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Hip-hop moguls who own their own empires are revered for their rag-to-riches accomplishments: after a life of hustling and hard knocks, they've managed to touch hip-hop heaven and become magnates of the rap game. For proof, they've got the record label, the deep-rolling roster, the ice-encrusted platinum necklaces, the bodyguards, and the superstar girlfriend on the side. Sometimes they'll even record an album for fun.
Except for the record label part, veteran hip-hop duo GRITS is nothing like that. In a climate that's grown exponentially hostile towards vacuous, superficial hip-hop posturing, the group's artistic aspirations reach much higher. They're older, they're wiser, and, more than ever, they're aware that their triumphs aren not to be hoarded. They've been blessed to be a blessing.
Reiterate, their eighth full-length album, marks the beginning of this new era for the best-selling crew. Not only is the tandem made up of Teron "Bonafide" Carter and Stacy "Coffee" Jones still actively recording; after more than a decade with boutique independent label Gotee Records, the emcees are stepping out in faith and launching Revolution Art, an indie label of their own that, they hope, will make more than just hits.
"I want to be like Clive Davis—I want to have lifetime artists," Bonafide says with conviction. His partner, Coffee, adds, "It can be a scary and overwhelming thing, but you're just kind of at that point when you know it's time to step into that place. It's a risky business, but when you're gambling on something you're passionate about, that takes a lot of the fear away."
Their decision, though, is far from a gamble. As the highest-grossing rap group in faith-fueled hip-hop, they have some clout. Already, the guys have secured national distribution for Reiterate and future Revolution Art projects through Provident-Integrity, a unit of Sony-BMG. And if that weren't enough, GRITS also has a number of power players supporting their new venture. To wit, the duo's former benefactors are one-hundred percent behind them.
"My hope is GRITS becomes part of the new wave of leadership in this industry," says Joey Elwood, president of Gotee and longtime friend of the duo. "Nothing would make me happier for them than to see the future being developed by their thoughts and ideas. They've been shaping the future as artist for some time; now it's time for them to take the next step, and I know they will do it."
Elwood's associate, Toby "tobyMac" McKeehan, has some praise of his own:"GRITS has changed the face of positive and spiritual hip-hop. They are relevant and have a knack for discovering talent that stretches our industry to places I love seeing it go."
Endorsements like that are enough for any new enterprise to hit the ground running, but GRITS isn't a group to fall back on others' opinions to validate their work; they let their own art do the talking. "We want to make soundtracks for life and let it be what it is," Bonafide says. "At the end of the day, it's all art. We started a revolution but at the end of the day it is art. Let it speak for itself. I don't have to give you my whole biography in life…I'm doing my art every single time."
Upon that maxim—life as art—is that Reiterate and Revolution Art were created. The concept is nothing new for GRITS. As early as their classic albums Mental Releases and Factors of the Seven, the twosome was toiling autonomously, with a budding yet firm idea of who they were becoming—very little need for supervision or oversight. By the time their career-defining Art of Translation and Dichotomy albums arrived, the music was simply an extension of years of self-discovery and life on the road.
Now that they're all on their own, the stakes are high and the hours are longer. But GRITS wouldn't have it any other way. "Initially, there are always some reservations, but in the end we're stepping out and doing it," Bonafide says. "We're finding that it's definitely a lot more rewarding. You put a lot of work into it—a lot more calls to make, people to connect with, more time-consuming—but it pays off. In the end, we're going to be glad for taking the time to step out on our own and not depend on somebody else."
More than being able to call the shots and play boss, though, GRITS wants to invest into others' careers, just like that small production company that once took a chance on two Tennesseans who moonlit as dancers for supergroup dc Talk.
"We care enough about artists," Coffee says. "We know the realities of making a living on the road and in this business. We take that wholeheartedly into account. At the end of the day, these people's livelihoods are going to be way more important than us selling some units."
With faith, art, and people as their pillars, GRITS set out to record Reiterate, the boldest representation of their craft to date. The title may lead some to believe that these street poets are repeating themselves—rehashing ideas that have been done-heard before. But not so fast: "What we're reiterating is almost like, instead of going back and trying to re-lay a foundation, we're continuing on what we've already laid out 10 years ago," Bone says. "We want you to go into the music thinking that. If you don't, you're going to miss it. It might mess you up."
That's putting it mildly. In the end, the duo understands accessibility is key to leaving a mark, but they acknowledge is not the be-all-end-all of their methodology. If anything, they want all of their exploits—whether that be Reiterate, Revolution Art, or their lifestyles—to go much deeper.
"People are still going to hear the catchy hook," Coffee says. "We understand at the end of the day that's the business, that's what people tend to latch on to. But we're still going to be spitting that truth, man. Not to be cliché, but it's coming from the heart. We're sticking to the essence that we're doing music because we love it, not because it's a business."
MEDIA INQUIRIES: LEANNE BUSH PUBLIC RELATIONS
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/615-302-1060
RADIO CONTACT:
Shane Boyd
PureTracking Promotions
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/615-599-3500
Artist: Narnia (Germany) Song: Shall All The World (Dance Remix) CD: Decade of Confessions Genre: Dance/Rock Label:MCM MUSIC Homepage
Currnet Line Up:
Christian Rivel - Vocals
Carl Johan Grimmark - Guitars
Andreas Olsson - Bass
Andreas Johansson – Drums
NARNIA releases a new double CD through Massacre Records. "Decade of Confession" offers 2 Cd’s packed with hew songs, rare Japanese and US bonus tracks and the best album tracks from 10 years of NARNIA history.
This is an essential collection of Europe’s (Germany's) leading Christian epic/melodic metal outfit topped with a lot of special tracks!
The limited double Digipak with 2 CD’s is available now.
RADIO CONTACT:
YoungSide Records
www.YoungSide.com
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Dying to our flesh and our sinful nature is never a "pretty" process. I think sometimes, also, we get caught up in the flowery approach to God (I count myself in that bunch) and we forget that if we were to actually be in His presence, we (or at least *I*) would most certainly not give Him a high-five... I would fall to my face with fear and trembling... combined with hope and excitement - it would be a complicated rush of emotions to say the least.
This song song simply acknowledges that God is big. Big enough to move in our lives, despite our sometimes stubborn unwillingness to let Him... He is continuously saving us from ourselves.
lyrics: Take naivete from me and leave me isolated all at once I feel so free, yet so captivated You make the endless waves of time - seem so temporary. You're my missionary, emissary... adversary. You define the line between human and divine in this empty place intrinsic grace, so necessary. See the skies divide.. when hope and fear collide from this cemetery, offer me this sanctuary.
There is violence when You move yet I'm stationary devastate all my design and make it arbitrary You break my legs yet leave my knees... my will penetrated. I'm eviscerated... consecrated... lacerated. This heart, You break it and make it sacred these eyes awaken, this breath is taken from You You define the line between human and divine....
The familiar R&P voice behind many of CMR’s memorable hooks, is a versatile crooner and multi-talented producer with unmistakable style. His impressive list of collaborations includes “Cry No More” (Holy Culture/The Cross Movement), “N.F.L. (New Found Love)” (Moment of Truth/Da’ T.R.U.T.H.) and“My Clothes, My Hair” (The Thesis/The Ambassador) to name a few. He’s the point man behind So Hot Productions, the heavily sought after production company that contributes to the diversity of sound heard on many Urban & Hip Hop Gospel projects. His work has garnered GRAMMY®, Dove and Stellar Award recognition.
Building on the foundation of his debut album, Metamorphosis, J.R. now presents the antithesis of an infamous heavy metal album of similar moniker, Death By Stereo, with Life By Stereo—signifying God’s use of music as a medium to communicate LIFE rather than DEATH. Life By Stereo centers on the human existence, its trials and the healing balm of the gospel message. Like the book of Psalms, J.R.’s pen scopes the lamentations, woes and triumphs of the whole person. Transcending generation and genre, the album ministers in a style all its own—fusing eclectic urban gospel, contemporary R&B, Rock and Pop styles in a way pioneered by tobyMac.
J.R. has himself undergone a transformation and he sings about it with a soul-stirring grit and maturity that is revealed in the artistry of this album’s jam-packed array of percussive beats and explosive lyrical delivery. The Outkast-meets—Gwen Stefani single “Not a Slave” hones in on the perils of a past life ruled by sin contrasted with a present life ruled by the Holy Spirit.
RADIO CONTACT:
PureTracking Promotions
Shane Boyd
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Artist: Ryan Farish Song: Holding Hands CD: Elevation Genre: Electronic/Smooth Jazz Label:Independent Homepage
Biography
"Ryan Farish is something of an instrumental music superstar." - Christianity Today
From his first music lessons at the age of four, to his studying music performance at Old Dominion University and music business at UCLA, to his recent releases - Everlasting, Selected Works & Elevation - composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Ryan Farish has clearly been making a musical splash.
Ryan Farish first launched his artist career, back in 2000 on the former mp3.com. Ryan almost instantly became one of the most popular and downloaded artists in the history of the mp3.com era. Having received over 1.8 million downloads from his website on mp3.com, Ryan Farish (at age 28) ranked as one of the most popular artists of all time on the legendary mp3.com. Many of his tracks held the coveted #1 spot for months at a time, over 38 different times reaching #1 for their genre, and his cds sold to almost every corner of the earth.
Ryan Farish\'s music has been featured on The Weather Channel's "Local on the 8's", which led to TWC commissioning an original score/theme for their primetime TV show "Storm Stories". Ryan has also been honored to have his music featured as part of the "Freedom Towers" documentary.
Beautiful, Ryan's national debut album (EMI), reached #10 on Billboard's Top New Age Chart, was ranked #1 on Music Choice's Soundscapes, and garnered widespread critical acclaim. Reviewer/columnist/author Britt Gillette writes "Unlike many first albums, Beautiful should be more aptly labeled a "greatest hits" release because every track from one to fourteen is a masterpiece of sound and production. If you enjoy Vangelis, Yanni, Enya, or the Electronic/New Age genres in general, you will be floored by Ryan Farish's Beautiful, for Beautiful is truly perfect..."
Ryan's sophmore effort "From The Sky" hit #3 on Billboard's Top New Age Chart just five weeks after its release, was chosen as the discovery download of the week on Apple's iTunes, and subsequently became the second most downloaded Jazz album on iTunes for two consecutive weeks.
As an artist/composer/producer, Ryan has seen his music licensed to countless companies and production houses across the globe, including IBM, SONY, Columbia Tri-Star Pictures, COX Communications, IQ Television Group, Lifetime Network, Red Cross, Freedom Stone (Innovative Stone), and The Weather Channel. Ryan's music has touched the lives of thousands and entered the homes of millions.
Ryan's third national release recently hit stores everywhere on August 8, 2006, and is titled 'Everlasting". "Everlasting" has been featured on the listening wall display and end caps of over 400 Barnes and Noble stores (Sept 2006) ,as well as listening stations in select Tower Records stores, such as the infamous flagship Tower store, Sunset Strip, CA.
Ryan cites Moby, Robert Miles and BT as inspirations for Everlasting. But like all talented artists, Ryan has his own instantly identifiable musical sensibility. It's a sound millions of listeners love.
And now ... ELEVATION ...
CONTACT:
Ryan Farish -
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Licensing-
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Official Web- www.ryanfarish.com
Press/Publicity-
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Send correspondence to:
Farish Music International
9663 Santa Monica Blvd 934
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
