Celebrate with 2013 Stellar Award Nominees: FreeDem Radio as we take over Oakland, Ca on Monday, May 20th

A night full of fun, food and LIVE music. There will be giveaways and raffles for:

* iTunes Gift Cards
* Visa Gift Cards
* Beats by Dre headphones
* Apple iPad Mini
* And more

Live performances by:

* Robin Hodge-Williams
* Tachina Danielle
* Casey & Erica
* Joe Douglass and SOP
* And more

This will be a relaxed atmosphere, so come and hang out with us. This will be THE premier event to kick start your Summer.

Theme: #JeanTeesNTwitter

Get Your Tickets HERE!

It is not a shock that the new show did wonderful during it’s debut.

Here is how it breaks down:

(an except from BET)

April 9, 2013—BET continues to dominate gospel programming with Sunday night’s telecasts of CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL and THE SHEARDS!  According to the Nielsen Company, the 10:00 p.m.* series premiere of THE SHEARDS was viewed by 1.2 million viewers and garnered a 1.0 coverage rating. When combined with THE SHEARDS 11:00 p.m.* encore, the episode attracted nearly 2 million total viewers. THE SHEARDS is now the #1 Sunday cable reality series telecast in its 10:00 p.m.* time-slot this year among adult women 18+ and a top 3 Sunday cable reality series debut for 2013 among total viewers. Hosted by Steve Harvey, CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL 2013 was seen by 1.8 million viewers and garnered a 1.5 coverage rating. CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL remains the #1 gospel telecast on TV for 13 consecutive years.

Sometimes you’ve got to get outside your comfort zone. Sure, it’s become pretty well accepted that the suburban youth workers are going to listen to Lecrae, but for some reason the rest of gospel music still resides outside of the mainstream. (Now, I’m defining “mainstream” as your K-Love, KLTY, Air1 type of Christian radio.)

Sure, Kirk Franklin has had some crossover success, but there is still a wealth of other gospel artists that never get the recognition that they deserve. And I really don’t know why that is. I mean, I’ll put Kirk Franklin & The Family’s Whatcha Lookin 4 or Fred Hammond & Radical for Christ’s Pages of Life Vol. 2 up against anything that Passion has produced in the last 15 years as top-notch worship records.

This album is the latest effort by one of the godfathers of gospel music, Mr. Fred Hammond. You probably know the name. He’s been actively recording since 1985 with at least 25 albums on his resume as a solo artist, member of Commissioned, and with the choir Radical for Christ. The other members of United Tenors, you’ve probably never heard of. Eric Roberson has been recording since 2001 and has worked with the likes of Jill Scott and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Relative newcomer Brian Courtney Wilson has only one album to his credit, but it was enough to earn him a Dove nomination for New Artist of the Year (2010). Most impressive and surprising to me is Dave Hollister of Blackstreet (“No Diggity”) fame.

Music

Gospel really is its own sound. It’s not R&B. It’s not soul. It’s not hip-hop. It’s gospel. The musicianship is amazing, especially the bass. If you’re a musician, you’ve got to at least appreciate the virtuosity of the players.

The album launches with a couple of high-impact, up-tempo numbers. You’re going to hear shades of Prince, P-Funk, Chicago, and some early 90’s hip-hop all mixed together. There’s bass, synth, and crazy drums on tracks like, “Unshakeable” and “Love You Like That.” There a number of more mellow, introspective tracks that, again, are very synth-heavy, such as “Never a Day” and “I Need You.” Occupying the middle ground are several tracks with thoroughly modern production featuring more sampled sounds that might be easier entry points for the uninitiated: “My God is Real,” and “I’m Reminded.”

You get your money’s worth here as well. The shortest song (out of 14), “Where Are You,” clocks in at 4:11. On the flipside, “Never a Day” is 8:04.

Vocals

As the album title indicates, these guys are all tenors, which means that you’re not going to get the vocal range that you would with a more traditional vocal quartet. Rather, you’re going to stay in that boy band type of range. Think Boys II Men or NSYNC. What that’s going to give you is a really smooth, integrated quality. The harmonies are tight and even in the isolations it is hard to distinguish one vocalist from another.

I’ve been listening to Fred Hammond for 15+ years, so I recognize his voice and can say that he takes the lead on much of the record, but everyone has their chance to shine. The basic premise is: solo lead vocal on the verse, group vocal on the chorus, different lead on the next verse. There are some powerful moments of group vocals throughout a given song, most specifically, “Here in Our Praise.”

Lyrics

Maybe this is what they call “burying the lead.” I’ll call it “saving the best for last.” Here’s why this record (and in my experience, all of Gospel Music) is important. The message is clear: God is faithful. He won’t let you down. If you’re feeling good today, praise Him for what He’s done. If you’re feeling down today, remember where He’s brought you from (that’ll preach).

On Pages of Life Vol. 2, Hammond says, “We don’t praise Him because we want results. We praise Him because He’s good. And His mercy endures forever.” Boy, is this a word we need constant reminding of or what? This is the message throughout gospel music. So stretch yourself today and give this one a chance. It may be outside your comfort zone, and maybe that’s just what you need.

And make sure you visit www.DeitrickHaddonRED.com to check out his lyric video and keep up-to-date on the new album!

The upcoming album features the new SUPERGROUP comprised of Fred Hammond, Dave Hollister, Eric Roberson and Brian Courtney Wilson.

The full project is available for pre-order on Amazon now!

You can currently listen to the lead single “Here In Our Praise,” on Freedemradio.com (or below, lol)

YOU’VE BEEN WARNED!

The single is from Khan’s upcoming album, The iKhan Project: Commemorative Limited Edition,which goes in stores on April 30, 2013.

That CD will be the first installment of an ongoing iKhan Project series. You can purchase “It’s Not Over” on iTunes today.

You must have been living under a rock, for the last two (2) years if you haven’t heard ANY tracks off Tasha’s aforementioned independent release, “Smile”. The William Murphy protégé captured the hearts of the country with tracks like; “Smile”, “Happy” and “Confidence”. Well, Ms. Cobbs re-recorded those tracks on this album – however, this is NOT a slight in any way, shape and/or form. While being more refined, now (that’s what happens when you have major label backing … just saying), the tracks MAY be more powerful on this release. Cobbs’ voice oozes passion (along with power – the woman can compete with Tamela Mann in that department) and you can’t help but be moved by listening to just a few songs.

I appreciate the track listing, also – “Get Up” is a great first track. It has an upbeat tempo that inspires people to (gasp) “get up”. The next two tracks, “Love You Forever” and “Happy” are more on the CCM-side of the spectrum. “For Your Glory”, “Grace” and “Smile” are very contemporary gospel in their presentation, while the record-breaking lead single “Break Every Chain” can ONLY be described as an anointing-filled power ballad. Pastor William Murphy makes an appearance on “Greater”, which was to be expected. I’m still shocked that his album, “God Chaser” and Cobbs’ were released on the same day – but hey, I’m not the one making those decisions.

If I have anything negative to say about “Grace”, it would be that I wish it was more than ten (10) tracks. I mean, it’s not like it’s a 7 track album (not mentioning any names or record labels *cough*). I just enjoy it so much that I wish it didn’t end so soon. Be sure to pick it up!

-Your boy, Brown.

I LOVE artists who take their time, when releasing a project. From selecting the right producer(s), song writer(s), to mixing and mastering (I abhor projects that sound as if they were recorded in the bathroom, and mastered using an RCA tape deck from 1992). Then I hear Jor’Dan Armstrong (Twitter @WheresJor_Dan) latest album, “Stronger”. To say that it was a refreshing change of pace from what I’ve been hearing, lately, would be an understatement.

Armstrong opens the album up with a heavy ‘dirty South’ production style.  The coupling of Armstrong’s voice, Dee-1, Canton Jones and Jai on the verse and the track  make it a GREAT choice for an opening track. (See the Soundcloud clip, to take a listen – or you can ALWAYS listen to my show from 4-6PM EST, #ShamelessPlug. lol).

Being that Jor’Dan is a member of the production team known as “The Good Guys”, (with Teddy P and Franchise Tief) the whole album is laced with a slew of incredible tracks.  Bass-heavy beats layered under writing and vocals that speak to the urban crown.  It’s wonderful to hear someone create a QUALITY Urban Gospel album, without the big bucks from a label like RCA Inspiration, Music World Gospel, etc.

Jor’dan does not disappoint, at all, on an entire album. From dance tracks to the progressive reggae-pop “Tropicana”, you will find the originality that makes his albums so unique (check out his debut album, “Champion” and his “Jesus, Fashion and Beats” mixtape).  Memorable hooks and great production make this album a “gotta have”. Be sure to buy today! Listen to samples, below, and pick up your copy.

Merriam Webster defines “change” as

b : to make radically different.

In the last several months, there have been many radical changes at Verity Gospel Music Group. First, and foremost, the leaving of its leader, Jazzy Jordan. Next, the placing of Geo Bivins as the label’s new General Manager. Lastly, Stanley Brown (known from producing many of Hezekiah Walker’s hits, and producing BET’s ‘Sunday’s Best’ ) was promoted to Head of A&R, and Cheryl Marks was promoted to VP of Marketing.

Last Monday, the label announced that it has formally changed its name – Verity Gospel Music Group will now be known as RCA Inspiration. The label plans to release several projects this year, including Fred Hammond’s new group venture, United Tenors (with Dave Hollister, Brian Courtney Wilson and Eric Roberson)(read article here) and a debut album from BET’s Sunday Best audience favorite Latice Crawford (shocked that this wasn’t a Music World Gospel signing? Remember, Stanley Brown IS the Executive Producer of “Sunday Best”).

Even though the name changes, Bivins says that RCA Inspiration will carry on the legacy of excellence and great music that Verity instituted and maintained for decades.