-Marvin Sapp Responds To Norman Gyamfi Critics On Gospel Music
Gospel singer, Marvin Sapp responds to comments made by Norman Gyamfi, co-founder of Maverick City Music, who critiqued the gospel music industry for being slow to adapt to the digital age.
According to Gyamfi, he suggested that gospel music needs to evolve to connect with today’s generation of black Christian youth, whose struggles differ from those of their forebears.
He cited Maverick City Music’s success, with several No. 1 albums on Billboard and five Grammy Awards, as an example of how gospel music can be done differently.
“The Gospel norms wasn’t working anymore, y’all sing too hard, y’all over sing,” Gyamfi said.
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“Stop doing that, nobody wants to hear runs, people keep saying we want choir music, but choir music would’ve never died if people wanted to listen to it.”
Sapp, however acknowledged Gyamfi’s concerns about outdated infrastructures and traditional gatekeeping but emphasizes the importance of respecting tradition while evolving.
Marvip Sapp, who responded to Norman, said;
“Norman raised valid concerns about how slowly the gospel industry has embraced the digital age. He called out outdated infrastructures, traditional gatekeeping, and the need to prioritize data, streaming, and digital innovation.
“He’s not wrong in his observation. But here’s where I offer a perspective rooted in both personal success and historical context,” he noted.
“I’ve been a gospel artist for nearly four decades. I’ve witnessed and contributed to every major shift in our genre, from vinyl to cassette, from CDs to streaming. By the grace of God, I’ve experienced billions of streams on platforms that didn’t even exist when I released my first album.
“But let me be clear: I didn’t get here by rejecting tradition. I got here by respecting it, learning from it, and evolving beyond it without erasing it, the Never Would Have Made It.”
