Former 5th Ward Boyz gangsta rapper's "Blessfest" this Sunday pays rent and light bills for less fortunate

Volunteers register Houstonians at Blessfest 2010

At Blessfest this Sunday, needy Houstonians can register to win one month’s paid rent/mortgage, one month’s paid light bill, one of 50 turkey baskets, $100 Toys-R-Us gift cards, and a laptop computer.

It will be the third annual event organized by former 5th Ward Boyz gangsta rapper Andre "007" Barnes who views the community outreach as a normal part of his life as a rededicated Christian.

Andre "007" Barnes

Over 300 people registered for the giveaways at last year’s Blessfest and Barnes expects over 500 to do so this time around. The day will also be filled with music performances from local gospel and Christian hip hop artists.

The activities will commence at 2pm on November 20 at 5800 Lyons Ave (Fiesta Food Mart), Houston, TX 77020.

INTERVIEW: Pastor Chris Durso talks about the MISFIT movment & the power of prayer

Here's another interview I conducted when the MISFIT Tour was in town last month. This time I speak with pastor/author Chris Durso. Here, we discuss:

- Kicking off the MISFIT movement
- His connection to the hip hop culture
- The power of prayer during his son's recent health scare

Here’s the clip:

Saturday's Christian rap concert and awards show used to raise food and awareness for Houston's hungry

Houston's vibrant and active Christian rap community will join together this Saturday, November 12 for a concert and awards show that will raise both food and awareness for Houston's hungry.

The event is being organized by Von Won and will hand out awards to local hip hop ministries for their efforts throughout the past year. Attendees are asked to contribute 5 canned goods (or more) for entry.

On his personal Facebook page, event host by Bobby "Tre9" Herring recently posted:

"I can't express how proud I am of Christian hip hop artists when they put together events that serve others less fortunate. Hip Hop for Hunger is a good thing that I hope all of you make plans to attend. God Bless ya Von for keeping the faith and serving others in spite of your own needs."

A similar event was held in 2009 and included a surprise performance by former Geto Boy Bushwick Bill.

Details on Saturday's affair are below:

When:
November 12, 2011
7pm - 9pm - Preshow begins at 6pm

Location:
Park Temple Baptist Church
4027 Irvington
Houston, TX 77009

Admission:
5 canned goods or more

Performances by:

Bizzle
Corey Paul
Von Won
Gifted da Flamethrowa
Second
007
Trevor Lee
Dulo
Govenor
The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S. ATX
Jericho Falls
J-Flo
S.O.M.
Hilary Pradia
Lil Sizzle
DJ DMD

Happy Veterans Day

On this Veterans Day, let us salute and remember those who had to offer a "Last Goodbye" so that we could enjoy our freedoms.

VIDEO: DMX performs new religious rap, "Keep Your Head Up," on "Dr. Drew's Lifechangers"

"When I think I don't deserve it / I think about Jesus and the fact that He was perfect / and that He thinks that I'm worth it..."

DMX, who is no stranger to either the wrong side of the law or putting his Christian faith in his hip hop, has a new religious rap single he recently debuted on "Dr. Drew's Lifechangers."

"Keep Your Head Up" features a gospel choir, Dark Man X's trademark barks, and a confession that it's "usually around the weekend / that I get reckless and jump off the deep end."

We're praying for you Earl.



See Dr. Drew's full interview with DMX about his addictions and prisons stints here.

Rap/rock band Walk of Christianity looking for extras for Saturday's music video shoot

Houston's Walk of Christianity is looking for extras for their music video shoot this Saturday, November 12.

The rap/rock band will be filming a visual treatment for the song "Get Up Again." I'll be there to report and recap afterward, but if you, your friends, or church youth group would like to be a part, please see the details listed below.

Location:
Sugar Creek Baptist Church LYF Center
13444 Southwest Freeway
Sugar Land, TX 77478

Time:
11:30am – 5pm … Cameras will start rolling at 12pm!

Anyone who stays from 12-5pm will receive a voucher for 3 tickets to attend the video premiere, a free dinner, and a free concert.

Please R.S.V.P. by email walkofchristianity@ymail.com

In your response please include the size of your party as space is limited.

R.I.P. Heavy D

Sad news broke late yesterday afternoon about the passing of rap superstar Heavy D.

Although he never claimed to be a Christian rapper, by all accounts Dwight Myers was a picture of positivity in his music, acting roles, and life. His brand of fun-filled hip-pop created a template for Will Smith and MC Hammer while his "Overweight Lover" persona set the stage for heavy-set sex symbols like the Notorious B.I.G. and Rick Ross who followed after.

In my own life, Heavy D's raps were some of the first I memorized as a good church boy in Memphis, TN. He will be deeply missed.

In memory, the "ba-diddly-diddly-diddly-dang" of "We've Got Our Own Thang."