Praise Pop
tagStarted 2004Peak 2011-2022Last big hit still active
Anthemic praise songs in pop clothing: declarative, name-of-Jesus lyrics, strummed acoustic and chiming electric guitars, four-on-the-floor lifts and singalong choruses built for congregations and radio alike. Brighter and more upward-facing than worship pop's introspection, it centers exaltation, gratitude and celebration with arena-sized, hook-driven momentum.
History
Emerged from the modern-worship movement led by Passion Conferences and Chris Tomlin, whose How Great Is Our God (2004) became a global staple. Phil Wickham's This Is Amazing Grace (2013) topped Hot Christian Songs, and Matt Redman's 10,000 Reasons won Grammys, cementing praise pop as the anthem engine of CCM radio.
Defining artists
Essential listening
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Tomlin
- https://www.air1.com/music/blog/music-news/phil-wickham-the-power-of-worship-2365
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10,000_Reasons_(Bless_the_Lord)