Vidz: Lecrae & Kaboose from SXSW

DaSouth.com found these two YouTube interviews of Lecrae & Kaboose from last month's SXSW "The Life in Hip Hop" stage.

Check 'em out below. To see/read my photo recap of the day, click hurrr.

Rapper/Singer Von Won signs with Much Luvv

Houston-based rapper/singer Von Won is now an official recording artist with Much Luvv Records. The contract signing ceremony took place alongside Von’s family after a recent ministry concert at The Fellowship of The Woodlands church.

Prior to his Christian conversion in 2007, Von Won was a member of the mainstream Playboy Click rap group with a solo album, Money Already Made, that featured high-profile guest appearances from the likes of Lil Keke and former Geto Boy Bushwick Bill. But a near-death police tazing incident shortly before that release caused him to re-evaluate his life and relationship with Jesus.

A friendship with Much Luvv CEO Bobby “Tre9” Herring eventually led to further discipleship and spots on frequent ministry stages. It later resulted in Rise to the Top, Von Won’s self-released first album as a sold-out believer, and then the recording contract with Much Luvv Records.

The journey to this point wasn’t always so smooth though. New Christians often struggle to match their heart’s desire with their attitude’s old ways. Tre9 even mentioned that the week leading up the signing ceremony was one of the hardest and most emotional he had been through with his new artist. Still, the two worked out their differences and are looking ahead to a bright partnership.

“I’m extremely grateful that Tre never shut the door on me and continued to believe in what I was doing,” Von Won said. “I’m very happy to be a member of the well-respected Much Luvv family.”

A Rice University graduate, Von Won is an entrepreneur with a label of his own. SXE (Southern Xposure Entertainment) will also produce and release street music from a Christian perspective by artists like Sheep in Wolves’ Clothing, Trevor Lee, and RBS.

But first, Von Won will focus on putting the final touches on his next album, Answering the Call, that will hit stores on September 15, 2009. The project will carry a post-tour, voice mail response concept and relate the story of Von’s experience in becoming a devoted follower of Jesus. Look for it to continue to the R&B, rap, and reggae sound Von is known for with guest features from the likes of Corey Red, Gifted, and the Much Luvv Family.

For a sneak preview, listen for Von Won’s special appearances on the songs “Movin’ Up to the Suburbs,” “Won't Stop,” and “Rise to the Top,” from Tre9’s new album The Farmer.

For more information, please visit http://www.realityrap.com/.

Listen to and watch Von Won in the “Rise to the Top” video from Tre9’s album The Farmer:

It's only Friday... But Sunday's Coming

Again, delayed blog entries due to deadlines at the day job (I'm even working on some stuff today), but I wanted to share this dope video I found at The Christian Manifesto.

Enjoy the hope we have in the power of this day.

Vidz: DWYL Tour spots

Two more Don't Waste Your Life Tour promos from Reach Records.

The "Rap Exploits" is particularly well done and show us how topics that would make us shudder when presented plain appear to get us amped when there's a beat behind them.

Photo recap: Braille & S1 Cloud 19 Tour

S1 (brown shirt) & Braille (tan shirt) brought the Cloud Nineteen Tour to Houston on 03/23/09

Still playing blog catchup, but here are some flix and commentary from Braille & S1's Houston stop on the "Cloud Nineteen" tour at Fulcher Mission near downtown.

This was just two days after SXSW and the final show on this tour so they were both understandably beat. Still, both Braille and Symbolyc One really showed their hearts and shared their time and story with the small crowd of teens.


A small crowd & sound system ain't a problem for the down-to-earth Braille


Braille Brizzy performed tracks like "For Life," "Fill It In," and "Blessed Man."


H-town representatives in da building.

From left to right: Sketch, DJ Millhouse aka Noe (Fulcher Mission director), dogfight! (The 832 Movement), Enock (formerly of Cross Movement/Much Luvv), Felix (Coffee Pickers), and Pastor Jason.


S1 played hypeman to his silky smooth "Cloud Nineteen" beats


Braille rappin' hard on one leg


Noe getting the kiddies hype.

That's his daugher Mia in the pink & silver and Enock's daughter Jana in the pink & white.


Pastor Jason Hess closed the night with a message about God's grace when you encounter "Big Stuff."


As they've been doing at EVERY SINGLE show on the tour, Braille and S1 gave out FREE copies of their "Cloud Nineteen" album.



So far, Braille & S1 have given out almost 5,000 copies of the album.

Their goal is 30,000 and Braille told me they almost have enough donations for another print run of 10,000. They're giving these out at tour stops at churches, youth centers, prisons, and community events.

If you'd like to donate to the cause (like I did) and keep up with this movement, log onto www.itsnineteen.com.

Photo Recap: SXSW - The Life in Hip Hop

B.L.U.E kicked off the day with a great set

DaSouth.com has my full recap and photo album, but here's your teaser, link, and some of the choicest flix.

Christian hip hop explored new territory on March 21, 2009 with the first ever gospel rap showcase at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas.

South by Southwest (SXSW) is the premier Austin-based company dedicated to building and delivering conference and festival events for entertainment and related media industry professionals. Each March it draws nearly 12,000 registrants from all over the globe.

This year Much Luvv Records’ Bobby “Tre9” Herring and Jason “Sketch the Journalist” Bellini were personally offered the opportunity to create the urban gospel stage by Matt Sonzala, a respected independent rap promoter who is the official hip hop booker for SXSW.

Sonzala offered the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center for the venue and specifically requested that rappers Dooney da Priest (Dallas, TX) and Lecrae (Memphis, TN) be a part of the program. The rest of the show’s details were left up to Tre9 and Sketch.

Read the rest.

You can also find a lot of my instant reactions via Twitter.

Side note:
My wife took most of the best shots with my friend's killer cam.


Texas' Capitol City was the locale.


Tre9 (white shirt) & Jimmie McDowell (black shirt w/ paper) handle the pre-event meeting with all the artists


Dooney & his crew told the audience to "Pull Yo' Pants Up!"


Austin's The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S brought their people and the heat


The Carver Theater was small (and steep) but we packed it out


Kaboose got the crowd movin'. My favorite quote of the day came during his performance when I heard a cat in the crowd tell his boy: “Those Texas boys just rap! That’s a true MC right there!”


Braille & S1 came with the full "Cloud Nineteen" set AND gave everyone in the place a FREE copy of the new album.


Syntax Records (and fellow Texan) DJ Promote kept things live in between sets. This dude is so much fun and so full of heart.


This was a cool moment when event host DJ D-Lite took time out to call Special K to the stage and honor him for his pioneering efforts in getting gospel rap played on the radio in Austin.


Former 5th Ward Boy 007 looking fierce as he shared his testimony of Christian life-change through some new lyrics.


Gifted & Von Won having fun with a tag-team set.


Von Won is all about the kids.


My wife and I thought this stage tech looked a lot like Dwight Schrute from "The Office."


CY brought the whole "Circus" theme to his set.


One of CY's crumpin' clowns.


A moment when I wasn't Tweeting or takin' pics - otherwise known as "A Journalist on His Job."


Up close & personal with S.O.M.'s Chizzle. I think I see his fillings.


Tre9 & the Much Luvv Fam asking for a hollaback


Tre busted out several songs with rock group Laden. A live band adds SO MUCH to a show.


Here's a moment when the crowd had to be re-adjusted. The place was packed and people actually had to be turned away at the door. Thankfully, they relented just before the Much Luvv & Lecrae performances and allowed more people into the building and right in front of the stage.


Lecrae definitely brought the heat through song and Word. People were mos def feelin' the "Jesus Muzik."


Lecrae was specifically requested by SXSW for this event and we were so glad he was able to make it.


The crowd got in some worship during Much Luvv & Laden's performance of "Closer" and at other points throughout the day.


Lecrae even stepped over to kick off the After Party since he heard many people couldn't get into the Carver Theater to see all the sets.


One half of S.O.M. chilling at the After Party


DJs Promote & D-Lite setting up at the After Party


CY's restrained After Party Circus show


I got to meet the big homie XL who wants you to pick up his new "This Is Then Now" project.


My first time meeting Kaboose as well. The dude made it down from Minnesota and was super-cool. So glad to have him with us for the first SXSW jump-off too.

GodChaserz Ric Flair's On 'Em

Sorry for the tardy posts. A deadline project at the day job has been kicking my butt this week.

In case you missed it, the GodChaserz' camp recently jumped on the "Air Jordan On 'Em" remix craze with this fun ode to the Nature Boy. Listen and download here.

On a side note, Wrestlemania hits H-town this weekend. I won't be at the WWE's Super Bowl, but I will be attending the follow-up Monday Night Raw with my father-in-law. Wahoooooo!