For this prompt, I chose Beyoncé’s live performance of “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” at the 2015 Grammys. I chose this because it’s one of the clearest examples of a modern artist utilizing the spiritual tradition to convey something that feels both timeless and personal. Her performance uses many of the traits we’ve been studying: slow sustained tones, emotional phrasing, and a strong call-and-response with the backing choir. Even though Beyoncé is known for pop and R&B, this moment really shows her connecting to gospel roots and carrying on the spiritual tradition in a mainstream setting. I also like how it bridges sacred and secular, it was performed at a huge televised event, but still feels like a church. It’s a reminder of how powerful and relevant spirituals still are today.
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