Billboard chart-topping hip hop artist Trip Lee is gearing up for the release of his debut book, The Good Life. A continuation to his latest album which released on April 10, 2012 through Reach Records, The Good Lifewill hit stores nationwide on October 1, 2012 through Moody Publishers.

“For years, I’ve been doing music that challenges our world views and points to Christ – but there have always been limitations to music, because there’s only so much you can communicate in a song,” says Trip. “The album gave listeners snapshots of The Good Life, and the book will be more like a manual on how to live it. I’m praying that this book will help the reader to turn away from lies and live the way we were created to live.”

By using personal testimonials of his own life, Trip explores the lies that have been told, and paints a new, biblical picture of The Good Life. Exploring all of life including happiness, success, and morality in light of God’s truth The Good Life redefines the term as not living to please yourself but living by faith in a good God.

“The Good Life is not climbing to the top of the corporate ladder, The Good Life is not a life free from any responsibility,” says Trip. “The Good Life is living in sync with God and embracing all that He has to offer us in Christ.”

No newcomer to the Christian music scene, Trip’s debut album, If They Only Knew, hit stores nationwide a few days after his high school graduation. That same year, he was also featured on the Dove Award-nominated, timeless classic “Jesus Muzik” with label mate Lecrae. Trip’s sophomore album, 20/20, was released in 2008 and garnered much success: breaking into the Billboard Top 200, reaching #11 on the Billboard Christian albums chart and landing at #4 on the Gospel chart. With his third studio album, Between Two Worlds, Trip offered a collection of reflections on life in a fallen world. Those reflections resonated with listeners as B2W debuted at #1 on the Christian and Gospel Billboard charts, #5 on the Hip Hop/Rap iTunes chart and #9 on the Top Albums iTunes chart. The album also received two Dove nominations and a Stellar Award for Best Gospel Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year.

Trip’s latest album release, The Good Life debuted at #2 both on the overall and Hip Hop iTunes charts while garnering the #3 position on Billboard’s Hip Hop chart, landing at #17 on the Top 200 Billboard chart and taking the #1 slot on the Christian and Gospel Billboard chart.

Trip has traveled the world performing for thousands of listeners. In conjunction with The Good Life, Trip is currently on a promotional nationwide tour and will be a featured artist at various 2012 festivals including Spirit West Coast, Atlanta Fest and Rock The Lakes, among others.

About Moody Publishers
For more than 115 years, Moody Publishers has published trustworthy, substantive material that focuses on the most important issues in life. They continue to meet the needs of a growing and changing marketplace with products of the highest quality, through traditionally printed books, through audio and video products, and now through e-books for select electronic readers. For more information, please visit http://www.moodypublishers.com/.

About Reach Records and ReachLife Ministries
Reach Records and ReachLife Ministries strive to, “bridge the gap between biblical truth and urban context.” Founded in 2003, Reach Records is a Christian music record label dedicated to using music as a means of reaching the urban community in a biblically sound way. While Reach Records employs music to reveal biblical truth, ReachLife Ministries aims to empower ministry leaders with this music in order to grow the urban church.

For further information and a list of upcoming Reach Records and ReachLife Ministries events, please visithttp://reachrecords.com. For more information about ReachLife please visit http://reachlife.org/.

 

Rev. Al Sharpton will take up the fight against New York City’s controversial stop-and-frisk policy with a Father’s Day march down a major Manhattan street.

On Tuesday, Sharpton announced plans for the march in a press conference with elected officials and other community activists, the New York Daily News reports.

“We are not against fighting crime, but it is a crime when 85% of the people stopped in a city are of color,” Sharpton said. “It’s a crime when you are targeted by race.”

Stop and Frisk gives New York Police Officers the legal ability to stop and pat down ‘suspicious’ suspects without evidence of a crime. The NYPD made a record 685,724 stops last year.

A recent New York Civil Liberties Union report found that 42% of those stopped were black or Latino males between the ages of 14 and 24, a group that makes up 5% of the city’s population.

NAACP President Benjamin Jealous also spoke at the Tuesday press conference and drove home the idea that ‘stop-and-frisk’ is city-sanctioned racial profiling. New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly has repeatedly denied that allegation, and last month called the practice a “life-saving tactic.”

Fifteen-year-old gospel powerhouse Jekalyn Carr is taking the gospel industry by storm with her dynamic ministry and powerful voice. At just 15, she has already touched tens of thousands while singing and speaking at conferences across the U.S. and touring as a featured soloist with international televangelist Benny Hinn. Her much anticipated debut single release and title track from her forthcoming album “Greater is Coming,” is available May 15 on iTunes and Amazon.

With her incredible charisma and awe-inspiring voice, Jekalyn has garnered the attention of award winning gospel artists as well as renowned clergy who are amazed at her gift and talent at such a young age. “Jekalyn is just a blessing. I’m excited about what God is going to do with her. I am a fan of Jekalyn Carr,” says Stellar Award winning artist James Fortune of the 15-year-old. And, Pastor Hinn who has regularly featured the young worship leader at his crusades says Jekalyn is “God’s chosen to help lead and inspire many.”

Released on Arkansas-based Lunjeal Music Group record label, “Greater is Coming” is the confirmation anthem for the Body of Christ. It speaks of the shaking, the beating and the pressing that we experience through trials and tests with the assurance that God is preparing us for greater. Jekalyn’s heartfelt delivery with rich, full vocals resonates with believers everywhere as she sings with conviction and prophecies that “Greater is Coming.”

Though still a teen, Jekalyn exudes the confidence of a seasoned performer, singing to audiences that have included more than 17,000. Upcoming dates for Jekalyn include appearances at the Oprah Winfrey Boys and Girls Club in Kosciusko, MS and the Teen Summit at the “I Hear Music in the Air” conference in Cincinnati, OH. And, she is currently featured in Magnolia Pictures’ documentary movie “Rejoice and Shout” which also spotlights Motown legend Smokey Robinson, gospel great Andrae Crouch and chart-topping artist Kirk Franklin.

The single “Greater is Coming” is available May 15 on iTunes, Amazon and other online music stores. For media inquiries and interviews contact Louise Moore at LTLMediaPR@gmail.com or visit myjekalyncarr.net.

 

Grammy Award nominated recording artist Deitrick Haddon’s group Voices of Unity did something last week that rarely happens in today’s music industry. Rarely do second week sales of new CDs eclipse the sales of the debut week sales. However, the group’s latest CD, “A Beautiful Soul: Music Inspired by the Motion Picture” (Tyscot Records/$9.99), debuted at #16 on Billboard’s Gospel Album sales chart a week ago and this week it jumps to #10 on the same chart.

Meanwhile, the urban-flavored single, “Mo Betta” featuring Deitrick Haddon and Faith Evans, is heating up as well and rose to #33 on this week’s Top 100 BDS Gospel chart. The twelve-song set also includes the breezy urban pop tune “Running To You” (Regula leads) and the straight up urban track “New Life” (featuring Fonzworth Bentley, Haddon and raspy-voiced, Nikki Potts). Adia leads the whimsical “Incomplete” and Haddon leads the title song, “A Beautiful Soul”. It’s twelve songs in all with Haddon’s choir, Voices of Unity, in the middle of the musical musings. Among the cameo soloists are Kierra Sheard; former P. Diddy sidekick, Fonzworth Bentley; Jason Champion; Joint Heirs; Candy West, among others

In the film, Haddon stars as Andre Stephens, an R&B superstar who loses his spiritual compass after he and his best friend barely survive a brutal attack. Visit www.abeautifulsoulmovie.com for more information.

Detroit pastor and Gospel recording artists Marvin Winans was assaulted and carjacked Wednesday afternoon at a gas station on Detroit’s West Side.

The assault took placed around 3:20p.m. and the suspects of men got away with an unknown amount of cash and Winans’s SUV.

Winans was at the Citgo Gas Station at Linwood and the Davison when he was robbed. The carjackers robbed him and took his deep purple Infiniti QX56 SUV.

The license plate number on the vehicle is 0DRT73. Detroit Police are searching for the suspects.

It is also being reported that they stole his Rolex, his cell phone and he also suffered a few cuts.

Pastor Winans told officials that four or five young men followed him from inside the gas station and attacked him while he was putting gas in his vehicle. He also said he doesn’t believe he was seriously hurt, but he did plan to seek medical attention.

Pastor Winans said his attackers appeared to be among 10 young men he passed by inside the station. While pumping gas in his car he kept a close eye on the young men. “I’m just saddened that it has come to this,” Winans said. “This kind of nonsense just has to stop. It’s just the savageness of what’s happening in the street.”

He also believes his attackers did not recognize him. “And if they did, it didn’t make much difference,” said Winans, who has been active in the civic issues, including taking a stand against the proliferation of strip clubs in Detroit’s neighborhoods.

Winans is also a pastor of the 4,500 member Perfecting Church on Detroit’s East Side. In February, he gave the eulogy for singer Whitney Houston.

 

CCM Artist Montell Jordan will have to start crooning lullabies during his off time as yesterday his wife, Kristin, gave birth to their 4^th child, Samantha Victoria Jordan.  Samantha, who has already been nicknamed Lady Bug, arrived at 4:36 pm on May 15^th and weighed 6 pounds, 14.2 ounces and is 19 inches long.   Montell and Kristin are the proud parents of three other children, Christopher, 23; Sydney, 16 (who is a vocalist with Victory World Music); and Skyler, 8.

 
“It’s hard to imagine how someone so big can be wrapped around a finger so small,” says Montell.  “This little girl is a reminder of God’s hands always at work in all our lives, and another reminder for me in my role as a father trying to be like our Heavenly Father.”

Montell will take the rest of the week off from his worship leader duties at Victory World Church and as a CCM recording artist to spend more time with his family.  Later this month, Montell will serve as a panelist at the private Grammy Professional Development “Community” event that is being held by the Atlanta chapter of the organization.

Multi Grammy award winning My Block/Columbia Records duo Mary Mary makes a splash on top Billboard charts. For the fourth time in their career, the duo’s new release Go Get It debuts at #1 on the Billboard Gospel Chart. Go Get It hit # 3 on the Billboard R&B Chart, and makes the top 20 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums charting at #16. The album, composed of two brand new songs and classic remixed and remastered versions of some of the duo’s greatest hits, has taken off as a fan favorite with the infectious lead single and title track, ‘Go Get It’ debuting on the top 10 Gospel singles chart since it’s April release, where it still remains, currently at #7. The album, heralded as a soundtrack to their current self-titled WE tv reality series, has been widely received by fans and critics alike.

Mary Mary kicked off their album promo week with an interview on ABC’s Good Morning America with host Robin Roberts and an exhilarating in-studio performance, backed by their live band of ‘Go Get It.’ The ladies rounded out their promo week with appearances on nationally syndicated morning show, The Better Show, Trinity Broadcasting Network’s Praise the Lord, and NYC’s PIX 11 Morning News.

Pundits agree; Go Get It proves that Mary Mary is here to stay. USA Today states “Sisters Erica and Tina have been delivering faith-inspired positive messages for more than a dozen years…Go Get It is a stirring call to improve your life…Can’t Give Up Now and Shackles are reminders of their broad appeal.” Billboard Magazine notes GO GET IT as “an insinuating groove and a gloriously uplifting lyric that urges the listener to “Go Get It…” Billboard goes on to say that “sisters Erica & Tina have managed to enjoy a devoted following in the gospel market while expanding its fan base in the mainstream thanks to the duo’s funky energetic style and signature soaring vocals.” 

The duo, sisters Erica and Tina Campbell have been keeping up a tremendous pace. In the past year the ladies have been nominated for every major award and have taken home many – receiving the prestigious ASCAP Golden Note Award, a BET Award, Soul Train Award, two Stellar Awards and double Grammy nominations. In addition to filming the first season of their reality series which takes a personal look at their lives as singers, mothers, wives, and siblings – trying to balance it all; both sisters experienced pregnancy within the past year. Erica and husband/producer Warryn Campbell welcomed their third child in February 2012 and Tina and husband/Tonight Show Band drummer Teddy Campbell, are currently expecting their 5^th child due August 2012. 

Having just announced Season 2 of their WE tv series the ladies are showing no signs of slowing down. The duo will be honored at this year’s 2012 Essence Music Festival and will be touring in the coming months. The album Go Get It was released, May 8^th 2012 and is available now in stores and online.

For more information please contact: 

www.ilovemarymary.com  

www.facebook.com/marymary  

www.twitter.com/therealmarymary 

www.ColumbiaRecords.com

Cheryl “Coko” Clemons, the beautiful soprano of the legendary R&B group SWV, has always been deeply connected to Gospel music. Over the past few years, Coko released two successful gospel albums, “Grateful” and “The Winner In Me,” on Light Records. They will celebrate her gospel roots with the release of ALWAYS COKO, a compilation of her best of gospel songs.

ALWAYS COKO relives her anointed moments on rich upbeat tracks, spirited contemporary tunes and engaging melodies. ALWAYS COKO is a testimony of her journey and intimate look at the heart of a truly gifted artist.

Coko’s power-house vocals are showcased on big ballads “The Winner In Me,” & “I Surrender.”She rises on the upbeat “May Be My Last Time” and simply soars on the fan favorite, the Clark Sisters re-do of “Endow Me,” featuring Faith Evans; Little Mo and Fantasia.

From its Urban inspirational, contemporary pop tracks and worship ballads, ALWAYS COKO is a must have for music fans.

ALWAYS COKO will be available May 22, 2012 in stores and online everywhere.

About Light Records and Entertainment One:

For over 40 years Light Records has provided life-changing, restorative and inspiring Gospel music. From their prolific Gospel catalogue with Walter Hawkins; The Winans; Andrae Crouch to Today’s modern favorites – Shirley Caesar; JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise, Ricky Dillard, Jessica Reedy, Bishop Paul Morton, Dawkins & Dawkins, James Fortune and Dorinda Clark-Cole, Light Records continually strives to keep Gospel music innovative and fresh while keeping the traditions alive.

Light Records is a wholly owned division of Entertainment One. Entertainment One (LSE: ETO) is a leading international entertainment company that specializes in the acquisition, production and distribution of film and television content. The company’s comprehensive network extends around the globe including Canada, the U.S., the UK, Ireland, Benelux, France, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Through established Entertainment and Distribution divisions, the company provides extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production, kids programming and merchandising and licensing. Its current rights library is exploited across all media formats and includes more than 20,000 film and television titles, 2,400 hours of television programming and 45,000 music tracks.

 

in:ciite media Recording Artist Rachel Chan joins iShine KNECT TV season 4 and the iShine LIVE Fall 2012 Tour. Rachel, the 16-year-old daughter of New York Times Best-Selling Author, Pastor and Speaker Francis Chan, is excited to share her music and ministry with the iShine audience.

“Rachel’s music and ministry are a perfect fit for iShine and their mission,” said Chris Thomason, president and CEO of in:ciite media. “Rachel is uniquely gifted to speak to this audience and we believe it will be a remarkable experience.”

iShine KNECT TV is a Christian series designed for families and preteens to take the time to connect with one another and have fun. Presented from a biblical perspective, iShine KNECT features music videos, live performances, artist interviews, behind-the-scenes segments, question and answer time from viewers and more. To catch Rachel’s upcoming episodes on iShine KNECT Season 4, visit www.ishinelive.com/ishine-knect for updates.

The iShine LIVE tour featuring Rachel, along with veteran iShine artists and new faces, is coming to churches this fall. September through October, the 10-city iShine LIVE tour launches the fourth national tour in four years. Cities and dates are forthcoming. Visit www.ishinelive.com/ishine-tour for the latest information.

“I’m excited to share my music with everyone on the iShine tour,” said Rachel. “If one of my songs impacts an individual in a positive way and inspires them to spread the name of Jesus Christ, then I’ve accomplished my goal.”

Rachel’s debut CD Go released earlier this year by in:ciite media and EMI-CMG Distribution. The songs on Go represent Rachel’s first foray into the world of songwriting with her seasoned pop-music producer, Dave Lubben (Kutless) and are a unique take on life’s experiences. Rachel co-wrote all 10 songs on the record. The cohesive messages found on Go are simple, yet powerful: to love the Lord, to love people, and to exemplify the Lord’s call to disciple.

For more information on Rachel Chan visit www.RachelChanMusic.com or follow on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/rachelchanmusic.

ABOUT iShine: iShine is the only comprehensive media group that produces moral life-changing content by Christian teens for children between the ages of 7-13 (tweens). iShine equips pre-teens, their families, and people who work with children to illuminate the pre-teens’ world and help them find their value, identity, and purpose in Christ. iShine KNECT is the #1 highest rated Christian tween TV program in the world, reaching more than 100 million households.

ABOUT in:ciite media: in:ciite is a growing music and film company where creativity, innovation, impacting technology, and experiences merge. Our mission is helping build God’s kingdom by creating remarkable experiences through media products and events that are culturally and spiritually relevant. For more information, please visit: www.inciite.com.

 

Calling all Bible fans: GSN (Game Show Network) and the creators of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” are looking for you! GSN is currently traveling across America casting contestants who want to have fun and compete to win money for their favorite charity by appearing on THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE, a new game show hosted by Jeff Foxworthy. Casting sessions will take place as follows:

Sacramento: May 18th – 19th
Los Angeles: May 18th- June 3rd
Atlanta: May 25th – 26th
Chicago: June 1st – 3rd
Dallas: June 1st – 3rd

GSN is looking for teams of three people who have competitive spirits, great personal testimonies, a familiarity with pop culture-and, of course, an awesome knowledge of the Bible.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate your faith, have fun with your friends, show off your Bible expertise, and potentially make an extraordinary difference to your favorite charity by winning money on its behalf.

THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE is a studio-based game show in which contestants compete based on their knowledge of the Bible. Questions will be designed to acknowledge and celebrate the Bible’s continuing importance in contemporary life and culture. The contestants will share their compelling back-stories and each team will be playing for a worthy charity.

Jeff Foxworthy, currently seen on GSN in his role as host of ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER?, is one of the most respected and successful comedians in the country. He is the largest-selling comedy recording artist in history, a multiple Grammy® Award nominee and bestselling author of more than 26 books. Widely known for his redneck jokes, his act goes well beyond that to explore the humor in everyday family interactions and human nature, a style that has been compared to Mark Twain’s. Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy recently reunited for “Them Idiots Whirled Tour,” which was filmed as a special for CMT.

THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE is produced by RelativityREAL for GSN, with RelativityREAL’s Tom Forman and Embassy Row’s Michael Davies serving as Executive Producers on the project. Nick Stuart and Maura Dunbar of Odyssey Networks are Consulting Producers. Odyssey Networks is the country’s largest multi-faith coalition dedicated to producing and distributing media that creates understanding among people of different beliefs and perspectives. Jeff Foxworthy also serves as Producer with J.P. Williams and Jennifer Novak as Executive Producers.

About GSN
GSN is a multimedia entertainment company that offers original and classic game programming and competitive entertainment via its 75-million subscriber television network and online game sites. GSN’s cross-platform content gives game lovers the opportunity to win cash and prizes, whether through GSN’s popular TV game shows or through GSN Digital’s free casual games, mobile and social games, and cash competitions. GSN is distributed throughout the U.S., Caribbean and Canada by all major cable operators, satellite providers and telcos. GSN and its subsidiary, WorldWinner.com, Inc., are owned by DIRECTV and Sony Pictures Entertainment. For further information, please visit http://www.gsntv.com

About RelativityREAL
Under the leadership of award-winning producer Tom Forman, RelativityREAL has created and produced dozens of series and pilots for network and cable television. Though it was formed less than 3 years ago, the division has 67 projects in production, including 17 original series that are currently airing or will air in the upcoming television season, including Police Women for TLC, Coming Home for Lifetime, and The Great Food Truck Race for Food Network.

About Odyssey Networks
Odyssey Networks, founded in 1987, is the nation’s largest multi-faith coalition dedicated to producing and distributing media that creates understanding among people of different beliefs and perspectives and enriches spiritual life. Through its 100+ members, the non-profit organization interfaces with over 120 million American congregants. Odyssey-produced content can be seen on a variety of platforms including cable TV, the Internet, mobile smartphones, e-readers and tablets.