Prepare to get your praise on next month with the release of Mary Mary's latest album The Sound. The duo's fourth release will find them serving up a hearty helping of the R&B and soul-flavored gospel tunes that they are known for with a dash of jazz and electronica thrown in to spice it up. Also adding some seasoning to their gospel gumbo is outspoken rapper David Banner who digs deep on the tune "Superfriend." Stay tuned for my interview with Erica and Tina Campbell in the coming weeks where they tell me about his involvement on the record and share more about their ministry of music. Peep The Sound's tracklist after the bounce to see what else the talented twosome have in store.
Fresh from mentioning Mary Mary and their oh-so-hot new single a couple days
ago, a video is now available for the song for our viewing pleasure. In the clip, we are treated to scenes of Erica and Tina Campbell singing and strutting their stuff around while a dance battle/audition is happening. With its high-octane dancing, this video is like Fame Got Served Flashdance, with the exception of the female lead in the video being fully clothed. Remember, this is a gospel song.
Oh what a feeling!
Whatever you want to call the great news that was delivered late last night -- a blessing, an inevitability, a sign of good judgment -- a giving of thanks is absolutely due. The news that Mary Mary will be releasing a new album, The Sound, clandestinely appeared on my computer screen at almost the same moment the BWA Awards list was posted. Be it a coincidence or something bigger, it was an exciting find.
In terms of contemporary Christian singing groups, sisters Erica and
Tina Campbell are among the most talented. Not only does their music
have great cross-over appeal, their strong voices and empowering
message are always a welcome contrast to the often abysmal secular
music scene. If the lead single from the duo's first new album since
2006, "Get Up," is any indication of the rest of The Sound, then it will
definitely be worth a listen. "Get Up" starts off somewhat
underwhelmingly, but the first chorus comes in hard and by the end it's
difficult not to nod along to the affirming message and danceable
beat. [ET]
Earlier this year a leak of what was supposed to be a new single from T-Pain hit the internet and gained an exceptional amount of momentum, allegedly getting 400,000 downloads in its first day online. Of course this is exactly what his record label wanted, and however frustrated he may pretend to be over the fact that he got more attention for his so-called music, it worked. The internet was abuzz with this new joint called "Silver and Gold," a retelling of the T-Pain's favorite story about going to the club and getting drunk off of expensive liquor. What makes this one different is his use of the Kirk Franklin and the Family classic "Silver and Gold," and that all that hype got the negative attention of Franklin and gospel fans alike. And then Kirk Franklin gave T-Pain a call.
Last June after a joint effort by the Gospel Music Channel (GMC), the Recording Academy, the Gospel Music Association and co-sponsoring senators, Congress enacted legislation that designates September as National Gospel Heritage Month. A month dedicated to the music's heritage seems long overdue considering the influence it has had on culture not just in the States but across the globe, and the official website is modest when it states that:
"[Gospel music] is one of the cornerstones of the entire American musical tradition and has grown beyond its niche to achieve pop-culture and historical relevance."
It's more like the foundation that supports the cornerstones of the entire American musical tradition.
Is it possible to still have a recording career after your first and only album was released almost 15 years ago, and you haven't really been heard from since? If you ask Tanya Blount that question her answer would probably be a resounding "YES!" However, the R&B singer most widely known for her co-starring role alongside Lauryn Hill in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit has left secular music behind. Tanya has switched lanes and is returning to the scene as a gospel artist, and her first single is the song "Promise." With its laid-back R&B feel you might mistake this for a run-of-the-mill slow jam, but don't get it twisted, this song is all about Jesus. I think that this is a good comeback track for her that will fit nicely into the modern gospel landscape. Details aren't available about Tanya's gospel album yet, but another new track of hers will also be heard in Tyler Perry's upcoming feature film The Family That Preys.
In addition to her musical endeavors, Blount spent her time away from music raising her son and released Through the Rain 40
Principles for Surviving Life's Challenges, a book that borrows the first half of its title from her biggest hit off of her debut album. She has also been busy back in her hometown with her nonprofit organization Project Chance, which helps young girls in Prince Georges County, Maryland better their lives through education and planning.
Kudos to Tanya on her comeback and her community work. Now get into "Promise" and let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Many know Mary J. Blige has constantly dabbled into gospel, from the "My Life Interlude" to her collaboration with Kirk Franklin on "Lean On Me." But now her sister/ex-manager, Latonya Blige Dacosta, has decided to voice her own props to the Man upstairs. Latonya will be releasing a gospel album, This Is How I Feel, with "All of Me" as the lead single. Now Mary has been known to hit the wrong note, yet have it remain in pocket. But Latonya remains out of pocket and out of socket on the snippet of "All of Me," which can be heard on her MySpace page. Hopefully, there is more to the song. Let us pray. [SR]
Prepare to get your praise on next month with the release of Mary Mary's latest album The Sound. The duo's fourth release will find them serving up a hearty helping of the R&B and soul-flavored gospel tunes that they are known for with a dash of jazz and electronica thrown in to spice it up. Also adding some seasoning to their gospel gumbo is outspoken rapper David Banner who digs deep on the tune "Superfriend." Stay tuned for my interview with Erica and Tina Campbell in the coming weeks where they tell me about his involvement on the record and share more about their ministry of music. Peep The Sound's tracklist after the bounce to see what else the talented twosome have in store.
Whatever you want to call the 
Earlier this year a leak of what was supposed to be a new single from T-Pain hit the internet and gained an exceptional amount of momentum, allegedly getting 
Last June after a joint effort by the Gospel Music Channel (GMC), the Recording Academy, the Gospel Music Association and 
Is it possible to still have a recording career after your first and only album was released almost 15 years ago, and you haven't really been heard from since? If you ask Tanya Blount that question her answer would probably be a resounding "YES!" However, the R&B singer most widely known for her co-starring role alongside Lauryn Hill in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit has left secular music behind. Tanya has switched lanes and is returning to the scene as a gospel artist, and her first single is the song "Promise." With its laid-back R&B feel you might mistake this for a run-of-the-mill slow jam, but don't get it twisted, this song is all about Jesus. I think that this is a good comeback track for her that will fit nicely into the modern gospel landscape. Details aren't available about Tanya's gospel album yet, but another new track of hers will also be heard in Tyler Perry's upcoming feature film The Family That Preys. 
Many know Mary J. Blige has constantly dabbled into gospel, from the "My Life Interlude" to her collaboration with Kirk Franklin on "Lean On Me." But now her sister/ex-manager, Latonya Blige Dacosta, has decided to voice her own props to the Man upstairs. Latonya will be releasing a gospel album, This Is How I Feel, with "All of Me" as the lead single. Now Mary has been known to hit the wrong note, yet have it remain in pocket. But Latonya remains out of pocket and out of socket on the snippet of "All of Me," which can be heard on 
