Atlanta rapper, producer, and designer, WHATUPRG’s, name is synonymous with innovation and authenticity. His trademark combination of Latin rhythms, trap hip-hop, flawless lyricism, and captivating storytelling has enshrined him as an elite amongst his peers emerging from the Christian music scene. Still, his art is too eclectic for the limits of any sub-genre.

After releasing two singles “KIDS,” and “PRAISE!,” WHATUPRG invites listeners to experience the ever-evolving world of NEW HOLLYWOOD! His new album, NEW HOLLYWOOD, captures the quintessential nature of what listeners truly desire from the musical artform: an experience in which the trained artist channels his or her ability to respond to deep human emotion. Each track is a visceral experience. Every chord, bassline, lyric, and melody contributes a delicate stroke of paint to the album’s canvas of human experience. An aural and visual masterpiece that is just as much specific as it is universal.“New Hollywood is a place where you don’t have to act and you can just be yourself. Being yourself is enough!” shares RG. “I wanted to create music that could be a friend for people. I wanted to help them know when they hit rock bottom, even then, they’re not alone.”

Sonically, on New Hollywood, there are masterful records like the first single, “KIDS,” which carries the album’s thesis, chanting “We don’t pretend no more” and “kids don’t die we go up high”, over punching 808 drums and haunting synths. The star-studded song, “PRAISE,” marked his second song released from New Hollywood and features WHATUPRG alongside nine CHH artists: Foggieraw, Ty Brasel, Parris Chariz, NOT KLYDE, 1K Phew, Aha Gazelle, 350, Kaleb Mitchell, and a brand-new verse from NOBIGDYL. WHATUPRG released the original audio after a stroke of inspiration led him to rally collaborators to record the song. In just 24 hours, the song was recorded, mixed, mastered, and released on SoundCloud, just in time for the celebration of his 25th birthday earlier this year.

The albums stand out record “HUMAN” takes the listener outside the conventional rap production style featuring WHATUPRG’s confessional riff over guitar chords. The lyrics, “You clear the storm in my mind, you bring me back to life,” and “If I show you the worst [of me] would you stay and rock and roll?” showcase his innovative wordplay.  The record finishes with a back and forth featuring rapper Rhomar Jessie. The two float back and forth with lines like, “It feels like they killin’ innocence for the hell of it, separating kids from their parents ‘cause they immigrants” and “Coulda been the next Malcolm X, Dr. King but I’m tucked in my bed while I sleep on my dreams.” Each line describes their anguish watching the troubles of the world and feeling helpless to do more.

“NEED YOU” finds RG processing his desire to be holy but feeling far from it. He describes trying to process life and getting stuck in the dark. “Hella jaded, medicated, I’m surprised I’m still alive all the things I’ve taken.” and “I’m surprised I still believe in God, I gotta say it,” he raps. “On NEED YOU, I’m declaring to God that I need Him”.

On “MELATONIN,” electric guitars carry WHATUPRG’s haunting melodies as he chants “when I’m up all morning tossing and turning, I been up losing sleep, all this melatonin takes me up slowly take me up slowly, please.” Processing his internal struggles and the strife of the outside world has left him unable to sleep. This record is the soundtrack to those sleepless nights.

Drug abuse, deep feelings of loneliness, and the need to truly experience love, are all central themes to the album. New Hollywood is the Gospel according to WHATUPRG. Through powerful  sonic delivery, listeners will experience a creative powerhouse transparently aligning with a generation questioning their responsibility to make the world a better place as well as the true peace all followers of Jesus hope to find through faith. To all who are weary and heavy burdened, welcome to NEW HOLLYWOOD.

Acclaimed singer/songwriter and best-selling author Ellie Holcomb will release her new Christmas EP, Sing: Christmas Songs, on November 1st to accompany her latest children’s book, Sounding Joy, which was released earlier this month. Celebrating the recent release of her holiday book and the forthcoming album, Holcomb debuted the original song “Sounding Joy” today. Watch the live acoustic performance.

“My book and album were inspired by the song ‘Joy to the World,’ and it’s an invitation to sing about the hope we have because God put skin on and moved into the neighborhood,” shares Ellie Holcomb. “I hope these songs will invoke dancing in the kitchen while you bake Christmas cookies and storytelling of the very best kind. I hope it will help kids ponder what joy sounds like and the reason we can have joy no matter what we’re facing.”

The Christmas book explores the question of what joy sounds like as the reader travels through beautiful Christmastime scenes in the board book, which is illustrated by Laura Ramos. Likewise Sing: Christmas Songs is an invitation to sing about the hope of the season and features classic and original Christmas songs. Holcomb’s sweet and lovely celebration of Christmas encourages each reader and listener, young and old, to lift up their voice and repeat the sounding joy!

Holcomb continues, “Joy sounds like the voices of my friends and family in my home while I’m preparing a meal. It sounds like my kids singing happily in their room together or like carols and bells and laughter and water running. It sounds like It’s A Wonderful Life playing in the background and Charlie Brown Christmas and Linus reading the most wonderful of stories that came true in real life… the magic of knowing we are never alone, and of hearing that message ring true over and over again in all the songs we sing at Christmas. We have a reason to sing, a reason to hope. Love gets the final word. Glad tidings of GREAT JOY!”

Click here to get the book and pre-order the upcoming Sing: Christmas Songs.

Award-winning artist Meredith Andrews shares a passionate ballad of hope and relief with “Carry The World,” available 9/30.

Reminding listeners that we weren’t meant to shoulder the weight of the burdens we bear, the timely track suggests that there is One willing and able to carry them for us — One who holds the whole world in His hands. Andrews originally introduced the song in Spanish on her first full-length Spanish language album, Ábrenos Los Cielos.

Now available in English for the first time, the poignant offering invites weary listeners to cast their cares on a God who is capable of great things.

“Carry The World” was written by Meredith Andrews, Ryan Ellis, and Andrew Bergthold; and produced by Andrew Bergthold.

Carry The World – Meredith Andrews

Chart-topping recording star, actress and entrepreneur Kierra Sheard Kelly, releases her new single and music video for “Miracles” feat. Pastor Mike Jr. (Karew Entertainment/RCA Inspiration). Available now, “Miracles” is the first single from her upcoming album set to release in 2023.

Her new album will mark Kierra’s seventh studio album, following KIERRA-Deluxe, which featured the two #1 Billboard Gospel Airplay hit singles “Something Has to Break” (feat. Karen Clark Sheard) and “It Keeps Happening.” The “Miracles” music video premiered on the BET Her and BET Gospel networks, and showcases Kierra Sheard and Pastor Mike Jr. in a robust live performance of spiritual empowerment, recorded in Atlanta last year at Praise In The Park. The lyrics transcend us beyond any doubts or worries we have, to carry a strong belief in God’s power and love to lead towards a more positive outlook.

Kierra Sheard has been singing professionally since the age of nine, growing up surrounded by music as the daughter of Gospel icon Karen Clark Sheard, from the legendary family group The Clark Sisters. Kierra continues her family’s legacy in music and ministry, carrying out her own path as an artist at their company Karew Entertainment. The multi-award-winning singer/ songwriter’s music following includes over 63 million audio streams, and career accolades include five #1 Billboard Gospel albums, four #1 Billboard Gospel Airplay singles, a GRAMMYⓇ Award, three Dove Awards, and six Stellar Awards.

In addition to music, the actress and fashion influencer starred in The Clark Sisters and Line Sisters Lifetime movies, authored a memoir, Big, Bold, and Beautiful and helms her Eleven60 clothing line. Most recently, she appeared as herself in an episode of the BET+ show, “Kingdom Business.” Kierra continues to support the SistHer Mentorship community, giving back to her hometown of Detroit. She wants to continue spreading the message of miracles through charity and partnerships with local organizations. For more with Kierra, catch up with her Katching Kierra YouTube channel, for a behind-the-scenes look into her life, from beauty, style, travel, to cooking, family, music, and more.

Miracles – Kierra Sheard & Pastor Mike Jr. Partner

Motown Gospel (a division of Capitol CMG/Capitol and Universal Music Group) celebrates the release of, Love, Evvie McKinney, the highly anticipated full-length album from, “The Four: Battle for Stardom on FOX,” season one winner, Evvie McKinney. McKinney’s debut album Love, Evvie McKinney, is available for purchase here. Additionally, the spectacular visual for her buzzworthy song, “Church” is available for viewing.

McKinney’s 2020 debut single, “Bring the Whole Hood,” (co-written with her musical mentor, pop icon Meghan Trainor), showcased the emerging star’s powerhouse vocals and solidified her as “one to watch.” McKinney’s second single, “Just Like God” blends together genres of soul, rock, R&B, and gospel to create a unique sound that beautifully showcases Evvie’s range and musicality. “Just Like God,” reached number one on the Billboard Gospel National Airplay chart in 2022.

McKinney previously shared with Billboard, “I wrote ‘Just Like God’ to express my heart: While I try never to be surprised by what God does, I want to always remain in awe of him doing it…”

Influenced by the fabled and fertile Memphis music scene, Evvie McKinney’s unique merging of good ol’ gospel vibes, current pop sensibility, and deep-rooted soul has her perfectly positioned for international acclaim. In 2018, she competed and won in the inaugural season of The Four: Battle for Stardom on FOX. In 2022, she co-hosted the 37^th Stellar Gospel Music Awards pre-show alongside Pastor Mike Jr. The 37^th Stellar Gospel Music Awards is currently running in broadcast syndication and online. Part one of the 37^th Stellar Gospel Music Awards is available for viewing now at TheStellarAwards.com.

TRIBL Records in partnership with JamesTown Music announce the new album BELIEVE AGAIN, from GRAMMY-nominated, multiple Stellar Award winner, Billboard Music Award-winning, and Top Gospel Artist, JJ Hairston. Hairston returns to the top of Billboard’s Gospel charts after being named one of the Top Gospel Artists of the Decade, with his current single, “Thankful.” JJ is reminding people how awesome God is with his new album BELIEVE AGAIN, available today.

BELIEVE AGAIN is the first project JJ Hairston has completed since being installed as the Senior Pastor of All Nations Worship Assembly DC. “Previously, my creative process evolved from the worship perspective. Although I am still a worshiper, as a Pastor, I teach more. Now, each musical project starts with a thought or a scripture. I spend a great deal of time thinking about what I want people to get from each song,” shares Hairston. BELIEVE AGAIN features stand-out collaborations with Nicole Mincey, Benita Jones, David Wilford, Kymberli Joye, Travis Greene, Tamela Hairston, Mav City Gospel Choir, Donishisa Ballard, Marc Britt, Juanita Contee and Vincent McNatt. BELIEVE AGAIN’s first single, “Thankful” is currently top ten on Billboard’s National Gospel Airplay chart.

“Bigger,” the brand-new instant grat track, features Travis Greene and Donishisa Ballard and unlocks with each pre-sale order of BELIEVE AGAIN. This faith song starts with “I believe every word you said.” “Bigger” is an anthem reminding listeners that God’s vision for our lives is bigger than anything the human mind can conceive. Upbeat with powerful lyrics and driving instruments, the song is sure to be a fan favorite.

Although listeners will hear the JJ Hairston sound they have come to love, BELIEVE AGAIN is uniquely eclectic. The album features divinely inspired, highly gifted co-writers and collaborators who bring a new element to the familiar sound. The album reminds people to focus on what God said, not the world’s chatter. “Faith is a choice, and we hope the album will inspire people to choose God,” shares JJ Hairston.

Currently, JJ Hairston is continuing his devotion to a greater purpose alongside his wife, Trina Hairston, serving as Campus Pastors for All Nations Worship Assembly (ANWA) Washington, DC campus.

BELIEVE AGAIN – JJ Hairston

Christian rock mainstay Kutless has released a fiery statement of faith with their new single “Words of Fire,” available on all major streaming platforms as of September 30. You can find the song at https://kutless.ffm.to/fire.

“The song ‘Words of Fire’ was inspired by the story of the Two Witnesses in Revelation chapter 11,” guitarist James Mead shares. “Around the time I wrote this song, there just seemed to be so many things that were causing tension. In my home city of Portland Oregon, there was a series of riots that lasted for several months. Then the world shut down from a pandemic. We have mourned the losses of several more horrible mass shootings.”

The song was born from Mead’s convicted sense of urgency in how to respond to widespread unrest: “When I read the story of the Two Witnesses, I can just picture a world that wants to stop them from spreading the truth. It’s an anthem for those that will continue to rise up and be bold and share their faith. The dead come back to life.”

“But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them.”
— Revelation 11:11 NIV

Sonically, “Words of Fire” blazes a path through the airwaves with an intensity that matches the message. A true return to form for a band that has always been based in rock and roll, the towering guitars and scorching melodies offer Kutless’s heaviest sound yet.

“We really took a hard look at what we wanted Kutless to look like moving forward,” lead singer Jon Micah Sumrall earnestly confesses. “We didn’t want to keep fighting the music industry ‘game.’ We just wanted to make music that we enjoyed. So we really got back to just making music, not worrying about radio or charts, and this brought us back to our rock roots.”

“Words of Fire” is the immediate follow-up to the retrospective EP Twenty, a collection of reimagined versions of three Kutless classics, released in honor of their debut album’s 20 year anniversary. That EP served to remind listeners of Kutless’s foundation, priming them for what’s to come with “Words of Fire” and the songs that will follow after.

“This first song is just a glimpse of what’s still to come,” Sumrall hints. “We are excited for this next chapter as we keep creating new music!”

Ian Yates’ sixth album, ‘Between The Joy And The Sorrow,’ is a collection of honest songs about living in the tension of life’s joys and sorrows. The collection has been released in two parts – ‘Part 1’ (June 24th 2022) and ‘Part 2’ (Sept 30th 2022).

Musically, Yates found inspiration in a number of singer/songwriters including, 70’s folk singer Nick Drake, Foy Vance, Alexi Murdoch, Bob Dylan and the ‘Nebraska’ album from Bruce Springsteen. Many of the songs are stripped back musically focusing on the lyrical content.

Yates says, “I wanted to write really honest songs, I’ve always tried to write songs of truth and authentic songs of hope. These songs are born out of the last two years as we’ve navigated this pandemic. Throughout this time I have come back to a simple trust in God.

Often I found myself disappointed with the things I’d seen. I found myself getting frustrated and lost in the opinions of people, the many perceptions of God, the incorrect prophecies, the politics and politicians. But at the end of the day I’m only responsible for myself and I had to look at myself and say, am I living a life of true devotion and worship? Am I living the way of Jesus? There’s a lot of strong voices out there and am I listening to Gods voice? Over the last 2 years I’ve felt like I’ve been living in the tensions of God’s faithfulness and provision, yet facing struggles and wrestling with the things I’d seen. My prayer is that these songs bring hope to those who have been disillusioned and remind those who have been disappointed that there is a light in the darkness, there is a Father who loves his children.”

Between The Joy And The Sorrow – Part 2 is available now.

The latest single from REVERE Brazil Unscripted, ‘Cantarei (Meu Salvador)/Risen Savior (Sing My Soul)’, testifies to the essence of the Christian life. Writers Dwan Hill, Ana Luiza Tristao, Lucy Grimble, and Julia Vitoria penned a song that points to God’s Holy and Righteous nature.

‘Cantarei (Meu Salvador)/Risen Savior (Sing My Soul)’ sings of God bearing our sin, taking our shame, and healing our wounds on a simple and compelling soundtrack.

With Julia’s powerful vocals, Lucy’s gentle and inviting worship leading, and Dwan’s anthemic piano playing, the sound that resonates in this recording is the worshipful unity from people of three different countries believing and proclaiming the greatness of God.

‘Therefore I Know’ is the highly anticipated new single from multi-award winning songwriters and worship leaders Luke Wareham, Sarah Téibo and Rachel Walker Mason and is available now on all digital music stores.

These three UK-based artists have come together to collaborate on writing and recording this song which seeks to remind us of the hope we have in Jesus and the freedom we find in Him. ‘Therefore I know’ which was produced by Tim and Jon Stephenson and mastered by Dan Stirling, is based on Romans 8:1 where the Apostle Paul tells us ‘Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus’.

Luke whose original idea it was to have this collaboration says, ‘it has been so great to write with Sarah and Rachel, they are both such great songwriters and encouragers and we cannot wait for everyone to hear the song. We hope that through this song people will grow closer to God and have confidence in their identity in Him’.

The song which is hoped to be a useful worship resource is available for download and streaming everywhere and can also be accessed on SongSelect CCLI and Loop Community for chords and tracks.

“Therefore I Know” is available now.