March 22nd 2024, In the summer of 2023, Toyalove, Reece Lache’, and Childlike CiCi joined forces to craft the lead single, “Stay Low,” for Reach Records’ 6th annual Summer Playlist—an esteemed platform that has launched hits like Lecrae & Andy Mineo’s RIAA Certified Platinum track “Coming In Hot,” among others. Quickly becoming an anthem, the song is hard hitting and high energy and nature but is juxtaposed with a message on humility.
Towards the close of last year, Childlike CiCi and Toyalove successfully persuaded Jackie Hill Perry to lend her talents to the project during a candid conversation on Instagram’s Threads app. Jackie expressed in her post her longing for music but lamented her lack of time to dedicate to it. In a swift response, CiCi assured her, “Send twelve bars and I’ll handle the rest.” The addition of Reach Records’ leading lady, Wande, only elevated the collaboration, setting the stage for a potent remix featuring more dynamic verses from some of the Holiest Christian women to ever touch a mic.
“This song was thoughtfully curated, weaving a tapestry of faith, resilience, and Christian rap culture,” said CiCi when the song was released last year. “With rich melodies and heartfelt lyrics we hope that this song will inspire spiritual growth and that people would understand the significance of maintaining humility and embracing God’s role in uplifting us.”
To announce the additions of Wande and Jackie to the song, everyone got together with Lasanna “Ace” Harris for the 60th episode of The 116 Life, the radio show on Holy Culture’s SiriusXM Channel 140 diving into faith, hip hop and culture each week at 8p ET on Tuesday nights. You can watch the full episode here.
When asked to be on the song, Jackie shared that in her career as a rapper, coming from St Louis, she hasn’t felt like shes been able to hop on a song and sound like herself, and this stuck out as an opportunity to do so. For Wande, being apart of this song was an act of being humble and trusting in God. Around the time of being asked to record her verse, she was still recovering from her jaw locking and relearning how to speak normal. She explains, “At the time of recording this, I literally couldn’t talk how I used…I had to walk by faith to even add my part, but God has shown me through this process that it is better to be faithful then to try and do things perfectly.”
ArtSoul Radio is a 24/7, online Christian Radio Station and Entertainment news site promoting new and diverse sounds in Christian music! We highlight both indie and mainstream artists in Contemporary Gospel, Pop, Soul, Hip-Hop, Alternative, and Spoken Word Poetry.
KB and Childlike CiCi have teamed up for an exciting collaboration, blending KB’s seasoned lyricism and CiCi’s fresh energy. Their dynamic partnership bring something new to the CHH scene.
Fresh from North Carolina by way of Brooklyn, Childlike CiCi is making waves as a new CHH artist. Recently signed to Capital Records, she is the first African American female CHH artist to sign with a major label. At the top of this year, she was featured on KB’s “Glory Nights Tour” alongside other CHH, Christian RnB artists and AfroBeats artists including Limoblaze, nobigdyl., and WHATUPRG, Dee-1, FLAME, Trip Lee and Yung Kriss.
KB, a multi-Grammy and Dove award-winning artist, has been shaping the CHH scene since his 2012 release “Weight and Glory”! He is known for showcasing new talent, delivering quality performances and unmatched lyricism. This collaboration including a staple artist in the industry like KB teaming up with Childlike CiCi – one of the newest CHH artists in CHH brought a new sound and fresh energy that can’t be denied!
The video release was recently followed by Childlike CiCi’s “Lyric Challenge”. If you rap and you believe you have skills, this challenge is for you!! Don’t miss this opportunity! See details below.
We’re excited to hear more from these two artists together!
[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.
LISTEN HERE:
“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)
Nashville, TN (July 11th, 2024) – The Gospel Music Association is pleased to announce Tauren Wells will be returning as host and performer for the 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards for his second consecutive year. The GMA Dove Awards will happen live and in person on October 1, 2024 at the Allen Arena in Nashville, TN.
“Last year’s Dove Awards was such an incredible experience, we’ve decided to run it back!” says Tauren Wells. “I’m so excited to return as host for this year’s Dove Awards. It’s going to be a great night!”
The GMA also revealed the much anticipated itinerary for its annual Music City Fan Experience which includes:
One-night-only Brandon Lake Off The Record concert at the historic Ryman Auditorium
New Artist Showcase featuring the 2024 class of New Artist Of The Year Nominees
River cruise aboard the General Jackson Showboat including a songwriters showcase and stunning views of Nashville
Ticket to the 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards hosted by Tauren Wells
Packages include a hotel stay in the heart of downtown Nashville. For more information and reservation details CLICK HERE.
Tauren Wells is a celebrated platinum-selling musician, preacher, public speaker, and father, with eight GMA Dove Awards (including Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year and New Artist of the Year), 10 GRAMMY® nominations, and a Billboard Music Award nomination. In addition, Wells has achieved seven number 1’s, and over 1.2 billion global streams to date and counting. Through his precise artistry, masterful lyrics and dance-oriented performances, Tauren uniquely connects his contemporary Christian and Gospel sound with elements of pop, hip-hop and R&B. “Take It All Back,” Tauren’s fastest rising single of his career, is a viral hit with 62M Global RTD stream and added to over 133K personal playlists on Spotify. Having toured with industry greats (Lionel Richie, Mariah Carey, etc.), he’s also performed on Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, Tamron Hall Show and The Kelly Clarkson Show. Born and raised in Michigan, Tauren currently resides in Texas with his wife and four sons. In 2024, The Wells family launched Church of Whitestone in Austin, TX, where Tauren and his wife are co-lead pastors. More about Tauren Wells HERE.
The 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards are produced by the Gospel Music Association. Jackie Patillo and Justin Fratt serve as showrunners and executive producers, alongside Curtis Stoneberger and Paul Wright as producers. Russell E. Hall returns as director, Michael Nolan as scriptwriter, Scott Moore and Go Live Productions as production manager.
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About Gospel Music Association & Foundation: Since 1964, the Gospel Music Association’s mission has been to expose, promote and celebrate the Gospel through music. The GMA serves the richly diverse creatives and professionals within the Christian and Gospel music industry by preserving the legacies of those who’ve gone before us and celebrating the work of today’s artists through events like the GMA Dove Awards, GMA Easter Celebration, and GMA Christmas Celebration – which reaches millions of people around the world annually.