reading the Gospel in Drag.” Journal of Homosexuality 46, nos. 3–4 (2004):151–67.CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed

McCarthy, Justin. “U.S. Support of Gay Marriage, Stable at 63%.” GALLUP, May 22, 2019. https://bit.ly/3ksdOlb.Google Scholar

Martindale, Mike. “J. Moss Paternity Suit.” Detroit News, November 28, 2008.Google Scholar

Morrow, Carlotta. “Passion for Christ Movement-P4CM.com.” Christocentric.com, July 31, 2009.Google Scholar

Newman, Susan. Oh God!: A Black Woman's Guide to Sex and Spirituality. New York: One World, 2002.Google Scholar

Paris, Arthur. Black Pentecostalism: Southern Religion in an Urban World. Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Press, 1982.Google Scholar

Pollard, Deborah Smith. When the Church Becomes Your Party: Contemporary Gospel Music. Detroit, MI: Wayne State University Press, 2008.Google Scholar

Ramsey, Guthrie. “‘Santa Claus Ain't Got Nothing on This!’: Hip-Hop Hybridity and the Black Church Muse.” Chap. 8 in Race Music: Black Cultures from Bebop to Hip-Hop. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2003.Google Scholar

“Sony Urban Music & Columbia Records Congratulate Tye Tribbett & G. A. as Victory Live Debuts at #1.” Sony Music Entertainment, July 6, 2006. https://www.sony.com/content/sony/en/en_us/SCA/company-news/press-releases/sony-music-entertainment/2006/sony-urban-music-columbia-records-congratulate-tye-tribbett-ga-as-victory-live-debuts-at-1-on-the-billboard-current-gospel-sales-chart.html.Google Scholar

United Church of Christ Open and Affirming Coalition. https://openandaffirming.org/ona/find/Google Scholar

Van Loon, Michelle. “The Trouble with Confessing in Church.” Christianity Today, September 29, 2010. https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/septemberweb-only/trouble-with-confessing-in-church.html.Google Scholar

Veazey, Carlton W. “Radical Shift in Black Church on Sexuality and Choice.” Rewire News Group. July 15, 2008. https://rewirenewsgroup.com/article/2008/07/15/radical-shift-black-church-sexuality-and-choice/.Google Scholar

Weekes, Melinda. “This House, This Music: Exploring the Interdependent Interpretive Relationship Between the Contemporary Black Church and Contemporary Gospel Music.” Black Music Research Journal 25, nos. 1–2 (Spring–Fall 2005): 43–72.Google Scholar

“What Is Trap Music?” Run the Trap. https://runthetrap.com/what-is-trap-music/.Google Scholar

Whitehead, Andrew L. “Religious Organizations and Homosexuality: The Acceptance of Gays and Lesbians in American Congregations.” Review of Religious Research, 55, no. 2 (June 2013): 297–317.CrossRef Google Scholar

Woodland, Shannon, and Ross, Scott. “Overcoming Porn: Kirk Franklin's Freedom.” Christian Broadcasting Network. https://tinyurl.com/wpvbnfbp.Google Scholar

116 Clique. “Temptation.” Man Up. Reach Records, 2011. CD and DVD.Google Scholar

Baylor, Helen. “Testimony.” Helen Baylor: The Live Experience. Word, 1994. CD.Google Scholar

Byrd, Chris. Between the Sheets. Minstrel House Music, 2000. CD.Google Scholar

Campbell, Erica. “I Luh God.” Help 2.0. eOne Records, 2015.Google Scholar

Clark, Twinkie. “Word of God.” Ron Winans Family and Friends Vol. 2. Sparrow Records, 1990. CD.Google Scholar

Cleveland, James and Southern California Community Choir. “Where Is Your Faith?” Where Is Your Faith? Savoy, 1981. CD.Google Scholar

Coleman, Samantha. “Funny Valentine.” For Such a Time as This. Glory with Volume Records, 2007. CD.Google Scholar

Crouch, Andraé and the Disciples. “Dreamin’.” I'll Be Thinking of You. Elektra/Light Records, 1979. CD.Google Scholar

Day, Sonnie. “My Virginity.” Good Life. Rooted Records, 2011. CD.Google Scholar

Dock, Ametria, with Wanya Morris. “Wait.” It's Not About Me. Geffen, 2000. CD.Google Scholar

Flame. “Desires in Conflict.” Our World: Fallen. Cross Movement Records: 2007. CD.Google Scholar

Franklin, Kirk. “Now Behold the Lamb.” Kirk Franklin and the Family Christmas. B-rite, 1995. CD.Google Scholar

Franklin, Kirk. “Stomp.” God's Property from Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation. B-rite Music, 1997. CD.Google Scholar

Franklin, Kirk. “Let It Go.” Hero. Fo Yo Soul/GospoCentric/Zomba Records, 2005. CD.Google Scholar

Franklin, Kirk. “The Process.” Hero. Fo Yo Soul/GospoCentric/Zomba Records, 2005. CD.Google Scholar

Franklin, Kirk. “Imagine Me.” Hero. Fo Yo Soul/GospoCentric/Zomba Records, 2005. CD.Google Scholar

Franklin, Kirk. “Something about the Name Jesus.” Nu Nation Project. B-rite 2007. CD.Google Scholar

Franklin, Kirk. Losing My Religion. RCA Inspiration, 2015.Google Scholar

Greenup, Louis. “No Wed, No Bed.” Pepperco, 1992. CD.Google Scholar

Haddon, Deitrick. “Fighting Temptation.” Church on the Moon. Verity Gospel, 2011. CDGoogle Scholar

Hawthorne, Koryn. “Speak to Me.” I Am. RCA Inspiration, 2020.Google Scholar

Jones, Canton. “Cute.” Password: Access Granted. Arrow Records, 2005. CD.Google Scholar

Lecrae, . Church Clothes 3. Reach Records, 2016. CD.Google Scholar

Lexi with Gwen Burton. “The Conversation (Hold On).” And That's the Way It Is. Real Deal Records, 1999. CD.Google Scholar

Mister ATL featuring Lady Catour. “No Wed, No Bed.” MisterATLmusic, 2013. CD.Google Scholar

Mary, Mary. Thankful. Columbia, 2000. CD.Google Scholar

Moss, J. “Let It Go.” V2. GospoCentric, 2007. CD.Google Scholar

Moss, J. “Livin’ 4.” The J. Moss Project. GospoCentric, 2004. CD.Google Scholar

Pettidee with Lady Like. “No Wed, No Bed.” Legacy Vol. 1. Shabach Entertainment, 2007. CD.Google Scholar

P.I.D. (Preachers in Disguise). “Let Me See Your Fruit.” Here We Are. Graceland Records, 1988. CD.Google Scholar

Slade, B. “Conversation.” Black Belt. Suxxess Records, 2016.Google Scholar

Tonéx. “Now.” Oak Park 92105. Nureau, 2003. CD.Google Scholar

Tribbett, Tye. “Victory.” Victory Live. Sony, 2006. CD.Google Scholar

Trin-i-Tee 5:7. “God's Grace.” Trin-i-Tee 5:7. GospoCentric, 1998. CD.Google Scholar

Trin-i-Tee 5:7. “My Body.” Spiritual Love. GospoCentric, 2000. CD.Google Scholar

Walker, Hezekiah and the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir. “Love Lifted Me.” Live in Atlanta at Morehouse College. Verity, 1994. CD.Google Scholar

Winans, Angie and Debbie, . “Not Natural.” Bold. Against the Flow Records, 1997. CD.Google Scholar

The Winans. “Bring Back the Days of Yea and Nay.” Tomorrow. Light Records, 1993. CD.Google Scholar