[Los Angeles, CA – September 13, 2024] — “Every drop means something” is a phrase that encapsulates the overall message of Hulvey’s latest offering, CRY, an album represented as an acronym: Communion, Reflection, and Yearning. Giving listeners 17 compelling reasons to embrace vulnerability as a sacred path to deepening your relationship with God, released today via Reach Records.
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“I think ‘CRY’ is the definitive Hulvey album. There is a song for everyone,” says Hulvey. “My hope is that listeners are comforted in these songs, recognizing that their tears are not in vain but are a powerful expression of their journey with God. He knows you, He loves you, and He desires to walk with you. Let every tear be a prayer.”
Throughout his new album, Hulvey reflects on his spiritual journey. He explores universal themes that tie together our disparate experiences, broken up into three chapters that tell a heartfelt story of redemption. This pious pursuit is complemented by features from artists like Torey D’Shaun, Samm Henshaw, Alex Jean, and one of Hulvey’s closest collaborators Forrest Frank.
Cementing his status as a leader of a new generation, Hulvey’s sophomore album is a joyride through worship and hip-hop. He delivers blunt-force bars that carry a true-to-life feel on “Poor Party,” unfurls a tale of perseverance and determination on “Top Spinnin,” and delivers a source of motivation for those who need it on “Battle Cry.” Of course, all roads lead to “Altar,” the closing track to Hulvey’s new LP and one of his most popular songs among fans. The latter peaked at #25 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs, with seven total weeks on the chart, and earned a remix featuring Grammy Award-winning R&B-pop star Ciara.
Elsewhere, Hulvey just completed his late-summer US tour alongside Christian worship giants Phil Wickman and Brandon Lake, making landfall in Detroit, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and more before wrapping in Hawaii. In the five years since signing with Lecrae’s label, Hulvey has since won over audiences worldwide and it’s evident that his list of accolades will only continue to grow. With raw talent, proven superstar potential, and his relationship with God at the forefront of the conversation, it’s only a matter of time before Hulvey is shining bright enough for the rest of the world to take notice.
CRY TRACKLIST:
1. COMMUNION 2. World Hunger 3. Poor Party 4. Love Like That (feat. Torey D’Shaun, Alex Jean) 5. All For You 6. REFLECTION 7. True 8. Letter 2 The Game 9. Top Spinnin 10. Heaven’s Door (feat. Torey D’Shaun) 11. Anxiety 12. YEARNING 13. Have Me 14. Miracles 15. Roses (feat. Samm Henshaw) 16. Battle Cry 17. Altar (feat. Forrest Frank)
In the new gospel comedy, Bailey plays Sam, a rebellious non-believing teen forced to move to Atlanta and join a praise team.
The film is in the vein of the “Pitch Perfect” movies and for 24-year-old Bailey, the fact it was set and shot in Atlanta was a big deal. She grew up in Mableton until her early teen years.
“We shot this in Atlanta and I got to move back to my hometown for three months,” she said in an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It was so nostalgic and exciting at the same time. I got to see some of my favorite spots growing up. I got to pass churches I knew and we even shot in some churches I had visited before.”
She said she relates to her character Sam’s journey. “It’s definitely the music for both of us and how we strive to be at the top of our careers,” she said. “She’s an aspiring musician and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to make her dreams possible.”
In the movie, Chole’s character Sam reluctantly joins the praise team with her much more chipper cousin Jess, played by Anjelika Washington. Despite being polar opposites, Sam’s character accepts her cousin because they have known each other since they were tiny, Bailey said.
“She loves Jess,” Bailey said. “That’s family. It’s love and the power of God. Jess opened Sam’s mind up to God.”
Bailey also got to work with Migos star Quavo, who plays Ty, a popular rap star who takes a professional interest in Sam.
“There was a scene that brought back so many memories of me meeting producers hoping they’d work with me,” Bailey said. “And it was great to pull from his own experiences.”
The movie was produced by Atlanta’s Will Packer, who is known for films such as “Ride Along” and “Girls Trip.” He was excited to have Bailey as the lead and spoke highly of her performance.
“She reminds me of Beyoncé with her work ethic,” he said. “She is relentless. Mark my words. She’s destined for greatness.”
Chloe’s role in Praise this is a unique full circle for her! In 2003, she appeared in “Fighting Temptations” a movie with a similar theme featuring Beyonce and Cuba Gooding Jr. as the two main leads. Chloe was only 3 years old at the time and played the role of Beyonce’s character “Lilly” as a child alongside the younger version of Cuba Gooding Jr. character.
Praise This largely seems to be a film about faith, community, remembering the good things in life and finding your tribe and a space where you can be yourself. It also features a lot of music! Featuring additional singing co-stars like Jekalyn Carr, Koryn Hawthorne, Quavo, Crystal Renee Hayslett (of BET’s Fatima), Tristan Mack Wilds (from HBO’s “The Wire” and the CW teen drama 90210), Birgundi Baker (of HBO’s “The Chi”), Drew ‘Druski’ Desbordes, Anjelika Washington and many more.
The film brings out of a new side of many of these actors as we get to see and hear them sing in addition to acting which is also new for a few of the listed stars. Take it from us, their skills are top notch! You’ll hear a few Gospel favorites in this film along with a host of new songs as Chloe and others put a new spin on Gospel favorites while also flipping a few mainstream favorites.
Lore’l of The Morning Hustle recently had a moment with Jordan at the movie premiere of his latest project, Creed III in Atlanta. During the start of the interview, she reminded him that they attended high school together in Newark, New Jersey. She introduces him to the camera saying, “And you know we know each other. We go way back, all the way back to Chad Science in Newark.”
JORDAN LOOKS HER STRAIGHT IN THE EYES WITH A SMILE AND SAID, “I WAS THE CORNY KID, RIGHT?”
Lore’l, likely uncomfortable responded with a laugh while quickly defending herself with another smile saying “I did not say that! I was misquoted, for sure.”
But Jordan didn’t let up and he briefly reminded her that the “corny kid” statement had been burned into his memory. There was still good energy present showing that he clearly had forgiven her, but he made it known he didn’t forget.
The interviewer briefly stayed in defense mode replying, “I said we used to make fun of the name.” She turns to the camera and says, “But yeah, he is obviously killing things out here.”
She quickly keeps the interview moving while remaining positive and continued to speak to Jordan about directing the latest movie and even brings up the expected union of him and Will Smithworking together in the future. As the interview is over, she seemingly admits to calling him corny when she says, “Well, you’re not corny anymore,” Jordan walked away with a slight smirk as he moved on to the next interview.
According to other news sources, Lore’l had previously stated that, as schoolmates, she and her friends would tease The Wire alum as he was pursuing his dream of becoming an actor.
Lore’l stated, “You know what’s so crazy? I went to school with Michael B. Jordan at a point in life. We went to Chad Science [Academy] together in Newark, and to be honest with you, we teased him all the damn time because his name was Michael Jordan. Let’s start there, and he was no Michael Jordan. And he also would come to school with a headshot. We lived in Newark; that’s the ’hood. We would make fun of him like, ‘What you gonna do with your stupid headshot!?’ And now look at him!”
The moral of this story is simple! But be careful who you bully!