Classic Video: Tunnel Rats “TR’z”
XROSS set to reach millions with CC Entertainment & KOCH Distribution
No stranger to the Christian Hip Hop scene, as a part of Holy Hip Hop vol. 1 and vol. 3, XROSS is a GRAMMY® NOMINATED songwriter, for “Dedication to Holy Hip Hop” by wife Mariaha Markel, which topped the billboard charts at #15 [2004]. XROSS landed on Gospel Billboard’s top 40 list, with hit single “Who’s Ya Daddy” ranked #39, [2006] the initial version released in a partnership with Holy Hip Hop Inc & EMI Gospel.
In the recent signing of a major distribution deal with CC Entertainment/Koch Distribution for the release of “Tell’em tha Truth” Bobby Z, former Drummer for “Prince & The Revolution” & CCE Executive states, “XROSS brings his talent, integrity, and passion to his music, and his life. We are proud to be working with an artist at the forefront of the Holy Hip Hop movement.”
XROSS’ new album “Tell’em tha Truth” is a master piece and loaded with hits! Certain to be a major staple in its primary genre of music; the label and the artist are confident in the projects ability and undeniable appeal to move the ears of mainstream audiences and listeners. “Ride to it and let it play”, proclaims XROSS in an interview….”every song is hot, so no need to skip through the CD looking for a hit, they all are bangers”. Songs like ‘Y U Runnin” which won him best rap/spoken word artist at Dr. Dorinda Clark-Cole Singers & Musician Conference this summer as well as a featured performance slot along with his 14-year-old son KJ www.sonicbids.com/kj2 on Gospel Music Channel’s “Next Generation”. “Tear It Up” is a club song in which XROSS brags about living a saved lifestyle. This joint is sure to win over the listeners in the mainstream markets; XROSS is bold about the rich quality of Holy Hip Hop music – which is not only good for the ears, but good for the soul.
“Look 4 Me” is the Holy Hip Hop anthem, the cornerstone of hip hop ministry which proclaims “If ya looking for the truth, I’ll leave it up to you, but you know where to find me at… I’m not just in the church but I’m on the block, and that’s where you’ll find me at” XROSS becomes very transparent with his hit Look 4 Me, with piercing lyrics that clearly articulate the method of fulfilling the great commission. It’s not about religion or just church as usual, but it’s about going out of the four walls into the community and reaching the lost where they are. “Who’s Ya Daddy {Remix}” is simply out the box, revamped that proves XROSS to be more than just a performing artist, but musically a creative genius. XROSS goes into the enemies camp and literally takes back what the pimp stole, the phrase “Who’s ya Daddy” and delivers it back to its rightful place; Who’s Ya Daddy on this album boasts of our one and only “true father” – Jesus Christ. “He’s Still With Me” is a love song God commissioned XROSS to write a couple months in advance of the untimely deaths of his Grandmother (Big Mama) and his older brother, Michol Dean. A great loss for XROSS and his family; both pivotal members of the Dean family died less than a month apart after the song had been completed.
Hit song “No Water” is a smooth laid back melody that speaks life into the young person who is struggling to find purpose. The hook of No Water says, “I’m standing in a boat with no water, wasting my time away, I’m sitting in a car with no keys, throwing my life away, I’m going to the store with no money knowing I’m about to cause some trouble, I gotta, (I gotta) do something” The song “Tell’em tha Truth” was birthed after much prayer and fasting for God to reveal his true and ultimate purpose for Holy Hip Hop ministers world-wide. The song cuts like a double edged sword and sends a crystal clear message to repent for the kingdom of God is at hand! This cut will send chills down your spine!
Tell’em tha Truth is a universal album with endless boundaries as to whom it will reach; the compact disc in its entirety defies all rules of music theory & business that relates to target markets. It’s articulate and harmonious enough to inspire the most seasoned or mature Christian, while versatile and crunk enough to capture and encourage youth of all ages. Tell’em tha Truth deals with real issues that challenge the churched and the un-churched to be transparent with God; a requirement for finding and fulfilling the truth that God placed in us. This CD is a collection of songs that reaches deep into the back pocket to tell some of life’s most vile and/or successful moments while celebrating the saving grace of Christ.
“The soulful, street-wise, spirit-filled rhymes, rhythms, music and message of XROSS immediately establish him as an Artist Extraordinaire, a force to contend with, and a voice to be heard”…..Gary Hines, Music Director / Producer, GRAMMY® Award-Winning Sounds of Blackness
For audiences, get ready to experience Tell’em tha Truth by XROSS live on stage. In concert, the new album allows XROSS the freedom to go bananas, get buck, and raise the roof during live performances. Yet, he’s consistently sensitive to the Holy Spirit, allowing it to take free course to create a smooth, intimate atmosphere resulting in the saving of many souls, not what you would expect to witness at a hip hop concert.
To be a blessing to the masses, the album will sell at wholesale to the people who purchase online or pre-order at:
XROSSmusic.com Look for the Buy 1 < BLESS 2 special online or at live performances; this entitles the buyer to get 3 albums for $19.95. XROSS is a true servant and for him, It’s about ministry, not industry.
For more information on XROSS visit www.myspace.com/xross or www.xrossmusic.com XROSS press kit: www.sonicbids.com/xross
Be on the lookout for Tell’em tha Truth Week and promo info/2009 tour dates.
3HP Records introduces Mark Daniel
As a child raised by a strong single mother, it was apparent that Mark was blessed with a talent to perform. Growing up listening to and imitating musical icon Michael Jackson, Mark caught the eye of many throughout his childhood, and his gift to write lyrics at such an early age also caught the attention of musical instructors.
“I always had an understanding of song formats when i was younger, not really knowing where it came from”. Writing became a way to vent and express his feelings. His creativity kept himself entertained.
“Hip hop became a love of mine when I heard L.L. Cool J’s “Bad” album for the first time. That’s when I knew what I truly wanted to be.” Hip-hop stayed with him. As time passed, he continued working toward perfecting his writing and lyrical ability.
In his teenage years, Mark started to make his love for the hip-hop art more vocal; joining in on the lunch room cyphers, studying the art of graffiti, and even break dancing.
Always carrying the dream with him like the backpack stuffed with lyrics. Filling notebooks with poetic verses and reciting them to his peers. His confidence grew stronger and his will to win became more powerful as his heart began to take his talent more serious.
He started recording in 2000, finding his lyrical ability to be more than just a talent, more than just a dream… but a goal. Recording songs with a friend, they teamed up to take their music to a higher level. Following many heart-breaking disappointments and shattered expectations, the groups’ outlook on life changed. They matured and began to build a relationship that had unknowingly been evolving in their hearts. In 2005 the group turned to God for the answers they had long been questioning.
“The music became more positive as we built our relationship with God.” They started to record and perform songs in and around the Atlanta area creating a small buzz for themselves both locally and internationally, having been featured on many mix-tapes not only in the United States but also in Europe.
As Mark’s relationship with God grew, he was led to express his love for Christ even more in his lyrics. Knowing the struggles of today’s Christian hip-hop artists hasn’t stopped him from committing to his goals, and expressing his past and present through his form of testimony. He’s also showing his vulnerability by keeping his music as honest and “real” as possible, in order to speak to those who really hear the message behind the music.
This is not your average story of a rose through concrete. This is a story of learning to walk without legs to stand on. This is having faith your feet are there and just pushing with what you have. This is the realization that what’s under those feet is a strong foundation and relationship with an unbreakable God. This is the Grace that Jesus gives through his compassion and love for us that pours out in blessings like talent and drive.
This is not your average story. It’s the following of a calling to strive to be above the “average” molded for you. A story that can inspire another, in it’s truth, to carve their own destiny and follow their calling.
“This is my life; one given, then spared, then blessed abundantly in Jesus’ name. This is my Muzik.”
For additional info on Mark Daniel visit: www.myspace.com/markdanielmuzik
Check out Mark Daniel’s free Mixtape: Click here to Download
“North Carolina Gospel Announcers Guild (NCGAG) Forms Strategic Alliance with Holy Hip Hop Radio
Atlanta/Charlotte. December 1, 2008. North Carolina Gospel Announcers Guild (NCGAG) and Holy Hip Hop Radio announced today that they have entered into a strategic alliance. The terms of the strategic alliance provide generally that: (1) Holy Hip Hop Radio, syndicated exclusively worldwide by Superadio, will serve as the music provider of choice for the North Carolina Gospel Announcers Guild as related to diverse and powerful Holy Hip Hop Trax; and (2) North Carolina Gospel Announcers Guild will serve as a key platform for Holy Hip Hop Radio to feature Holy Hip Hop emcees representing North, South, East and West.
“It is no secret that the entire state of North Carolina, home of INSP, Billy Graham Youth Ministries and hundreds of progressive Ministries seeking ways to connect with and uplift youth, children and young adults, has been and will always be a powerful beacon and advocate for Holy Hip Hop.
This is also why the timing of this alliance is important and Holy Hip Hop Radio is humbled to have been able to align with such a powerful and influential radio platform such as the North Carolina Gospel Announcers Guild, and to receive the full-backing and support of its leadership, as we continue to fulfill our works and mission,” said Minister eDDie Velez (Da Preachin Puerto Rican), host of Holy Hip Hop Radio.
“With over 25 years of radio broadcast experience, I have been fortunate and blessed to have seen and lived through multiple evolutions of music. This is why when I witnessed the Holy Hip Hop artist known as “Lecrae” recently reach the #1 spot on Billboard Top Gospel Chart (following Holy Hip Hop Emcee Canton Jones rise to #2 earlier this year), with virtually zero or non-existent radio airplay as compared to all others on the Chart before them, that this was of no surprise to me whatsoever.
But instead, this remarkable feat served as a further clear indicator that the time for Holy Hip Hop to move to higher ground, as predicted by the Gospel Announcers Guild just three (3) years ago at our Annual Retreat, is very near at-hand; and Holy Hip Hop Radio, Holy Hip Hop emcees and the legions of fans who have supported this music underground for the past 20+ years have earned my support and the support of the North Carolinal Gospel Announcers Guild,” said Pastor Arvetra Jones, President, North Carolina Gospel Announcers Guild.
About Gospel Announcers Guild:
The Gospel Announcers Guild is a voluntary association of Religious Announcers who have come together to address their common needs as professional broadcasters. This organization was born out of the lack of emphasis and concern placed on religious broadcasting, as well as religious broadcasters, by the nation’s major broadcast and record industry conventions and associations.
For over 35 years the GAG has experienced many milestone moments and yet its members remain committed to its central mission. No matter what their Gospel endeavors, through their continued service and giving both locally and nationally, they bring our motto of “One Voice, Crying in the Wilderness, the Coming and the Goodness of Christ,” into an ongoing reality.
We invite you to travel with us as we continue on our journey to “Bless the Kingdom” and to bring Gospel Music to the forefront by way of the airwaves, printed media, TV, the Internet, and other forms of media. For more information on the North Carolina Gospel Announcers Guild, please go to: www.NCGAG.com
About Holy Hip Hop Radio:
Based in Atlanta and hosted by eDDie Velez (a/k/a Da Preachin Puerto Rican), Since 1999, Holy Hip Hop Radio remains today as the longest running nationally-syndicated weekly radio show of its type consistently providing FM and AM radio affiliates nationwide with powerful and uplifting holy hip hop trax and bangin beats, combined with news, interviews and uplifting fellowship and ministry with 1500 hours of programming and 500 (3 Hour Shows) produced to date. For more information, email: radio@holyhiphop.com or go to: www.HolyHipHopRadio.com
Radio Station Program Directors: For more information on the Holy Hip Hop radio show (a 3-hour weekly radio program featuring blazin Holy Hip Hop Trax, Interviews, News and Street Gospel hosted by eDDie Velez, since 1999) or to add it to your radio station’s line-up, go directly to Superadio at: www.Superadio.com; email: radio@holyhiphop.com or go to: www.HolyHipHopRadio.com
For Emcees & Labels: Digitally-Mastered CD Submissions only, for radio airplay consideration, can be sent to: Radio; P.O. Box 1023; Pine Lake, GA 30072. eDDie Velez also hosts, (since 2003), the Holy Hip Hop Video Show and Holy Hip Hop Music Awards (since 2000).
About eDDie Velez:
eDDie Velez (a/k/a Da Preachin Puerto Rican) has been featured on national media such as, BET, CBS – The Early Show, FOX, PBS and C-SPAN. In January of 2002, eDDie Velez was invited by the late Coretta Scott King to be a guest speaker at the Annual Martin Luther King Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA. In front of many dignitaries, including the First Lady of the United States, Mrs. Laura Bush, he gave a compelling speech on how the vision of Dr. King cannot die within the Hip Hop Culture.
eDDie Velez currently hosts the nationally syndicated Holy Hip Hop Radio Show syndicated worldwide by Superadio, as well as the Holy Hip Hop Music Awards, aired worldwide on JC-TV (TBN Affiliate) in over 10 million homes. eDDie also serves as the Chairman and CEO of the Fellowship of Holy Hip Hop, an organization that focuses on ministering the Gospel to the Hip Hop culture. Eddie Velez is bilingual, speaking both fluent English and Spanish.
About Superadio:
Based in New York, since 1988, Superadio is the leading producer and distributor of marquis radio programs in a variety of formats including Urban, Urban Adult, Gospel, Mainstream Top 40, Rhythmic, Talk, Country, Hot AC, Rock, Dance, Alternative and Oldies.
Since 1988, Superadio has boasted a line-up of personalities second to none including but not limited to: Inspiration Jam; Joe Cortez, Retro Pop Reunion; John Garabedian and Kane, Open House Party; Warren Ballentine; Ace and TJ, The Ace and TJ Morning Show, Steve and DC, The Steve and DC Morning Show, Ken Cooper, Retro Country USA; Rev. Al Sharpton; PK, PK’s Playhouse; Derrick Jonzun, Lost in the 80’s; Holy Hip Hop; Romeo, Romeo’s Playhouse; Jay Gordon, Elvis Only; Terry Bello, The Soul Lounge; R-Dub!, Sunday Night Slow Jams. For more information, go to: www.Superadio.com
Filed under: Music | Tagged: 3HPRecords, Add new tag, Christian hip hop, Hip hop, Holy Hip Hop Radio, Mark Daniel, Music, Music News, Tunnel Rats "TR'z", XROSS
