The 42nd Annual NAACP Image Awards have announced this years nominees.  Gospel artists are recognized by the “Outstanding Gospel Album” category.  The nominees are–

Kirk Whalum – Gospel According to Jazz, Chapter III
Marvin Sapp – Here I Am
Brian Courtney Wilson – Just Love: Deluxe Edition
Tamela Mann – The Master Plan
Mavis Staples – You Are Not Alone

Congratulations to the nominees and also to Kirk Franklin for his book “The Blueprint: A Plan For Living Above Life’s Storm” being nominated for Outstanding Literary Work-Instructional.  The televised special airs LIVE on March 4, 2011 at 8pm ET on FOX.

Steve Harvey has been very open about the his faith in God and the lessons he has learned in his first marriage, appearing on shows like TBN’s Praise the Lord and most recently BET’s Celebration of Gospel.  The lessons learned catapulted him to be a best selling author with the book Act Like a Lady, Think like a man, and his new book “Straight Talk No Chaser.” 

The question posed is should Steve be giving relationship advice if the things his ex-wife is saying is true?  Listen below and decide for yourself.

Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson is by far the most successful quartet singer of his generation. The man behind quartet hits such as “Send A Revival” and “Let Go and Let God” has a new album with his group, The Spiritual Voices, in the works. It’s entitled, “Back 2 Basics,” and is scheduled to hit stores in the first quarter of 2011. The mellow R&B-flavored radio single, “True Love,” is currently #23 on the Radio & Records gospel airplay chart and climbing. “Over the years, I’ve put my trust in a lot of people and they let me down,” Johnson confesses. “I had to go back and realize that Jesus Christ is the only true love who will never let me down.”

“I call the album Back 2 Basics because my group is known for doing traditional music that everybody can listen to,” Johnson explains. “My record label started bringing in producers and songwriters with a different sound than mine to expand my audience and to freshen my sound. That’s all good. Songs like `True Love’ come from that collaboration but I call myself a universal gospel singer. I keep it simple and sing all kinds of gospel for anybody and everybody.”

The “Back 2 Basics” CD hits stores in January but in the meantime, Johnson’s fans can digitally download a deluxe EP featuring six of the songs from the new CD on ITunes, Amazon mp3, and other online music portals. One of those songs is the finger-popping ditty, “I’m Gonna Make It.” Johnson says, “I love that song. I’m hoping that will be my next radio single. I think that can go all the way to the top.”

Johnson has been making noise on the gospel landscape since 1998 when he burst on the scene with the smash hit, “Hide Behind The Mountain.” He quickly became known as a young man with an old soul for mixing introducing quartet to a young generation of gospel fans. Since then, he’s birthed modern-day quartet standards such as “I Made It,”  “Send A Revival,” “Be Right,” and “Let Go and Let God.”

When asked what keeps he and his music fresh after all these years, Johnson says one thing. “Dreams,” he offers. “Dreams keep it fresh. I dreamed about doing this since I was a little boy. Not too many people can say they are living their dream. God made that dream a reality and every time I hit a stage, I’m gonna rock the house and stop the show.”

Entertainment Guru Jawn Murray has partnered with EMI Gospel to search for “Untapped” talent. 

“I’ve worked my entire career to be in a position where my influence can help others live their dreams.  This project gives me an opportunity to do that and I’m extremely happy to get that chance.  There are a lot of people who don’t know the first thing about gaining exposure or visibility for their music and participating in this ‘Untapped’ movement really gives them a shot at seeing their dreams come to fruition.  I’ve worked with EMI Gospel for years doing some artist development and media training with several of their marquee talent and to now partner with them to release my own endeavor is really awesome.” – Jawn Murray 

If you want to share your talent with the world be sure to watch the video below and take action.

For official rules and regulations go to http://untapped.emigospel.com/

Mary Mary just released the second single off their upcoming album titled “Something Big.”  The Title track called “Something Bigger” is the second single with the other single “Walking” already doing well at radio.

The Track is upbeat and features Mary Mary singing and rapping.  It’s definitely a slightly new flavor for the girls.  So what do you’ll think?

Also Read: Gospel Rapper LECRAE Has the #1 and #2 Album on Charts: Christian Rap Makes a Plea for Radio Time

This week’s chart has already been released.  It covers the week of January 20-27, 2011.  Gospel Rapper Lecrae continues to dominate the Billboard charts now with two different projects sitting at the #1 and #2 spots according to albums sold.  “Rehab” and the sequel  “Rehab: The Overdose“ is shocking the industry.

This is un-heard of right?  Especially for a genre of music that gets little airplay on the radio.  Lecrae is busting the doors off the stereotypes that have plagued Christian rappers.  Rapper Lecrae also has the #1 album in all of Christian music including Christian contemporary.  Rapper “Flame” sits at #5 on the Gospel Charts marking the first time three Gospel albums have placed in the Top Ten in sales on the same week.  Additionally, Rapper “Trip Lee” sits at #24.

Lecrae’s Single: “Just Like You”

So who are these guys?  Where are they getting their followings to sale so many CD units?  The answer to that is simple.  Social Networks.  Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace have revolutionized the way you can promote a brand and get it out to potential buyers.  In the case of entertainers, you can go from being a nobody to creating a buzz about your talents.  Online websites such as PATH aid in getting the artist exposure as well, but radio continues to keep the door closed on these artists.  Why?  Well it’s partly because polls show older generations don’t get the message of Christ through upbeat tracks and quick tempo lyrics heard in rap songs. 

Radio stations are waiting for the younger generations to turn the dial from secular rap to Gospel, but their anxiety wonders if the time slots for Gospel rap can sustain itself.

One thing’s for sure, sooner or later someone is going to have to take the risk.  Radio cancels everything else.  So give these guys a chance and if it doesn’t work, change the format back.  Hopefully the older saints can encourage their kids to listen to Christian Rap or Christian Hip Hop.  They can understand the positive lyrics even if you can’t! 

Here is the rest of the Top Ten Gospel Albums for this week.

1. Lecrae-Rehab: The Overdose
2. Lecrae-Rehab
3. William McDowell-As We Worship: Live
4. VaShawn Mitchell-Triumphant
5. Flame-Captured
6. Marvin Sapp-Beginnings
7. James Fortune & FIYA-I Believe
8. Marvin Sapp-Here I Am
9. Wow Gospel
10. Greater Mt. Calvary Live

New music from Kirk Franklin what do you think?  New album is scheduled for release in just a couple months.

Also Read: MARVIN SAPP BRINGS HOME TOP HONORS AT 26th ANNUAL STELLAR GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS

Big news coming out of Nashville, popular hip-hop artists Da’ T.R.U.T.H. and The Ambassador have both been signed with Xist Records. They made the announcement in Nashville, TN during the premiere of the movie “Stand”, produced by Xist Worldwide. Xist is the label home for urban artist Sean Simmonds.

Xist CEO Terverius Black has amassed an enterprise with influence in film, music, and publishing.  Black along with artist Sean Simmonds, throw a popular Gospel cruise each year which caters to urban Gospel artists.

Look out for Path MEGAzine’s interview with Da TRUTH & Ambassador in our upcoming February edition.

Lecrae’s release Rehab returns to the top of the Billboard Top Gospel Charts this week. The album also enters at #15 on the Top Rap Albums Charts and #11 on the Independent Albums Charts. I Believe: Live from James Fortune & FIYA moves to the #2 position. William McDowell’s As We Worship: Live enters this week at the #3 spot, while Flame’s Captured comes in at #4. Vashawn Mitchell’s Triumphant rounds out the week’s top five albums. In other chart news, the debut release from Greater Mount Calvary Recording Choir, titled Live: As Told By the Music Ministry enters at #7 while the compilation album Kerry Douglas Presents: Gospel Mix Volume IV jumps thirteen places to #15.

In the world of radio, “I Believe” from James Fortune & FIYA featuring Shawn McLemore and Zacardi Cortez remains atop the radio charts. “Nobody Greater” from VaShawn Mitchell enters at the #2 spot while “He Wants It All” from Forever Jones moves to the #3 position. William McDowell’s “I Give Myself Away” takes the #4 spot while “I Choose to Worship” from Wess Morgan rounds out the week’s top five songs.

This years Stellar Awards can be described as a breath of fresh air for many reasons. A few things that I wanted to see happen happened, making the experience fun for the artists, fans, and media in attendance.

The Stellar Awards openly embraced the other events capitalizing off of the Stellar Awards weekend. Many of them took place at the same hotel. Don Jackson, head of the Stellars said he “Supports the events that furthered the Stellar Awards brand.” The Grand Ole Opry hotel in Nashville brought a who’s who list of artists and mainstream entertainers. Many of which bounced from event to event trying to support multiple venues.

The overall experience brought about the same feelings and emotions as previous years that I’ve attended. Artists feeling over-whelmed by fan and media attention, media personnel complaining about standing and their sore and numb feet. Fans excited to catch their favorite artists in pre-show and after-show parties, and artists and media running off a few hours of sleep. The end result is always rewarding though. The artists catch-up with industry friends, media personnel get a ton of material for their outlets, and fans get to reach their favorite Gospel singers in an accessible way.

Path MEGAzine had a very successful Stellar Awards Weekend. We collected well over one hundred interviews from Gospel artist and Hollywood actors. The plethora of talented new and established artists made me feel proud of the direction Gospel music is heading.

I was particularly happy that urban Gospel and Gospel rap is finally getting the long awaited respect it deserves. Artist like Lecrae and Flame blew the doors off the stereotypes that prevented it from getting radio play; a hurdle that continues to be a problem for the genre. Lecrae was heavily recognized with a standing ovation after his performance at the Central South Distributions Stellar Awards pre-show event; A somewhat validating moment for the artist that sits at #1 in sales. Look out for our interviews with urban Gospel artists Canton Jones, Mr. Del, Da Truth, Deitrick Haddon and more!

Some of my more memorable conversations came from interviews with TONEX, now going by the name of B-Slade. Lord help me, you do not want to miss that one! Trinity 5:7 was hilarious and Da Truth opens up with us about his very public marital problems. All this and much more will be coming out soon in our February issue.

I want to say congratulations to all the nominees and winners of the 26th annual Stellar Awards. Fans of Gospel music continue to support these artists and awards shows so they can continue to bring you great Gospel music without the need for a part-time job. Most have a heart to be in full-time ministry and you can help them do that by continuing to support their ministries. That is the kind of recognition that not even the Stellar Awards can provide. Until next time Stay on the Path! 

Kris Patrick – Publisher

kris@pathmagazine.com