Before the world learned that Kirk Franklin and Kanye West would collaborate on Kanye's record, Kirk's protégé, Christon Gray, was praying for the situation.
Franklin surprised people by appearing on Kanye West's album The Life Of Pablo, where he is heard praying on the song "Ultra Light Beams," earlier this year. However, before the gospel musician Kirk Franklin entered the studio with West, he called on his mentee to pray for the project.
"He just hit me up and just asked for prayer that if it was an environment that did not really fit what he's trying to do, that he would have the strength to say no," Gray told Hip Hop DX. "'Cause it is Kanye and they had legends in the room. I wanted to be in the room. Andre 3000 was in there and I was like, 'bruh, can we meet?'"
Franklin and West were first pictured in a studio when an image on Instagram surfaced on Jan. 29. Since then, West has spoken highly of Franklin in interviews and featured the gospel producer, songwriter and artist on his latest album.
In an interview with Hip Hollywood, Franklin revealed how he got involved in the project.
"He asked me to be a part of this one song and it's very clear what I represent. No profanity, or something that is outside of my faith or what I preach," Franklin said. "I'm just here to walk out life with people, and whoever. I'm not a pastor to the stars, I ain't trying to be all that, My job is to just win people to God."
Franklin appeared on "Saturday Night Live" to perform the song with West, singers Kelly Price
and the Dream. For the gospel artist, West is not beyond God's grace.
"As a Christian I'm trying to be what God wants me to be to whoever, and nobody is beyond receiving Him," he said. "Nobody's unforgivable, or unredeemable."
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Saturday, May 28, 2016
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Jordin Sparks Leads Worship Service
Jordin Sparks found fame on the "American Idol" stage, but she recently returned to where she developed her musical talents: the church.
The 26-year-old artist led prayer and worship at the Angelus Temple in Los Angeles on Sunday.
"We're so excited about what God is going to do today through our morning of prayer and worship," the church's Twitter account read, along with an image of Sparks.
The visit was not a surprise, as Sparks also shared her plans with fans on Twitter so they could join her at the church or watch the service online.
During an interview back in 2009, the singer spoke about the impact of her faith and the church have had on her career as an entertainer.
"My faith has been a humongous part of how I have looked at my career. I started out singing in church very young and it took off from there," Sparks said in an interview with Cross Rhythms in 2009. "The music business is a very secular world and there are always people quick to point to you as a hypocrite when you mess up with something and fall. I know that God has blessed me to be where I am and everything he has placed before me is just so amazing."
Read full article
The 26-year-old artist led prayer and worship at the Angelus Temple in Los Angeles on Sunday.
"We're so excited about what God is going to do today through our morning of prayer and worship," the church's Twitter account read, along with an image of Sparks.
The visit was not a surprise, as Sparks also shared her plans with fans on Twitter so they could join her at the church or watch the service online.
During an interview back in 2009, the singer spoke about the impact of her faith and the church have had on her career as an entertainer.
"My faith has been a humongous part of how I have looked at my career. I started out singing in church very young and it took off from there," Sparks said in an interview with Cross Rhythms in 2009. "The music business is a very secular world and there are always people quick to point to you as a hypocrite when you mess up with something and fall. I know that God has blessed me to be where I am and everything he has placed before me is just so amazing."
Read full article
Monday, May 16, 2016
Royal Tailor's Tauren Wells Goes Solo
Tauren Wells is best known as the energetic frontman of pop group Royal Tailor, but now, he wants to also be known as a Father, husband, preacher, teacher, and yes--musician.
In September, we learned that Wells had gone solo. On Friday, he released his first new music since 2013: "Undefeated" featuring rapper KB. The massively popular Dude Perfect--which has used Royal Tailor music before--got wind of the new music and insisted upon using it for their upcoming "World Records" video which released Friday.
"We knew that 'Undefeated,' even before we finished writing it, was definitely a song Dude Perfect could use," Wells said in an exclusive interview with NewReleaseToday. "I'm super pumped. It slams. I really feel like it's a strong first move for people to listen and experience [my new music]."
"Undefeated" hit iTunes on Friday, concurrent with the release of Dude Perfect's video featuring the song. Listen to the song here:
Recently re-signed to Provident Label Group as a solo act, Wells is gearing up for a radio single release in August, a six-song EP early this fall and a full-length project in early 2017.
Royal Tailor rose to critical acclaim, garnering two GRAMMY nominations, as well as spots on large national tours, including Winter Jam and the Rock & Worship Roadshow.
"The band was successful, by our measures of success," Wells told NRT. "It was doing well, still growing. I felt like we had just put out our best album. Things were great, relationally, and obviously we're best friends. But to be honest, we were so tired."
Playing around 150 shows per year, Wells--a new father--found the demands of being a full-time touring artist at odds with a growing number of competing callings.
"My primary calling is to be a father in my home, a husband to my wife, to be present. My dad was always present, and I know that's a gift. Another thing I'm called to is my local church. I was so caught up and involved in serving others all over the world that I was missing the opportunity to serve right in my own city. I just got more and more uncomfortable with demands on the road."
Feeling burned out and confused, Wells said he had told one of his mentors that he was ready to stop doing music altogether, but was encouraged to pray and explore what the ideal artist situation could be for his priorities.
"I started thinking and talking with people close to me about reimagining how I could serve people with music and how I balance everything," he said. And that process of thinking and praying led him to a difficult conclusion of ending the Royal Tailor chapter in his life.
"When it came time to make that call, it was really hard, and I think it took the guys by surprise," Wells said. "Obviously that can never go well, but what I can say is that we all certainly want what's best for each other."
Royal Tailor played its last show together in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 6, 2015, and Wells said the only people who knew it was their last show were the four guys on the stage.
"It was so hard--literally, the hardest decision that I've ever had to make," he said. "I really want to emphasize how amazing the Royal Tailor journey was for me. You know, we had known each other since college, so it was a big deal that we were able to do this together, do the things we were able to experience together."
Wells said that while he has heard no plans to keep Royal Tailor going, the three other members of the band have found other creative outlets.
"Where Royal Tailor was at, it was also a good time to use it as a catalyst to step into something new," he said. "And now those guys are playing with country artists and writing songs and Blake [Hubbard] and Jarrod [Ingram] have become this production duo with cuts on NF's new album. They're doing very well making their own paths, and I celebrate that."
read full article
In September, we learned that Wells had gone solo. On Friday, he released his first new music since 2013: "Undefeated" featuring rapper KB. The massively popular Dude Perfect--which has used Royal Tailor music before--got wind of the new music and insisted upon using it for their upcoming "World Records" video which released Friday.
"We knew that 'Undefeated,' even before we finished writing it, was definitely a song Dude Perfect could use," Wells said in an exclusive interview with NewReleaseToday. "I'm super pumped. It slams. I really feel like it's a strong first move for people to listen and experience [my new music]."
"Undefeated" hit iTunes on Friday, concurrent with the release of Dude Perfect's video featuring the song. Listen to the song here:
Recently re-signed to Provident Label Group as a solo act, Wells is gearing up for a radio single release in August, a six-song EP early this fall and a full-length project in early 2017.
Royal Tailor rose to critical acclaim, garnering two GRAMMY nominations, as well as spots on large national tours, including Winter Jam and the Rock & Worship Roadshow.
"The band was successful, by our measures of success," Wells told NRT. "It was doing well, still growing. I felt like we had just put out our best album. Things were great, relationally, and obviously we're best friends. But to be honest, we were so tired."
Playing around 150 shows per year, Wells--a new father--found the demands of being a full-time touring artist at odds with a growing number of competing callings.
"My primary calling is to be a father in my home, a husband to my wife, to be present. My dad was always present, and I know that's a gift. Another thing I'm called to is my local church. I was so caught up and involved in serving others all over the world that I was missing the opportunity to serve right in my own city. I just got more and more uncomfortable with demands on the road."
Feeling burned out and confused, Wells said he had told one of his mentors that he was ready to stop doing music altogether, but was encouraged to pray and explore what the ideal artist situation could be for his priorities.
"I started thinking and talking with people close to me about reimagining how I could serve people with music and how I balance everything," he said. And that process of thinking and praying led him to a difficult conclusion of ending the Royal Tailor chapter in his life.
"When it came time to make that call, it was really hard, and I think it took the guys by surprise," Wells said. "Obviously that can never go well, but what I can say is that we all certainly want what's best for each other."
Royal Tailor played its last show together in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 6, 2015, and Wells said the only people who knew it was their last show were the four guys on the stage.
"It was so hard--literally, the hardest decision that I've ever had to make," he said. "I really want to emphasize how amazing the Royal Tailor journey was for me. You know, we had known each other since college, so it was a big deal that we were able to do this together, do the things we were able to experience together."
Wells said that while he has heard no plans to keep Royal Tailor going, the three other members of the band have found other creative outlets.
"Where Royal Tailor was at, it was also a good time to use it as a catalyst to step into something new," he said. "And now those guys are playing with country artists and writing songs and Blake [Hubbard] and Jarrod [Ingram] have become this production duo with cuts on NF's new album. They're doing very well making their own paths, and I celebrate that."
read full article
Saturday, May 14, 2016
dc Talk Reunites... And the Announcement Sparks Controversy
To the excitement of fans, iconic band dc Talk announced a reunion and performance by group members TobyMac, Michael Tait and Kevin Max. However, the announcement received backlash as it became clear that it may only be for a performance aboard the Jesus Freak Cruise, departing from Miami on July 11, 2017. Marking the first time in 16 years fans will be able to see the band perform, the cruise will travel to the ports of Nassau, Bahamas and Half Moon Cay (Private Island). TobyMac and the Diverse City Band, Newsboys, Kevin Max, Finding Favour, Capital Kings, Ryan Stevenson and Hollyn will perform alongside dc Talk on the Jesus Freak Cruise line-up. Tickets will be available for purchase on May 16, 2016 by visiting JesusFreakCruise.com.
The band demonstrated their sense of humor with the following tweet:
The band demonstrated their sense of humor with the following tweet:
— dc Talk (@dctalkofficial) May 11, 2016
Friday, May 13, 2016
Lecrae Signs to Columbia Records
Columbia Records has announced that it has signed Reach Records founder and flagship artist Lecrae.
Lecrae, for many is the face of modern Christian hip-hop, has in recent years achieved success in the general market, seeing his last several projects, including Rehab and Anomaly, reach the top of the hip-hop charts.
He joins a roster that includes Beyonce, Adele, Pharrell and Snoop Dogg.
As part of the deal, Lecrae will continue to make music "in conjunction" with Reach Records according to NRT.
Lecrae co-founded Reach Records in 2004. The label is the home to artists Andy Mineo, Tedashii, Trip Lee, and KB.
Lecrae, for many is the face of modern Christian hip-hop, has in recent years achieved success in the general market, seeing his last several projects, including Rehab and Anomaly, reach the top of the hip-hop charts.
He joins a roster that includes Beyonce, Adele, Pharrell and Snoop Dogg.
As part of the deal, Lecrae will continue to make music "in conjunction" with Reach Records according to NRT.
Lecrae co-founded Reach Records in 2004. The label is the home to artists Andy Mineo, Tedashii, Trip Lee, and KB.
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
NF's 'Therapy Session' on Billboard
NF's Therapy Session vaults onto the Billboard 200 (dated May 14) at No. 12 with 29,000 copies sold in its first week (ending April 28), according to Nielsen Music.
Therapy Session is the second full-length from the 25-year-old NF (aka, Nate Feuerstein), and second No. 1 on Top Christian Albums, after 2015's Mansion debuted on top with 9,000 in pure sales.
Also on Top Christian Albums, Jordan Feliz's second studio set, The River, arrives at No. 4 (8,000).
After The Voice contestant Paxton Ingram covered Tasha Cobbs' 2013 hit "Break Every Chain" on the show's April 25 episode, his version starts at Nos. 1 and 2 Christian Digital Songs (23,000) and Hot Christian Songs, respectively.
Therapy Session is the second full-length from the 25-year-old NF (aka, Nate Feuerstein), and second No. 1 on Top Christian Albums, after 2015's Mansion debuted on top with 9,000 in pure sales.
Also on Top Christian Albums, Jordan Feliz's second studio set, The River, arrives at No. 4 (8,000).
After The Voice contestant Paxton Ingram covered Tasha Cobbs' 2013 hit "Break Every Chain" on the show's April 25 episode, his version starts at Nos. 1 and 2 Christian Digital Songs (23,000) and Hot Christian Songs, respectively.
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