NF Is Taking Over the World

NF's breakout single, "Let You Down," earning RIAA platinum certification for total consumption in excess of 1 million singles sold-combining equivalent traditional sales and on-demand audio and video streams. The song has more than 500 million worldwide streams.


2017 saw a seven-year upward success story pay off in a big way for Michigan rapper NF, punctuating his unassuming rise to becoming one of hip-hop's household names. The rapper just surpassed one billion total streams across his career, including more than 700 worldwide streams for his latest album, Perception. "Let You Down" staked out a spot in the Top 15 of the Billboard Hot 100, signaling another first for the artist. It simultaneously hit #2 on Shazam's Top 10 as well.

Next up, NF takes Perception on the road with the 2018 Perception World Tour beginning January 23. 36 of the 44 dates have already sold out, with remaining tickets going fast. Fans can visit nfrealmusic.com for the Perception World Tour tickets.

"Let You Down" has served as a gateway for countless new fans to experience NF's third full-length album, Perception, which bowed at #1 on the Billboard Top 200. Upon arrival, it sent shockwaves throughout the culture at large as chronicled by Forbes, Billboard, New York Times, Rolling Stone, and many more. The song has reached platinum status in the United States, Sweden (3x Platinum), The Netherlands (2x Platinum), New Zealand (2x Platinum), Ireland (2x Platinum), Canada, Australia and Italy.

In addition, five album tracks have already exceeded 7 million Spotify streams each as he regularly averages over 20 million monthly listeners and emerges among the "Top 60 Most Listened To Artists in the World" currently on the platform.

As part of his quiet culture infiltration, NF (a.k.a. Nathan Feuerstein) has fast become a streaming phenomenon due to overwhelming fan support. Thanks in part to that same fan movement, NF's third studio album, Perception, exceeded expectations to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200, marking not only the rapper's first chart topping release, but also his first release to debut in the Top 10 and cementing Perception's accomplishment as a genuine underdog victory. With more than 35 career syncs to date, including looks on ESPN, FOX, Monday Night Football, VH1 and more, NF and his Real Music movement are here to stay.

Needtobreathe and Zach Williams on TV

As heard on TV...

Needtobreathe's "Feet, Don't Fail Me Now" is being used in Wrangler commercials.

Zach Williams' "Old Church Choir" was used today during Sunday NFL Countdown on ESPN.

Skillet's "Stars" Video Premieres Exclusively On People

After posting a popular article with the rockers, People.com is premiering the new music video for "Stars" from the band's chart-topping album Unleashed. "Stars" follows the band's chart-climbing track "Feel Invincible"; its music video has gained over ten million views on YouTube to-date. You can learn more about "Stars" by visiting People.com's premiere.

Skillet also has quite a presence during the Fall sports season. "Feel Invincible" opens ACC Network telecasts of ACC football.  It is also scheduled to be featured on ESPN promos for the coming season of NFL Monday Night Football, Major League Baseball and ESPN's 2016 NHL World Cup of Hockey programming. WWE's Battleground, TBS' E-League, Rock Band 4 and Nickelodeon's 2016 Kid Choice Sports Awards have already used the track.

ESPN.com Premieres TobyMac's Feel It Video

ESPN.com premiered TobyMac's Feel It music video.



TobyMac is no stranger to the world of sports. Not only have you heard his music throughout SportsCenter, X Games, and ESPY Awards programming, Toby shared:

"Sports were very important to me growing up. It played a huge role in my life. I love sports. I did not take piano lessons or guitar lessons or try to write music until I was 17. It was sports for me and my family. It toughened me up, made me focus and compete." Toby went on to tell ESPN Music "Since I was a kid sports have always played a huge role in my life. From high school hoops to college golf, to hearing my songs as a backdrop to the pros, I owe a lot to athletics."

"This Is Not A Test reminds us that there are no practice runs in life – this is it. It is a reminder to use the time we’ve been given wisely. Let’s use this time to love people well, and to be there for people when they need it. What hits me now more than ever is that you really don’t get a practice run at life,” explains Toby. “This is it. In my friendships, raising my children, loving my wife, loving people, performing with my band and stepping on stage at arenas, I want to make every moment count. I want them to walk away saying 'I feel good. I feel like I can love my spouse well. I can love my friends.' I want them to know love is worth everything you put in. If that happens, then I’ve done what I wanted to do. This Is Not A Test falls in line with trying to pursue God in this crazy world."

Lecrae To Battle Eminem and Drake for Best Rap Grammy

Three Grammy nominations cap a break-out year for critically-acclaimed rapper Lecrae. He joins his contemporaries Drake, Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem as a nominee in the hip-hop category Best Rap Performance ("All I Need Is You"). He's also nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song ("Messengers") and as a featured artist on Erica Campbell's hit record "Help" for Best Gospel Performance/Song.

On Sept. 9th, Grammy-award winning Lecrae released his seventh studio album, Anomaly to critical praise. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart as well as several other Billboard charts.

The album features guest artists Andy Mineo, Kari Jobe, for King and Country and Crystal Nicole.

Lecrae, known for his music message that is often at odds with his hip-hop peers, speaks of monogamy, contentment, and faith. While remaining true to his beliefs, Lecrae has previously managed to garner critical media buzz, release chart-topping albums and mixtapes, headline the highest ticketed tour in the country, draw a Grammy nomination and win a Grammy award for Best Gospel Album. These additional three nominations now gives Lecrae the distinction of four total Grammy nominations spanning his career.

Lecrae has been praised by mainstream and hip-hop press alike with features in Time Magazine, The Atlantic, Entertainment Weekly, XXL, Essence Magazine, Billboard and Vibe Magazine, among others. Radio personality and MTV News Executive Producer Sway Calloway recently proclaimed Lecrae's music as the "Evolution of Hip-Hop."

Lecrae recently completed the U.S. portion of his self-titled "Anomaly" tour, performed with The Roots on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and appeared live on ESPN's nationally televised program SportsNation. He will be releasing his next music video for the fan favorite song "Say I Won't," featuring Andy Mineo, this Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014 in a one-of-a-kind fan event during halftime of the Brooklyn Nets/Miami Heat game at the Barclay's Arena in Brooklyn, N.Y. Lecrae and featured guest artist Andy Mineo will be on hand at the game to deliver the premiere. T-shirts and free song download cards will be distributed to fans. One lucky contest winner will join Lecrae and Andy Mineo in the Sony Suite to enjoy the game and the video premiere. This event is sponsored by Sony Action Cam.

Everfound's "Take This City" to be featured on ESPN'S Monday Night Football

ESPN's Monday Night Football is set to feature Everfound's "Take This City (feat. Joel of for KING & COUNTRY)" tonight during the matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and the New York Giants. Game time is 8:30 PM ET on ESPN.

"We are very honored and excited to have our song featured during one of the most watched nights of television! We can't wait for our family, friends and fans to tune in and experience this with us," says lead singer, Nikita Odnoralov.

The placement and video release adds to what has already been a big year for the band, which has included being featured on WinterJam, and a Dove Award nomination for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year alongside label mates Switchfoot and NEEDTOBREATHE. Everfound is currently wrapping up their headline "Take This City Tour" which hit over 30 markets nationwide and is set to appear on the West Coast run of WinterJam 2014 this November.

ESPN Taps Shonlock's "I Like To Win" For ESPN's Championship Week

ESPN selected Shonlock's "I Like To Win" as one of the official soundtracks for ESPN's Championship Week, which kicks off March 7. "I Like To Win" is a featured track on Shonlock's new CD 'A Night to Remember'.

"ESPN, NCAA Basketball and March Madness are all massive in the world of sports, so to have my song "I Like to Win" picked to be the theme music for this year's Championship Week is amazing," said Shonlock. "God is good!"

'A Night to Remember' spotlights the emotion and power behind the intersection where life and faith meet. With the collaboration between Shonlock and his production partners, Joshua Crosby (Owl City, Matt Kearney) and Solomon "Soul Glow Activatur" Olds (TobyMac, Family Force 5), the 10-song set features guest vocals from Ryan Clark of Demon Hunter, Olds, and longtime friend TobyMac.

Tim Tebow Returns to TV

Tim Tebow has reiterated his interest in being a quarterback in the NFL after it was announced this week that he has been hired by ESPN as a college football analyst for the SEC Network.

The former Florida Gators quarterback said during a conference call with reporters on Tuesday that although he is grateful and excited for his new opportunity with the ESPN network, he still wishes to continue his career as a quarterback long term. The 26-year-old began playing for the NFL in 2010 for the Denver Broncos, and then moved on to the New York Jets where he endured a tougher spell. Over the 2013 preseason period he played with the New England Patriots but was dropped before the regular season got underway.

Tebow told reporters he still trains five days a week, saying: "I feel like I'm the best that I've ever been as a quarterback right now, and I hope I get the opportunity to show that."

The NFL free agent went on to add that he is excited about his ESPN opportunity, saying "but who knows what the next few months will hold?"

Tebow's contract as an analyst for ESPN includes an out clause that allows the athlete to leave the network should a team express interest in recruiting him.

Tebow added on Tuesday that he hopes to be both an objective and positive analyst for EPSN: "I would love to continue to be someone that is positive but also be someone that is objective," Tebow said.

"I have never had a hard time saying what I believe or standing up for something, and hopefully, I can continue to be that same person as an analyst and sharing what I believe about players, about teams, about games."

The evangelical football player will be serving as an analyst for "SEC Nation," where he will travel to league campuses each week to host a Saturday morning pre-game show. While working as a network analyst, Tebow will also contribute to other ESPN sports programs, such as "SportsCenter" and ESPN Radio.

Tebow released a statement Monday announcing his excitement at the new opportunity: "I am so excited that ESPN has given me this incredible opportunity. When I was 6 years old, I fell in love with the game of football, and while I continue to pursue my dream of playing quarterback in the NFL, this is an amazing opportunity to be part of the unparalleled passion of college football and the SEC."

Justin Connolly, ESPN's senior vice president of programming for college networks, added in a statement that Tebow "is an SEC icon with a national fan base and broad appeal. He will be a significant contributor to the compelling content we will deliver with the SEC Network. Tim brings a wealth of knowledge about the game, the conference and the passion among SEC fans."

The NFL quarterback will begin his new analyst gig when Texas A&M opens the 2014 college football season at South Carolina in August.

Craig James Fired by Fox for Faith Based Comments

A Fox Sports college football analyst was fired after just one week once video footage surfaced of him in 2012 speaking of gays having to face God for their sexual choices.

Craig James, a former NFL player who unsuccessfully ran last year for a Senate seat in Texas, said during a campaign debate that gays would “have to answer to the Lord for their actions,” the Daily Mail reported. He also said, to applause, that being gay “is a choice” and those who “choose to do that” face accountability from God.

He made the comments about gays in context of explaining how “God’s going to judge each one of us in this room for our actions."

He added: “We should not give benefits to those civil unions. They should not occur. We have to stay strong on this, this is important, man. … We have a fiscal issue in this country. … We also have a moral issue in this country.”

Fox executives fired him and said he “will not be making any further appearances on Fox Sports Southwest’s football coverage this season,” a network spokesperson told Sports Illustrated.

Another Fox spokesman told the Dallas Morning News, “We just asked ourselves how Craig’s statements would play in our human resources department. He couldn’t say those things here.”
Mr. James was formerly an analyst for ESPN, but took a hiatus to run for Senate. He was hired by Fox Sports a month ago.

At the time of Mr. James‘ hiring, Fox Sports Southwest executive producer Mike Anastassiou called him a “talented broadcaster who I’ve admired throughout his career. His knowledge of college football and the experience he brings as an analyst will be a tremendous asset to our coverage.”

Thousand Foot Krutch Featured on TV and Enjoys Career Best Sales

Going independent has energized THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH as its momentum continues to build following the release of the band's 5-star acclaimed, seventh studio album, The End Is Where We Begin. After entering at No. 1 on the Hard Rock, No. 3 on Alternative and Independent and No. 14 on the Top 200 Billboard charts, the recording continues to sell 41% ahead of its previous best selling album while Canada's favorite modern rockers get ready to launch their stadium shaking rumbles on main stages across North America during this festival season.

Billed as a top headliner for the first time at Christian music's largest festival, Creation Festival, for its 34th annual event (6/29, www.creationfest.com/ne), as well as headlining for the first time Creation 2012 Northwest (7/19, www.creationfest.com/nw), TFK is also featured on the main stages at 8 other festivals. The band will also be featured on the Uproar Festival along with Shinedown, Godsmack, Staind, Papa Roach, POD and others.

"TFK's The End Is Where We Begin is ahead of the last album's sales by 41%, which is unheard of today!" exclaims Shawn Fowler. "Digital singles' sales numbers are even stronger; up 64%. And the festival season is sure to drive that upward momentum as the recording continues to be featured at all the major retail outlets."

In addition to the festivals, TFK is gathering significant radio airplay across multiple formats. Its adrenaline-infused Active Rock single, "Let The Sparks Fly," hit No. 2 this week on SiriusXM Satellite Radio's Octane Big-Uns Countdown (www.siriusxm.com/octane) as its CHR No. 15 and climbing single, "Be Somebody," became the second-highest radio spin-gainer last week in the format.

The band also continues its string of sports entertainment song placements, including new songs from The End Is Where We Begin on ESPN (NASCAR, NCAA basketball), EA Sports NHL 2013 releasing this fall and, most recently, "War of Change" was named as the official theme song for WWE's "Over The Limit" pay per view event happening May 20 (www.wwe.com/music). WWE programming reaches nearly 16 million people per week in the US alone and 14 million more monthly online. "Light Up The Sky" further became the soundtrack for the L.A. Kings' (NHL) playoff reel (http://ht.ly/aFciK).

Thousand Foot Krutch Charts at #14 With Indie Release

Thousand Foot Krutch's biggest debut ever hits No. 14 on Billboard Top 200, No. 1 on multiple Retail Charts and sales tracking 72% ahead of last CD.

Announcing their independence from label life last year, TFK raised money through Kickstarter, then released  its seventh studio album, The End Is Where We Begin, to not only wide critical acclaim, but also its biggest sales debut ever. Since its release last week, the album reached #6 on the iTunes® Top 10 Albums chart, climbed to #2 on the iTunes Rock chart (No. 1 in Canada) and earned the #8 spot on the Rock Singles Chart while capping the week with it highest ever chart position on the Billboard Top 200 at No. 14 with 23,659 albums sold, marking a 72% sales jump over the band's previous best-selling album, Welcome to the Masquerade. The album also landed at No. 1 on the Hard Rock Billboard charts.

The new CD has already had song placements on ESPN (NASCAR, NCAA basketball), WWE and EA Sports NHL 2013 releasing this fall.

The new album is a testament to the bond the band has with its fans. Thanks to the TFK armies across the globe, who helped fund the album through Kickstarter and allowed the band to self-release, TFK has achieved their greatest successes to date.

"Since day one we've actually been uncomfortable with the term 'fans' because these people mean so much more to us," says TFK front man Trevor McNevan. "They're the friends and family of the band, so to speak, and I think they've grown to trust us over the years, which is something that's been built between us and not manufactured."

Fired ESPN Editor Talks Jeremy Lin & The Power of Christ

Life has been a roller-coaster these past two months for 28-year-old Anthony Federico. The former ESPN editor was fired back in February after writing a headline entitled, “Chink in the Armor” for an article about Asian NBA star Jeremy Lin. Federico, who has been open and honest about the fact that the terminology was merely an unintended mistake, promptly apologized. But the damage was already done, as the young journalist quickly became what he calls “public enemy number one.”

On Tuesday, he opened up to The Blaze about how the scenario has impacted his life. He also spoke about how the power of his Christian faith has restored him, while teaching him valuable life lessons.

read article here

Ring The Bell

Ring The Bell, the first feature film from Mark A. Miller, begins production on Monday, March 5. Miller is the lead singer and founder of the country music group Sawyer Brown, and is taking a break from the band's 30th anniversary tour to produce the film.

When slick high -powered agent Rob Decker arrives looking for his next major league prospect, he finds more than he bargained for at the Cooke Boys Ranch. As he works to secure Shawn Hart, the top high school baseball prospect in the country, he encounters a cast of characters who value happiness and common sense over dollars and cents. Filled with music, laughter and faith, Ring The Bell is a transforming story of how one fast-paced executive learns the true meaning of success.

The film features a host of well known Christian music artists: Mark Hall and Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman and Matthew West all play a role in this inspirational drama There are also several former Major League Baseball stars who will be featured in the film, including ESPN analyst John Kruk and Cy Young Award winning pitcher Rick Sutcliffe. The script was written by Mark A. Miller and Thomas Weber, and Weber will direct the production. Ring The Bell is the first release from Whitney Beach Pictures.

Provident Films (October Baby, Courageous, Fireproof) is a partner in the marketing and distribution of the movie. Specific plans and timing will be announced at a future date.

Whitney Beach Pictures is a partnership between Steve Williams and Mark A. Miller's Beach Street Music, the label behind platinum-selling Christian recording artist Casting Crowns. Ring The Bell is the first in a slate of faith-based films to be produced by the independent studio.

ESPN Again Features Switchfoot

ESPN debuted five songs from Switchfoot’s new album, Vice Verses during this past Saturday’s Oklahoma (#1) at Florida State (#5) game on ABC. The telecast also featured Switchfoot’s new video of the first single “Dark Horses.” They were also featured in this past year's BCS Championship game. In conjunction with the CD release, ESPN will host an exclusive stream for fans to be the first to hear the entire Vice Verses album on ESPN.com, which includes a link to a contest for winners to attend the Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena to watch the game with Switchfoot on January 2, 2012. Check out the stream here. Switchfoot will be performing "Dark Horses" on Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight on ABC. Vice Verses will be in stores on September 27.