Live Footage of Heather Headley @ EMI Gospel Showcase

Spotted by Bob Marovich, of the Black Gospel Blog. The song is called "What I Wish for You," and the performance is from August. He says a full-length gospel album is due from the acclaimed Broadway singer this fall. "I grew up in the church," says Headley, in a recent journal entry on her official Web site, "actually above the church, and this album not only grants me a way for me to sing music I've always wanted to, but it also gives me a chance to give God some overdue praise for everything He has done, and continues to do for me."

New Releases Today

• Tonya Baker: Special Friend 
  
• Lecrae: Rebel (See here for info. on where to find it!)
  
• Take 6: The Standard
  
• Trin-I-Tee 5:7: T57 Deluxe Edition
  

Andale Mixtape Pushed Back

The White Flag mixtape will be out on October 17 instead of today. Check Andale's MySpace page for further updates.

Lecrae Album Sightings!

I plan on doing my run-down of urban Christian releases later today, but wanted to let you know that I've seen Lecrae's Rebel on the Reach Records Web site (regular version and deluxe edition, with an album USB wristband with exclusive content, a sticker, and a special edition T-shirt) and on  iTunes and Amazon. Lecrae's MySpace says the album also will be available at Christian bookstores and Walmart. 

Amazon only had 2 copies, if you get your music there...

Song lyrics also are available here. Filter available songs by disc.

Ambassador Performance/Discussion on Day7.tv

I'm not a PR agent for The Ambassador or anything; he's just been extremely busy lately! And it's a blessing for all of us who enjoy holy hip-hop.

Check out the Sunday, Sept. 28 episode of Day 7. You can view the whole service, or skip ahead to "Special Music--The Ambassador."

Ambassador lives up to his name, serving as an ambassador of holy hip-hop to an audience that he acknowledges might not follow, or even like, hip-hop and urges them to open their hearts and minds to his message and how it was delivered. 

Sounds like the lyrics for his four-song set appeared on a screen to enhance comprehension in the audience. "I hope you can appreciate the fact that God's mindset has been poured in,"Ambassador said of his music, noting that his mission is to "communicate a passion for Jesus Christ in a language that's familiar to some." 

In addition to performing the songs, he reiterated that "every type of person has access to the same God, because he so loved the world." Ambassador told the audience that he used to think that God didn't like Him because of his appearance--which included XXL shirts on his small frame. But Ambassador found that "He loves you, with your 'do rag and your purple hair, and your fitted cap." 

Ambassador noted that he used to think, "I'll get with the Lord when I look more like his type." He admitted that many have a mindset that God is only available to a certain type of person, and that to give your life to the Lord, you have to embody that specific type of person. He ultimately found that to be untrue, however. 

He related turning his life over to the Lord, dressed like a member of hip-hop culture, and dreading having to wear suits. "Change my insides; leave my clothes alone," he joked of his feelings on his conversion. But he ultimately got a message from God to continue dressing like he did before. He began to run into people, in street clothes, and share the gospel. Those people told him, "never have we heard such words come out of such...a crusty looking frame, a nobody, a regular dude." People were accepting his message and not rejecting his appearance. He realized that God was telling him, "people are going to see you and think they got you figured out, and they're going to be all wrong...People are going to rethink their thoughts about Me because of their encounter with you." Powerful message.

Niyoki In-Store CD Signing Events

From Niyoki's MySpace page:

• Saturday, Oct. 4: Baton Rouge, location TBD
  
• Saturday, Oct. 18: Atlanta, location TBD
  
• Saturday, Nov. 1: New Orleans, location TBD
  

Check her MySpace for further details.

More Details on Ambassador's Philly Concert in November

Gotta take a moment to rep my closest city and my alma mater!!! As I mentioned here, The Ambassador will have a MILK to MEAT Concert Series date in Philadelphia on Saturday, Nov. 8. New details: The concert will take place in The Underground, at Temple University's Student Activities Center (1755 N. 13th St.). 

Along with The Ambassador and Trip Lee will be Da T.R.U.T.H., Mac da Doulos, and Stephen the Levite. Tickets, which will be available online and at the door, will cost $10, with The Chop Chop CD included; or $6, with no CD.

 

Space is limited; only 400 tickets are available! Lemme try to get a babysitter lined up right now.

Lecrae: 9 Ways to Make Your Life Count

Lecrae recently posted this interesting article to his MySpace blog. Here are some snippets:

"4. Get discipled or get a disciple. Get wiser people to teach you how to be like Jesus. (Make sure they are like Jesus. They don't have t be older in years (that's a bonus!), but they need to be more mature than you are in the things of Christ.)"

"6. War with your sin. Read Romans 6 and 8. Actually begin to attack a sin you are battling. (Hebrews 12)"

And there's much more; read the full article here. Great advice for strengthening your faith and walk with God. Can't wait to hear what else he has in  store for us on Rebel, which drops on Tuesday!

Sunday Morning: Niyoki Video Premiere on BET

Niyoki's new video, "Joy," will run on BET's Video Gospel, at 10 a.m. Enjoy!

Holy Hip-Hop or Holy Hip-Not?

This paraphrases the title of an excellent article by Heiress on the Holy Ridaz site. Here's a little taste:

"In our day, there is one fact…the one culture that unifies all cultures, nations, creeds, etc is hip hop. That can not be denied. Hip Hop culture & its music are one. Why wouldn’t God use hip hop? It’s a unified culture among the nations crossing every line of division imaginable. Since music is it’s life force, it includes the main element of praise. This isn’t rocket science."

I agree wholehartedly. Hip-hop is a tool waiting to be used. It is a genre with a diverse fan base, covering all racial and ethnic groups and a couple generations, to boot. "Sesame Street" regularly uses hip-hop to teach letters, numbers and other concepts to children. Anyone listening to East Coast secular hip-hop has had an automatic geographic lesson on New York's 5 Boroughs for years--whether or not you've been to Farmers Blvd., Marcy Projects, or "Shaolin," you probably know these places are in Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island, respectively. Same thing with rappers who rep other regions. KRS-One used the phrase "edutainment" to describe his music; why couldn't this genre with overwhelming love worldwide be used to amazing effect by followers of Christ to teach a hungry world?

The world is starving for substance on all fronts, me included. A line from Common's "Ghetto Heaven" always stuck with me: "the blunted eyes of the youth search for a God." I have been searching for more in my life and can say that I have found an increasing level of peace by putting my trust in the Lord. I started this blog to share the good Christian music that I have found with others because, for me, just buying a "clean" version of a secular album on iTunes wasn't enough to soothe my soul. I have been excited to find a new world of music with substance, music that has inspired me to press on with my faith and to learn as much as I can about the Lord.

The holy hip-hop landscape is definitely a nurturing smorgasbord for willing listeners. As I get more and more into this genre, I am impressed by the level of teaching I hear in the songs, from various artists. Not just in the songs, but also in album interludes as well. There is a lot to be learned from these artists, some of whom I’ve learned have divinity degrees and their own churches. They have a willing audience, of babies just learning to walk, all the way up to people in their forties who marveled firsthand at the architects of secular hip-hop. For those who want more out of life than sin, holy hip-hop is preaching to the choir--only the folks don’t know they’re in the choir until they listen.

New Video From Washington Projects

It's called "You Are My World." Saw this on Dat Other Hip Hop.

New Video from Shachah

Big-up to Exotic Mommie, at Hipe Hope Gospel! The video is for "Arise (Stand Up)," off the hip-hop/rock band's latest album, On the Move.

Ambassador's MILK to MEAT Concert Series/Teaching Dates

From his MySpace page:

• Sept. 27, Van Nuys, CA: The MILK to MEAT Concert, special guest Da' T.R.U.T.H.
  
• Oct. 3, Glendale, NY: The MILK to MEAT Concert
  
• Oct. 31, South Yorkshire, London and South East: The Ambassador Teaching: Calvary Chapel of South London Men's Retreat
  
• Nov. 1, South Yorkshire, London and South East: The Ambassador Teaching: Calvary Chapel of South London Men's Retreat
  
• Nov. 8, Philadelphia: The MILK to MEAT Concert, special Guest Trip Lee

UPDATE: Ambassador will also be performing with Da' T.R.U.T.H. at the Van Nuys Seventh Day Adventist Church, in Van Nuys, CA, on Saturday, Sept. 27. The event is a fundraiser for HOPE's House Christian Ministries.

New Music Today

• Grits: Reiterate
  
• Sean Simmonds: It's Over
  

Looks like a slow day, folks.


UPDATE: I didn't forget about Ambassador's The Chop Chop. His MySpace says it was out on Tuesday, but Amazon and iTunes are saying 9/30. Anyone have it? Where did you get it? Do tell. : )


UPDATE 2: All righty, I see it's on the Cross Movement Records Web site, for MP3 download or CD via snail mail. Feeling much better now! Review to come.


UPDATE 3: Christian outlets got The Chop Chop on 9/23, retail outlets like Wal-Mart get it on 9/30, and digital outlets like iTunes will have the album for sale on 10/7.

Interesting Fiction Book Touching on Marriage

I haven't read Fireproof [Thomas Nelson], written by Eric Wilson, based on a screenplay by Alex and Stephen Kendrick, but it sounds worth a look, based on what the folks at the Christian Manifesto are saying: 

"We live in a society where the marriage relationship is not appreciated or taken very seriously. The easy thing to do when things get difficult is to divorce, and we see this pattern played out over and over again for so many couples. Fireproof is a story written to challenge our culture’s perspective on marriage. Yes, we get some great action sequences and suspenseful moment throughout, but the heart of this story is found in Caleb’s resolve to save his marriage and fight for the woman he loves."

The book is slated to become a movie this fall, according to Kendrick Brohers Productions.

Album Review: My Name Is Pro Mixtape

Just about 15 years ago, Nas marveled at how “the rap game remind me of the crack game.” Pro’s new mixtape, My Name Is Pro, makes a lot of references to drug dealing, but instead of glorifying that lifestyle, he focuses on the costs of playing the game and the advantages of getting out. Other targets on the producer/rapper’s satisfying new release, hosted by DJ Wade-O, include secular rappers, hypocritical Christians, and the downtrodden who need to know the Good News of the Savior.

On “What Are We Living For,” Pro, who previously released a mixtape called Jackin’ for Hits, which featured beats from the likes of Jay-Z, Ludacris and Rich Boy, borrows rhymes and styles from Eminem, Kanye West and DMX to introduce the three vignettes in this song. We hear about a downtrodden boy who commits suicide, an aspiring rapper who unsuccessfully holds up a liquor store to garner enough money to launch a drug enterprise, and listen to Pro criticize secular rappers who glorify drugs and violence to get paid. “You winning at getting money/but you’re killing the losers/and that’s these kids, so you killing our future,” Pro objects.

“Grave or the Box” similarly uses Pro’s solid storytelling skills to reiterate the futility of the fast life. In this song, which is backed by a mournful rock track with a heavy boom-bap style-beat, he rhymes from the perspective of a drug dealer at the crossroads of faith and fortune who chooses the latter—and ultimately death—despite reading in the Bible that “pride goes before destruction.” The young man, whose mother frequents the crack house and father is in the jailhouse, learned of Christ through his grandmother, but divorced himself from God after his grandmother died of cancer. Time at church similarly did not do anything for his faith: “I risk my life on the block every day/to sit and listen to this dude that’s fake? No way.”

While some dismiss holy hip-hop as a “slow” cousin of the secular version, Pro proves time and again that capable producers and lyricists are repping the Lord, even taunting those from the secular league for having empty, simplistic songs. “Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” shouts out a handful of Christian rappers and boasts of their prowess: “I take any one of them to your roster/bet that they make a clown of your best hood impostor,” says Pro.  “Classic Flow,” which chronicles Pro’s journey in producing and rapping, and “Turn Out the Lights” also reveal the life of a Christian rapper. In the latter, which samples from Teddy Pendergrass, Pro is trying to beat the clock to complete a song before the electric company cuts his power. But he’s not really concerned: “Down to my last dime and I ain’t worried about nathan/ain’t no way I’m doing this work and God gonna let them/turn off the lights.”

Pro’s songs are laden with inspirational and cautionary messages, but he takes the extra step of speaking plainly in several interludes airing conversations with DJ Wade-O on his faith, his hopes for fellow Christians and his mission with his music.

Pro sees himself as a leader, and to anyone that finds fault with his music, he says, “The record is a petition. If you don’t like what I’m doing, pray for me. Don’t get on a message board and talk bad about me; pray for me.”

He also encourages Christians to not take themselves so seriously (“You’re not a slave no more to sin…pop your collar!”), but also to not forget to uplift others, cautioning that The Great Commission was not to become saved for your own sake, but to reach out and lead others toward salvation.

If you are new to Christian hip-hop, never fear. In a time when many feel secular hip-hop is taking it last breaths, artists like Pro prove that hip-hop isn’t the problem; it’s the hearts of the rappers. Pro has his heart in the right place, and has some jewels for you to get yours straight, too.

Download My Name Is Pro here.

DJ Wade-O Interviews Ambassador on Radio Show

From Illspot.net. On Wade-O's 75th episode, they talk about Ambassador's upcoming album, The Chop Chop, and other topics like the current state of holy hip-hop and Ambassador's  experiences co-pastoring at Epiphany Fellowship, in Philadelphia.

Podcast is available here (enhanced iTunes version) and here (MP3).

FREE Mixtape From Andale Dropping 9/30

Check his MySpace page for further details.

Workshop for Abuse Survivors in the Philly Area

Sexual abuse is a topic that many people, including victims, would rather not discuss. But discussion that leads to transcending the pain is beneficial in healing the emotional scars that haunt a person after an incident or series of incidents.

One of my good friends, award-winning journalist Sylvia Coleman, has been teaching a class in Philadelphia as part of Temple University's PASCEP Program for several years now. Her class, "From Victim to Victor," starts up again on Tuesday, the 23rd. (Sylvia is also author of a memoir on surviving victimhood, Creating a New Normal: Cleaning Up a Dysfunctional Life, and the founder of the national organization Black Sexual Abuse Survivors.)

The class is for adult African-Americans who have experienced trauma from past abuse, as well as people who want to help survivors of abuse. It is chock-full of holistic ideas for starting on the path toward healing. Class participants will be kept anonymous to each other; no children allowed.

The fee for the class is $20, though a discount or waiver may be available to seniors 65 and older and individuals who can provide proof of unemployment, according to the course catalog.

Late registration is available on Monday, Sept. 22nd through Thursday, Sept. 25, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in PASCEP headquarters, Temple University's Entertainment and Community Education Center, at 1509 Cecil B. Moore Ave., 2nd floor. If the class is not full, there may be an additional fee of $5 added to the class cost, according to the PASCEP catalog.

For more information, contact PASCEP at (215) 204-1993.

Lecrae Shares on Beats, Rhymes and Life...

...in a 5-part video series released by Reach Records. His new album, "Rebel," drops on Sept. 30.
Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

Part 5:

New Music This Week

• Lashell Griffin: Dreams Are Possible
  
• DJ Morph: International
  
• Kevin LeVar: Let's Come Together
  
• Group 1 Crew: Ordinary Dreamers
  
• Renee Spearman & Prez: He Changed Me
  

Debra Ashley's "He's a Friend" Video

This just premiered on BET Gospel on the 14th.

"My Name Is Pro" Mixtape Now Available!

Click here to download. Check back soon for a review!

New Video Series From Urban D

Here is the first installment of "Tranzlations," called "Un.certain."

It focuses on the current state of the economy in the U.S. Two more installments to come.

FREE Holy Hip-Hop Mixtape Dropping on 9/15

Illspot.net says on Monday, Pro and DJ Wade-O will serve up "My Name Is Pro (The Introduction)" for FREE. In addition to a sneak preview of upcoming album Blackout, there will be songs from "The Pro Show" and "Transformers--The Mixtape."

Pro's Jackin for Hits mixtape is currently available here, also for FREE.

Flame's "Joyful Noise" Video

Review of his latest album, Our World Redeemed, to come.

How Sweet the Sound Concert Series Starts Tomorrow

The choir competition kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 13 in St. Louis, according to Gospelflava.com. Grammy-winning producer Donald Lawrence, Marvin Sapp, and Hezekiah Walker will serve as judges (with a local radio host), and perform in each city. Smokie Norful will show on some dates as well.
Choirs winning in each city will compete in a national final in Atlanta on Nov. 8, with a top prize of $50,000 and bragging rights to be the best choir in America.

Cities and dates are as follows:

• Sept. 13: St. Louis
  
• Sept. 15: Atlanta
  
• Sept. 18: Newark
  
• Sept. 20: Detroit
  
• Sept. 23: Philadelphia
  
• Sept. 26: Washington, D.C.
  
• Sept. 29: Chicago
  
• Oct. 2: Memphis
  
• Oct. 6: Houston
  
• Oct. 10: Oakland
  
• Oct. 13: Los Angeles

For more information, visit howsweetthesound.com.

September Is Gospel Music Heritage Month

The House of Representatives and Senate came up with this designation to "honor a true American art form for its vast contributions to our culture," according to the Gospel Music Channel Web site. Visit the network's site for details on upcoming TV programs, concert dates, and a brief history of the genre.

Review of Dietrick Haddon's "Revealed"

The world never stops turning; we either find a way to cope with what’s going on or get rolled over. Dietrick Haddon’s sixth solo album, Revealed, deals heavily with choice in our lives, and how choosing God is most beneficial.

“I’m Alive,” outfitted with a thumping beat topped with a joyful flute, urgently demands you to choose victory when problems arise, while “Let Me Go” kicks the devil to the curb with its no-nonsense rock beat. Similarly, “Go With Me,” a danceable electrofunk romp, dares the listener: “you can do it if you wanna…put some work behind your faith.” “Love Him Like I Do,” the electrified head-nodder featuring Mary Mary and Ruben Studdard, enables the three acts to sum up the rewards one can receive from faith. “God saved me from myself when no one else was around,” sings Studdard in the album's lead song.

Just as Haddon understands his listeners grapple with faith and situations that threaten to pull them away from God, he alludes to his personal struggles on the autobiographical “Soul Survivor” and gives insight into what keeps him going. “I got to tell myself/just ignore them/think about the souls that you must win/it’s your anointing that they’re scared of/just keep showing them love,” he shares.

Though most of the songs describe or call for decisive action, several others echo the anguish of a fallen moment. “It’s Raining,” with its exotic drumbeat, cries out for understanding, as does “I Need Your Help.” “Ungrateful,” a turbulent funk track punctuated by a sinister violin,  expresses shame for not being satisfied with what the Lord has done: “you've given the gift of life, oh, that's a fact/what would we do if you took it all back?” Haddon asks.

Black entertainment site EURWeb reported that Haddon wanted to speak to a broad range of people with this album. “Our music has to reach beyond religious beliefs to connect on a greater level,” he stated. The wide range of musical influences heard on this offering, including Michael Jackson, Rick James, Lenny Kravitz, Kanye West and Timbaland, ensure that many ears will be piqued enough to hear the messages within. Though the quality of the music sometimes distracts from the lyrics, Revealed is a solid inspirational work.

New Releases This Week

• Ayiesha Woods: Love Like This
  
• Christina Lee: Since I Found You
  
• Jason Nelson: Place of Worship
  

Mary Mary "Get Up" Video

Album in stores October 14.

Trin-I-Tee 5:7 to Release Deluxe "T57" Version

According to Totalpraise.net. The re-release of this 2007 Dove-winning and Grammy-nominated album will include 4 new songs and 2 videos. Following the release will be the "Midday Getaway Tour," pairing daytime performances on radio and in malls with evening church concerts. Dates to come.

Deitrick Haddon "Love Him Like I Do" Video

New Releases This Week

• VIP Mass Choir, Featuring John P. Kee: Live in Miami [Verity]
  
• Shachah: On the Move [Cross Movement]
  
• Deitrick Haddon: Revealed  [Verity]
  

Learning to Travel Light

If you’re familiar with the song “Bag Lady,” by Erykah Badu, chances are you can also identify with the song, of a woman who is in danger of missing her bus because she is carrying too many bags.

Emotional baggage can cause you to miss out on blessings when your “bus” comes in. We can become so burdened with a gigantic host of problems that we collapse under the painful weight of the past or the dull ache of future fears. We need to learn how to cast off our emotional baggage and travel light so that we are more prepared to go wherever it is that God’s hand will take us.

One excellent book to instruct you in the art of traveling light is The Trauma Zone: Trusting God for Emotional Healing  [Lift Every Voice], by R. Dandridge Collins, PhD. Dr. Collins, who is trained in counseling psychology and pastoral psychology, and owns the Pastoral Counseling Network, says that people who have experienced various levels of emotional pain are not fully living in the present but, rather, in the “Trauma Zone,” a place where the goal is reduced to daily (or even hourly) survival—surviving one more slight from a family member, friend or co-worker, one more flashback to a painful memory, or one more drink, hit, calorie-laden meal or anonymous sexual partner to unsuccessfully numb our pain.

Dr. Collins discusses psychological principles of the Trauma Zone that keep us emotionally paralyzed and details patient case studies and passages from the Bible that show how people overcame internal struggles through relationship with God. These range from Jesus blocking temptation from the devil to use his God-given strengths for personal gain, to Jonah who, in fear, did not want to follow through on God’s command and ultimately found himself facing the prospect of death in the ocean, inside a large whale. Prayer to God and a renewed commitment to God’s desires for his life turned his situation around.

In addition to the stories, Dr. Collins provides homework, self-reflection exercises for overcoming each way that emotional trauma can cause a person to shut down. He also offers powerful prayers that can be used repeatedly to gain strength in challenging situations. Prayer topics include gaining strength to face fears, putting painful memories of the past to rest, and silencing destructive thoughts. Additionally, appendices provide a list of relevant self-help organizations, recommended books to read, and guidelines for choosing a "support person"--someone to whom you can turn to with problems and get the inspiration you need to overcome them. This comprehensive book is a cool drink of water to a thirsting sufferer.

Check One, Check Two…

I am a sinner saved by the grace of God. I am a person who has wandered for years in a desert of solitude and supposed self-sufficiency. Without really letting anyone in, God or otherwise, I have been a prisoner of selfishness, self-absorbency, and negativity. I have recently decided to strengthen my walk with the Lord, and have slowly, brick by brick, begun to feel the mental wall I’ve built around myself disappear. I am still putting in the challenging work to become whole, but even the small feeling of liberation I have experienced so far has been absolutely amazing.

I am nowhere near the end of my journey with God, and I certainly don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I hope that if you are searching for the peace from God, which passes all understanding, that you will find information on this blog that will inspire you to keep searching for answers and to become the stronger, more enlightened, more loving person that God wants you to be.

We do not have to continue down the dark roads of external and internal hatred, of fear, of harmful pride that we find ourselves on. With Christ, and in relationship with others who follow him, we can find our way home, to our Father, and to unconditional love that we, ultimately, will learn to bestow on others.

At times, the topics I focus on may be heavy, in the form of book reviews or interviews with Christian entertainers and thinkers, but I hope to also lighten your mood, with holy music that will bring you the “edutainment” that is missing in much of the secular music that is put out today. Enjoy, and please contact me with your thoughts, feelings, and requests.