Contemporary Christian music
Faith-based popular music rooted in the Jesus movement revival.
Contemporary Christian music (CCM), also known as Christian pop and occasionally inspirational music, is a genre of modern popular music lyrically focused on matters related to the Christian faith. Originating in the United States, it was formed by those affected by the 1960s Jesus movement revival who began to express themselves in styles of popular music beyond traditional church music. Initially called 'Jesus music,' the term now typically refers to pop but also includes Christian rock, hip-hop, metal, contemporary worship, and other styles. After its development in the United States, CCM became a globally recognized style of faith-based popular music, with representation on several music charts including Billboard's Christian Albums and the UK's Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart.
- origin
- United States
- era
- 1960s–present
- field
- Music genre
- also_known_as
- Christian pop, Jesus music
- key_influences
- Jesus movement revival, rock and roll, folk music
- notable_artists
- Larry Norman, Andraé Crouch, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, MercyMe, Lauren Daigle
Lore & Background
The genre became known as contemporary Christian music as a result of the Jesus movement revival in response to the American counterculture during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Young people from the counterculture, convinced of the bareness of a lifestyle based on drugs and free sex, became known as 'Jesus people' and began playing instruments and singing songs about love and peace that translated into love of God. Other pioneers included Andraé Crouch and the Disciples, the Imperials, Phil Keaggy, and Keith Green.
Reader's Guide
Contemporary Christian music emerged from the Jesus movement revival of the 1960s and 1970s, evolving from 'Jesus music' into a multimillion-dollar industry by the 1980s. It has since become a globally recognized genre with representation on major music charts. The genre encompasses multiple subgenres including Christian rock, hip-hop, metal, and contemporary worship. The genre continues to influence worship music and appears on streaming services under Christian and gospel categories.
Did You Know?
- By the 1980s, the small Jesus music culture had expanded into a multimillion-dollar industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Contemporary Christian music (CCM)?
CCM is a genre of modern popular music whose lyrics center on Christian faith themes. It is also commonly called Christian pop or, in its earliest days, "Jesus music."
Where and when did CCM originate?
The genre emerged in the United States during the 1960s, driven by artists inspired by the Jesus movement revival who wanted to express their faith through popular music styles rather than traditional hymns. Rock and roll and folk music were key influences on its early sound.
What subgenres fall under the CCM umbrella?
While the term most often refers to Christian pop, CCM broadly encompasses Christian rock, hip-hop, metal, and contemporary worship music. Essentially, any popular-music style with faith-centered lyrics can be categorized under CCM.
Who are some of the most notable CCM artists?
Foundational figures include Larry Norman and Andraé Crouch, who helped shape the genre in the 1970s. Later stars like Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, MercyMe, and Lauren Daigle carried CCM into the mainstream over subsequent decades.
How is CCM different from gospel or traditional worship music?
CCM borrows production and songwriting conventions from mainstream pop, rock, and hip-hop rather than sticking to church-hymn structures. Its roots trace back to the 1960s Jesus movement, which pushed believers to use contemporary secular styles as vehicles for faith-based messages.
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