Acclaimed Congolese gospel music sensation Grace Lokwa releases sophomore Album tagged KUMAMA.

Grace happens to be the composer/writer of the hit single “Kumama Papa eh” which means “Yahweh be praised in English”.

Grace Lokwa became popular after Prinx Emmanuel the crooner of “God No Go Shame us” posted a video he titled Kumama Papa Refix on February 8th.

The remix of the song by Prinx Emmanuel was shared by many, including Moses Bliss within Nigeria and Abroad. The song trended to a point many made a collage of their life journey with major throwback thanking God for their life journey so far. This singular act gave Grace Lokwa and the song global attention.

He is signed to Moses Bliss’ Spotlite Entertainment and makes debut with  “Kumama”.  A 10 track album. 

The new album is distributed globally by foremost music distribution company Fortune Wind Digital Services.

 Red Rocks Worship shares the official music video for “Now Here (The Other Side).” The track is featured on their project Things Of Heaven: The Other Side, which dropped earlier this year (Apr 29).

Taking six songs and completely reimagining them without any pre-production, each new recording was captured in an intimate setting with the group offering their own ideas, giving them an opportunity to organically collaborate like never before.

Listen HERE to the project.

How Far, the long-awaited full-length debut from one of Christian music’s leading female artists, Tasha Layton, released last month (May 13).

from BEC Recordings. Produced by GRAMMY and Dove Award winner Keith Everette Smith, the definitive 10-song set brims with soaring ballads and bright pop gems, putting Layton’s signature vocals front and center to extol themes of Hope and encouragement.

Layton shares the official lyric video for the title track, which can be viewed below.

In 2020 Layton was first named one of Billboard’s Top 5 female Christian artists of the year on the heels of her breakthrough single “Into The Sea (It’s Gonna Be OK),” which was among the biggest hits at Christian radio that year.

Prior to her solo career, Layton appeared on Season 9 of American Idol and spent four years as a back-up vocalist for pop superstar Katy Perry. A South Carolina native, her voice has been heard in productions for Disneyland and Cirque du Soleil; she has served as an instructor at the National Praise and Worship Institute at Nashville’s Trevecca Nazarene University; and Layton is featured in pro-audio company TC Helicon’s book, “The Ultimate Guide to Singing.”

Last week, Worship band from Northern Ireland, Rend Collective, released the official music video for their new song, “Plans,” off their forthcoming new album.

This song is to remind listeners that even in the hardest times – a global pandemic, a loss, a health struggle, and when you haven’t seen the answer to your prayer – God has a plan for you.

“The song ‘Plans’ is about that place where we often find ourselves – the grey space between faith and fear,” shares Rend Collective. “When we haven’t seen the answer to our prayers. There are elements of the song that hang unresolved, which is real to life. It’s an emotion we wanted to capture musically. We wrote this song as a pillar for us to lean on. In some ways, this song is for us as much as it is for you. We need help remembering to trust in the character of God, even when things shift around. This song reminds us that ultimately, God has a plan for our lives.”

This song will lead to more new music from the group as they wrap up an album that will release in the fall. With more than 597 million career streams, a No. 1 Billboard Top Christian / Gospel album debut with their album Choose to Worship, a Top 5 radio single, “Counting Every Blessing,” and an RIAA Gold and Platinum single with “My Lighthouse,” Rend Collective is an authentic worship experience.

The live show from Rend Collective has captured audiences worldwide with several major tours with top artists like Chris Tomlin, Kari Jobe, Lecrae, and most recently MercyMe. They have also headlined tours across the USA, Canada, Australia, and Europe. Next month, they will embark on their headline European with special guest Matt Maher. For more information on dates and tickets, visit rendcollective.com.

Multi-award-winning and platinum-selling artist Hillsong UNITED shares a live video of “On Repeat.” The Two Palms Sessions video was recorded in California.

The track is from the group’s latest album, Are We There Yet?, which dropped earlier this year (Apr 29).

Look for UNITED this spring with Chris Tomlin on the long-awaited co-headline Tomlin UNITED 2022 Tour. The multi-city circuit will make stops in major markets in the U.S. including Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Dallas and Miami, among others.

Anticipated to be the biggest Christian music tour of the year, the Tomlin UNITED Tour will welcome thousands of fans each night to worship together and experience songs that have shaped modern faith today. For additional information and tickets, please visit www.TomlinUNITED.com.

Coming on the heels of Maddie Rey’s latest single and video release “On My Way”, her second single of the year is already here! Her new song “Name’s Sake” is out now on all digital streaming platforms and available for adds on radio and playlists!

Recently released is the official music video for the single, which can be viewed below.

Maddie Rey took to the studio with 2x Dove Award winning Atlanta music producer to crank out another empowering anthem for Christian music listeners of today! Maddie Rey has been very intentional to create, write, and produce music that champions being a Christian.

She desires for those in the church and apart of the Christian faith to be bold, confident, and out loud about the life they live in Christ! As she says in this new single “We do it for His Name’s Sake.”

Maddie Rey is a Christian Recording Artist, Speaker, Evangelist, and Author with a heart to reach a young generation and to empower young people to live passionate lives for Jesus. She shares her ministry at churches, youth groups, youth events, youth conferences, crusades, Christian music festivals, social media platforms, and more. At a young age Maddie Rey was able to launch Maddie Rey Ministries where she provides content to the body of Christ through her music, books, videos, merchandise, and teaching.

Following a successful 42-city spring run, GRAMMY winning multi-platinum group Casting Crowns has announced plans to head back out this fall, taking The Healer Tour to an additional 37 major markets across the nation.

Presented by Compassion International, the fall tour launches Sept. 22, in El Paso, Texas, and features special guests CAIN and Anne Wilson.

The tour will stop in cities like Phoenix, Anaheim, Las Vegas, Spokane, San Antonio, Hershey, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Orlando, Minneapolis, Omaha, St. Louis, Pensacola and more, before wrapping up in Lexington, Ky., on Dec. 3.

PRE-SALE EVENT – JUNE 8-9
A special ticket pre-sale opportunity will take place beginning Wednesday, June 8, 10 a.m. local time though Thursday, June 9, 10 p.m. local time. Beginning today, fans may register for pre-sale access, allowing them to purchase tickets early and earn points to win exclusive prize packages including a Flyaway Trip to Orlando to see the tour from the front row, meet the artists, take a backstage tour, visit Walt Disney World and more. Additional pre-sale prizes include artist meet & greets, a side-stage view during the show, upgraded seating, merchandise packages and more. To access the pre-sale event, ticket buyers must sign up at www.CastingCrowns.com.

REGULAR ON-SALE – JUNE 10
Tickets for The Healer Tour will go on sale to the general public on Friday, June 10, at 10 a.m. local time. Ticket options include Gold Circle Tickets featuring best seats, early entry/early access to merch shopping, merch discounts and a souvenir laminate. Ticket information can be found at www.CastingCrowns.com.

CASTING CROWNS – THE HEALER TOUR – FALL 2022
Dates and venues subject to change without notice. 
September
22 – El Paso, TX – El Paso County Coliseum
23 – Albuquerque (Rio Rancho), NM – Rio Rancho Events Center
24 – Phoenix, AZ – GCU Arena
25 – Orange County (Anaheim), CA – Honda Center
26 – Las Vegas (Henderson), NV – The Dollar Loan Center
29 – Boise, ID – ExtraMile Arena
30 – Salem, OR – The Pavilion at the Oregon State Fairgrounds

October
1 – Everett, WA – Angel of the Winds Arena
2 – Spokane, WA – Spokane Arena
6 – Billings, MT – MetraPark Arena
7 – Loveland, CO – Budweiser Events Center
8 – Amarillo, TX – Amarillo Civic Center
13 – Highland Heights, KY – Truist Arena at Northern Kentucky University
14 – Hershey, PA – Giant Center
15 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center
20 – Pittsburgh, PA – Petersen Events Center University of Pittsburgh
21 – Asheville, NC – Harrah’s Cherokee Center
22 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum
27 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center
28 – Atlanta, GA – First Baptist Church of Woodstock
29 – Florence, SC – Florence Center

November
3 – Kansas City (Independence), MO – Cable Dahmer Arena
4 – Cedar Rapids, IA – Alliant Energy PowerHouse  (On sale 6/24)
5 – Sioux Falls, SD – Denny Sanford PREMIER Center  (On sale 6/24)
6 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center  (On sale 6/24)
7 – Omaha, NE – Baxter Arena
10 – Belton, TX – Bell County Expo Center
11 – San Antonio (Selma), TX – Real Life Amphitheater
17 – Evansville, IN – Ford Center
18 – St. Louis (St. Charles), MO – The Family Arena  (On sale 8/25)
19 – Southaven, MS – Landers Center
27 – Augusta, GA – The Bell Auditorium
28 – Pensacola, FL – Pensacola Bay Center
30 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center  (On sale 6/17)

December
2 – Fairfax, VA – EagleBank Arena
3 – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena

Music legend, Candi Staton (Young Hearts Run Free, You Got the Love), has scored a gold record certification for her dance anthem, “Hallelujah Anyway” (Defected Records).

London-based Defected Records recently mailed Staton a  plaque celebrating the gold status of “Hallelujah Anyway” in Belgium. “I’m so tickled,” Staton says. “I knew the song was popular because European promoters always ask me to put the song in my concert repertoire when I play Europe.

However, I had no idea that it had gone gold in Belgium. I’m so thrilled that these remixes are introducing my voice and the gospel message to a new generation of clubgoers.”

Staton first recorded the infectious groove for her Proverbs 31 Woman (Beracah) album in 2002 when the song received heavy airplay rotation on Radio One’s gospel format.

A decade later, DJ Simon Dunmore (founder of the world’s largest dance music recording label, Defected Records), commissioned German DJ, Larse, and the legendary Chicago House DJ, Frankie Knuckles ,to create their mixes that have racked up over 10 million streams on Spotify alone.

It was an instant smash in clubs across the globe. It has since been remixed by other influential DJs such as Eric Kupper, Moplen, David Penn, and Dr Packer.  The song has also been covered by London’s House Gospel Choir on their 2020 Island Records release, RE//CHOIRED.

Food for the Hungry (FH) and Maverick City Music last week announced a partnership to address poverty both locally in the United States and globally. During Maverick City Music’s highly anticipated US summer tour, FH and Maverick City Music are offering a unique opportunity for sponsors who sign on at the concert events to have a portion of their monthly gift go towards Maverick City Music Initiative (MCMI), which will focus on creating programs for youth impacted by incarceration across the US and those currently in prison. By donating through this partnership, the sponsor is helping in-need people worldwide, and across the US.

MCMI is a non-profit started by Maverick City Music that initiates change by providing safe, creative outlets through strategic partnerships in overlooked and marginalized communities disproportionately affected by mass incarceration. FH has a mission to end all kinds of poverty. By providing life-changing resources, such as clean water, medical aid, and equal educational opportunities to girls and boys, the non-profit organization aims to work side-by-side with the communities where they are based. The partnership with the Maverick City Music initiative (MCMI) is deeply aligned with FH’s mission and values, and the first US based partnership of its kind for the international development agency.

“We are thrilled to partner with Food for the Hungry and use our tour to bring awareness and vital fundraising to support communities affected by mass incarceration in the United States. We believe in the power of music to change lives, and Food for the Hungry is helping us take this to new levels. Music brings people together, and we want to support our local communities who have been overlooked or marginalized and are disproportionately affected by the prison system,” says Maverick City Music.

“MCMI is impacting children affected by the consequences of mass incarceration and bringing hope and healing to inmates. MCMI sponsors a group home for at-risk teens, mentorship programs for teens in marginalized communities that meet on a weekly basis as well as conducting music writing camps for inmates in prison. Through this partnership, our sponsors are transforming the lives of children, families and communities across the world and here in the United States,” shared Breeon Phillips, senior director, artist program, Food for the Hungry.

The sponsor’s $45 monthly contribution will support the work of MCMI in the United States and Food for the Hungry’s child sponsorship. The international nonprofit is partnering with Maverick City Music’s summer tour that will take place across the US, starting on June 1st until July 31st.

Premier Productions announces the Elevation Worship Summer Tour. The new tour, which features Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes, is set to visit numerous cities this August. This passionate group of musicians from Elevation Church will lead attendees in a powerful night of worship and celebration.

“We’re so excited to be back out on the road worshiping and rattling in so many cities this summer,” said Chris Brown of Elevation Worship. “And having Kari and Cody with us is going to make for some very special nights.”

After the release of their new album “LION” and the electric Elevation Nights 2022 Arena Tour featuring Pastor Steven Furtick, the Elevation Worship team is energized and excited to continue sharing their message of hope and love with audiences around the country. Joined by award-winning artists Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes, this tour will feature some of the most well-known songs on CCM radio right now, including “Graves Into Gardens,” “RATTLE!,” “Do It Again,” “The Blessing” and others.

“We are ecstatic to partner with Elevation Worship, Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes for these nights of worship,” said Jonathan Roberts, VP of Global Touring for Premier Productions. “To have all three on the road together is a joy, and we’re excited to see the lasting impact these nights will have at each stop.”

Tickets go on sale to the public on Friday, June 3rd at 10:00 a.m. local time.

Audiences will not want to miss this opportunity to encounter God’s presence and receive encouragement through this talented group of artists.

The 13-city summer tour kicks off in Grand Prairie, TX on August 5 and will travel all over the country before its final stop at the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York, NY on August 21. For a full list of dates and cities, see below.

Fri, August 5, 2022 Grand Prairie, TX
Sat, August 6, 2022 San Antonio, TX*
Mon, August 8, 2022 Omaha, NE
Tue, August 9, 2022 Sioux Falls, SD
Thu, August 11, 2022 Toledo, OH
Fri, August 12, 2022 Dayton, OH
Sat, August 13, 2022 Knoxville, TN
Mon, August 15, 2022 Huntsville, AL
Tue, August 16, 2022 Louisville, KY
Wed, August 17, 2022 Cleveland, OH
Fri, August 19, 2022 Pittsburgh, PA
Sat, August 20, 2022 Philadelphia, PA
Sun, August 21, 2022 New York, NY

*Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes will not appear.