Much Luvv Signs The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S. ATX

The latest addition to the growing Much Luvv Records roster is Austin-based collective The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S. ATX.

The group (whose name stands for We Are Righteous Redeemed Invaders Of Reality) has been together for about six years and comprised of Ervin Jackson (Swerv), Corey Anderson (Proof) and Ahmad Bell (Victorious).

The move comes shortly after Much Luvv Records announced the signing of former Rap-A-Lot artist 007 and released Geto Boy Bushwick Bill’s album titled, Testimony of Redemption, in a joint venture deal with G.S.P.O.T. Productions.

“We’re most excited about how this partnership exemplifies harmony within the Christian hip hop community,” Victorious said.

“Psalms 133 says: ‘Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!’ Everybody talks about it, but who is really doing something to move things forward?

“We’ve released four mixtapes and two complete albums on our own. Still, we believe that both the Houston-based Much Luvv Records and our Austin connections can further benefit the Kingdom of God by working together.”

In 2004, The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S. ATX became the first Christian rap group in the central Texas area to have their music played on a secular top 40 station. They followed that up with a ministry performance at ME TV (a regional television network) that was in regular rotation.

They’ve also performed at the popular, mainstream SXSW (South by Southwest) music festival and seen their “Warriors Anthem” video receive airplay on both BET and The Gospel Music Channel.

“I’ve known the guys in The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S. ATX for over five years now and seen their servant hearts and passion for ministry. Adding them to the Much Luvv family just seemed like such a natural fit,” Much Luvv Records owner Bobby “Tre9” Herring said.

The crew is now working on their third album, All In, that is set to drop regionally in September 2010 and nationally in November 2010 through Infinity Distribution.

Here's a clip of the crew performing at this year's SXSW music festival:

Recap: Alpha Project release party (12/26/09)

Here's another event photo recap from my backlog.

Up next: Joined at the Hip Ministries' Alpha Project release party from Excelsius and DJ 1 God that was held on December 26, 2009.

Rescheduled from Houston's "major" ice day earlier in the month, JATH invited friends like Lita Rodi, Gifted da Flamethrowa, DJ D-Lite, and The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S. to celebrate with them.

Here's the rundown:


Lita Rodi kicked things off with some new cuts off of his "Reformation" album.


I live Tweeted the night and had just noted how hard it was to get the crowd involved in the traditional church setting when these two cats joined Gifted onstage for his rowdy "Want Some, Get Some" track.

Afterward, Gifted led us in worship via William McDowell's "Give Myself Away" song. It was wonderful.


Enock's widow Natalie and his daughter Jana were also in attendance. Natalie spoke and Jana took a nap.


The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S. and DJ D-Lite (background) hit us with their anthem and "No Limits" tracks along with some of their testimony and teaching.


Finally, DJ 1-God (back) and Ex (front) hit the stage on some "Yes, Yes, Y'all" hype.


The Alpha Project's color scheme was black and gold - as represented in Ex's fresh new J's.


During the concert, Ex explained how he met DJ 1-God in his Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity at Stephen F. Austin State University and how he helped disciple 1-God prior to them doing music together.


During the show, it struck me that these two dudes have celebrity look alikes.

Ex = NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb

DJ 1-God = Hollywood actor Jimmy Jean-Louis (aka "The Haitian" on NBC's "Heroes")



Toward the end of the night, the Alpha Project boys invited The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S. on stage for their thumping "Blood Money" collab.


The Alpha Project folks know how to celebrate - with cake!


Ex with DJ D-Lite.

D likes to call Ex his "spiritual twin brother." But as you see above, I've already pointed out his physical doppelgänger.

This event definitely had a different vibe. It was an entertaining show for sure, but it was also an intimate encounter with the One True God among friends, family, and supporters.

Refreshing.

Pick up and sample The Alpha Project at Join at the Hip Ministries website right here.

LEAK: Gifted Da Flamethrowa "Prisoners"

My man Gifted Da Flamethrowa just hit me with this advance leak video of the song "Prisoners" from his upcoming Street Symphony project that drops next Tuesday.

Peep the clip in the video below. Featuring verses by:

- Knine
- DMaub
- Prozpera "D"
- Excelsius
- Testimony
- Esop
- The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S.

And others. Pre-order Street Symphony here.

The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S. audio interview by Sketch about Rap-A-Lot Outreach

Victorious & Sketch @ Hip Hop Hope Family Fun Day

My audio interview with Victorious & Proof from Austin's The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S. about the Rap-A-Lot / Much Luvv Records 5th Ward Easter outreach event is now online exclusively at DaSouth.com.

I was impressed that these fellas drove over three hours (one way) just to be a part.

Listen in here while you view a slideshow of my images from that day.

We also got some pub on Isiah Carey's (Fox 26) Insite blog. Check that here. Thanks IC.

Free DL: Mixtapes & Mashups

Three free mixtapes I didn't get a chance to tell y'all about yet.


DJ X - "This Is the Remix Mixtape"
Download it here.

Here X (Tweezy's regular tour DJ) has collected the finalists from KJ's "Remix the Remix" contest along with some new virtual collabs. Check for his girl Jubilee on several nice cuts.


The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S - "In the Beginning Was the Mixtape"
Download it here.

NOTE: You'll need to be a member of the DaSouth.com community in order to download this mixtape. Both the membership and DL are FREE.

The fellas have been handing out this mix at shows like SXSW & the 5th Ward outreach. On it they're flippin' mainstream tracks from guys like Kanye, Lil Keke, and Luda.

I would have left those AutoTune numbers alone, but there are some decent remakes on here that I can appreciate from a free mixtape/marketing standpoint.

And really, who can front on that "Swagga Like Us" beat?


DJ Primo - "The Best Reggaeton Mash Ups - hosted by J-Blaze"
Download it here.

I actually haven't had a chance to listen to this one yet, but I ALWAYS check for Primo's stuff and know his mash-ups are some of the best in the biz.