Saturday, July 4, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
James Fortune "I Trust You" wins Ascap Song of the Year!
New York City—(JUNE 29th, 2009)— Co-written by James Fortune and Terence Vaughn, the sensational Gospel Anthem “I Trust You” was named the GOSPEL SONG OF THE YEAR at the 22nd Annual American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Awards. The ASCAP Awards honor songwriters and publishers of the most celebrated songs on the Gospel, R&B, Hip-Hop and Rap Charts. “I Trust You” topped Billboard's Hot Gospel Songs chart for a historic 29 weeks, and claimed the title of the longest running #1 Gospel single.
The star-studded event, which was attended by leading recording artists, songwriters and music industry notables, began with a moment of silence in remembrance of Michael Jackson and his music. James Fortune dedicated his riveting performance at the award ceremony to the Late King of Pop. A short montage highlighted the illustrious career of Michael Jackson while several award recipients and presenters mourned the great loss. When award recipients and presenters mourned the great loss. When Alicia Keys accepted ASCAP’s Golden Note Award she thanked Michael for his legacy and said “"He gave from his heart and was a genuine and blessed artist.”
James, who until a few years ago was homeless and could not provide a home for his wife and children, has struck a chord with millions with his passionate music and true to the heart Gospel Anthems. Distinguished music artists such as Wyclef Jean, Melissa Ford, GS Boys, NeYo, Jeremiah, D-Woods, Shanice, Alicia Keys and Christiana Milan, among others, were moved by James’ riveting performance at the ASCAP Awards and paid homage to his music as well as his inspirational testimony. James Fortune & FIYA have gone from empowering youth in the Greater Houston area to uplifting millions with their nationally acclaimed debut album You Survived!, released in September 2004. They have been blessed to open for celebrated artists such as Stevie Wonder, John P. Kee, Kim Burrell, Fred Hammond and several others in addition to being nominated four years in a row for the Texas Gospel Youth & Young Adult Choir of the Year. Accompanied by iconic GRAMMY-Award winning Gospel artists such as Kirk Franklin, Shirley Caesar, and Yolanda Adams, James Fortune & FIYA have dazzled audiences with their fiery presence and continue to enjoy trail-blazing crossover success with their wide-reaching message of hope and salvation set to uplifting urban contemporary music.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Spotlight :: The Vessel :: Praise On
Hey what up world it's you man DJ Sizzle and I want spot light an artist that goes by the name The Vessel. You can find The Vessel's music on I-Tunes or check out his myspace. After hearing The Vessel's new single Praise On, I'm looking forward to rest of the album. Praise On brings a refreshing change to today's christian music scene. What I mean by this is that lately I've been hearing a lot of crunk, chopped and screwed, and house tracks. Praise On is an up beat dance track that you can actually dance to. I pretty much get down with all kinds of music as long as it carries the message of Christ but I like this song because although I'm saved I'm a dancer at heart and this track really brings it out. That being said naturally what caught my ear was the beat. The track features deep kicks laced with that old school laser effect and light snares. Not cluttered with a large amount of sounds crazy effects or vocorder auto tuned voices, the elements of the track really mesh together well. Though the track may barrow some vintage sounds from the late 80's The Vessel approaches it with a style of flow that allows this song to bypass the in and out trends of hip-hop music and be play anywhere with a dance floor. Praise On takes me back to when it was all about the music, the dance and good times with friends and fam. Needless to say THIS IS A PARTY TRACK! 
But more than just a hot beat The Vessel gets at us with an unapologetic message of our freedom to render praise to the Lord no matter the setting or situation. The Vessel speaks on a variety of topics, like what some call the recession. The Vessel reminds us that we have an unfailing God who supplies all are needs. He also touches on the changes we make during the process of sanctification such as the people we choose to run with but further more he explains how choosing to follow Christ doesn't always mean changing what you do but rather why you do it. Which coincides with why he chose to use a dance track. I'm just throwing this out there but some people think Christians can't or shouldn't dance but that's a whole discussion in itself. The Vessel points out the many thing we as a culture and people praise that isn't worthy ie; cars, synthetic feel good, popularity. He speaks on how because of faith, believer's value spiritual things rather than earthly because while the things of the earth fade and come to nothing things of the spirit manifest themselves in the earth they also carry over with us when we leave the earth. The Vessel isn't a single cut artist I tool a look at some of his work and dude is pretty deep, don't be fooled, Vessel's talent is diverse, relative and hits home with people in going through or coming out of real serious times in their lives. Well to close I'll say this some may see Praise On as a song of The Vessel's personal declaration I think I'll call it a timeless anthem with a message of encouragement to as the tittle says and get your praise on.
The Vessel's single Praise On is defiantly a good look it gets a 4 out of five hipe hope headphones for spiritual content,strong presence & delivery,and a great production concept.
The Vessel - Praise On
The Vessel MySpace page
Saturday, June 20, 2009
PRo is saying Sorry???!!! :: Song Leak
Pro is getting ready to release his new Redemption E.P. This project was put together to apologize for the division that was caused by Pro's music and also to restore what God has planned for Pro to do.
I'm Sorry - Pro
For more on the EP and Apology go to www.rapfestradio.com
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Album Review :: Young Joshua :: Back to Reality
Yes, Hipe Hope Urban Gospel brings you yet another holy hip-hop album review. Straight off the east coast it's Young Joshua with his latest release Back to Reality. Young Joshua has been on the holy hip-hop scene for quite some time and has worked closely with veteran holy hip-hopper R-swift. The album Back to Reality is filled with beats leaking with Philadelphia flavor. Young Joshua touches on a number of issues like on the song Til We Meet which is about praying and waiting on the Lord to find a wife. This song is a laid back track with a light electric guitar, hard kicking drums, hats and cymbals mated together with a solid bass line. Til We Meet speaks on how God intends for young men to approach the courting process of looking for a spouse. The song My Sacrifice speaks on falling into sin and the road trip back to the open arms of the Lord. My Sacrifice follows an echo type theme to where a phrase is recited and is repeated or echoed. However the hook doesn't go this route, it is sang with a two part harmony which flows great with the structure of the song. The song Pass Me By touches on the need for fulfilling our duty as Christians, which is to share our faith with people from all walks of life. This track takes a strong look at opportunities many pass up on a day to day basis. It takes the listener through a series of scenario's in which sharing the love of Christ may have had a major impact on the lives of our lost brothers and sisters. The track features Eric Westbrook on the background vocals and the hook. Westbook's vocals complement the music as well as give the listener a chance to reflect on the content between scenario's. Throughout the album you'll find a mixture of mid tempo tracks with an almost neo soul feel with lush organ, sax, guitar, and smooth bass sounds. You'll also find more up-tempo anthem type tracks like We Bout That featuring Corey Hicks. Made up of elaborate horn and vocal sound bites the beat gives you that classic cypher groove that is perfect for flows filled with metaphors and punch lines. The track high lights the major change occurrence the presence of Christ has made in their lives, and what their focus is since their transformation (boldly preaching God's word, and living his word without shame or regret). Another Day is another banging beat featuring sample production but this track is my personal favorite. Another Day is a definite christian anthem listing the many attributes of living a Christ led life and how good it feels to be in Jesus and looking forward to eternal life in heaven. This song sheds light on what some seem to forget and that the fact that its not the promise of riches or blessings that gives us joy but knowing the true and living God and the plan he put in action so that we (unworthy sinners) can enjoy his presence in heaven in the life to come. Well I leave the rest of the album for you to explore, it's a very deep album, it has anthems, and head nodding tracks but the bulk of the project is mid tempo. The style of music used in Back to Reality complements Young Joshua's lyrical talent. Back to Reality is a great choice for those who are looking for the lyrical artistry of hip-hop rather than the trendy sounds of crunk and dance music. None the less Young Joshua's Back to Reality project is one that transcends time, not only with the selection of music but with the heartfelt call to urge the body of Christ to go back to the basics of living what we preach, sharing the love of our God, and placing our focus on what we were commanded to do and why. Our ultimate goal is to please God by living in his son in whom he sacrificed on the cross to save us.
Back to Reality gets a four of five hipe hope headphones for lyrical and strong spiritual content, delivery, originality, and production.
Young Joshua - Another Day
Young Joshua MySpace
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
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Spotlighting Holy Hip Hop and Christian Urban, Soul, and Gospel Music Artists. As well as whats going on in Christian News
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