Tag: Urban

"Witness" – Christian Gill

“Witness”
Christian Gill (2014)
www.christiangillmusic.com

Christian Gill Witness art work

He’s been singing since he was three. Now Christian Gill is in high school, and his aspirations are clearer: he wants people to be “inspired to bless and worship God through his music.” Thankfully, we have the opportunity to do so as we listen to Christian’s current single, “Witness,” downloadable via iTunes.

With his generation in mind, Christian makes full use of synths and percussion for a head-bobbing, speaker-thumping effect as he recites John 10:10. He then jolts into multi-layered lead and self-backing vocals proclaiming, “There’s nobody that can love me like You can / Can’t nobody do the things that You can…”

Christian has racked up several honors in his young career, including Best Soloist at Disney’s Annual GospelFest and winner of Amateur Night at the Apollo “Stars of Tomorrow.”  Presently, the talented New Yorker is a praise and worship leader at his church, Greater Blessed Hope.

Official Music Video – “Amazing” – Livre’

“Amazing” will hit iTunes this Tuesday, March 25.  In the meantime, enjoy the official music video by urban inspirational worship singers, Livre’, whose self-titled debut project is expected to be released this summer.


"So Good" – Ruth La'Ontra

“So Good”
Ruth La’Ontra
From the CD, So Good (2013)
Tyscot Records
Ruth La'Ontra So Good art work

By Shaundria Williams
Special Contributor 

Music lovers have all kinds of music.  Music for exercising, music for long drives, music for cleaning the house, music for getting ready for church—we create the soundtrack of our lives.  That being said, Ruth La’Ontra’s debut project, So Good, is SO GOOD!  Cousin Ruth (in my Kirk Franklin voice) has sung me
to work for a couple of months now.  Although her entire project is phenomenal, one song has been on repeat: the title track, “So Good.”

 
This neo-quartetish ballad reminds me of all-night “sangings” way back over in the woods.  You know the ones that started at three in the afternoon and didn’t end until ten or twelve at night?  In this scenario, Ruth La’Ontra’s group would sing after the offering.  And if they managed to complete their selections without singing “it,” you’d be sure to see members of the congregation with their index fingers up motioning for an usher, then handing over a folded slip of paper and whispering, “Give this to Ruth so she can sing ‘So Good.’” 
 
It starts out as a gentle conversation between God and His beloved child.  God simply asks her, “How does it feel…” followed by several illustrations of His loving kindness.  She simply replies, “It feels good, good to me.”  Somewhere around three minutes (2:53 to be exact), Sis. Ruth thinks about that “thang” and decides to tell God JUST how good He is to her.  As she testifies, her background vocalists support her with a simple refrain: “So good.”  The harmonies along with the horns are sure to spur a good “stank face.”  As for Sis. Ruth, I believe she’s got a little preach in her.  Check in tomorrow to read Shaundria’s interview with La’Ontra.
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Upcoming Event: Want to see Ruth La’Ontra in person?  She will minister in song on February 1, 2014, at Aberdeen Elementary School at 7:00 PM (doors open at 5:30 PM).  For more information, find her on Facebook and Twitter.  You can also follow her on SocialCam, Instagram, and YouTube.

Anthony Brown & group therAPy sing TCS’s “For the Love of the People” (video)

If you’ve ever seen Anthony Brown & group therAPy live, then you’re familiar with the portion of their show where they pay special tribute to an artist who has greatly influenced them. 

This time the group decided to film one for all to enjoy: “For the Love of the People” by The Clark Sisters.


"Gud 2 Me" – Em Bailey

“Gud 2 Me”
Em Bailey (2013)
T8 Flight Entertainment
Available on iTunes

Em Bailey art work Gud 2 Me

Twenty-two year old Em Bailey is described as a “fierce praiser”—wild and heartfelt.  Her debut single “Gud 2 Me” is all abuzz on the inspirational music circuit, combining gospel, R&B, rock, soul, and pop elements. The uptempo track leans more heavily toward R&B/pop, and—coincidence or not—the vocal stylings of Em and musical elements of “Gud 2 Me” bring to mind another “fierce” R&B/pop female sensation.

The Haines City, FL native is the first artist signed to T8 Flight Entertainment, an urban inspirational company formed by George “GL The GR8” Lott and Pastor Jarvis L. Marshall.

A grammar teacher may grimace upon repeatedly hearing, “He be He be gud / He be gud 2 me,” but the students wouldn’t.  They’d be too busy pencil-tapping the tune’s rhythmic sequences on their desks.

"Ready Aim" – Mali Music

“Ready Aim”

Mali Music (2013)
RCA Records
www.malimusicofficial.com
Mali Music "Ready Aim" art work
By Shaundria Williams
Special Contributor 

SOAP BOX:  My God is so creative, strategic and infinite.  He has a way of ministering to every soul–from sending missionaries to the most desolate corners of third-world countries to impregnating vocalists and lyricists with music directly designed to minister to those who live and breathe HIP HOP.

If you follow Mali Music on Facebook, you’ll notice mixed reviews about his music career. Some folks are praying for him as if he’s hell bound.  Others are head-banging and hailing him a musical genius.  I stand with the Others.  I am often applauded at the naysayers of “Holy Hip Hop,” especially those that believe that Mali Music has backslidden into a secular abyss. I will admit, if “Ready Aim” plays on the secular station between Weezy and Drake, it won’t stick out like a sore thumb as a great gospel hymn.  However, it’s hot enough to lead someone to see what Mali is about.  They’ll run into other tracks like “The Name” or “Walk on Water” which are more “traditional” than the eclectic and reflective track “Ready Aim.”

Ready Aim is truly that FIYAH!  If you listen to it carefully, it is clearly a rebuke for those who question his walk–on either side.  It is biblically grounded; but, you do have to have the Word in your heart to hear it.  This track could easily be the sequel to the hymn “I Have Decided to
Follow Jesus.”  When you decide to follow Jesus, you follow Him at all costs and you’re willing to be attacked on every side: fighting against principalities and powers of the air, internalizing the fact that no weapon formed against you will prosper.  His verse of cadence seems to express his sentiment towards trying to reach the secular audience.  He’s been called to do this, so, if you’re ready, aim and FIRE!

Official Video – “Abide” – Lexi

Lexi has released the concept video for the single “Abide” from her current CD Phenomenal.  Phenomenal is the singer/TV host’s fifth studio album.

Official Video – “Losin’ It” – Mario Brown

Gospel artist Mario Brown has released the second video from his album The Mario Brown Project. 
Mario has had tremendous success with his first single “Glory” which has
been on radio charts for over ten months.

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“Glory” – Mario Brown

Official Video – “What Will My Legacy Be?” – Minister Johnson

“What Will My Legacy Be?” 
Minister Johnson
From the CD, What Will My Legacy Be? – Catalog Vol. I (2009)

www.theministerjohnsoncatalog.com

Minister Lamont C. Johnson, Sacramento songwriter and minister of music, brings you the official video “What Will My Legacy Be?” from his CD of the same title.

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Thank You for Saving Me – Catalog Vol. II – Minister Johnson

Official Video – “Burn It All Down” – Lexi

Malaco Records recently announced the VEVO World Premiere of “Burn It All Down,” the debut video/single from Lexi.

In the video, Lexi showcases her acting skills while illustrating the importance of remaining grounded and connected to family as her star rises.

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“Burn It All Down” – Lexi