Sounds of Blackness, led by Gary Hines, merged traditional African music with urban soul to become a prominent contemporary gospel group, winning numerous awards over their career. Originally formed in 1969 by Russel Knight at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, the group found their identity under Hines' direction in 1971, expanding their musical scope to embrace all aspects of Black music and rebranding themselves as Sounds of Blackness.

Sounds of Blackness initially performed locally in Minneapolis before gaining national attention in 1989 after attracting the interest of producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, leading to a record deal with Perspective/A&M. Their national debut album, The Evolution of Gospel, produced by Jam & Lewis, received critical acclaim, setting the stage for successful subsequent releases like The Night Before Christmas (A Musical Fantasy) and Africa to America: The Journey of the Drum. Their unique sound and style remained intact, allowing the group to continue their musical journey with self-produced albums like Time for Healing and Reconciliation, culminating in a memorable performance at the White House on New Year's Eve in 1999.