(Detroit, MI – March 17, 2014) — The multiple GRAMMY® Award winners, The Clark Sisters surprise daytime talk show host Queen Latifah with a special performance for her birthday. The show will air nationally on Tuesday, March 18 (check TV guide for local listings). The Clark Sisters is one of Latifah’s favorite music groups. The sisters and Latifah have been mutual fans for nearly 20 years. “When we received the call from the show’s producers requesting us to make a special guest appearance, we were elated,” says Karen Clark Sheard. “We have followed her career for years and we just love and adore her. She was very surprised, grateful and generous.” The Clark Sisters blessed Latifah with a special performance of the group’s signature hit, “You Brought the Sunshine” along with another surprise. Check out the video below.
The sisters have new and ongoing projects underway: Karen Clark Sheard’s new single, “Sunday AM” (pronounced “Sunday Morning”) will be available on iTunes on March 18 (https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/sunday-a.m.-single/id829725886?ls=1); Dorinda Clark Cole’s new show, The Gospel According to Dorinda, airs weekly on the Word Network on Mondays at 8:00 p.m. ET.; Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark Terrell is currently promoting her Live and Unplugged CD and headlining The Signature Songs of Twinkie Clark Tour; and Jacky Clark Chisholm’s new book, Inspirational Praise, is available online.
He’s back! Mali Music performed on American Idol last week, which was the first and last time I’ll probably watch this season. But this is HUGE!! Seems like Idol judge Jennifer Lopez invited Mali onto the show after catching wind of his music, and boom just like that one of gospel’s best kept secrets is on a major show, on a major network with major people watching! I was too excited for Mali, this was a landmark moment for Mali! Mali performed his newest single “Beautiful”. So click below and check it out for yourself!!
GRAMMY Nominated artist Angel Taylor, (formerly of Trin-i-tee 5:7), graces the stage at Women’s Empowerment 2014. Angel performed her first solo single “Still God” and Trin-i-tee’s radio hit song “Over and Over”. Angel had an amazing performance! Her vocals were flawless and with each solo performance Angel becomes more and more comfortable holding her own ground. Angel took to the stage after keynote speaker Tyler Perry gave an inspiring message of encouragement. Angel also took part in a panel discussion with Grammy nominated artist Janelle Monae and Grammy Award winner Michelle Williams, Jessica Reedy and more. Check out Angel’s awesome performance of “Over and Over” below.
It’s out with the old and in with the new as BET gears up to tape and air the BET Celebration of Gospel, it’s highly popular musical event that fuses R&B, Pop and Gospel artists in dynamic performances to raise the praise. Slight change this year as Academy Award nominated actress Taraji P. Henson replaces Steve Harvey as its host this year. Steve Harvey, comedian and more, has been the BET Celebration of Gospel host for its last 13 years. Keeping with the shows concept and tradition, this years show aims to please and surprise with its lineup of collabs and performances with Ruben Studdard, Grammy winner Le’Andria Johnson and Kem. India.Arie pairs up with the wonderful Clark Kent of gospel, Jonathan McReynolds and female R&B group SWV and the renowned Rance Allen Group join together for what’s sure to be an interesting performance. Donnie McClurkin and Tye Tribbett; Lalah Hathaway and Zacardi Cortez; and Chanté Moore and VaShawn Mitchell are a few other pairings we will be treated to.
More performers will include: Yolanda Adams, Erica Campbell, Hezekiah Walker, Tamela Mann, Tasha Cobbs, Deitrick Haddon, J.J. Hairston, “Sunday Best” Season 6 winner Tasha Page-Lockhart and current “American Idol” Candice Glover and Uncle Charlie Wilson! This sounds like a great show. The BET Celebration of Gospel tapes in Los Angeles at the Orpheum Theater on March 15th, and airs on BET networks April 6th at 8pm EST. Stay tuned to IChooseGospel.com for a special recap of the show!
Yes!! Just dropped is the visual to Mali Music’s “Beautiful”. The track is lovely and I fell in love with the beauty of the video. Okay, it’s very simple, has a nice story line and the cinematography is nice. But for the first time I saw Mali Music, not as a gospel artist and not as a gospel artist trying to go mainstream to “reach more people” but rather, just simply, an artist. That is what made this moment, watching his video “Beautiful” to me. “Beautiful” is available now on iTunes, as we patiently await the release of “Mali Is”. Connect with Mali Music via his social media outlets: Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/malimusicnote | Twitter- https://twitter.com/malimusic | Website- http://malimusicofficial.com/
Check out the music video below, what are you thoughts?
Pushing forward with his new label, Mixed Bag Entertainment, Da Truth prepares for the April drop of his seventh album “Heartbeat” by releasing his new single “Loud and Clear”. This pop-rock, EDM infused track features Tedashii and Capital Kings and is produced by GRAMMY award winning producer J.R. I think this is an interesting choice for a first single, but really works well with the statement Da Truth is making with his new label Mixed Bag Entertainment. Of course I like the track. Took me a couple of listens to get into it, but I’m here for it! I’m ready for “Heartbeat” but until then, “Loud and Clear” is available on iTunesnow! Check out the single below, what are your thoughts?
Yo! Big news, the seventh season of BET’s Sunday Best starts off with news that replacing Cece Winans (moment of silence please) will be Kierra Sheard. This is great for the gospel sweetheart. I like the idea of having Kierra as a judge joining Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams. She will be the voice of the young people so to speak. My only concern is will this be another ploy to Sunday Best producers to lean the competition towards someone they want to win? I mean come on, the show has become more and more predictable over the years, and are we really shocked at who wins these days? Anyhoo, for Kierra this is great she is also gearing up season 2 of The Sheards and is working on her next album. Go Kierra, I ain’t mad! What do you think of the addition of Kierra Sheard to the judging table?
Auditions have already begun in Houston, TX this past Saturday, but you still have time to make it to the next cities! Head on over BET.com/SundayBest for more details!
Who doesn’t like free stuff? Well, gospel neo-soul singer Sean C. Johnson is giving away new music. As a thank you to all of his supporters Sean releases a 5 track EP titled “Grateful” available for free. You can download “Grateful” via soundcloud or Sean’s bandcamp page.
Sean has impeccable vocal skills and it’s easy to grasp his musical influences through the diversity of sounds he incorporates into his music. Those familiar with Sean Johnson will be comfortable to know that to Sean continues to offer listener’s biblically sound lyrics over neo-soul and hip hop inspired beats. “Grateful” continues in that tradition.
“I Need It” and “No Never (Remix)” are so groovy. These tracks make you feel good. They are simple in context and lyrical form, which make it easy to relate to. Musically you are drawn in with the familiarity of some the sounds of the popular neo-soul explosion of the late 90’s early 2000’s. “No Never (Remix)” is my favorite track! “Thirty” the EP’s lead single, grounds you, taking on topics such as porn addiction and corrupt pastors. It’s a good grounding to land you on, but it’s kind of weird to be hit with something so hard, especially if you are listening to the EP in sequence. “Shepard Me” is the reminder we all need. This is what this faith-based, christian lifestyle is all about. We need Christ to shepard us through this life when we are faced with all of its ills. “Silver and Gold (Neo-Soul remix)” is a dope take on a classic gospel tune. Sean effortlessly swoons for Christ here! Really puts me in the feel of something Musiq SoulChild would have done!
Shonlock has been in the game for a while now and he is gearing up to release his next project “A Night To Remember” on March 18th. A visual for the title track has been released and you can check it out below. I really like the black jacket and pants combo, I need that in my life and I love the song!! Who says Christians can’t do EDM!?! This is a great song, with high energy and a Zedd feel to it, makes me even that much more anxious for summer to be here already. Great job Shonlock! Pre-orders for “A Night To Remember” are available now, and you can get the title track early if you pre-order. Otherwise, hit up iTunes on March 18th to download the project. Connect with Shonlock via his Twitter (@shonlock) and let him know what you think of “A Night To Remember”.
Oh, how excited I am! Thanks to Josh of SOHH PR, for hitting me up about the upcoming release of Christon Gray’s “School of Roses” debut LP due out on March 25th! The album is available for pre-order for $6.99 right now on iTunes!
So, real quick a little about this handsome, young man, Christon Gray: Age 27, musically gifted to write, sing, rap, produce and design. His sound is a premium blend of classical, jazz, gospel, soul, pop and even rap in a sophisticated manner. His inspirations range from Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Steely Dan, Michael McDonald, Bill Withers, Earth Wind and Fire, to Paul McCartney, Marvin Winans, Lauryn Hill, The Roots and Alicia Keys. In 2006, he entered the Christian Rap genre writing, rapping, singing and producing with the Christian rap group, The Elevationists. His debut solo album, entitled, “Even With Evil With Me”, released July 2011 and is available on iTunes. Christon is a featured artist on label mate Swoope’s critically acclaimed album “Wake Up” and featured on the widely received Lecrae mix tape “Church Clothes”. Collision is excited to have him as part of the family and to see what the Lord will do through him as an ambassador through music. Christon is part of the collective WLAK (We Live As Kings) with the self titled album “WLAK (We Live As Kings)” released last year.
Christon now prepares the release of “School of Roses” under the Collision Records label. Of “School of Roses” it is said that, “Life tends to school all of us as it teaches us lessons that we can only learn through our own set of personal experiences. School of Roses is that set of personal experiences for Christon Gray, offering a translucent album of ups and downs in his pursuit of Jesus—no filters, no masks. Christon Gray leads us on the emotional trail that shows his heart, Jesus’ love, and hopefully, your need for him daily.”
I can’t wait! I love Christon’s past projects and mixtapes and from the videos of the making of “School of Roses” the music is going to be so dope! You HAVE to get this in your collection on March 25th! The blending of musical sounds that Christon uses within the gospel realm really help to set him apart from the rest. He doesn’t box himself in. There’s real artistry and musicality on display through Christon and his music. Working on production along with Christon himself are notables such as B. Reith, Wit, Tragic Hero and Wes Pendleton, just that alone could make this THAT album to cop!! “School of Roses” will also feature artists, Swoope, B. Reith and JGivens on a few tracks and we are getting 14 dope tracks to take on the album’s concept:
“This is not an album written to purposely avoid Jesus in every song with the hope to get acclaim and break mainstream—who cares about that? Seriously, please do not put us in that box. The content is written in such a way that you have to get through Christon’s mess and faults—as well as yours—in order to appreciate the love of Christ that is at the end of the album. “Arena” is the culmination. We are forcing all listeners to really listen to the whole album or do not listen at all. So, just as in the Bible, the full culmination of Jesus’s message is realized at the end of the book in Revelation, at the new heaven and the new earth, not at the beginning in Genesis. How to listen to the album: As mentioned above, this is an album to experience Christon’s temptations, struggles, and overall internal conflict that comes with growing up; the end being Jesus’s love and amazement with him, and love for mankind, despite our mess and struggles to love Him and one another.”
Check out for yourself a video of the Making of School of Roses by Christon Gray below. Connect with Christon Gray via his social media outlets : Twitter- @christongray| Facebook- Christon Gray Music
I Choose Gospel 