Reach Records is having a good week

Reach Records is having a good week.

First, Tedashii's second album, Identity Crisis, finally dropped on Tuesday, May 26.

Amazon.com had it up a week early (on the original release date) and it got a good buzz. I checked iTunes' charts on Saturday and noticed it was ranked #8 on their overall Hip Hop list. (See the screen shot here.) You might remember that Lecrae took the #3 spot there the first day that (rebel) dropped.

This is particularly impressive considering the technical glitch they had with full album downloads in the iTunes store at first.

Props to Reach for producing quality music and prepping the market to pull off a successful drop.

Then came the news that Trip Lee's video for "Real Vision" would be played on BET's 106 & Park (the real one, not the gospel knock off).

Trip Lee Feat. Tedashii "Real Vision" from Rive Video Promotion on Vimeo.

Finally, the Don't Waste Your Life Tour kicked off in their homebase of Memphis, TN. You can follow a lot of artists' exploits, thoughts, and photos on Twitter.

Today, Sunday May 31, was obviously a hightlight for them as they got to worship, perform, minister and fellowship with one of their heroes in the faith: Mr. John Piper.

Catch a flick of 'em all right chere.

Please keep the crew in your prayers and look for the DWYL Tour to hit your area soon.

Update (06/05/09): Identity Crisis hit #2 on Billboard's Gospel chart & #10 on their Christian album chart. View here.

My losing Rockets rap: Shane Battier On 'Em

So, as you may know, I lost my Rockets/Lakers bet with DJ Wade-O.

Still, I'm a man of my word and ponied up with my own "---- ---- On 'Em" remix in honor of Shane Battier.

I figured the Duke boy's glove-like defense of Kobe served as a perfect reference for our team. I mean, we were "down three dudes / so I guess it makes sense."

Listen and/or download (if you dare) by clicking here to visit the story at DaSouth.com. My full lyrics are there too.

To hear Wade-O's response, you'll need to check out his show with the great Kirk Franklin interview. Get it here.

BTW, I in no way claim to be an MC. This was purely a goof and I had fun with it. I hope you do too.

Ambassador & Cross Movement Part Ways (Sketch's Thoughts)

As many of you may already know, the gospel rap community was shocked this week to learn that Cross Movement Records and William “Duce” Branch, aka The Ambassador, had parted ways.

(You can read the official statement here.)

This split and the manner in which it was handled was both frustrating and deeply disappointing. To be honest, it’s been a challenge for many of us to know how to deal with the information in a way that adheres to Scriptural guidelines for such separations and yet refuses to feed our gossip-hungry flesh.

I find it sad too, that this issue would rear its head so close to the release of Duce’s last album, “The Chop Chop,” where the historically distant MC finally seemed to be opening up and more relatable by sharing specific details of his personal life and struggles in songs like “Checkin’ for My God.”

I think we can all agree that our top priority should be to pray for all of the individuals involved. Not that this relationship can be restored so we get more Ambassador albums, but that the man, William Branch and those around him are all in the center of our Lord’s perfect will.

In the words of my man Ricky B, God is NOT in the music business - he’s in the PEOPLE business.

Grace and peace.

S.O.M. "The Journey Revisited" review

My Houston patna’s Soldiers On a Mission just dropped their latest album “The Journey Revisited.”

For my thoughts on this quasi-rerelease visit DaSouth.com to read my critique.

HCR offers "The Breakout"

Holy Culture.net has just launched a special program called “The Breakout” to give independent artists even greater exposure on their site and various media outlets.

The process is simple. Each month artists submit tracks to be voted on by readers and HCR staff. Winners receive a full promo package, acknowledging you 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.

Christian Rap Pioneer Wins Jimmy Fallon Dance Contest?

Is the “Stanky Leg” too much for you? How about “The Jimmy Fallon Dip?”

If you’re looking for the country’s next hip hop dance craze it might just be this little ditty from gospel rap pioneer Alton Lee, of the group Disciples Of Christ, and his First Family.

The crew has been poppin’ and lockin’ for a while, and now Lee and his son are in the running for a dance contest for the former Saturday Night Live comedian’s late night talk fest.

“The Jimmy Fallon Dip” received air time on the show this week and the winning entry will be announced tonight, Tuesday May 26.

Here’s hoping we’ll see ?uestlove and the rest of The Roots house band getting their Kid-n-Play-on with helpful instruction from a Christian Rap trailblazer.

Watch Jimmy react to their clip below:

Tre9 on Much Luvv Radio

Tre9 @ Fellowship of The Woodlands by JT Patton

Much Luvv CEO Bobby "Tre9" Herring finally gets to be on his own label's radio show!

If you've ever wondered why he invites mainstream rappers to his All Eyes On Me Awards Show, why he calls himself a "hip hop missionary," or what he might have told Lecrae backstage at SXSW, then you owe it to yourself to hear it all straight from the dude's mouth.

Download your (free) mp3 of the show here.

RELATED: I was interviewed on the show (before Tre) here.