News

Gospel music’s favorite son Zacardi Cortez, celebrates God’s faithfulness as Lord Do It For Me, the second single from his Imprint Live in Memphis  (Zetroc/Blacksmoke Music Worldwide) disc takes the top spot on both the BDS and Mediabase Top Gospel radio charts, marking his sixth Number One radio hit.

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Today, two-time GRAMMY^® nominated, Billboard Music and NAACP Image Award winning, inspirational artist, Koryn Hawthorne, releases her brand new single, “Look At God,” lifted from her forthcoming third album. The triple-threat entertainer’s new single, “Look At God” is available to stream and purchase wherever music is sold and streamed now.

Executive Produced by, J White Did It, and written by Munson Steed, Charles Jenkins, Koryn Hawthorne, Christopher Gales and Isaiah Campbell, – “Look At God” reminds the listener to take a moment to reflect on how God has continually blessed them. The brand-new fan-favorite single showcases Hawthorne’s ability to transcend across all genres, showcasing her signature vocals.

Having carved a lane of her own, Hawthorne provides a refreshing blend of gospel, pop, hip-hop and R&B. Hawthorne is best known for being a finalist in season 8 of NBC’s reality TV singing competition The Voice, placing fourth place as a member on Pharrell Williams’ team. After finishing in 4th place on The Voice, Hawthorne got signed to RCA Inspiration. Since placing 4^th she has been seen as a guest star on WE tv’s Mary Mary, Bounce’s Saints & Sinners and OWN’s “Greenleaf.” Koryn went on to shatter Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs Chart in 2018 claiming the title of longest reign by a female artist, with her infectious #1 smash hit  “Won’t He Do It” – garnering RIAA-Certified Gold^® recognition. Hawthorne recently starred in the Peacock original film, PRAISE THIS, portraying mean-girl, “Fallon.”

Follow Koryn Hawthorne on social media using the handle @KorynHawthorne.

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Donald Lawrence has released his latest full-length album, Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute to Twinkie Clark. The GRAMMY®-winning legendary producer, recording artist, songwriter and music director delivers a reimagined 8-track project honoring the legendary Twinkie Clark’s early solo work. Blazing a new trail, Lawrence creates a packed lineup of special performances with bold, sonic melodies on new covers of Twinkie Clark’s songs from her classic 1981 Power album. Making a powerful celebration with the Clark family’s iconic voices and other beloved musical greats, some of the album’s featured stars include performances from The Clark Sisters, Kierra Sheard, Yolanda Adams, Sir The Baptist, PJ Morton, J Moss, among others. The album’s two lead singles are “In Him There Is No Sorrow” (with Yolanda Adams) and “Fix Me Jesus” (feat. Sir The Baptist, Jason Ferdinand & The Jason Ferdinand Singers). Along with the new album, newly-released is a lyric video for the song “Awake O’ Zion” (feat. J Moss & Daniel Weatherspoon), which premiered on YouTube. 

Lawrence’s new album Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute to Twinkie Clark, pays tribute to the historic artistry of Twinkie Clark’s songwriting and her continued impact in gospel music today. Donald Lawerence performs an impactful soulful rendition with the history-making gospel group The Clark Sisters, in the title track “Power” (feat. The Clark Sisters & Mr. Talkbox). The reinterpretation conveys a powerful message of faith, empowerment, and the significance of the Holy Spirit. Bridging different generations of gospel music together, all the artists in collaboration with Lawrence present their own fresh interpretations on Twinkie Clark’s classic songs, paving the way for her songs to continue impacting the next generation of gospel artists and fans everywhere, with songs like “My Soul Loves Jesus” (feat. Shirley Murdock, Kierra Sheard, Jekalyn Carr & Kelontae Gavin), “Praise The Lord” (feat. PJ Morton), and more.     

Donald Lawrence has established an illustrious career as a producer, songwriter, recording artist, music director, and choir master. His work has garnered recognition around the globe, with numerous prestigious awards, including GRAMMY, Stellar, and Dove Awards, chart-topping songs and albums, over 200 million career streams, and praise for his visually-stunning, musically-unforgettable performances. Lawrence’s impact on the gospel music landscape continues to shape the style and sound of gospel. He played a pivotal part in shaping the distinctive sound of the renowned group The Clark Sisters and their individual works. He served as the music director for the highly acclaimed 2020 hit Lifetime movie biopic, “The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel,” and produced its accompanying soundtrack. His work extends across gospel, R&B genres, entertainment and theater, collaborating with artists like Stephanie Mills, En Vogue, Mary J. Blige, BeBe Winans, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Kirk Franklin, and others. Lawrence has been at the forefront of molding a vibrant style and sound in choir music, both through his own groups, The Tri-City Singers and Company, with the release of celebrated gospel albums and hit tracks, including “Encourage Yourself” “The Blessing of Abraham,” “Deliver Me (This Is My Exodus),” and “The Gift.” He is back as the music supervisor for the McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration ® Gospel Tour, with shows hitting six cities from September to December.  

Donald Lawrence, “Awake O’ Zion” (feat. J Moss & Daniel Weatherspoon) Lyric Video 

Check Out Donald Lawrence’s New Album, Available Now.    

Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute to Twinkie Clark 

https://DonaldLawrence.lnk.to/PowerPR 

Donald Lawrence Presents Power: A Tribute to Twinkie Clark Album Tracklist:  

1. “In Him There Is No Sorrow” (Donald Lawrence & Co. & Yolanda Adams)  
2. “Power” (feat. The Clark Sisters & Mr. Talkbox) 
3. “My Soul Loves Jesus” (Donald Lawrence & Co. feat. Shirley Murdock, Kierra Sheard, Jekalyn Carr & Kelontae Gavin) 

1. “His Yoke Is Easy” (feat. Brayla) 
2. “Awake O’ Zion” (feat. J Moss & Daniel Weatherspoon) 
3. “Fix Me Jesus” (feat. Sir The Baptist, Jason Ferdinand & The Jason Ferdinand Singers) 
4. “Praise The Lord” (feat. PJ Morton) 
5. “Awake O’ Zion” (Remix) 

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Years before she was known for classic R&B tunes like “Young Hearts Run Free,” “You Got the Love,” and “Nights on Broadway”; the GRAMMY® Award nominated soul singer Candi Staton literally had a driver’s seat view to civil rights history. She was a 24-year-old mom of two toddlers on September 15, 1963, when members of the Klu Klux Klan blew up the historic 16^th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL with 19 sticks of dynamite. The explosion killed four young girls, injured two dozen others, and ignited an angry backlash that was felt around the globe. Listen Link: https://li.sten.to/1963

“I know I speak on behalf of all Americans in expressing a deep sense of outrage and grief over the killing of the children yesterday in Birmingham, Alabama,” President John F. Kennedy said in a White House statement the following day. “It is regrettable that public disparagement of law and order has encouraged violence which has fallen on the innocent. If these cruel and tragic events can only awaken that city and State–if they can only awaken this entire Nation–to a realization of the folly of racial injustice and hatred and violence, then it is not too late for all concerned to unite in steps toward peaceful progress before more lives are lost.”

Staton saw the madness and mayhem first-hand. The 83-year-old singer has recorded a coffeehouse-styled soul soliloquy, “1963” (Beracah Records), to commemorate the 60^th anniversary of that day and to draw a parallel to today’s issues. “I never experienced anything like that before,” she says. “We had gone to a little church a few blocks away from the 16^th Street Baptist Church. The choir had sung and suddenly, somebody burst through the front door and started screaming that 16^th Street Church was bombed and people were rioting. So, he told everybody to rush home to get safety. Black people were turning over the cars of every white person they saw. White people and black people were throwing things at each other in the streets. Police were shooting guns into the air to scare people.  It was just one of the worst days ever.”

Staton grew up in rural Hanceville, Alabama, about 40 minutes outside of Birmingham where Jim Crow segregation was a way of life. As a teenager, she toured the deep south as a member of The Jewell Gospel Trio. “We used to be on the road with Sam Cooke, The Soul Stirrers, Mahalia Jackson, and we traveled in a caravan of cars,” she says. “We did that because the police would stop anybody and harass them. If we were in a  caravan, they had witnesses, so they were less likely to do something crazy. I remember one night; the police made the Fairfield Four quartet get out of the car and start singing. The police said that if they don’t sound good, they would shoot them. So, while they were singing, they shot their guns at the ground near their feet. We had to stay at boarding houses because no hotels would welcome us. We had to get food at the side door of a restaurant. It was so dehumanizing.”

The Jewel Trio opened for actor-activist Paul Robeson during some of his political concerts and the group used to play in the yard of civil rights leader, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. “She used to make us bologna sandwiches,” Staton recalls. It’s against this tableau that she decided to make a song about that day. “I rarely hear anyone call out the names of those girls,” Staton says. “I wanted to call their names like people call George Floyd’s name. I also didn’t want to act like this was just a thing of the past. These kinds of tragedies are still happening. All the school shootings we’ve seen in recent years, reminded me that what happened in 1963 is still happening in 2023.”

A seasoned group of musicians provided the backdrop. Staton’s eldest sons, Marcel, and Marcus Williams, who were with her that Sunday in 1963, laid the music. Marcel played bass and Marcus (Isaac Hayes, Peabo Bryson) played drums and produced the track. Myra Walker (Pop Staples, Dionne Warwick) played the keyboards, and Steve “Lfthnd” Lewis, who is known throughout the Atlanta, Georgia Jazz community for his left-handed guitar skills.  added some lite guitar. Staton joined her daughter Cassandra Hightower, and Walker on the background vocals. Listeners can hear the emotion in Staton’s voice as she tells the story in the song that she recorded in a single tape. “I could only do that one time,” she says. “I  was reliving it and started to cry.”

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Viral relationship coach, radio host, and author Bishop Greg Davis Sr. has just launched a brand new podcast recording and content creation studio aimed at helping metro-Detroiters expand in the world of digital content creation! Ground Breaking Podcast Studio (GBPS) will be opening its doors to the public for the first time on Saturday September 23, 2023 with a free festive ribbon cutting celebration from 12pm to 4pm EST at Groundbreaking Podcast Studio 33466 W. 8 Mile Farmington, MI 48226.

The open house begins at 12pm EST with a ribbon cutting ceremony and toast hosted by comedian Randi Rossario. Guests can drop in and experience the podcast studio firsthand and see all of the exciting new technology Davis is bring to Detroit. The studio is internally equipped allowing anyone to be able to enter as an amateur and leave as a YouTube STAR with high-tech production equipment to help podcasters and content creators every step of the way.

Along with podcast equipment, GBPS has seven different contemporary-themed studios providing a professional yet fun podcast interview environment. The set designs are perfect for selfies, digital reels, photo shoots, and more! There is also an internal editing team available to assist creators in refining the final product to be ready for distribution.

The studio is owned by TV Radio Host/Relationship Coach Bishop Greg Davis Sr. who is no stranger to the social media world with a passion to provide space for influencers. “This studio space is a hub and home for creatives to produce content that will be distributed around the globe”!

For more information visit www.gbpodcastdetroit.com

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From record-breaking hits to 19 GRAMMY® Awards, Kirk Franklin has created an esteemed career that spans over 30 years as an artist, songwriter, musician, producer, and a slate of other projects in television, film, radio and more.  

Franklin has achieved so much, in spite of having a very difficult start in life, including being adopted and being homeless. But, this past year has brought revelations that have shaken up his world and upended everything he thought he knew.  

Now, Franklin is sharing these discoveries and this latest chapter in his life with the documentary, “Father’s Day: A Kirk Franklin Story,” which premiered on the Kirk Franklin YouTube channel today.  

He says, “Nothing could prepare me for what God had in store for me in 2023,” in an early teaser from the film that he shared on social media. A deeper look into his personal story, the raw and powerful short film shows Franklin leaning on his faith, work, and loved ones as he grapples with the painful life-changing revelations. All of this was happening as he was preparing his 13th studio album, Father’s Day (October 6, 2023). The 10-track album includes his newly-released song “Needs,” “Try Love,” and “All Things.”   

Kirk Franklin is continuing to process the things that are revealed in Father’s Day, finding solace and strength through God, his family and his life’s work. And he hopes that the album and the film can help others who may be experiencing similar challenges or who just need to be encouraged as they navigate the experiences and obstacles that life brings. 

Watch Kirk Franklin’s documentary “Father’s Day: A Kirk Franklin Story” here: 

Kirk Franklin, Father’s Day (Fo Yo Soul/RCA): 

https://KirkFranklin.lnk.to/FathersDayPR  

ABOUT KIRK FRANKLIN: ? 

Kirk Franklin is a 19-time Grammy Award-winning artist, songwriter, and producer. After more than 30 years of countless hits and success at bridging Gospel, R&B, Hip-Hop and Pop music together, Franklin continuously creates a sonic compass for everyday culture and curates a moment whenever and however he can to keep the message of the Gospel moving forward. With epic collaborations with artists including Mariah Carey, Khalid, Lil’ Baby, Chance the Rapper, Kanye West, Justin Timberlake, Justin Bieber, Demi Lovato, Michael Jackson and Wyclef Jean, Franklin’s impact doesn’t just stop at the charts. He works to promote the growth and development of young artists by hosting a summer camp for aspiring artists and musicians called Camp Lotus. And he supports non-profit organizations including, Compassion International and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. While Franklin is committed to helping the community, he is also passionate about making sure that Gospel music continues to reach new heights and larger audiences. In March 2023, Franklin made history by spending 100 weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Songwriters chart and becoming the first artist to reach the 100-week milestone on any Billboard songwriters chart. In addition to music, Franklin has his own channel, Kirk Franklin’s Praise, on SiriusXM and has executive produced several film and television projects including Kingdom Business on BET and Kirk Franklin’s A Gospel Christmas and Kirk Franklin’s The Night Before Christmas on Lifetime. 

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GRAMMY® nominated and Stellar Award winning Jekalyn Carr announces her new self-titled album, JEKALYN, due via WayNorth Music. JEKALYN is preceded by the Billboard Gospel National Airplay #1 single, “I Believe God,” and is due in stores and online Friday, October 20, 2023.

JEKALYN, is full of inspiration, faith filled messages, encouragement, empowerment with each lyric bringing excitement, freedom, and restoration into the listeners atmosphere. Jekalyn Carr delivers a timeless album that shows maturity and defines the elevation of Jekalyn’s faith that has inspired people for years and, as it will continue for years to come. The self-titled, JEKALYN, marks Carr’s first-full release in four years.

Currently, Carr is currently nominated for a 54th GMA Dove Award for Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year with her collaboration “New Day” (Word Entertainment) with Blanca.

Carr starred in the Universal Pictures’ Will Packer produced film, PRAISE THIS, as “KiKi.” Carr received rave reviews for providing comic relief as her portrayal as the ghetto-fabulous choir member. Jekalyn Carr continues to expand her brand with offerings under her-all new, JEKALYN BEAUTY, collection. Jekalyn Carr can also be heard during the midday on Radio One’s Atlanta affiliate Praise 102.5 as the host of her radio show “Jekalyn Carr Family Affair Show” which airs Monday-Friday 10am-3pm EST.

Follow Jekalyn Carr on social media using the handle @JekalynCarr, visiting Facebook and on her website at: IAMJekalynCarr.com.

About Jekalyn Carr:

In such a short period, Carr has achieved what many adults strive to achieve throughout their lives and still never manage to accomplish. She is an award winning artist. Jekalyn has spent half a decade on top of the charts as a top-selling independent recording artist with ten Billboard No.1’s including six No.1 radio singles, two No.1 albums, two No.1 digital singles, and seven Top 10 songs. In her career, she’s garnered four GRAMMY® Award nominations, two Billboard Music Award nominations, millions of lifetime global streams, and on YouTube, she has surpassed 100 million views. Her 1.5 million social media followers often go to her for a positive voice during rough times. She was recently inducted into the Women’s Songwriters Hall of Fame, and was named one of EBONY Magazine’s ‘Power 100’ in 2014 as one of the Most Influential People in the World and ranked No. 23 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Artist of the 2010s according to the All Decade-end Charts.

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