Lecrae’s “Gravity” hits #1 on iTunes

At the time of this post Gravity, the new album from Lecrae, is currently at the #1 position of iTunes’ overall sales chart.

The Houston-born Christian rapper’s project went on sale today and has received a significant mainstream push due to his recent appearances on the BET Awards, his free Church Clothes mixtape, and collaboration songs with secular rappers such as No Malice and Big K.R.I.T.

Houston will get one of only three Gravity release concerts at Warehouse Live on September 28. Tickets can be purchased online here.

Bizzle's 2nd album hits #5 on iTunes Rap chart

Bizzle, the Houston Christian rapper whose debut album hit #7 on iTunes Hip Hop/Rap charts last June, has done it again. This time around it's a collaboration album with St. Louis hip hop singer Pretty Willie (aka P-Dub.)

At the time of this post (on its drop day at 3pm) the album currently sits in the #5 position of Hip Hop/Rap chart of Apple's digital music store.

The project is titled Best of Both Worlds: The Album and is a follow-up to their Best of Both Worlds free mixtape that also blended rap with R&B.

Interestingly enough, it's a setup that brought similar success to R. Kelly and Jay-Z (Bizzle's previously verbal target) with their own Best of Both Worlds and Unfinished Business collaboration albums in the early 2000's.

Charity Christian rap compilation album hits #10 on iTunes Hip Hop charts

Walking what they talk, a collective of Christian MCs and producers will be using profits from their new compilation album to raise funds for an African school. At the time of this post, it is ranked #10 on iTunes' Hip Hop/Rap Albums sales chart.

The project, titled King Kulture, contains never-before heard tracks from artists like Lecrae, theBREAX, Braille, Sho Baraka, and GRITS. It was organized by the popular gospel rap hub Rapzilla.com and will benefit Ecole de la Borne, a school started by the site founder’s missionary grandparents.

“The literacy rate in the Congo is 66% versus 99% in the United States,” Rapzilla co-owner and editor-in-chief Chad Horton said. “We’re doing a project that is going to benefit people there who haven’t been afforded the same opportunities that we have.”

Track Listing:
1. Welcome to the Kulture – George Moss (produced by Tony Stone)
2. Beautiful Thing – GRITS (produced by Mo Henderson and Michael Millionz)
3. Lift Up – Braille (produced by Theory Hazit)
4. Faith – Dezcry (produced by C-Life)
5. Get Wise – Sho Baraka (produced by Swoope)
6. Breaking Out the Box – theBREAX (produced by Jruckers)
7. It’s Going Down – Benjah ft. Watchman, and Stefan Otto (produced by Benjah & Sky)
8. Drop It On Em – KJ-52 ft. Japhia Life and Kelly Kelz (produced by Tony Stone)
9. Nothing For Us – Eshon Burgundy ft. HotHandz (produced by HotHandz)
10. Fight On – Young Joshua (produced by Chrys Beats)
11. Beautiful Struggle – Yaves The Street Pastor ft. Ron Riley (produced by Cephas)
12. Don’t Leave the Dash Out – K-Drama (produced by GeeDa)
13. Stop – Jeremiah Bonds (produced by @rocdomz)
14. King Kulture – Beautiful Eulogy (Braille, Odd Thomas, Courtland Urbano) ft. Theory Hazit and Lee Green (produced by Courtland Urbano)
15. Bars – T-Word (produced by D-Hood)
16. New Shalom (Dubstep Remix) – Lecrae ft. PRo (produced by Karac)

Bizzle's "Tough Love & Parables" hits #10 on iTunes Hip Hop Charts

Bizzle, the Christian rapper from Houston who is best known for targeting a song at Jay-Z questioning Hov's dark imagery and Jesus-related lyrics, released a new album today that is currently in the #10 position of iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap charts.

Since "Explaining to Do" hit WorldStarHipHop.com over a year ago, the passionate MC has developed a sizable fanbase through his free Messenger mixtape series and furious retweets (RTs) of compliments from fans including mainstream artists like Malice (from The Clipse) and MC Hammer.

Tough Love and Parables is Bizzle's first full album and includes production from Houstonians Beanz N Kornbread (who have made hits for rappers Z-Ro and Paul Wall) and Canada's Boi-1da (who recently won Grammys with Eminem and Drake.)

The album started its chart ascent earlier today despite reports from some fans about technical issues with iTunes' download service.

And interestingly enough, to hit the #1 position Bizzle's package of Christian poems will have to unseat an album titled Hell: The Sequel by Bad Meets Evil - the side project from Eminem and Royce Da 5'9".

Tedashii's "Blacklight" album hits #8 on iTunes

For the second time this year (and for the third release in a row) Reach Records has an album charting in iTunes' overall Top 10 list on drop day. Those earlier efforts belong to Lecrae and today's chart climber also comes from a Houston-born Christian rapper - Tedashii.

Blacklight wasn't supposed to be released until next Tuesday, but somehow (and seemingly with both the label and Apple's blessing) it is available through iTunes today for a reasonable $7.99.

As of 1pm CST, it was in the #8 overall slot and holding down the #2 position on the Hip Hop/Rap chart just behind Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group's debut collective effort.

Blacklight's excellent "Riot" track is also being offered for FREE through iTunes' "Discover Download" promotion. Sample the song in the promo clip below.

Wade-O Radio app featured in Wall Street Journal report

The Wade-O Radio Show and mobile app was recently featured in a report about faith-based technology by the Wall Street Journal.

With Wade-O's app you can stream episodes of his Christian hip hop radio show, full artist interviews (you only get excerpts in the podcast and over-air version), and receive exclusive music mixes and content.

Peep the video below to learn more and grab the app in either iTunes or the Droid marketplace. Also let me know how you like TWORS's news guy. I hear he's pretty good. :)

Lecrae's "Overdose" hits #2 on iTunes

Just months after the release of his Grammy-nominated album Rehab, Houston-born Christian rapper Lecrae is once again topping the charts with his follow-up project - Rehab: The Overdose.

As of 1pm on January 11 the record was holding the #2 overall position on iTunes' charts and the #1 position on the Hip-Hop/Rap chart.

However, you won't find the artist doing much bragging about this on any of his social networks. Instead, following the pattern he used in September when Rehab dropped, he's Tweeting about his current mission trip to Haiti.

This is quite a success for an artist with little to no video or radio airplay.

Rehab's first week sales were reportedly better than notable hip hop acts such as Ice Cube (N.W.A.) and Soulja Boy. And while both mainstream and gospel music airwaves could benefit from the Good News presented in such a popular way, Christian rap is still mostly relegated to life and promotion through Internet media and the grassroots efforts of churches and young adult groups.

Perhaps sales records such as this will bring this message-music more attention.

SIDENOTE: If this theme and marketing feels familiar it's probably because Eminem used a similar approach with 2009's Relapse and Refill projects. (Sigh)

While "Rehab" hits #3 overall on iTunes, Lecrae serves in Sundan

“Who’s this Licorice guy with the Rehab album that is today’s third-best selling digital album behind Lil Wayne and Kenny Chesney?”

Undoubtedly several audiophiles and casual fans checking iTunes’ Top Ten charts today asked that same question. Actually, his name is Lecrae (pronounced: Le-cray) – a Houston born Christian rapper who is the faith-based genre’s most visible artist.

He also co-owns the Atlanta-based Reach Records label that expertly marketed this project through viral videos, exclusive merchandise giveaways, and by cultivating an ever growing and loyal fanbase.

They know that Lecrae equals quality – both in music and ministry. He’s also admired for his counter-cultural message (especially as a member of the hip hop nation) of exalting others before himself.

A perfect example is how, on the drop day of what might prove to be his biggest album ever, he chose to stay offline and out of the limelight and instead headed to Sudan for a mission trip.

In a blog posted on the Reach Records website, Lecrae explained his Rehab theme like this:

The obvious cure is ALWAYS seeing and savoring more of Jesus. But HOW do we do that in this world of distractions competing for our affections?

Take me for example, I spent the last few months recording my album, rigorously checking my Twitter and Facebook, moving to a new area, traveling on weekends, filming videos, having family outings, date nights, meetings, and interviews. Where in that whirlwind do I find fresh affection for Jesus? Where do I demonstrate to my children that Daddy is different than other entertainers out there?

Many of us need to stop and reflect on God. I've found nothing like the solace and restoration of being somewhere my phone and laptop don't go; where I don't know what the latest movie is; where all the luxuries and distractions of my life are stripped away and I'm left to focus on Jesus and his mission.

Therefore, at the height of my new album REHAB, I plan to be in Southern Sudan.
Sudan has been obliterated by war for so long, resulting in over two million casualties. They have only known roughly 15 years of peace since 1956, and they are currently operating under a peace agreement that will be up for renewal next year. At the time of voting, the Sudanese will decide whether they want to remain one country or be split in two.

I believe it is of critical importance for people to see that the Gospel impacts every area of culture. I want to give them hope in Christ. So, I won't see the iTunes charts on release day. I won't know what Billboard, fans and critics have to say about it. I'll be consumed with the Master and His work.

He also asked that fans take this mission a step further and provided a link to financially support the ongoing efforts in Sudan.

Christian hip hop is blessed to have Lecrae and his Christ-first attitude as the face of this movement.

Those interested in hearing more from him and other artists on Reach Records can catch the crew’s Unashamed Tour which hits Houston next month on October 22. Details can be found here.

theBREAX Restocked 1.5

theBREAX have released a 1.5 version of their Restocked album on iTunes today.

A few notes on this enhanced version:

• Five new songs
• Remastered music
• Those who bought the Hybrid DVD and decide to buy the full version of the digital album will get a $10 discount to theBREAX new online store which features exclusive clothing that up to this point could only be purchased at live concerts.
• An album release concert this Friday, June 19th at theMovement in San Marcos, Ca

You can read my review of the hybrid DVD version here.

Rapzilla iPhone/iTouch App

Apple iPhone and iTouch users take note: Rapzilla.com has a FREE App you NEED on your mobile device.

Launched on April 28, the Rapzilla app is like having their website in your pocket. It’s got music leaks, news & reviews, a fan wall, and video library.

I’m really excited about this. It looks great, has quality content, and shows that gospel rap can embrace and utilize any new tech trend to improve its marketability.

Get your version from the iTunes app store today!

The Complaint: Flimsy File Names

Off top, let me say thank you to any and everyone that’s provided a free digital download of their mixtape or album. I love how there’s so much good music right at my fingertips.

But…. and you know there had to be a “but” didn’t you? But can you PLEASE take a moment to attach the proper meta-data to your files?

I’m talking artist names, cover art, genre and the like.

I hate when I get all excited about a new digital album, import it into iTunes and then see song titles like Track 03, 06, or Final Mix. It’s quite a pain to have to search for this and rename them all for my library and it’s easy to lose hope and just delete the batch.

Now I know this comes off as whiny and lazy, but as a dude that gets a lot of music and loves a lot of music, I’m just asking that you make this process a little easier.

I’m a guy that actually likes to read liner notes and know song titles and artist names. It helps me publicize and tell others about your work too.

So please, take the extra time to prep your digital download and I promise your listeners will thank you.

Lecrae's (rebel) Charts Well on Drop Day

Lecrae's new album seems to be doing well on iTunes here on drop day.

These screen shots were taken around 4pm and show (rebel) at #3 on the Hip-Hop/Rap Chart and #15 overall.





Pick up your copy via Reach Records or The Bus Shop.

Fun: What's in your iTunes library?

Here's a fun little quiz I got from my man Adam P. Newton on his Dryvetyme Onlyne blog. Feel free to fire up your copy of Apple's jukebox and play along.

How many total songs?

5,356

Sort By Song Title: First & Last

"A.C. Bates" by Bone Circus
"?" by Outkast

Sort By Time: Shortest & Longest

0:05 - "Public Service Announcement" by B.L.U.E
2:49:56 - An mp3 file of Damage Control Radio show with UGK as studio guests

Sort By Album: First & Last

Acts from The Bible Experience audio Bible
7th Avenue by KJ-52

Sort By Artist: First & Last

A.B.F. (Alliance By Faith)
832 Movement

Top Five Played Songs

"Yes You Have" by Leeland from Sound of Melodies

"I Don't Trust Myself (With Loving You)" by John Mayer from Continuum

"So Hard" by The Dixie Chicks from Taking the Long Way

"Beautiful Lord" by Leeland from Sound of Melodies

"Easy Silence" by The Dixie Chicks from Taking the Long Way

* This surprises me. Not that I don't dig these songs, but I also don't think I have iTunes or my iPod set up to track this accurately. Guess I'll have to take it up with Mr. Jobs.

Find the following words. How many songs show up?

Sex: 18
Death: 22
Love: 209
You: 536
Home: 40
Boy: 155
Girl: 48

I'm adding a few to the list just for fun:

Jesus: 52
Devil: 33 - PWND!

Houston: 3
Thug: 49 - Hmmm.... more than Satan, but less than Christ...
Me: 1,569 - How self-centered are we?
Belshazar: 1 - Johnny Cash + Old Testament Bible stories = Awesome!

First 5 Songs That Come Up on Party Shuffle

"This Is How I Rock" (chopped & screwed by DJ Mex) by Icece from Thawed Out Volume II mixtape

"Better Days" by Robbie Seay Band from Better Days

"Youth of a Nation" by S.O.M. from The Journey Revisited (Believe me, them San Diego boys do it better on the original.)

"Gotta Have This" by Applejaxx, Cash Hollistah, Probly Pablo from Best of the Submissions Mixtape Vol. 3

"Truth Be Told" by Eric Cross from The Message Mixtape

So mixtapes rule my digital world. Funny.