52 Television on the way

KJ-52 recently Tweeted that he’s completed his next album.

52 Television will be released on September 22.

As you can see from his iPhone screen shot, early song titles include “Adventures of Tweezyman,” “Rope,” “Headlines,” and “Let’s Go” featuring Trevor McNeven of the rock band Thousand Foot Krutch.

Lyrycyst wins HolyCulture.net's first "Breakout" contest

Auburn, California artist Lyrycyst was announced as the first winner of HolyCulture.net’s “The Breakout” contest.

The ongoing, special program is designed to give independent artists even greater exposure on their site and various media outlets.

Each month artists submit tracks to be voted on by readers and HC staff. Winners receive a full promo package, acknowledging them as the “Holy Culture Breakout winner” that includes: banner ads, interviews, reviews, and music leaks.

For more details, hit up “The Breakout” section at HolyCulture.net

Vidz: "I am not triple H" - Bro. Wize

Bro. Wize addresses his "I am not triple H" line from the new "Pump Up the Bass" track.

For those not in the know, that is not a reference to the pro 'rassler - rather is a common abbreviation for "holy hip hop."



P.S. Listening to this joint on your laptop doesn't do it justice. I rocked it on my ride this AM via the Wade-O Radio show and it thumps legit.

The Whole World is a Circus

Well, another day, another artist in a circus outfit.

This time it’s Gotee Records’ John Reuben filling out the red coattails and top hat. The new single and video, “Town Folk,” hit the web on July 14.

You might remember gospel rapper CY’s statements almost a year ago regarding his own “Circus World Event” album and stage show theme.

His “Ringleader” project has been produced and packaged for a while but just received national, in-store servicing through Infinity Distribution this week – the same day as “Town Folk” in fact.

Since then, he’s seen T-Pain, Britney Spears, and now John Reuben adopt a similar concept. Obviously it’s a popular idea.

John Reuben "Town Folk" from Gotee Records on Vimeo.

P.S. I became a JReu fan after his last album when he picked up the Beck-like experimental folk rock instead of the pure hip hop. Still, I feel for my man CY.

Crossing over

Several Christian rappers and labels are getting their music exposed to mainstream audiences lately.

Florida’s GodChaserz Entertainment’s track, “I Can’t Hear Y’all,” earned an appearance on the Reviewstacks.com official mixtape.

And Syntax Records’ Shane Newville’s “Samurai Showdown” is being used by the CW network to promote an upcoming show called “The Beautiful Life.” Read more here.

Also check out DJ Promote's mash-up of that track with Braille's "Double Dose" on the Wages of Syntax 2 mixtape. It's a thing of beauty.

Finally, you might also catch deepspace5 member Sintax the Terrific’s political raps on CNN.com. Using the news network’s iReport site, the MC has crafted two, rhyme commentary video summaries of the recent election in Iran and the G8 Summit. Check for “Green Out” and “The Last Shall Be G8” below.

Recap: DWYL Tour - Houston

Reach Records' Don't Waste Your Life Tour hit Houston this Friday and since all the world is aTwitter with this mico-blogging stuff, I figured it would be fun (and admittedly easy) to recap the event with my own blue bird blow-by-blow analysis. Bonus and better pics are also included. Enjoy.

NOTE: All photos by Sketch the Journalist

**********************************

To start, I almost didn't get to attend.

For some reason, I had the date marked on my calendar for Saturday. Then, when I called the church to confirm (since the Reach website said it would be close to capacity) I was asked if I had pre-registered. I hadn't, which meant I wouldn't be making the event.

After Tweeting my frustrations that this hadn't been more publicized or made clear on the web, I got a call from DJ Ovadose. He said he had pre-registered but thought he should better spend his time studying for an upcoming insurance license exam. He wanted me to take his ticket. (More on that later.)

Thankfully the schedule was clear for Friday night as well and I was able to make the drive. Other local CHH figures like dogfight!, Apokalum, Da' Legend, and YungLion (who I heard drove from Lake Charles, LA) weren't as lucky.

On with the Twits:



Headed 2 the H-town Don't Waste Your Life Tour stop. Hope the heat doesn't slay us waiting outside b4 they start. Mobile pic Tweets 2 come. 3:52 PM Jul 10th

Just handed off @Tedashii a copy of Tha Message Mag w/ my cvr story on him. Brought extras for his moms & family. Mothers like 2 scrapbook. 5:16 PM Jul 10th

Backstage Sho asked FLAME if he would be his brother for the night. DWYL Tour is in TX now so the rest of the guys all have fam close. 5:18 PM Jul 10th

Special props 2 @betochas (DJ Ovadose) for getting me in 2 the DWYL Tour. Dude sacrificed his spot for mine. Sound like anyone we know? 5:36 PM Jul 10th

All of the Much Luvv fam is MIA cuz 1 of the SOM twins is getting married tonight. Good 2 c they already know wifey comes 1st. 5:50 PM Jul 10th

Reach Records rep announced 13 Letters ciric available to disciple the youth of "Dallas." Loud & long chorus of boos follows. :). 6:10 PM Jul 10th



Ummm. I think starting off with "Jesus Muzik" in H-town was a wise choice. 6:25 PM Jul 10th

Sho is slaying w/ lyrics a Capella now. Told me wasn't sure if he'd do Kobe Bryant On Em later. Will be interesting to see Rocket fans react 6:29 PM Jul 10th

Sho's Kobe song in effect to mixed reaction. You can't front on @kdrama513's beat though. 6:37 PM Jul 10th





I'm stepping to the back cuz FLAME is about to "Go Buck!" and crowd is packed. 6:48 PM Jul 10th



RT @TripLee116: Had 2 turn away 400+ @ the door tonight. Encouraged by turnout, saddened more couldn't make it inside. May Christ b exalted! 6:54 PM Jul 10th



Pic: FLAME reminds 'em to "Hold On!" 7;05 PM Jul 10th



Pic: @Tedashii telling his hometown that "26 inches is a very low throne!" Love that song - esp for this city. 7:11 PM Jul 10th



DJ Official appears to be Tweeting from the stage. Anyone got his Twitter name so I can bug him? 7:21 PM Jul 10th

First notes of @tedashii's "I'm a Believer" excites the crowd. Somebody tell Jigga that Autotune still lives w/ the yunguns in Htown. 7:24 PM Jul 10th



Pic: Love how they're incorporating those DWYL Tour commercials into the concert. 7:27 PM Jul 10th



RT @djofficialdj: Trip just did a new song called "9 to 5" off my new album coming out October called "Entermission" on Reach Records. 7:43 PM Jul 10th

Show stopped to announce parents looking for a kid named Devarious He was lost. Later found. I pray others are too tonight. 7:48 PM Jul 10th



Pic: @lecrae asks Houston what happens "After the Music Stops" 7:55 PM Jul 10th

CHH Trend Watch: Scarves seem to be on the way out. Fully faded Mohawks still going hard. 8:11 PM Jul 10th



Whole crew is out for "Houston, We Have a Problem." I hope the speakers can hold up. 8:21 PM Jul 10th



Reach & FLAME "Make War." Sho standing on speakers. 8:31 PM Jul 10th





Crowd worships to "Joyful Noize" 8:36 PM Jul 10th

DWYL Concert over. Reach cats now getting it in with people who wanna b serious about Jesus. I'm riding home 2 Identity Crisis bought 2nite 8:58 PM Jul 10th

Afterthoughts:

While this stop was similar to their previous one (even at the same venue), you can tell the dudes continue to step up their performance and presentation. The songs and acts interchange smoothly and keep the energy flowing.

The overall theme and message is very evident and I'm glad to hear how they're also teaching and reaching local ministries to maintain the momentum once the bus rolls out to the next spot on the schedule.

Given the crowd and turnout, Reach is definitely going to need bigger venues in the future. Or at least a well communicated ticket/pre-registration system so that another 400 plus "don't waste their time" traveling and standing in the heat for an event they can't witness.

(Full disclosure: I got that line from dogfight! He texted it to me as he was driving away with a car full of disappointed kids.)

Be sure to catch the DWYL Tour if it comes anywhere close to your city. Just be sure to call ahead and make sure you can get in.


Although I've interviewed and written about him in the past, this was my first time meeting FLAME.

MJ meets CHH

Ever since Mike Jack passed, music fans and DJs have mourned by putting his music in constant rotation.

A few interested Christian Hip Hop mixes have also emerged.

1st: DJ Heir mashed up FLAME's "Call Him" with "Rock With You."

Listen and/or download here.

2nd: DJ Rhino hit me with this MJ + CHH mix after I helped him track down the Peace 586 track that originally sampled "Can't Help It" from the Off the Wall album.

Listen and/or download here to hear a sweet package that rightfully puts the King of Kings above the King of Pop while still taking pleasure in the music.