One of the most common downloads these days is praise or gospel songs. Gospel songs have various subgenres but all of them are in demand and they enjoy a great number of patrons from all over the world.

The origins of gospel songs are not documented well, but many historians believe that this musical genre actually evolved from the 18th century slaves from Africa. When they arrived in foreign lands, they naturally maintained their culture, however, most of them were forbidden by their owners to play any of their instruments. So, what they did was incorporate music in their daily tasks like working in the fields. The songs were mainly about God and working hard. This was the time when the field holler was invented and others were encouraged to answer as well as sing along. This is why when you download praise gospel songs these days, they are usually in question-and-answer forms.

Slavery was eventually abolished and African-Americans started migrating to bigger cities in the north. They clang to their music and brought it indoors too, like the churches they started to attend. The practice begun where church soloists sung and the choir responded. It became a popular way to celebrate God and the goodness of life he allowed people to have.

Thomas Dorsey, an Afro-American pastor's son and a musician, brought praise gospel music to the masses by promoting it in unconventional venues outside the churches. He wrote a lot of religious songs that became very popular. In fact, the genre became so popular that radio stations created a program dedicated to it alone. It has evolved and has influenced other genres like jazz and blues. To date, praise songs continue to dominate the music industry.