Kirk Franklin Protege Prayed for His Collaboration on Kanye West's The Life Of Pablo

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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Mr. Del to Release Faith Walka

Mr. Del is pleased to announce that his fourth solo album, "Faith Walka," will be released on June 18 via DMG and Universal Music Christian Group. A former member of the multi-platinum hardcore rap group Three 6 Mafia, Mr. Del is now widely recognized as an innovator in the Christian rap and hip-hop genre, both as an artist and a producer. 
 

As has come to be expected, "Faith Walka" features collaborations with other well-known artists. The first single, "Sunglasses," features Rod G. Newman, and a music video has just been released. Gospel artist Canton Jones also teams up with Mr. Del on the track, "Forgot to Forgive."

On previous projects, Mr. Del has collaborated with Grammy winner Kirk Whalum, Gospel artists Canton Jones and Lisa McClendon, Dove Award-winning trio Out of Eden and multi-platinum artist Salt of Salt-n-Pepa, among others.

"I feel like I am reintroducing my testimony and ministry to a new generation with a fresh sound and new spirit," says Mr. Del. "The past thirteen years have been a full circle ride in which I have not only grown as an artist, but as a man of God, and I pour out those lessons and emotions in this project. 'Faith Walka' is the testament of a man leaving the world of sex, drugs and hip-hop, and stepping out in faith."

Capital Records to Release Britt Nicole's Gold

Capitol Records is gearing up for the release of the new album from Britt Nicole. Due out February 26th, the newly repackaged Gold which was released on Sparrow Records in March 2012 and debuted at number 41 on the Top 100 Billboard Chart signals Britt's emergence as a pop phenom.

The follow-up to Britt's sophomore effort The Lost Get Found, Gold now features new mixes of its title track and "All This Time. "

Offering both tender ballads and beat-soaked dance-pop songs, Gold showcases the passionately thoughtful lyrics that attest Britt's strength as a songwriter. Its slick and shimmering title track and lead single, for instance, strives to help kids overcome feelings of lonely self-doubt and find their way to courage and confidence.

"The message of 'Gold' is to remind those kids that are struggling that no matter what they have been told they are worth so much more than the words of another," explains Britt. "Once you know that, no one can ever steal your shine."

Former Live Frontman Feels Reborn With New Solo CD

Live was one of the most popular rock bands of the last decade selling 20 million albums. Lead singer Ed Kowalczyk has moved on, however, and reunited with his Christian faith. After growing up Catholic, Kowalczyk experimented with Buddhism and has now come full circle recording songs with Christian overtones as a solo artist with former “American Idol” rocker and Christian Chris Daughtry.

Ed Kowalczyk spoke about his faith in recent interview with CNN's Belief blog: "I went through a whole seeker's life," he said.

The 38-year-old will soon be touring to promote his debut solo album "Alive," out July 6, and says fans will see a "rekindled Ed" and one at peace as a Christian:

"I definitely feel the presence and continue to feel the presence of a higher power that I'm connected to in faith," he said. "That's God."

Daughtry's Day of Fire

Day Of Fire teamed up with Chris Daughtry who co-wrote three new songs on the band’s upcoming new album 'Losing All'. Chris and Brian helped co-write "Hello Heartache" and "When I See You" and Chris and JP helped co-write "Airplane".

Chris opened for Day of Fire before American Idol when he was in Absent Element. He also wore a Day of Fire t shirt on the show.

This is at least the second time Chris has contributed to a Christian album since his AI success. Chris, a longtime Third Day fan, added his unique voice to “Slow Down” on Revelation.

Owl City's 'Fireflies' Lands At No. 1

Adam Young, better known as Owl City, moves to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Fireflies." The track earns the Digital Gainer honor, moving to #1 on Digital Songs chart. The track also moves into the top 30 of Radio Songs in just its third week. The track's popularity is spurring sales of Owl City's debut "Ocean Eyes" as it leaps into the top 10 of the Billboard 200.

Adam shares on his MySpace site: "I follow Jesus Christ Wholeheartedly. He is my life, my strength, my all." His bio in part reads: "Adam Young has been clear since his start in the music industry that although he is a devout Christian he does not want to be put in one box as far as his music goes, it is not Christian Pop, it is not Electronica, it is not Disco Pop, it isn't Synthetically Engineered it simply is music by Owl City."

Diamond Rio to Share "The Reason"

Diamond Rio are breaking new ground with the release of their first album (11th overall) to the Christian market. 'The Reason' releases September 22 in conjunction with their autobiography, 'Beautiful Mess.'

The group, named Vocal Group of the Year twice by the Country Music Association and four times by the Academy of Country Music, says the upcoming disc is more a revelation of who they are than a change in direction for them. "We're not preaching, but we're saying, 'This is who I am and I'm proud of it'," he says. "God is working and we're here for a reason."

This isn't the first time for Diamond Rio to show their spiritual side. Their Christian beliefs are also showcased in their hits 'I Believe,' 'Mama Don't Forget to Pray for Me' and 'One More Day.'

Worship Leader in American Idol finale

The two-part finale of juggernaut "American Idol" begins tonight. The show has become such a vehicle to promote Adam Lambert, it has gotten sickening. His competition is Kris Allen, a 23-year-old worship leader at New Life Church in Conway, Ark., who was doing missionary work in Asia and Africa during the years Lambert was building his pop resume.

Allen is one of several actively Christian musicians to make this year's Top 10, most notably being sentimental favorite Danny Gokey who finished third.

Country Star to Release Christian CD

With 17 #1s, more than 30 charted singles on the Billboard Hot Country Chart and more than eight million albums sold, platinum-selling country star Tracy Lawrence is releasing an inspirational country music compilation entitled The Rock.

Jon Bon Jovi, Joss Stone, 3 Doors Down Go Gospel

Some of secular music's top acts, among them Michael McDonald, Jon Bon Jovi, Joss Stone and 3 Doors Down, take on Gospel music on "Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration."

The collection releases today exclusively at Wal-Mart according to Reuters.

Though artists are sometimes hesitant to talk or sing about their faith, Arnold said it wasn't a concern for 3 Doors Down. "We all grew up in church and we're all Christians. We were happy to do it," he said. "There was no discussion at all of whether or not we should."

"It's something that we'd never really done before, and it seemed like it would be a lot of fun," 3 Doors Down lead vocalist Brad Arnold said of the band's foray into gospel music with "Presence of the Lord." "It seemed like it would also be a challenge because we'd never really recorded that style of song."

According to a press release posted on several of the artists' MySpace pages, the track listing is:
1. Jonny Lang & the Fisk Jubilee Singers "I Believe"
2. 3 Doors Down & the Soul Children of Chicago "Presence of the Lord"
3. Robert Randolph & The Clark Sisters "Higher Ground"
4. Jon Bon Jovi & the Washington Youth Choir "Keep the Faith"
5. Al Green & Heather Headley "People Get Ready"
6. Mavis Staples & Patty Griffin "Waiting for My Child To Come Home"
7. Michael McDonald & the West Angeles COGIC Mass Choir "Storm Before The Calm"
8. Angelique Kidjo "Redemption Song"
9. Aaron Neville & the Mt. Zion Mass Choir "A Change is Gonna Come"
10. Queen Latifah & Jubilation "Oh Happy Day"
11. Joss Stone & Buick Audra "This Little Light Of Mine"

Christian Music Conspiracy?

Relevant Magazine dispels 5 Myths about the Christian Music Industry, including Christian artists can’t “cut it” in the secular world.

Rush of Fools Enjoying Mainstream Success

Rush Of Fools is enjoying some cross-over success with their self-penned duet with Jim Brickman, “Never Far Away.” The song is currently #14 on Billboard’s AC chart.

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Debuts at No. 14

Although platinum-selling modern rockers The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus chose the title Lonely Road for their new release with family and friends at home in mind, the band continues to build a loyal worldwide group of fans propelling their new release to a No. 14 debut.

Prior to the release of Lonely Road, the lead-off single "You Better Pray" had proven itself a national hit in both the Alternative and Active Rock radio formats, with wide video exposure through FUSE, Music Choice, MTVu and MTV2, which premiered their video all day long on "Unleashed."

As for why the Red Jumpsuit isn't a household name, the band's lead singer Ronnie Winter has an idea. "We kind of walk a fine line between what I call Bible-thumping and doing the right thing," Winter says. "I don't beat you over the head with it in our lyrics. We don't beat you over the head with it with our message."

Winter also notes: "Yes, we are all Christian and some of the songs do send out a message but that doesn't mean we fit into the genre of a Christian Band,to have made it this far is a blessing. we are all so happy and thankful,thanks to all the fans,our family,friends."

Third Day makes mainstream play

Third Day is featured on the CNN.com home page today with an article on their mainstream play with the release of "Revelation".

The Fray releases sophomore album to Christian market

The Fray released their sophomore effort to the Christian market yesterday. The band, who sold 3.2 million copies of their debut album How To Save A Life, chose to release their second album in both markets.

That's kind of unusual in a time when a lot of Christian bands are trying to separate themselves from the Christian artist label in order to find mainstream success. But in a video for the song "You Found Me", lead vocalist Isaac Slade says that this is what they would have done the first time if they had the time and where they want to go for the rest of their career.

The first single "You Found Me" was released to Christian radio early this year, and landed at #23 on R&R's Christian CHR. The song was also used as the promo for the new season of ABC's "Lost."

"You Found Me" is a tough song for me,” comments Slade on the band’s MySpace page. “...There's some difficult circumstances my family and friends have been going through over the past year or so and can be overwhelming. It wears on me. It demands so much of my faith to keep believing, keep hoping in the unseen. Sometimes the tunnel has a light at the end, but usually they just look black as night. This song is about that feeling, and the hope that I still have, buried deep in my chest."

Jonas Brothers in concert with Christian friends

The Jonas Brothers performed a concert yesterday at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium, with friends Jordin Sparks, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Phil Vassar, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman.

Quotes from the concert here.

Extreme Home Makeover and Christian Artists

Mark Schultz will be appearing this month on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

The show has a history of featuring Christian Artists including:
Mark Schultz
Sanctus Real
Sandi Patty
David Phelps
Yolanda Adams
CeCe Winans

Believers such as:
LeAnn Rimes
Randy Travis
Jeff Foxworthy
Martina McBride
Laura Bush
List here

They have also partnered with Christian organizations such as Focus on the Family and Lifeway

Crossovers - Take 3

MercyMe - "Hold Fast" (#27 AC), "Here with Me" (#12 AC), "Homesick (#9 AC) & "So Long Self" (#16 AC)

Needtobreathe - "More Time" (#9 Billboard Triple A Radio)

Red - "Breathe Into Me" (#15 Mainstream Rock), "Let Go" (#21 Mainstream Rock), "Already Over" (#18 Mainstream Rock & #26 Modern Rock)

Steven Curtis Chapman - "Cinderella" (#23 Hot AC), "Remembering You" (#22 AC), "How Do I Love Her" (#27AC)

See much more extensive Crossovers 1 and 2.

Christian Artists on "One Tree Hill"

I've never watched One Tree Hill (I'm not in the target audience), but it is interesting to note the Christian artists they've included in the show.

Bleach - "Good As Gold" - ep. #3.07
Debby Boone - "You Light Up My Life" - ep. #3.02
Tyler Burkum - "End of the Road" - ep. #5.18
The Fray - "How To Save A Life" - ep. #3.17; "Look After You" - ep. #3.20
Group 1 Crew - "Forgive Me" - ep. #5.02
Mat Kearney - "Won't Back Down" - ep. #4.03
Jonny Lang - "Beautiful One" - ep. #1.06
Lifehouse - "Broken" - ep. #5.09
Mae - "Skyline Drive" - ep. #2.11
Plumb - "In My Arms" - ep. #5.17
Robbie Seay Band - "Shine Your Light On Us" - ep. #6.03
Switchfoot - "Dare You To Move" - ep. #1.07; #2.05; "The Blues" - ep. #3.11

Radio Gives Needtobreathe More Time

Needtobreathe's "More Time" sits at #1 on the R&R Triple A Top Ten Recurrent chart. Recurrents are songs that have appeared on the Radio & Records (R&R) chart for 20 or more weeks and have fallen below the top 20.