Beautiful Eulogy - Instruments of Mercy album cover

Beautiful Eulogy are wrapping up their upcoming album 'Instruments of Mercy', which from the sound of the lead single and music video for "Vital Lens" it will likely be in the same vein. The trio are bringing something fresh to hip hop, especially Christian Hip Hop and we're excited to hear how the new project reflects their growth as a group. Today the group released the album cover art and will release their tour dates along with the album release date soon, so stay tuned.

Alex Faith 'ATLast' Cover & Tracklisting Revealed

Although a relatively new name breaking into the CHH music scene, Alex Faith is anything but new to the industry. Since his first coming out on Sho Baraka's "Barakaology" mixtape, to his contributions in the iTunes and Billboards chart-topping album, W.L.A.K., Alex Faith has been long anticipated to release his debut project. On November 5, 2013, Alex Faith releases "ATLast", his debut album with Collision Records.

"ATLast" is about Alex Faith's arrival to a place we all have to come to, where Jesus is better than all the other influences warring for our attention, our allegiance and our affections. "ATLast" embraces the southern, urban sounds that Alex grew up around and uses them to transform that culture that raised him. Embracing where he came from and loving everything that made him, "ATLast" does not neglect the urban south, but rather seeks to redeem those things for Jesus. With previous mixtapes such as "Honest to God," Alex has formed a reputation of being candidly honest and authentic, and "ATLast" continues that practice. "We were created for more," Alex says. "Everyone goes through life trying to get somewhere. This destination...we all have to arrive at is always and ultimately going to be at the feet of Jesus."

"I arrived at the conclusion that Jesus is better. There was a war going on for my affections and Jesus won out."

Tracklist:
1. ATFirst
Produced by: Wit & Swoope

2. City of Nightmares (feat. Tragic Hero)
Produced by: Jacob Cardec

3. Light Up (feat. Trip Lee)
Produced by: Wit

4. Hold Me Down (feat. Christon Gray)
Produced by: J.R. for So Hot Productions
Bass by: John McNeill of 42*North
Organ by: Joel McNeill of 42*North

5. Refuge (Interlude) by Odd Thomas
Produced by: Wit & Swoope

6. Bloodlines (feat. J.R.)
Produced by: Wit & Wes Pendleton

7. Letting Me Go
Produced by: Swade and Wit

8. Runaway (feat. Andy Mineo)
Produced by Hothandz Xclusives, Swoope, & Wit

9. Pull Up (feat. Tedashii & Corey Paul)
Produced by: Swade & Wit

10. Never Giving Up (feat. Social Club)
Produced by: D Flow (Beat Politicians)

11. Refuge (feat. Dre Murray & J. Givens)
Produced by: Wit & Swoope


12. ATLast (feat. Christon Gray)
Produced by: Wit & Swoope

Digital only Bonus Track
The Morning (feat. Wes Pendleton)
(Produced by: 42*North

CD only Bonus Track
Everywhere (Remix)
Produced by: Dirty Rice

CD only Bonus Track
Honest 2 God (42*North Remix)
Produced by: 42*North

LECRAE - WE ENGAGE CULTURE FOR JESUS AT R12

Culture is changing at a rapid pace and how we engage it should remain biblically faithful. To help you on mission, The Resurgence wanted to give away Lecrae’s talk, “We Engage Culture for Jesus,” from their 2012 Resurgence Conference. How can you engage your culture, love the people in culture, and redeem the culture around you?

Don't miss R13, the 2013 Resurgence Conference - register here. We'll see you there!

CANON 'MAD HAVEN' PRODUCTION CREDITS REVEALED

Canon's debut album 'Mad Haven' production credits are revealed. The album is set to release October 15, 2013 from Reflection Music Group. 

Pre-order on iTunes

"A haven is a place of restoration, peace, covenant, security and where you might find your hope and joy. I'm going to tell you how I got to that place," - Canon

Tracklist:
1. Mad Haven (feat. SPZRKT) - Produced by Groc, Kurt Denmark & Wit
2. How We Do It (feat. Thi'sl & Lecrae) - Produced by Groc
3. Walk With Me - Produced by Heat Academy
4. Different (feat. Tony Tillman & t.Jay) - Produced by Dirty Rice
5. Relations (feat. Sean Johnson) - Produced by Wit
6. Lotto (feat. Derek Minor) - Produced by Derek Minor
7. What It Sounds Like (feat. Kerwin Richards) - Produced by Canon
8. Special (feat. J.R.) - Produced by Swade & Kurt Denmark
9. Full Plates - Produced by Canon
10. Out Of Tune (feat. Derek Minor & Deraj) - Produced by Derek Minor, Canon, Dirty Rice & Joseph Prielozny
11. The Road (feat. Thurston Lopes) - Produced by Canon, Thurston Lopes & Kurt Denmark
12. Grow Up (feat. Tragic Hero) - Produced by Yung N Fly, Wit & Dirty Rice
13. Mind Vomit - Produced by Canon & Kurt Denmark
14. My City (Bonus Track) - Produced by Supe

*Mixed and Mastered by Wit except track 6 (Lotto) Mixed by Derek Minor

Canon - Lotto ft. Derek Minor

Lecrae Nominated for 2013 Soul Train Awards

Following his Grammy Award-win and nominations, it now appears that Lecrae can add "soul" to his list of attributes. According to the Soul Train Awards Lecrae has one of the best gospel/inspirational performances of the year and honored him with a nomination for its upcoming ceremony for his song "Confe$$ions". In a category riddled with household church names such as Hezekiah Walker, Shirley Ceasar, John P. Kee, Tye Tribbett and Tasha Cobbs, Lecrae is in rare air among these Gospel music icons. The 2013 Soul Train Awards will be hosted by comedian and actor Anthony Anderson and will air on CENTRIC and BET Dec. 1 at 9 PM ET/PT.

Do you believe Lecrae will win in this category?

STRT TRBL label launches signing SPZRKT & L9

Far from being in its infancy stages, Christian Hip Hop is now filled with labels and collectives of talented Gospel-centered artists. The kaleidoscope of the culture has broadly expanded from its original tiny following to a variety of lanes and styles. Co-founders Mickey Holm and Mike Luna are aiming to introduce fresh ideas, sounds and artists to the music industry with their new label, STRT TRBL music. While the name (pronounced “Straight Terrible”) may be unconventional, the meaning is much deeper than first glance.

“A little while ago, I hit this rut where everywhere I went, I felt honestly like everyone was terrible.” Holm explained in an exclusive sit down with Rapzilla. “I saw self-interest, and there were so many people who had the desire to just look out for themselves. And I felt that God was saying to me ‘that’s exactly why Jesus came.’ Without Jesus we’re, all terrible; with him we’re awesome” This is deep symbolism for any label, especially one that has the expressed goal of “have fun, make great music, and lead people to Christ.”

With the recent success of Christian Hip Hop on the charts, many will undoubtedly ask if a new collective is necessary. The Ambassador even once famously said that the genre had now graduated to “sucking up the bandwidth” of music, but Luna sees more space to be had. “Within the sub-culture of CHH, it’s not oversaturated with quality music. Even when you look at the mainstream, there’s more than enough room for great artists.”

Holm elaborated that he doesn’t consider STRT TRBL to be a “Christian label” but rather “a label with artist who share our vision. We feel that the artists we have are well-equipped to reach the secular world and get the Gospel into other people’s ears.” Those artists, rapper L9 and crooner SPZRKT, were both featured on the Rapzilla’s 13 Freshman of 2013 list and have styles that are just as unique as the label’s vision. “They’re talented and completely themselves. We’re not trying to make them fit into STRT TRBL. We’re trying to take their vision and help them accomplish that.”

What will their impact be on Christian Hip Hop? While showing excitement for upcoming projects, both men appear to be both realistic and confident. In Luna’s words, “I think there’s going to be a whole different lane that we’ll be able to carve out.” Holm added, “With the artists that we have, the talent in the camp, and the Lord’s continued blessings; I feel like it’s going to be amazing.”

Check out and download the lastest projects from these two artists, SPZRKT's 'The Loner' and L9's 'Something Reckless'. Also, check out Derek Minor's newest single "We Are (Champions)" featuring SPZRKT.