It was a couple of days after the war began in Ukraine that Tommy Iceland, an Iceland-born, Sweden-raised, and now Nashville, TN-based songwriter was prompted by God to record “Whom Shall I Fear (God Of Angel Armies).” Listen to the song HERE. Originally by Chris Tomlin, Iceland knew a new version of the song needed to be made and feature a Ukrainian worship leader.

“It was very early on that I felt we needed to do Tomlin’s ‘Whom Shall I Fear (God Of Angel Armies),’” Iceland explains. “I was listening to that song and the lyrics just struck me differently, especially with this war in mind. ”

He also knew it was important that the song would come directly out of Ukraine and from the people facing the terror of war. “At that point, I didn’t know any worship leaders in Ukraine but I did know others around the world,” he shares. “I’ve been able to have a global perspective by growing up in Europe and I care so deeply about churches all around the world.”

Through mutual friends, he was connected to Mark Sergeev, a worship leader and youth pastor of Melitopol Christian Church located in south Ukraine. When they first connected on March 1st, Iceland knew he was the voice to use for the song.

“I got to know Mark better and he’s just genuine,” he says. “He has such a heart for God and his whole life is about bringing the Gospel to people at any cost. That’s something I’ve seen during this war – he’s willing to lay down his life to share the Gospel.”

At that same time, Sergeev, his wife, and their three children were hiding underground with others from their congregation in the basement of their church. Bombs were literally going off just outside, taking over the city.

“Mark told me that he loved the idea and wanted to do the song but at that particular time, they didn’t even know if they were going to make it out alive,” Iceland shares. “It wasn’t a long text because of what was happening at that moment, and when our messaging stopped I just broke down – I had no idea if he and his family were going to survive the night.”

The next day they were able to talk, but by then the Russians had occupied Melitopol. Continuing to hide in the church basement, which also stored recording equipment, Sergeev was able to record the vocals although the recording couldn’t get sent due to Russia shutting down all internet services. Iceland didn’t hear from Sergeev for a couple of days but miraculously two days later the song file arrived and the song was able to get finished.

Then, in the middle of the night on March 9, Sergeev was abducted by the Russian soldiers and was under threat of being killed. He ended up being released the next day and is now back with his family.

With an initial threat of any use of his voice or name for this song could be detrimental to his life, Sergeev made it clear that he wanted his voice to be used for the recording, to share hope around his country and around the world of what is happening.

The final touch on “Whom Shall I Fear (God Of Angel Armies)” includes an additional verse written by Iceland and sung by nine-year-old Kate Zarubaiko, also from Ukraine and whose family has fled to Sweden. You can hear her voice, along with Mark Sergeev and Tommy Iceland by clicking on the lyric video below.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

Tommy Iceland is partnering with Missions International, a non-profit organization that directly helps those in need who are impacted by the war. All donations made will benefit the families in Melitopol and all over Ukraine. Please visit MissionsInternational.org/ukraine-relief for more information.

Many artists enter the music industry to learn how to create and promote their music. Music industry professional Andrea René Williams started out with a goal to learn as much as she could for her own music ministry, but she soon found out that she enjoyed helping other artists pursue their musical dreams more. Now, she realizes that God has given her a song, and it must be heard. Known as a former GRAMMY Awards Manager and a publicist, who has represented artists such as Gladys Knight, Pastor Charles Jenkins and the late Andraé Crouch, Andrea is ready to step to center stage. The industry is now finding out that the Berklee College of Music summa cum laude graduate and award-nominated publicist and marketer is a musician herself. A singer, songwriter, composer, arranger and producer, she launched her recording career in 2019 with the instrumental single, “Won’t Work”. Williams returns with a vocal, inspirational jam called “Who Do I Run To,” and industry insiders have been raving about the track. The bouncy single is currently available on digital music outlets such as Apple Music, Amazon and Spotify. Listen to the track here: https://youtu.be/000ufiGxM7g

“Who Do I Run To”, a musical reminder that no matter what happens in life God is the one we should go to, was produced and engineered by Andrea. Mark Reiter of the GRAMMY Award-Winning Bias Studios in Springfield, VA, mixed and mastered the track. “This song is a real change for me musically,” says Williams. “It has a throwback vibe and a fun, danceable groove but I don’t want people to miss the important message of the song. When trouble comes, it’s so easy for us to pick up the phone and call a spouse, significant other or friend. I want to believers to remember that even though loved ones may be able to give us advice, God is the one with all the answers we seek. He needs to be the first one we run to when challenges come.”

Starting her music industry career in 1998 at the Washington, DC Chapter of the Recording Academy, known for distributing the coveted GRAMMY Award, Andrea, along with the Executive Director, started the D.C. Branch and – from the ground up – made it the fastest growing GRAMMY Chapter in the history of the GRAMMY Awards. During her time with the popular industry association, she organized events with such mainstream artists as U2, Natalie Cole, John Mayer, Anthony Hamilton, Erykah Badu, India.Arie, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Usher, Billy Taylor, Chris Brown, Raheem Devaughn, Chuck Brown, Nile Rodgers, Gloria Estefan, George Clinton, Bruce Hornsby, Jimmy Jam and dozens of others.

Organizing dozens of events for the Chapter, including hosting eight GRAMMY Awards Telecast Parties and coordinating GRAMMYs on the Hill events, she assisted with GRAMMY Salute To Gospel Music Events for several years and held her own GRAMMY Gospel music event in DC resulting in a record-setting number of people joining the Academy. Also, during her tenure at the GRAMMY Awards, she brought legends of Gospel music into the Academy’s membership ranks. Artists like Kim Burrell, Tonex, Tramaine Hawkins and Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers became members at Williams’ prompting. In addition, through her efforts, Donald Lawrence and Richard Smallwood not only became members of the Recording Academy, but ultimately, served on the national board giving Gospel music a louder voice with one of music’s most influential organizations.

Since her GRAMMY days, she has penned hundreds of articles for Gospel music blogs and Christian publications. Long before becoming an interviewer of artists such as Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Yolanda Adams, Tramaine Hawkins and CeCe Winans, she honed her vocal skills in choirs for decades with renowned directors and Gospel greats such as Richard Smallwood, Byron Cage, Earnest Pugh and Ricky Dillard. She’s sung at many churches and in arenas, even rendering the National Anthem (and Black National Anthem) for the NBA’s Washington Wizards, the WNBA Washington Mystics, the Georgetown Hoyas, and most recently, for the National Cherry Blossom Festival held on the Grounds of the Washington Monument in her hometown of Washington, DC.

A multi-faceted, serial entrepreneur, she’s been her own boss since 2006 with the full-time launch of Tehillah Enterprises, a two-time Rhythm of Gospel Award-nominated public relations firm, known for representing the finest in the music industry. She is now the owner of Andrea René Williams Music Ministries, Soar Music Publicity, The Fiery Pen and Soul Oasis Music Productions. In her almost 25 years as a music professional, she’s represented countless artists helping them to propel their music to countless audiences. Moving from the background to the limelight, she’s now taking her music to those same audiences, hoping to inspire and encourage them as well.

In addition to her single, “Who Do I Run To,” Andrea dropped an instrumental EP in August 2020, Soul Oasis. The four-song EP contains original material, all with the goal of relaxing the mind and soothing the spirit. All of Andrea’s music is released through her record label, Angels Wings Records. A 2020 Second Place Winner of the Make Music Montgomery Contest (held in Montgomery County, MD) and a 2020 & 2021 WAMMIE Award Nominee for Best Gospel/Inspirational Artist, Andrea will be releasing her first vocal album, I Believe, in late fall 2022.

Stars Go Dim is an American pop rock band from Tulsa Stars Go Dim shares a live video for “Yes He Does,” which can be viewed below.

The live recording was filmed at RCA Studio B. The track will be featured on their upcoming third studio project, Grace In The Wilderness. The project leads listeners on a pilgrimage toward hope that expands on the infectious pop sound that’s defined Chris Cleveland’s catalog since the impassioned singer debuted his first self-titled album under the Stars Go Dim moniker.

Coupling meaningful lyrics with a voice that knows no bounds, Cleveland pulls out all the stops on the intrepid collection as his immaculate voice effortlessly glides across 13 tracks — all co-written by the ace songwriter. Produced by Jeff Sojka, Jeff Pardo and Anton Göransson, the new LP features the explosive “This Is Love,” the worshipful “Prepare The Way” and the affirming “Yes He Does.”

Pre-order/pre-save Grace In The Wilderness, available Apr 29, HERE.

Watch Video Below

Elevation Rhythm releases the official live video for “Easy,” which can be viewed below. The track is from their most recent release, Growing Pains.

As an essential part of Elevation Church based in Charlotte, North Carolina, the group sets the musical compass for a younger generation of worshipers. With youth and young adults at the forefront of their mission, Elevation Rhythm’s sonic backdrop is intentional to keep up with the changing times, which is why the group experiments with a variety of bold sounds and textures. Incorporating elements of pop, rock, worship, and hip-hop, each of the twelve songs found on Growing Pains offers the youthful energy found in its diversity.

The group will share some of these songs live when they join Elevation Worship along with Pastor Steven Furtick on the spring arena tour Elevation Nights. Kicking off April 26 in Chicago, they will bring the experience of Elevation Church to cities around the U.S. The tour will wrap in Boston on May 5. Tickets are on sale now – for further information visit ElevationNights.com.

Watch Video & Download Below

Soulful Singer-Songwriter Zoe Selah is here to soothe your heart with the release of her powerful single, “All Things Are Possible with God.”

The song “All Things Are Possible with God” is a song of faith needed for these trying times. It has a universal message and is a soundtrack of hope that everybody can relate to.”

In her song, Zoe talks about the greatness of God and how God is able to change any situation no matter how bleak things may seem.

Being a living testimony herself, she encourages believers to hold onto God’s promises because, with God, All Things Are Possible.

Listen & Download Below

Following the official debut towards the end of last year with “Made in Amazing” Timothy Bassey is back with another great song “In Your Hands”. 

The new sound was born at a time Timothy was confused about what path to take and how to face the seemingly big challenge confronting him. While in that state he heard the voice of God speaking vividly to leave everything in His hands. 

Whatever we leave in the hands of God is safe and his promises are everlasting. 

“I want to encourage you never to fret, but trust God through every process and he never fails. Leave it in his Hands” Timothy Bassey. 

In Your hands was produced by Doron Clinton. 

Minister Toluwanimee teams up with viral sensation Victor Thompson on the cover of original song ‘Mercy“. Produced by K”orale.

The original sound was released in 2021 and has since become a global sound.

The soothing delivery of this sound will bring to mind the unfailing Mercy and goodness of God that we enjoy on a daily basis.

Mercy cover is part of her unplugged sessions which has other beautiful songs covered by her. All available on her YouTube channel.

Enjoy this powerful rendition and do not forget to get the original version on all digital streaming platforms.

Watch Video Below;

Gospel music crusader, CDO, premiered a new music video titled ‘Ike’ off The Album Of The Year.

‘Ike’ is a song that speaks about God’s exceeding greatness. Just as the title ‘Ike’ implies power, the song sums up the fact and truth that all powers belong to God.

Through our life experiences, we bear witness that God is the main source of power. Ike is an upbeat contemporary sound with indigenous influence, produced by Blaise beat. A great song of praise.

Watch Video & Download Album Below; 

Nigerian recording/worship artiste, NEWPOWER makes his 2022 debut with a beautiful worship tune “Enjoying Your Presence,” lifted from his upcoming debut album, THE REVOLUTION. The new song accompanied by a lyric video captures the singer’s heart of worship while expressing deep reverence and adoration for God.

Soul-stirring and spirit-lifting, “Enjoying your Presence” is inspired from a place of intimacy and total surrender to God. The new track is available today to download/stream on various digital platforms.

Prior to “Enjoying your Presence,” Newpower has blessed listeners with other great songs like “Nothing is Impossible,” “Move of Your Spirit,” Others, which will be housed in his forthcoming album.

Watch Lyric Video;

Jacquelyn Oforiwaa-Amanfo – JOA, has released a brand new single “Follow”, a song with a dancing vibe that communicates a message of faith and trust in the personality of God.

The release of “Follow” comes after her critically acclaimed debut album “The Love Story”, which was released in 2021. The album has enjoyed massive air and digital play, with over 200,000 plays on Boomplay music alone.

Being one of the fast-emerging gospel acts of 2021 and following her success with her online worship sessions – Saturday Morning Worship, Jacquelyn is keen and excited about the current release and she looks forward to great releases throughout the year.

The upbeat, afro-pop, gospel song is one that reiterates the Christian’s desire to continually follow in the path paved by Christ Jesus, no matter the situation they may be in. The song echoes the reality that whether rain or shine, the goal is to follow the Lord. It is a danceable tune that would get listeners on their feet and pledging to keep following the Lord.

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