The 2012 Essence Music Festival has added Gospel recording artists Kirk Franklin and rapper/actress Eve to its main stage roster. Other artists bound for the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in July are jazz, R&B and hip-hop keyboardist Robert Glasper, much-acclaimed blues-rock guitarist Gary Clark Jr. and blue-eyed contemporary soul singer Alex Boyd.

Additionally, the free Essence Empowerment Experience in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has added a tribute to Gospel stars Fred Hammond and Mary Mary on Sunday, July 8, the final day of the festival.

Scheduled participants in the tribute include Yolanda Adams – who is also slated to perform at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival presented by Shell – Pastor Marvin Winans, Bishop Lester Love, Maurette Brown Clark, Tramaine Hawkins, Kim Burrell, Israel Houghton, Byron Cage and Tyronne Foster & the Arc Singers.

Eve, Glasper, Clark and Boyd are all Essence first-timers. They’ll join such previously announced acts as Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Charlie Wilson, Fantasia, Ledisi, Stephanie Mills and Keyshia Cole.

Tickets for the nighttime music festival in the Dome, July 6 to 8, are on sale now through Ticketmaster.

Prosecutors in the Trayvon Martin case announced late Wednesday afternoon that George Zimmerman will be charged with second degree murder. Zimmerman has been aloud to turn himself in, and is currently being held on no bond until a bond hearing is set to determine whether or not there will be a bond in the case.

Florida special prosecutor Angela Corey seemed up beat while making the announcement, but the press that gathered were quick to remind her that there may have not been an indictment at all without the public outcry in the case.

Angela Corey’s response was that cases are not tried in the public or in the media. She emphatically stated that they’re tryed in the court of law and that not all homicide cases are followed by immediate arrests. Prosecutor Corey says that facts have to be gathered and there has already been too much evidence in the case leaked to the public.

Corey goes on to preference that more evidence will come out in the case and that’s being with-held until trial.

Accused killer George Zimmerman has been secluded for more than 40 days since the incident. The two lawyers who had been representing Zimmerman, Craig Sonner and Hal Uhrig, withdrew from the case Tuesday, saying Zimmerman had taken actions without consulting them. Media reports Wednesday said Zimmerman had retained new counsel.

For the public and justice activists a second-degree murder conviction may not be enough. Many wanted a first-degree conviction citing Zimmerman was seeking a victim. Florida courts undoubtedly avoided another outcry by not charging Zimmerman with the lesser charge of man-slaughter.


The difference between 1st and Second-degree murder boils down to pre-meditation or “lying in wait” for a victim.

Most states describe Second-degree murder as 1) an intentional killing that is not premeditated or planned, nor committed in a reasonable “heat of passion” or 2) a killing caused by dangerous conduct and the offender’s obvious lack of concern for human life. Second-degree murder may best be viewed as the middle ground between first-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter.

In most states, first-degree murder is defined as an unlawful killing that is both willful and premeditated, meaning that it was committed after planning or “lying in wait” for the victim.

As the case moves forward in the judicial system it will continue to be a flurry of discussions debated and opinions stated. Lets hope that justice is served for Trayvon Martin.

Multi-platinum, AMA, GRAMMY and Dove award-winning artist Casting Crowns garners its third RIAA certified Gold digital single surpassing more than 500,000 units with “East to West,” from the group’s 2007 platinum release The Altar and the Door. The occasion marks Casting Crowns’ third Gold digital single in a year and adds to the positive momentum seen on its well-attended spring 2012 “Come to the Well” tour.

Preceded by Gold hits “Who Am I” (certified July, 2011) and “Praise You In This Storm” (certified September, 2011) this latest Gold digital single brings Casting Crowns’ tally to three. Currently, Casting Crowns holds a distinction of being one of only nine Contemporary Christian artists to recieve Gold digital single certification. (The group is currently tied with Switchfoot as having the most career Gold digital singles.) There have only been 15 total digital Gold singles in the history of contemporary Christian music.

Casting Crowns recently released its new music video, “Jesus, Friend of Sinners,” which debuted to more than 500,000 via GodTube. (below)

The tour takes its name from Casting Crowns’ newest studio project, Come to the Well (10/18/11). The week of its release, Come to the Well sold 99,138 copies, making it the highest debut on Billboard’s Top 200 at No. 2. The album additionally topped the Billboard Contemporary Christian Overall chart, while also claiming No. 1 on the iTunes Christian Albums chart and No. 3 on its Overall Albums chart. Lead radio single “Courageous” landed at No. 1 on the iTunes Christian Songs chart and peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard National Christian Audience chart in just 10 weeks.

For more information on Come to the Well or a for a updated list of tour dates, visit: www.castingcrowns.com.

About Casting Crowns
All of Casting Crowns’ projects are RIAA certified, with a tally of three RIAA Platinum Albums, two RIAA Platinum DVDs, two RIAA Gold Albums, two Gold DVDs and three Gold digital singles, holding position as Billboard’s top-selling act in Christian music since 2007. The group also claims two American Music Awards, with six total nominations, three GRAMMY Awards and 14 GMA Dove Awards.

Despite an unprecedented eight-year career with Casting Crowns, the seven band members remain active in student ministry in the Atlanta area and tour part-time around their local church duties. Serving his 18th year in youth ministry, lead singer/songwriter Mark Hall is the student pastor at Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church in Atlanta.

As a testament to the band’s impact, Casting Crowns performed for a second time in North Korea in April 2009, in partnership with Global Resource Services, as the band continues to forge invaluable relationships with the people in the D.P.R.K.

For more information on Casting Crowns visit: http://www.castingcrowns.com/ or follow Mark Hall’s Twitter at twitter.com/markhallCC.

Reach Records’ hip-hop artist Trip Lee continues momentum with the release of his 4th studio project, The Good Life, debuting at the debut #3 on iTunes and #2 on the hip hop chart (iTunes). Hitting stores nationwide April 10, 2012 through Reach Records, The Good Life celebrates the truth in real life through its unique style and lyrical content.

In conjunction with his album release, Trip has partnered with Voice of the Martyrs, unveiling a brand new video this week for “I’m Good.” The powerful track, which features Grammy-nominated label mate Lecrae, is a group effort to raise awareness of the persecuted Christian church. A portion of the proceeds from the song will be donated to Voice of the Martyrs. The Voice of the Martyrs is a non-profit, inter-denominational Christian organization dedicated to assisting the persecuted church worldwide. VOM was founded in 1967 by Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, who was imprisoned 14 years in Communist Romania for his faith in Christ. His wife, Sabina, was imprisoned for three years. In the 1960s, Richard, Sabina, and their son, Mihai, were ransomed out of Romania and came to the United States. Through their travels, the Wurmbrands spread the message of the atrocities that Christians face in restricted nations, while establishing a network of offices dedicated to assisting the persecuted church. The Voice of the Martyrs continues in this mission around the world today helping Christians who are or have been, persecuted for their involvement in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. They provide medical assistance, food, clothing, and other forms of aid.

“It is such an honor to partner with Voice of the Martyrs and raise awareness about persecution and encourage believers to stand firm,” says Trip. “‘I’m Good’ is an anthem that communicates our security in Christ and inspires Christians to stop living in fear and start living in Romans 8. If we’re united to Jesus – that can never be taken from us. Whatever comes my way, He has taught me to say, ‘It is well with my soul.'” To access the “I’m Good” video, please visit http://www.persecution.com/imgood. Teaming up with some of the Christian music’s top artists such as Lecrae, KB, Andy Mineo and Jimmy Needham on production and musical fronts, The Good Life celebrates the truth and features new powerful songs like Trip’s first smash single, “Robot” that unveils the world, the flesh, and the devil’s lies by letting listeners know that they don’t have to be controlled by those lies.

“We don’t have to be robots,” says Trip. “We can choose life. I want to challenge the lies we’ve been told, and present a new and more glorious picture.”

Continuing to fight against the status quo with Trip and stand for all former robots, Reach Records is currently featuring The Robot Factory: the video game (http://reachrecords.com/blog/post/Introducing-The-Robot-Factory-Video-Game). Bringing back a classic with a twist, The Robot Factory was inspired by the classic arcade game Space Invaders, which was released in the early 1980’s. Fans can play the game while rocking to “I Am Not A Robot,” and if they can beat the game, they will receive a coupon code for 25% off the new “Robot Factory” t-shirt.

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.

The Good Life is currently available via iTunes or at Target, Walmart, Mardels, LifeWay and Family Christian stores. You can also purchase deluxe versions of project as well as album merchandise at the Reach Records storefronthttp://www.merchline.com/reach/.

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 visit http://reachrecords.com/. For more information about ReachLife please visit http://reachlife.org/.

The excitement around platinum selling, Grammy Award-winning duo MARY MARY continues at a brisk pace.  After an amazing year that included performing for capacity crowds across the country, and receiving the prestigious ASCAP Golden Note Award, a BET Award, Soul Train Award, two Stellar Awards, and double Grammy Award nominations, the successful pair has just released a stirring new single, “Go Get It.”  Anticipation is growing quickly for a new album of the same name that will be released on May 8^th 2012, which will include two brand new songs and classic remixed and remastered versions of some of the duo’s greatest hits.

In addition, an exciting new television series, “Mary Mary,” debuted on popular cable network WE tv on Thursday, March 29, to the delight of fans everywhere. The new show follows the lives of sisters Erica and Tina Campbell onstage as successful recording artists and performers, and offstage as siblings, mothers and wives, striving to balance their superstar lifestyles with raising their own families. The show airs on Thursday nights at 9 pm, ET/PT.

The new video for “Go Get It,” directed by Darren Grant (India Arie, Common, Destiny’s Child), will premiere exclusively on wetv.com on Thursday, April 19.

Through WE tv’s live, dual screen experience, WE tv Sync, Erica and Tina interacted with fans in real time during the “Mary Mary” show premiere.  A steady stream of fans reacted with positive, congratulatory feedback, ranking the show #5 on Trendrr, which tracks the popularity and awareness of trends across a variety of media, with three trending topics on Twitter – WE tv, Mary Mary and GooGoo.

‘GO GET IT’ CD TRACK LISTING:

1.      Go Get It

2.      God Bless

3.      Little Girl

4.      Dirt

5.      Can’t Give Up Now

6.      I’m Running

7.      Good to Me (featuring Destiny’s Child)

8.      Sunday Morning

9.      He Said

10.   And I (featuring Kirk Franklin)

11.   Walking

12.   God In Me (featuring Kierra ‘Kiki’ Sheard)

13.   Shackles

www.mary-mary.com

www.ilovemarymary.com

www.facebook.com/marymary

www.twitter.com/therealmarymary

www.columbiarecords.com

RELATED: Watch the Season Premiere of Mary Mary’s Reality TV Show on  PATH [VIDEO]

After receiving five GRAMMY® awards, countless other accolades, and with album sales in excess of 10 million, it’s no surprise that critics and fans alike bravoed superstar TobyMac upon the release of Dubbed & Freq’d: A Remix Project, his first remix album in seven years. Fusing his signature rock-pop, hip-hop and urban styles with a treatment of today’s electronic music uprising, the album offers an outstanding new interpretation of 12 of Toby’s classics to an incredibly wide audience. Immediately upon release, the album made its debut at No. 2 on the iTunes® Christian & Gospel Albums chart.

To give fans a chance to build their own remixes, Toby has launched an interactive app on his Facebook page where visitors can create their own remix of his hit song “Showstopper”. After creating it, fans can share their unique remix via Facebook and Twitter. 

“For remix records, an artist can be very involved or back off, and for me it’s the latter,” Toby explains. “For all of my remix records, I choose the producers and remixers and let them do their thing. Then I either say ‘yes’ or push back with ‘what if you did this or that?’ The way I see it, I’ve already taken my shot at the songs and put the recipe together.”

Media have been eager to praise TobyMac for his adventurous new project, and here is just a sampling of what people are saying about Dubbed & Freq’d:

“…if you’re familiar with [TobyMac’s] music and are interested in hearing it in a fresh new way, look no further… and prepare to be freaked.” – New Release Tuesday

“Such a crisp creative project could only come from one of the industry’s best. TobyMac puts together another great release… no surprise there.” – CMAddict.com

“‘Lose My Soul’ and ‘Ignition’ are both simply amazing, with the former carrying hot piano (yes piano) keys while the latter has dramatic production throughout. McKeehan takes two already great songs and re-mixes them into pure creative awesomeness… this will be spinning in my player for a while.” – Jesus Freak Hideout

“TobyMac not only makes great music with amazing production value, he makes essential music, and getting Dubbed & Freq’d is just a natural choice for any fan.” – Christian Music Zine

In addition to the release of Dubbed & Freq’d, TobyMac has concert plans as well, having announced the expansion of his unplugged “A Night of Stories and Songs” tour through April 21. He has also confirmed appearances at high-profile festivals including Spirit West Coast, Creation East and AtlantaFest, in additional to many more.
 

Bishop T.D. Jakes appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s “Next Chapter” on the OWN network this past Sunday and opened up with the talk show host about his preaching responsibilities, critics, and feelings on having an African-American president.

The iconic television host traveled to Dallas, Texas, for the interview with the influential Christian leader and visited his 30,000-member church, The Potter’s House.

The Christian Post reports that during the intimate interview, Winfrey posed candid questions about what it means for Jakes, whose sermons are broadcast both nationally and internationally, to preach to a large following and asked if the size of the crowd made a difference to him as a preacher.

Jakes responded by saying that the “weight and responsibility of sharing with people what you believe” is the same whether preaching in front of a crowd of seven or 7,000.”

“When I was speaking to the seven, I took it just as seriously,” Jakes said. “The job is still the same. I think that’s how you end up with thousands of people — is that you take small beginnings seriously.”

Jakes, who has achieved much success since starting his first congregation at the age of 19, lives with his family in a mansion in Dallas, has his own airplane, and drives expensive vehicles, which has drawn criticism.

“He (God) allows your cup to run over. I don’t think the issue of clergy is what you drive or where you live, its more how you got it,” Jakes said. “If you got it abusing and breaking the backs of people, that’s a bad thing. If you put yourself before the congregation, that’s a bad thing.”

Winfrey also asked Jakes, who had previously been quoted as saying that having a black president was “indescribably important” why he believed that the race of the current president is key to the nation.

“To recognize that leadership is not stereotypical, that it’s not all men, or all women, or all blacks, or all whites. To recognize the diversity that exists in the very underbelly of this country,” Jakes said before adding that he had “no words to describe” what it meant to him for the U.S. to have a black president in his lifetime.

Prior to the sit-down interview, Winfrey, Gayle King, and Tyler Perry attended a 90-minute sermon by the popular bishop. During the sermon Jakes discussed the importance of what he called “saving the scraps.”

“The miracle is not in what you lost. The miracle is not in what you have consumed previously. Your best days are not your yesterdays. Your miracle is in what you have left. If you discard it, ignore it, don’t use it, don’t value it, don’t learn from it, don’t understand it, you will lose the battle before you because you did not learn from the battle behind you,” Jakes told the crowd of over 7,000 worshippers.

“My thought this morning is save the scraps, the leftovers, the [remnants]. That which remains is more valuable than that which was lost,” The Potter’s House pastor added.

Following the inspirational and thought-provoking sermon Jakes sat down with an astonished Winfrey for the one-hour interview.

“I grew up in the church, joined the church when I was 8 years old. I heard a lot of preachers preach in my life. I’ve never heard, seen, or experienced anybody like you,” she told Jakes. “I’ve never seen anything like that.”

The Final Round for “The Search For The One 2012” Stand Up Comedy Talent Search was held on this past Sunday evening in Columbia S.C. at The Medallion Event and Conference Center, and saw 9 Finalist showcase before a packed house for $2,500 Cash and the Opening slot on Christian Comedian Akintunde’s “The Rebirth of Comedy Tour 2012”. In the end, the Audience and the Judges voted Lancaster South Carolina’s, Nakitta B as First Place Winner. In addition to the Cash Prize and opening slot on the Tour, she will also receive a professionally designed Media Kit, a professional Photo Shoot, as well as, eligibility to be represented by The Assignment Agency.

The Rebirth of Comedy Tour 2012 is set to kick off this summer, and will be headlined by Christian Comedian, Akintunde (The Akintunde Radio Show, BET, TBS, The Word Network). In addition to many of “The Search For The One” finalist, the tour will feature special appearances from several Christian/Gospel Comedy Headliners. The talent search was presented by No Joke Entertainment. “The Rebirth of Comedy Tour” is apart of the overall “Rebirth of Comedy” brand which includes DVD, Television, Radio, and Internet content. The brand’s first DVD release (Akintunde Live from Atlanta) is set for a May 15th release (Arrow Global Entertainment / No Joke Entertainment).

Since bursting on the scene as the season 3 Sunday Best winner, Le’Andria Johnson has been riding a roller coaster of ups and downs.  As life changes the Gospel star seems to be taken it all in stride with two albums currently in the Billboard Top 10.  In her debut year Johnson has also nabbed a Grammy award and has performed on Gospel’s biggest stages.

Now at the height of her career, Le’Andria has a special announcement to make as she’s expecting a new baby sometime in September of 2012.  

Le’Andria had this to say about her pregnancy:

“In recent weeks, there have been numerous published reports stating that I am pregnant. I would like to take this time to confirm that I am pregnant and due in September. I have been feeling well and maintaining a healthy appetite. I have been busy traveling around the country with my music ministry. One can only imagine that as a mother and mother-to-be, my plate is quite full—taking the kids to school, doing homework, cooking—regular mother duties. I have been blessed to have the love and support of my church, family, friends, label, management, and fans. I have received so many beautiful and thoughtful notes and prayers from people all over the country. I ask that you continue to pray for me and my family. I cannot do this alone. I will continue to pray for God’s guidance and protection over my life. I love you all very much and I will be in touch soon.” –Le’Andria Johnson 

Congratulations Le’Andria!

Recently the popular secular outlet TMZ ran a news story putting R&B turned Christian music artist Montell Jordan on blast.  TMZ reported that Montell Jordan owed back taxes to the IRS from 1999-2001.

Jordan is hugely known for his hit song ‘This is How We Do It,’ which made him millions.  The artist now is a Pastor and Christian music artist, and the IRS doesn’t care.  They originally filed a tax lien on Montell Jordan in 2004 and just recently they re-filed it.  

PATH was contacted directly by Montell Jordan’s camp and we’ve got information that has shed light on the matter.  Montell Jordan has released the following statement to clarify IRS proceedings:

I am writing this in hopes to assist bringing clarity to the numerous media outlets reporting of obtained information regarding my personal finances and the IRS.

In 2004 I filed a Bankruptcy. A combination of making unwise personal spending decisions, being financially ill-advised by council and external life circumstances lead to this decision to file Bankruptcy over 8 years ago. I have taken full responsibility for this life experience. This is all public record.

I also sold my music catalog to a company in 2006 to honor repayment of my debt to creditors and the IRS. At that time the amount was in excess of $500,000 and payment was remitted directly to the Department of Trustees.

In September of 2007, the Bankruptcy was dismissed, yet the case has remained open for negotiations with the IRS regarding penalties and interest fees. It has been in the possession of the department of Trustees for 5 years. Since that time, the Trustee’s department on my behalf has received a total of $617,460.33. This is all public record.

The IRS has recently re-issued the previous liens (this is the “obtained” info referred to in the media reports) to ensure their claim with the Trustees to the monies that have already been collected and are due to be dispersed in the upcoming weeks. This is all public record.

After a long and difficult 8 year long life journey, this case is set to be closed following a hearing scheduled for May 1st, 2012. Upon the conclusion of this hearing, the Trustees will be administering the finances as they have determined. My statements can be validated thru the United States Bankruptcy Court. This is all public record. I am providing the credible media outlets that obtained these initial documents and reported the IRS’s re-filing of the $600K+ debt (on my behalf) with access to the additional information needed to accurately complete the full story behind the IRS’s claims, as this is all public record.

I am hopeful that the media outlets will use the same efforts that went into the initial reporting of this story for news and entertainment value to exercise journalistic integrity and report this statement as well.

Thanks and God Bless!

Montell Jordan