Gospel Greats

BET.com takes a look at gospel greats!

A Look at Gospel Greats  - Ahead of the Celebration of Gospel premiere, BET.com takes a look at gospel greats, who widened the reach of the genre and inspired millions of believers along the way. Who are they? Find out here!

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A Look at Gospel Greats  - Ahead of the Celebration of Gospel premiere, BET.com takes a look at gospel greats, who widened the reach of the genre and inspired millions of believers along the way. Who are they? Find out here!

Mary Mary  - Grammy Award-winning duo Mary Mary has etched its name in music history with groundbreaking music that has delighted and inspired. We first met the sister act in 2000, when their debut single “Shackles” stormed the Billboard charts and offered listeners a new and unique brand of gospel. Since then, they’ve released game changing gospel hits such as “God in Me” and “Get Up” and have six studio albums that have blessed millions of believers across the globe.(Photo: Phil McCarten/PictureGroup)

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Mary Mary  - Grammy Award-winning duo Mary Mary has etched its name in music history with groundbreaking music that has delighted and inspired. We first met the sister act in 2000, when their debut single “Shackles” stormed the Billboard charts and offered listeners a new and unique brand of gospel. Since then, they’ve released game changing gospel hits such as “God in Me” and “Get Up” and have six studio albums that have blessed millions of believers across the globe.(Photo: Phil McCarten/PictureGroup)

Donnie McClurkin - Donnie McClurkin is one of the greatest gospel singers. The multiple Grammy and Stellar Award-winning artist has made significant contributions to the genre with six albums that feature a multitude of hits. Best known for his records "Stand" and "We Fall Down," McClurkin continues to lift our spirits through music and his inspiring testimony. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Super Bowl Gospel)

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Donnie McClurkin - Donnie McClurkin is one of the greatest gospel singers. The multiple Grammy and Stellar Award-winning artist has made significant contributions to the genre with six albums that feature a multitude of hits. Best known for his records "Stand" and "We Fall Down," McClurkin continues to lift our spirits through music and his inspiring testimony. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Super Bowl Gospel)

Richard Smallwood - Richard Smallwood has been a fixture in gospel since the 1970s as a vocalist, composer and writer. Smallwood, this year's Celebration of Gospel honoree carefully crafts praise and worship songs that act as the soundtrack to Sunday services across the nation. Classics such as "Center of My Joy" and "Total Praise" uniquely position Smallwood atop the list of gospel greats. (Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BET)

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Richard Smallwood - Richard Smallwood has been a fixture in gospel since the 1970s as a vocalist, composer and writer. Smallwood, this year's Celebration of Gospel honoree carefully crafts praise and worship songs that act as the soundtrack to Sunday services across the nation. Classics such as "Center of My Joy" and "Total Praise" uniquely position Smallwood atop the list of gospel greats. (Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BET)

Kim Burrell - Pastor Kim Burrell is revered as the vocal bible in gospel and secular circles. 1989 saw Burrell release her first solo album, Try Me Again, and since then, her career has been on the upswing. The award winning powerhouse has worked with gospel greats Shirley Ceasar, Yolanda Adams and the Clark Sisters. Outside of gospel, contermporary acts such as Beyoncé, Brandy and Faith Evans have all credited her as influencing their vocal styles.(Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BMI)

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Kim Burrell - Pastor Kim Burrell is revered as the vocal bible in gospel and secular circles. 1989 saw Burrell release her first solo album, Try Me Again, and since then, her career has been on the upswing. The award winning powerhouse has worked with gospel greats Shirley Ceasar, Yolanda Adams and the Clark Sisters. Outside of gospel, contermporary acts such as Beyoncé, Brandy and Faith Evans have all credited her as influencing their vocal styles.(Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BMI)

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Tamela Mann - We've journeyed with Tamela Mann from stage plays to primetime sitcoms to the big screen. On each creative platform, she showcases her powerful voice and commanding stage presence. Mann effortlessly evokes emotion as she trades between her well-connected chest and head voices. Her No. 1 hit "Take Me to the King," lifted from her Best Days LP, is the fullest representation of these reflections and Mann's incomporable talent. (Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BET)

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Tamela Mann - We've journeyed with Tamela Mann from stage plays to primetime sitcoms to the big screen. On each creative platform, she showcases her powerful voice and commanding stage presence. Mann effortlessly evokes emotion as she trades between her well-connected chest and head voices. Her No. 1 hit "Take Me to the King," lifted from her Best Days LP, is the fullest representation of these reflections and Mann's incomporable talent. (Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BET)

Hezekiah Walker - Grammy Award-winning gospel force Hezekiah Walker's songs can be heard in church services throughout the nation. The Brooklyn-bred pastor gained popularity alongside the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir in the '80s. With 14 albums and countless hit records, BET.com honors Hezekiah Walker as a gospel great. (Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BET)

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Hezekiah Walker - Grammy Award-winning gospel force Hezekiah Walker's songs can be heard in church services throughout the nation. The Brooklyn-bred pastor gained popularity alongside the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir in the '80s. With 14 albums and countless hit records, BET.com honors Hezekiah Walker as a gospel great. (Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BET)

CeCe Winans  - Gospel's leading lady CeCe Winans' proven longevity and ability to evolve as an artist makes her like songbird Chanté Moore. Moore began her career in the early '90s and has continued to claim stake in the industry as a performer and a star of TV One's R&B Divas LA.(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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CeCe Winans - CeCe Winans has sold over 16 million records and is revered as one of the most accomplished gospel stars in the genre's history. Her career has saw her trade between gospel and secular music, garnering Grammys, multi-platinum albums and more along the way. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

John P. Kee  - With over 20 years as a musician and vocalist, John P. Kee has contributed to the genre significantly. Kee is best known for fusing traditional and contemporary gospel to craft hits such as "I Believe" and "Show Up!". (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Stellar Awards)

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John P. Kee  - With over 20 years as a musician and vocalist, John P. Kee has contributed to the genre significantly. Kee is best known for fusing traditional and contemporary gospel to craft hits such as "I Believe" and "Show Up!". (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Stellar Awards)

Smokie Norful  - We met Smokie Norful in 2002 with the release of his debut album, I Need You Now. 12 years later, the Grammy winner is still topping the charts and inspiring believers everywhere as a pastor and musician.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for BET)

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Smokie Norful  - We met Smokie Norful in 2002 with the release of his debut album, I Need You Now. 12 years later, the Grammy winner is still topping the charts and inspiring believers everywhere as a pastor and musician.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for BET)