Entertainment

Pastor Mike Jr., dubbed the “new king of Urban Inspiration,” swept the 38th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, winning 8 categories, including “Artist of the Year” for a third time in a row. The 38th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards will air Sunday, August 6 at 8/7C on BET.

The show opened with an electrifying performance of the brand-new Billboard Gospel #1 single, “Miracles” and #1 hit “Impossible” by Kierra Sheard Kelly and Pastor Mike Jr., the night’s biggest winner. Pastor Mike, Jr. earned eight awards for his work on the album Winning, The EP was named Album of the Year and Contemporary Album of the Year, while Pastor Mike, Jr. also took home the prestigious Song of the Year Presented by McDonald’s, Artist of the Year Presented by AT&T Dream In Black, Male Artist of the Year, Contemporary Male Artist of the Year, Music Video of the Year, and Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year awards.

Dubbed “The New King of Urban Inspiration,” Pastor Mike Jr.’s current album, IMPOSSIBLE, features 15 stand-out tracks of encouragement with Pastor Mike’s signature sound, trap music cadences, and lyrical mastery. IMPOSSIBLE boasts standout collaborations with Tamela Mann, Kierra Sheard-Kelly, James Fortune, Adia, 1K Phew, Tvinci and Angela McClure. The album IMPOSSIBLE has reached over 30M streams worldwide; the EP, WINNING, has reached over 15M streams worldwide.

Pastor Mike Jr. has scored four consecutive number-one singles (“Impossible,” “B!G,” “I Got It,” and “Amazing”) on Billboard’s National Gospel Airplay chart. His breakout single “B!G” was recognized as Billboard’s #1 Gospel Airplay Song of 2020. He serves as the Senior Pastor of Rock City Church in Birmingham, AL.

Follow Pastor Mike Jr. on social media using the handle @PastorMikeJr.

The 38th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards will air Sunday, August 6 at 8/7C on BET.

A complete list of Pastor Mike Jr.’s 38^th Stellar Gospel Music Awards wins:

Category #1 – ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Category #2 – SONG OF THE YEAR

Category #3 – MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

CATEGORY #7 – ALBUM OF THE YEAR

CATEGORY #12 – CONTEMPORARY MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

CATEGORY #16 – CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR

CATEGORY #19 – MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR

CATEGORY #30 – RAP/HIP HOP SONG OF THE YEAR

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Independent artist, songwriter, and singer Robert Hawkins has experienced life at the high moments of greatness and honor and has lived through low and turbulent pits of anguish.  He writes music and sings about an infallible hope called Jesus.  With his music and his incredible testimony, he is dedicated to helping others find that same hope and victory.

Stemming off the heels of his successful single and video “Things Will Work Out” featuring Wess Morgan and Minon Sarten, Robert has released another inspiring new single, “Better Days.”

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Actor Quinton Aaron made his film debut in Michel Gondry’s Be Kind Rewind hit comedy starring Jack Black, Yasiin Bey (Mos Def), and Danny Glover.  He then catapulted to stardom with his first lead role as Michael Oher in the 2009 Academy Award-winning blockbuster film The Blind Side starring Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, and Kathy Bates.  He received an NAACP Image Award Nomination for Outstanding Actor In A Motion Picture for his work in The Blind Side.

Beyond his love for acting, Quinton is also a songwriter and singer.  “Music and acting have always been two of my love languages,” Quinton says.  “I dreamed of being in movies at a very early age, and I started singing at four. I was super confident, and then I caught the acting bug.  That’s when I knew I was to be an entertainer. It was the first thing that brought me joy while being bullied by kids who reacted to my performances.”

The 6-foot-8 actor now walks confidently in his astute talents as an actor, singer, songwriter, and entertainer.  With a sincere passion for utilizing his gifts and influence for good, Quinton has released his first single, “LEAD WITH LOVE.”

Written by Quinton and Greg Barnhill, “Lead With Love” is an inspirational, uplifting song with a call to action.  The theme stems from Quinton’s motto and desire to keep love at the forefront of every decision he makes.

“One night in my hotel room in Austin, Texas, during the huge hurricane a couple of years ago, Lead With Love came to life,” Quinton explains.  “It was really my eureka moment and lyrics just started pouring out. This sparked a fuse to finally chase my other dream of music. I decided to use my passion for music to inspire and positively affect change throughout the world.”

The single is released by Ascension Records, New Day Christian Distributors and The Orchard.  Ascension Records President/CEO Martin Luther Wardlaw states, “Lead With Love is a soft ballad that encourages unity and love. It is fitting and truly embodies Quinton’s life in a song.”

Listen To “Lead With Love”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q1drdTuTj8&feature=youtu.be

Martin Luther Wardlaw, of the famed Wardlaw Brothers singing group, met Quinton on the set of a film he produced called BLUE LIGHTNING.

“Quinton was very kind, professional, and humble,” Wardlaw shares.  “I knew from watching the movie The Blind Side so many times over the years how much of an amazing actor he was and is. To learn of his desire to sing professionally was a plus. It’s truly a blessing to work with Quinton. People are so important to me. I love helping, giving, and loving people. It’s fitting that Quinton shares those sentiments.”

“Lead With Love” is available now on all digital music outlets.

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RCA Inspiration celebrated the Juneteenth holiday with a remarkable lineup of new music releases and a special performance. In recognition of the Juneteenth National Independence Day, multiple artists paid homage to the rich cultural heritage of the holiday, which commemorates African American emancipation, with inspiring music.

On June 19th, renowned GRAMMY?-winning artist, composer and producer Donald Lawrence released a captivating visualizer for his latest single in tribute to Juneteenth. Watch the new “Fix Me Jesus” visualizer on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1z1DFCI1KuY. The compelling new song “Fix Me Jesus” embodies the strength and unwavering faith needed to overcome obstacles, aligning with the spirit of the occasion. This new recording of one of the classic songs from gospel icon Twinkie Clark, is the second release from Donald Lawrence’s upcoming album, Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute to Twinkie Clark. The new rendition features the talents of Sir The Baptist, Jason Max Ferdinand, and his choral ensemble, transporting listeners in a powerful calling on faith in Jesus, whose power is endless in handling all things. Pre-order Donald Lawrence’s latest album before its September 15th release and get his first two singles now: https://DonaldLawrence.lnk.to/PowerPR.

Melvin Crispell, III captivated the audience at SOB’s in New York City on June 19th, celebrating the Juneteenth holiday as well as his own birthday that day. Melvin performed live as part of the SOB’s Soul Sessions “A Juneteenth Celebration,” an electrifying night celebrating contemporary gospel music. The show featured performances by Melvin Crispell, III, as well as SEMAJE, Jason Hendrickson, and Anisa Fowler and honored NYC influential gospel figures Hezekiah Walker, Melonie Daniels, and Meta Washington. Melvin’s latest album, No Failure, was released on June 16th, marking his sophomore album. Listen to Melvin’s album here: https://MelvinCrispell.lnk.to/NoFailurePR. 

With June recognized as Black Music Month, RCA Inspiration invites you to explore the specially curated Black Music Month playlist by Essential Worship. Immerse yourself in the diverse sounds of gospel, worship, hip-hop and more, featuring Kirk Franklin, Donald Lawrence, Koryn Hawthorne, Kierra Sheard, DOE, KB, Mali Music among others on the 62-track playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0bdPhDj1u9d95kHZcoHveP?si=d3d595ae65af4034&pt=dc9aac8ad30e76afe4b0929103c89727.

Join RCA Inspiration in celebrating Black Music Month as we honor the incredible history and cultural legacy of Black music, and its continued powerful influence and bond among fans around the world.

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Ethan Kent made his mark with his debut album WORK IN PROGRESS in 2014.  The songwriter and musician has continued to create a unique collection of musical offerings that have given him an identifiable imprint in Christian and Gospel music.  With each song, Ethan reinvents his relevance, delivers musical innovation, and is consistent with wrapping the Word of God around soul, funk, pop, and contemporary Gospel and Christian songs that no one else can creatively replicate.

He has released another masterful single, “I Saw Jesus,” and collaborated again with the singers who provided backing vocals on his WORK IN PROGRESS album almost a decade ago.

“I loved reuniting with my singers from the Work In Progress album,” Ethan shares.  “It’s hard to believe it’s been over ten years since that project.  So much has happened in our individual lives and career paths, but they have remained loyal to being a part of the gift and platform God has given me to steward.”

Chanese Jones, Taran McGowen, Jamall Houston, and Adrian Gayden are the singers who join Ethan on “I Saw Jesus.”  These elite singers provide the bone-tingling vocal chorus that adds a soulfully revering sacred ambiance to the contemporary and pop-inspired track.

You can watch Ethan and the singers in the “I Saw Jesus” official music video directed by Kade Dailey.  The video is available to stream on YouTube.  Dailey captures Ethan’s adoration and gratitude for Jesus through his performance of expressive lyrics, which persuade peace to permeate the atmosphere.  Ethan delivers a heartfelt vocal set to piano and orchestrated strings sharing his story of coming out of rigid, rule-based religion into a relationship of freedom in Christ.

 Watch The Official Music Video:  

“I have continued to understand my voice and calling to write refreshing and thought-provoking music,” says Ethan. “I have developed my sound by taking the things I love about different genres and applying them together.”

“I Saw Jesus” is written by Ethan and is available on all digital music and streaming outlets.  The song is creatively sculpted with the minimalism of pop but exudes the musicality and warmth of Gospel.  “I Saw Jesus” incorporates grit, cultural relevance, fun, and piety.

Through this song, Ethan invites you to experience Jesus not visibly, but spiritually through the lens of Grace.

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GRAMMY® Award nominated singer-songwriter, Deitrick Haddon, and his group, The Voices of Unity, are back on the grind with a slick urban groove entitled, “Back to Life” (ManHaddon Ministries/Tyscot). It’s an affirmative, feel-good message of faith.  Where he shakes things up is on the music bed itself. Haddon has created a danceable, futuristic groove that is saturated with the percussive accouterments of `80s funk bands (think of The Gap Band, The Dazz Band, Zapp, and Prince & The Revolution) with the pulsating bass lines of a sweaty club DJ. The rhythm cascades between in-your-face Funk and lilting Trap music loops, before closing out with a pulsating  4-on-the-floor fade. Listen Link: https://li.sten.to/backtolife

“The world is dying because we’ve left the one key that’s necessary to keep it alive,” Haddon says. “The key to life is love. Love is gonna bring us back to life!” This is Haddon’s first Voices of Unity production since 2012’s A Beautiful Soul film soundtrack, which included the Billboard Top 30 single, “No Betta” with Faith Evans. Some of their other past collaborations include “Anybody Here,” “Watch Me Praise Him,” and their signature cut, “He’s Able.”

In other news, Haddon is launching his own Sunday morning radio show, The Worship Sunday Experience, this Sunday, June 18^th on HOT 103.9 FM, a Hot Adult Contemporary station, in California’s Inland Empire market of Ontario, Riverside, and San Bernardino. Fans can listen live online at hot1039.com or download the Hot1039 app to their smartphone.

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He calls himself a true ‘Choir Head.”  A ‘Choir Head” is  a person who has been exposed to Gospel choir music for most of their life and who appreciates and continues to advocate and promote the genre to ensure that it remains a thriving element of music beyond its sacred foundations.  For B. Chase Williams, Choir music is the foundation of his faith that he unapologetically shares through his award-winning choir SHABACH.

“I had to accept that THIS is what God created me to do,” B. Chase Williams shares.  “THIS is who we (Shabach) are, and we must remain TRUE to who we are!  If we tried to do anything else, we would be hypocrites.”

He continues, “We’ve made major sacrifices to stay out there in a time where the music industry has tried to push the choir out! But we are still being booked consistently, which means there is still great purpose in our ministry.  It proves that we and choir music is NECESSARY!”

B. Chase Williams and Shabach now have a new single, “POWER OF GOD,” available on all digital music outlets.

? Listen To “POWER OF GOD”

Written by Jason Clayborn, “Power Of God” is a dynamic choir anthem that immerses the listener in praise and the confidence of God’s promises. “Power of God” is playing now on Gospel radio and is the second single from B. Chase Williams and Shabach’s highly anticipated forthcoming album CHASing THE NEXT CHAPTER.  

Take a trip with B. Chase Williams and Shabach to the land of great Gospel music and experience the One power that can supersede anything you are going through – that’s the Power of God!

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