Sounds of Blackness

In operation since 1969, the Sounds of Blackness choir has weathered eras and fashions, achieving some success with its foray into R&B and New Jack Swing in the 1990s. The 40-strong ensemble of singers, choristers and musicians was originally called The Macalester College Black Voices when it was founded by Russell Knighton in St. Paul, Minnesota, before becoming Sounds of Blackness under the direction of Gary Hines in 1971. In the course of its evolution, the choir adapted its original gospel from the African tradition to soul, creating contemporary urban gospel, of which it became a leading exponent. After debuting on the Minneapolis soul circuit, the group met producer duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis in 1989 and signed with Perspective Records to record a series of successful albums, starting with The Evolution of Gospel (1991), featuring the hits "Optimistic" (#3 on the R&B charts), "The Pressure Part One" (#1 on the dance charts) and "Testify". The following year, the group was asked to participate in the soundtrack of the film Mo' Money with the track "Joy", before unveiling the albums The Night Before Christmas: A Musical Fantasy (1992), Africa to America: The Sound of the Drum (1994), which reached #4 on the gospel charts, #15 on the R&B charts and #28 on the UK chart (#109 on the Billboard 200), and brought the hit "I Believe" (#1 on the dance charts and #99 on the Hot 100). The group's star, Ann Nesby, then left to embark on a solo career. Sounds of Blackness, still led by Gary Hines, went on to release Time for Healing (1997), Reconciliation (1999), Soul Symphony (2002), Unity (2005), Kings & Queens - Message Music from the Movement (2007), The 3rd Gift: Story, Song & Spirit (2009) and The Sounds of Blackness (2011). Among its many accolades, Sounds of Blackness has received three Grammy Awards and four Stellar Awards. It also has its own star on the façade of the famous Minneapolis club First Avenue.