Honor & Glory, the worship project founded by members of veteran Christian rock mainstay Disciple, has released their first single with “Battle Belongs.” The song is released in partnership with BEC Recordings.

“Battle Belongs” is Honor & Glory’s take on a Phil Wickham hit, recasting the original in soaring guitars and anthemic vocals.

“I love the truth that this song brings to light— the competing perspectives, my perspective and God’s perspective,” lead singer Kevin Young shares. “It’s so relatable for everyone. When we survey a situation, our perspective is limited in scope and almost always has a negative outlook. But when we allow ourselves to see things the way God sees them, we see a passionate God who loves his children, a God who can turn around any situation, a God who is ready to fight and win any battle on our behalf.”

The song is the first taste of Honor & Glory’s debut, which is due out later this year. The band is comprised of Kevin Young, Josiah Prince, Joey West, and Andrew Stanton of Disciple, with the addition of Dane Allen of LOYALS. “Battle Belongs” was also produced by Josiah Prince.

Honor & Glory was born from a mutual desire to create an experience that was focused entirely on offering honor in recognition of God’s glory. They have brought that rock and roll worship heart to festival stages this summer, with more dates on the calendar for the fall. Through all of it, Kevin Young says the goal is simple: “It’s all about God. We’re trying to be a reflection of Him, a reflection of how great and wonderful He is.”

“Battle Belongs” is available to stream now on all major streaming platforms at https://bec.ffm.to/battle. You can also follow the band on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Ghana’s biggest gospel music export Joe Mettle has received an award from boomplay for his 13-track Wind of Revival album.

The multi-award-winning singer and worship leader received the award after the album amassed 2.7 Million streams on the streaming platform, currently his biggest album on the platform as well.

Wind of revival was released on 17th August last year and was pitched by  USA’S Billboard for charting.

This is Joe Mettle’s 2nd time winning a boomplay award and happens to be the 5th artist to receive this award from boomplay this year following Fameye, Black Sheriff,  Kelvynboy, and Darkovibes.

He has a tally of 7.6 Million streams on boomplay now.

Joe Mettle thanked his fans and management for all the support and showed gratitude to the streaming platform as well. The singer recently released his 6th album ‘The Experience’ which is blessing lives already.  Stream album here

Boomplay is currently the biggest streaming platform in Africa and they’re awarding artists who have garnered a lot of numbers on the app with their music.  Yet to receive awards are; Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, Diana Hamilton, Shatta Wale, and others.

Capitol CMG announced the signing of emerging new artist Kevin Quinn. A coveted win for the undisputed leading label in its genre, the 23-year-old Los Angeles and Nashville-based singer/ songwriter is set to release the single and music video for “Wildfire,” the first with Capitol CMG, on August 13. With a palpable smoothness and synth-forward beat, the hummable track is a purposeful introduction to Quinn as a recording artist. With a desire to deliver straight ahead pop infused with inspirational themes, Quinn’s addition into the fold is a welcome one, as he promises to hold his own amongst the industry’s elite, if this first release is any indication.

“I think ‘Wildfire’ is a metaphor for the light inside us all,” says Quinn. “Even when that light gets bleak, there’s an element of trust that shapes our outlook, as well as peace that everything happens for a reason. And somehow, knowing that is enough to keep going.”

“We are so excited to be partnering with such a multi-talented artist like Kevin,” say Capitol CMG co-presidents Brad O’Donnell and Hudson Plachy. “From acting to songwriting, his success is driven by a raw natural talent and incredible work ethic. We are honored to team up with him to help carry his music to his fans and beyond.”

The release arrives on the heels of his starring role as troubled teen redeemed in Netflix’s new faith-based musical film, “A Week Away,” whose soundtrack (distributed by Capitol CMG) features Quinn on 11 of 13 tracks and has seen over 51 million global streams to date. With the awaited release of “Wildfire,” the Chicago native gets ready to spotlight the vocal capacity that made him the obvious network choice for the theme song of Disney’s “Bunk’d,” which he also starred in for two seasons. The multi-hyphenate joins Capitol’s diverse roster of artists including: Beck, Jon Bellion, Lewis Capaldi, Riley Clemons, Halsey, Niall Horan, Kari Jobe, Paul McCartney, Hillsong Music, Katy Perry, Sam Smith and more. Quinn is managed by veteran artist manager Gabriel Vasquez (Vasquez Entertainment), with theatrical representation by the Kohner Agency and Velocity Entertainment Partners.

“Wildfire” is available August 13  everywhere you get your music.

The Gospel Music Association (GMA) has announced that nominations for the 52nd Annual GMA Dove Awards will be unveiled next week. Nominations will be announced via Facebook Live or YouTube on Wednesday, August 11th at 11am ET.

The 52nd Annual GMA Dove Awards are scheduled to take place live and in person on October 19th at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville, TN.

The GMA Dove Awards celebrate the contributions of artists from every style of Christian/Gospel music. Nominees are determined by over 1,600 professional members, and winners will be voted on by the entire GMA membership of nearly 2,500.

BMI has recently named Essential Music Publishing (EMP) writer Ethan Hulse as BMI’s Christian Songwriter of the Year. This is the third consecutive year that he has received this honor. In addition, EMP received 11 individual song awards (listed below) representing 12 of the team’s writers.

“We are incredibly proud of this group of songs and the writers who helped create them,” shares Holly Zabka, Sr. Vice President for Essential Music Publishing and Head of Creative for Provident Label Group. “As a publishing company, it’s so encouraging to not just see a large number of songs represented, but so many different writers from our Essential Music Publishing team contributing. Honored to celebrate alongside them and excited for what’s next.”

Christian Songwriter of the Year Ethan Hulse was the co-writer on three songs recognized this year “Rescue Story” (Zach Williams), “Stand In Your Love” (Josh Baldwin), and “The Father’s House” (Cory Asbury). Hulse signed his first publishing deal with Essential Music Publishing in 2016 and has become one of the most sought-after writers in Christian music. With cuts also recorded by Cory Asbury, Bethel Music, Josh Baldwin, and Zach Williams, Hulse has seven No. 1 songs to his name.

Essential Music Publishing – BMI Song Awards (EMP writers):
“Rescue Story”
(Ethan Hulse, Andrew Ripp, Jonathan Smith, Zach William

“Stand In Your Love”
(Ethan Hulse)

“The Father’s House”
(Ethan Hulse)

“God’s Not Done With You”
(Tauren Wells)

“See A Victory”
(Chris Brown, Steven Furtick, Jason Ingram)

“The Blessing”
(Chris Brown, Steven Furtick)

“Alive”
(Jason Ingram, Jonathan Smith, Zach Williams)

“Nobody”
(Mark Hall)

“The God Who Stays”
(Jonathan Smith)

“Together”
(Ran Jackson, Ricky Jackson)

“Yes I Will”
(Mia Fieldes, Jonathan Smith)

BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) paid tribute to the best and brightest in Christian music with its annual Christian Awards celebration. The honorees were announced today on BMI.com and across the organization’s digital platforms, celebrating the encouraging and uplifting music of BMI’s Christian songwriters. To honor these achievements, BMI created a page on its website where fans can watch special video messages and performances, listen to award-winning music, and more. To view this exclusive content and hear the story behind some of this year’s uplifting songs, please visit bmi.com/christian2021.

“The BMI Christian Awards is one of our favorite annual celebrations, but it is especially meaningful after the events of the last year. Throughout this time, each and every one of these extraordinary songwriters has used their gift to uplift others,” says Leslie Roberts, AVP, Creative, BMI Nashville. “BMI is so proud to honor the creators of the inspirational songs of hope and faith that bring comfort to so many around the world. I am hopeful that we will all be together again to celebrate in person next year.”

The Song of the Year title went to “Way Maker,” written by Sinach and published by Capitol CMG Publishing. In 2020, the hit won the Dove Award for Song of the Year, making Sinach the first Nigerian Christian artist to win the award. The song has been covered by numerous artists including Christian rock band Leeland as well as the iconic Michael W. Smith. The Leeland and Smith versions of the song entered the Billboard Hot Christian Chart in the top ten, marking the first time in history that two versions of the same song resided together in the top of the chart.

For the third year in a row, the Songwriter of the Year award went to Ethan Hulse, who wrote “Rescue Story,” “Stand In Your Love” and “The Father’s House.”  In 2019, Hulse won his first BMI Award and was simultaneously named Songwriter of the Year.

Capitol CMG took home the Publisher of the Year award. The company had the highest percentage of copyright ownership among the year’s most-performed songs, including the hits “Believer,” “Burn the Ships,” “Dead Man Walking,” “God’s Not Done With You,” “Holy Water,” “Let It Rain (Is There Anybody),” “See a Victory,” “Stand In Your Love,” “The Blessing,” “The Father’s House,” “Way Maker,” and “You Are Loved.”

In addition to the major award winners, BMI also paid homage to the Twenty-Five Most Performed Christian Songs of the Year (2020). This year’s winners featured 17 first time Christian award winners including Cody Carnes (“The Blessing”), Franni Cash Cain (“Holy Water”), Martin Cash (“Holy Water”), Dillon Chase (“Symphony”), Dave Clark (“River”), Sheri Easter (“You Are Loved”), Cassidy Estevez (“Symphony”), Rob Estevez (“Symphony”), Luke Guevara (“Symphony”), Matt Hales (“Burn the Ships”), Jason Ingram (“Alive,” “See A Victory”), Ricky Jackson (“Together”), Andrew Ripp (“Rescue Story”), Sinach (“Way Maker”), Rita Springer (“Stand In Your Love”), Mitch Wong (“Believer”), and Jimmy Yeary (“The God I Serve,” “Sometimes It’s The Radio”), who has previously been awarded seven BMI Country Awards. Legendary Christian songwriter and producer Bernie Herms is receiving his 17th and 18th Awards. He was named 2016 Christian Songwriter of the Year and also wrote the 2016 Christian Song of the Year, “Good Good Father.”

For a complete list of winners, video messages and performances, go to bmi.com/christian2021.

There’s no stopping the outstanding performance of CeCe Winans’ current album, Believe For It. Prior to street date, the record began to acquire a buzz throughout the Christian and Gospel industry which heightened the anticipation of hearing new music from the celebrated voice of Winans. The live recording featuring 12 heart-felt songs of worship quickly rose to the top of the charts claiming the number one spot, simultaneously, on four different Billboard Gospel Charts with the album remaining in the number slot for seven consecutive weeks.

Winans is now making her mark at key Christian radio stations and networks like: K-Love, KLTY (Dallas), KSBJ (Houston), The Fish (Atlanta & Los Angeles), WONU (Chicago), Sirius XM, The Message and many more. The single, “Believe For It,” holds a Top 10 presence on the Billboard Christian Charts chiming in at #7 on Billboard Christian Airplay Chart, #9 on the Billboard Monitored Chart, #7 on Billboard Christian Digital Song Sales Chart and #9 on the Mediabase Christian AC Chart.

The album is currently at #4 on Billboard’s Top Christian/Gospel Album chart and has been in the top 10 every week since its release 20 weeks ago. The US On-Demand streams for “Believe For It”, the song that distributes hope to the multitudes, has surpassed the 13 million cyber count and the album is over 41 million and increasing daily.

“It’s always a privilege to work with artists of CeCe’s caliber. We are beyond excited about the success she is having with this record and we know there is much more to come,” says Jeff Moseley, Founder & President of Fair Trade.

The 36 million video views the album has received on YouTube and FaceBook keeps the momentum of “Believe For It” vigorous and tracking upward on the Christian Charts. But it’s the many testimonies of Winans’ fans and followers sharing their stories of how the song has touched their hearts and changed their lives that is at the core success of this single and album. For Winans, singing is always about spreading the good news of the gospel, encouraging people to trust God, believe, and never give up.

As the 12 time Grammy winner reflects on the achievement of her 11th solo album she has this to say, “I’m thrilled with the success of BELIEVE FOR IT because I think the message of the song is more important today than ever before. I celebrate reaching Top Ten and the millions of views the videos have received – not because it elevates me in any way – but because the songs promote the truth of the Gospel and the hope we have in Christ.”

Jason Nelson, best-known for his No. 1 gospel ballads “Forever” and “I Am,” will emerge from a three-year recording hiatus on 8/6 with the release of his sixth album, Close (Jaelyn Song Music/ Tyscot / FairTrade).  “First, it’s a studio record [his past sets have been live sessions]. Secondly, I delve into music that helped to nurture my sound as a singer. It pays homage to Dawkins & Dawkins, Fred Hammond, Commissioned. The first album I ever purchased was by Jaco Pastorious (a legendary bassist known for his work with jazz fusion band, Weather Report). All of them played a major role in my musical journey.”   

With hints of Jazz, R&B, and Pop flavors, Nelson is flexing new musical muscles on Close. Joining him for this sonic workout are luminaries such as R&B singer, Chrisette Michele; jazz bassist, John Patitucci; and Cross Worshipleader, Osby Berry. Although, the set breaks new musical ground for Nelson; it’s still an album that solidly delivers the heartfelt, Jesus-centered songs of faith that Nelson’s core fans have come to love.   The first radio single, “Residue,” has already racked a million streams and charted in the Top 20 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart.

The twelve-track set is also the first fruit of Nelson’s Jaelyn Song imprint’s new marketing and distribution partnership with Tyscot Records and FairTrade Services. “I love the freedom of being able to curate my career and make decisions that I feel are the best for me,” Nelson says after a nearly decade-long recording relationship with RCA Inspirational. 

A Baltimore, Maryland native, Nelson has been active on the national stage since 2005. Over the years, he’s enjoyed a string of gospel radio hits such as “Shifting the Atmosphere,” “Nothing Without You,” “I Am” and “Forever” that have earned him over 100 million digital streams. He is also Pastor of The Tab (Formerly The Tabernacle at Greater Bethlehem Temple) in Windsor Mills, MD. He and his wife, Tonya, have two children, Jaelyn Paris and Jason Christopher.

Pre-Order Link: https://smarturl.it/JNClose

Nigerian gospel music minister & fashion designer Agaga Praise Kukerim well known as Yadah & the litu girl under the management of SonsHub Media is preparing to release her debut album whose title is revealed to be THE LOVE STORY.

The album is scheduled for release August 8th of 2021 at The Transforming Church located at the end of 7th Avenue beside Lub Gas, Gwarimpa-Abuja by 4PM.

The album release date is also the scheduled date for the second edition of her yearly concert YADAH LIVE IN CONCERT which was halted last year due to COVID-19.

The fifteen track album contains some of the already released songs such as the evergreen Beyond Me, Free of Charge, Out of Nothing and Onye Inaputara the other eleven songs are new songs which in no doubt are going to bless lives.

Featured artists on the album include the legendary Solomon Lange the Yabo crooner, producer cum artist Manus Akpanke and versatile South side Afro singer Prinx Emmanuel the God No Dey Shame Us crooner.
Artist lineup for this concert includes the likes of KJ, Thombee, Solomon Lange, Mercy Chinwo, Chris Morgan, Jimmy D Psalmist, Samsong, Steve Crown and a host of other artists.

It promises to be an exciting time in God’s presence at the concert/album launch and get set to experience God’s unwavering love via the album which is all about the undeserved LOVE of God as a father towards us all His children.

Make out time to be there if you can make it and prepare your mind to be blessed with the beautiful songs from Yadah.

GRAMMY® and Stellar Award winner, Jonathan McReynolds, continues his reign in gospel music by adding another #1 single to his resume. The single, “Grace” (lifted from the PEOPLE EP), has earned #1 status on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart. Along with this milestone, McReynolds celebrates winning 3 Stellar Awards for Male Vocalist of the Year, Producer of the Year and Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, during the 36^th Stellar Gospel Music Awards telecast. Jonathan McReynolds current EP, PEOPLE, is available wherever music is sold and streamed now.

Beginning September 30, Jonathan McReynolds and Mali Music will take their GRAMMY® winning collaboration on the road, embarking on a multi-city tour simply titled Jonny x Mali. Tickets are available for purchase at JonnyXMali.com.

“I told Mali at the recording, being a gospel artist is simply more fun for me when he’s around. We are the perfect odd couple of musical creativity. I love it. I draw the lines; he colors the picture. Magic and Bird love. A teacher and a poet. I think people will hear it and love it too,” shares Jonathan McReynolds.

The PEOPLE EP by Jonathan McReynolds boasts collaborations with Mali Music, The Walls Group and Pastor Mike Todd. It is available now everywhere that music is streamed. Impacting radio now are the singles “Grace” and “Best Thing.” The new #1 single, “Grace” marks McReynolds’ fourth #1 single preceded by “Movin’ On,” “Make Room” and “Not Lucky, I’m Loved.”

Watch “Grace” video below;

For more information on Jonathan McReynolds visit jonathanmcreynolds.com; on Facebook at Facebook.com/jmcreynoldsmusic; on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube using the handle @jonmcreynolds. 

For more information on Entertainment One visit EntertainmentOne.com.

JONNY X MALI – Tour Dates

• September 30th: Atlanta, GA Tabernacle
• October 1: Neighborhood Theatre, Charlotte, NC
• October 3rd: Theatre of Living Arts, Philadelphia PA
• October 4th: Sony Hall, New York, New York
• October 5th: Toad’s Place, New Haven, CT
• October 7th: Lincoln Theatre, Washington DC
• October 10th: Chicago IL, House of Blues
• October 13th: The Novo, Los Angeles, CA