Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG) is pleased to announce the signing of innovative hip-hop/pop artist gio. The 21-year-old officially launches his major label career with the release of his debut single, “reality.”
“We could not be more excited to welcome gio. to CCMG,” share label co-presidents Brad O’Donnell and Hudson Plachy. “He has all of the ingredients of a special artist — the songwriting, vision and hustle. We can’t wait to introduce his music to a broader audience.”
His introductory offering, “reality,” is the first in a series of monthly single releases set to culminate in gio.’s first EP in partnership with CCMG, currently slated for Fall 2024.
Capitol Christian Music Group Signs Innovative Hip-Hop/Pop Artist gio & Releases Debut Single “reality”
Pastor Michael Todd introduces the first collective from REPRESENT Records, TRANSFORMATION WORSHIP. Birthed out of the Transformation Church in Tulsa, OK, Transformation Worship seeks to represent God, with a kingdom sound, for transformation in Christ. Lifted from the forthcoming EP, OVERFLOW, is the brand new track “Yahweh.”
Nigerian-born, UK-based artist Limoblaze is gearing up to release his new soul-searching single, ‘One Day’ featuring KB.
“I am incredibly excited to share ‘One Day’ with the world,” says Limoblaze. “This song is a testament to the power of resilience and belief in the promise of a better tomorrow. Collaborating with KB has been an honor, and I believe our combined efforts have resulted in something truly special.”
In early 2024, Limoblaze’s collaboration with Sam Rivera hit No. 25 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats chart, with over 500K streams in under two weeks. The single follows high-profile collaborations with US-based Naomi Raine, Danny Gokey, Nigerian Victor Thompson, and UK-based Annatoria, among others.
With top markets in Nigeria, US, UK, Brazil, and Kenya, Limoblaze’s music is steadily becoming the anthem of a global generation hungry for hope and solidarity in something greater than themselves. “One Day” is simply the sonic manifestation.
“One Day” is a fusion of vibrant Afrobeat rhythms and soul-stirring lyrics, showcasing Limoblaze’s signature style of blending contemporary sounds with profound spiritual themes. Through his compelling verses, Limoblaze shares a message of hope, perseverance, and unwavering faith, reminding listeners that brighter days are ahead despite life’s challenges.
The collaboration with KB, a celebrated figure in the Christian hip-hop scene known for his thought-provoking lyricism and dynamic delivery, adds an extra layer of depth and intensity to “One Day.” Together, Limoblaze and KB create a synergy that elevates the song to new heights, ensuring its resonance with audiences across diverse musical preferences.
Limoblaze continues to push boundaries with no signs of slowing down. As he sets his sights on the rest of 2024, ‘One Day’ is the second of a fresh batch of singles, with a new album expected later this year.
Limoblaze is the product of Atlanta-based record label Reach Records, which has been integral to his rise to prominence since signing in 2021. Other Reach Records artists include GRAMMY-winning Lecrae, as well as chart-topping and RIAA certified platinum artists, Andy Mineo, Hulvey, Tedashii, Trip Lee, 1K Phew, Wande and WHATUPRG.
Stephen McWhirter shares his cover of “Old Rugged Cross.”
I have always loved the hymn, Old Rugged Cross. I grew up hearing this song but It didn’t really mean anything to me then. Today, I understand and have this great awe and gratefulness for what Jesus has done for me on the cross. He died to take my place and pay for all my sins. So now when I sing this old hymn it means everything to me. –McWhirter
Grace Graber is leaning into the triumph of her testimony on “Grace of God,” the latest single from her upcoming album Breakthrough.
The song was birthed through a writing session at Apple Music. Grace was writing with Joseph O’Brien, and their session happened to fall on her birthday.
“I didn’t think I’d live to see 28,” Grace recalls telling her cowriter. “If I had gone through with my plan of taking my own life as a teenager, I would not have seen my life today. By the grace of God, I’m still alive. And when I think of grace of God, I think of favor and goodness and it not needing to make sense.”
That feeling of a supernaturally nonsensical life has pursued Grace Graber through recent years. She won a national songwriting competition that led her to Nashville. She won the We Love Award for Next Big Thing.
She’s had an independent music career blow up, including collaborating with original Hawk Nelson singer Jason Dunn, whose songs originally helped save her life. She’s impacted fans through her candid Conversations EP and a series of singles that fearlessly navigate the intersection of faith and mental health. And all of that almost didn’t happen.
“The beauty of the grace of God is that God saw me in my pain and said, ‘I am going to make better things happen.’ And I think about how much I sin, how much I worry, how much I fall short. Sometimes, I don’t really deserve to be able to speak into other people’s lives. And it’s not me who gets to decide that or qualify myself. This is the grace of God: it’s because of God that I’m even able to do this,” Grace confesses freely.
“Grace of God” deepens the thematic course that Grace Graber’s past songs have charted, standing as proof that if God could do this in her life, He can do it for her listeners too. Grace offers the song to anyone feeling stuck in a struggle that they see no way out from. She wants them to know that grace means there is more than this moment of pain, and redemption has nothing to do with deserving.
“I have to fight for the girl who is feeling like the world is better off if she’s not in it,” Grace says earnestly. “I have to fight for her. I’m really not doing this for anyone in the industry. I’m doing this for that girl.”
Grace Graber Leans Into Her Testimony With “Grace Of God”
The emotional swell of the lyrics is backed by tender instrumentation and carried by Grace’s soaring voice, offering a gentler side of her punk rock sound. Joseph O’Brien also produced the piece after writing was completed.
“Grace comes in with a very clear idea of what she wants to communicate. A lot of times, having a clear song direction makes it really easy if you’re producing or if you’re a co-writer,” O’Brien shares. “The song is just a beacon of hope, showing what the work of God can do in your life. It leaves you different, it leaves you changed. Once you experience the grace of God, it is a reason to keep pushing forward and to keep living with purpose and identity.”
That has certainly proved true for Grace, who has been changed by grace and now seeks to be a channel of that same grace for others.
“I feel like this is my life anthem,” the singer reflects. “By the grace of God, I get to do all of this. And so I really am excited to point people to Jesus in this moment. I hope people feel like it’s an anthem for themselves as well.”
The award-winning band The Afters releases “What God Is Gonna Do.”
We wrote this song for our kids, and it’s for any of you who have kids, grandkids, kids you mentor or believe in, or have ever been a kid! We hope you love it! -The Afters
Renowned worship leader Kim Walker-Smith releases “Trample.” Not having released a new project in several years, she is thrilled to share this song along with announcing an upcoming album, Under The Big Sky, which is set to debut this summer.
