CeCe Winans Returns to Roots with “The Hymns”

CeCe Winans, the 61-year-old gospel veteran, issued a new album titled “The Hymns.” The record presents stripped-down renditions of 16 traditional hymns—such as “Amazing Grace,” “I Need Thee,” and “It Is Well”—with sparse accompaniment and simple vocal phrasing. In June, the album entered Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart at No. 1, marking Winans’s 12th LP to achieve that position.

New York Times

For more than three decades, Winans has topped gospel, Christian, and R&B charts both as part of the duo BeBe & CeCe and as a solo artist. While recent gospel releases have leaned toward crossover sounds from artists like Kanye West and Maverick City Music, Winans’s latest effort looks back to the “mothers of the church of her youth,” emphasizing heartfelt singing over performance. She describes this phase of her career as a focus on legacy and the next generation, noting that she remains in the public eye because mentors once cared enough to teach her resilience.

New York Times

In a video interview, Winans reflected on the album’s inspiration, recalling congregational singing that “was singing from their hearts.” She highlighted the timeless quality of the material, saying the “simplicity and the power in these songs never get old.” Winans also framed her current mission: at this stage of life, her priority is to nurture younger singers, a commitment she attributes to the support she received early on.

New York Times

• “They were singing from their hearts.” — CeCe Winans

New York Times

• “with that one little beat. The simplicity and the power in these songs never get old.” — CeCe Winans

New York Times

• “At this stage of my life,” she said, “it’s all about the next generation.” — CeCe Winans

New York Times

• “I’m only here because somebody cared enough about me to teach me the importance of being strong.” — CeCe Winans

New York Times

• “it’s all about the next generation. I’m only here because somebody cared enough about me to teach me the importance of being strong. My life is dedicated to that now.” — CeCe Winans

New York Times

“The Hymns” offers a counterpoint to the prevailing crossover trend in gospel music, reaffirming the genre’s traditional roots while reaching a broad audience. By foregrounding classic worship songs, Winans reinforces the cultural continuity of gospel across racial and generational lines and positions herself as a mentor for emerging artists.

New York Times