♫OCT MUSIC SAMPLER:  TRIP LEE “BETEWNN TWO WORLDS”♫

Gospel rapper Trip Lee recently took the leading spot on the Billboard gospel charts, moving Marvin Sapp out of the number one spot after weeks on top. Trip Lee’s new album “Between Two Worlds” took the #1 spot on the Gospel and Christian Album charts this week! Crossing over has also helped Trip Lee land #10 on the Rap albums chart.

It’s rare that a gospel album see’s such notoriety on the Billboard Rap charts but with the sophistication and intelligence Trip brings to the table it’s not surprising. William Lee Barefield III better known as “Trip Lee” is a Christian rapper who hails from Dallas. Having been a part of 116 Clique, Lee is no stranger when it comes to ministering through gospel music. His debut album “If They Only Knew” was released in 2006. The success of “If They Only Knew” gave Lee a name in gospel music. He soon released his sophomore album, “20/20″ in 2008 which sold on the itunes music store. The hard work put into this album landed Lee a spot on the Billboard Charts.

On June 22^nd TRIP released “Between Two Worlds” which is currently selling big and quenching the thirst of rap lover everywhere. Gospel rap has certainly evolved over the year. With its evolution it has proven to be a wonderful way to deliver the Gospel of Christ to younger generations.

B.L.A.C. Magazine, an arts, culture and lifestyle magazine that highlights the African American Family recently featured one of Gospel’s brightest stars. In a very stunning red and black ensemble Kierra Sheard appeared as the June cover model for the Detroit based magazine. Sheard ,the daughter of gospel singer Karen Clark Sheard member of the well-known Clark Dynasty and granddaughter of legendary gospel choral director Mattie Moss Clark talked life as a legacy and her rich musical heritage in this issue.

(B.L.A.C. Magazine editorial spread featuring Kierra Sheard)

Magazine covers and editorial spreads aren’t just a silver spoon menu item for Sheard. But rather a testament to how her work ethic, sincere heart for serving God, and progressive sound have found its own place in the industry of Gospel. For the past six years Miss Sheard has been giving fans not just good material but thought provoking lyrics that Christians can move to. Her 2004debut album “I Owe You”which gained instant public attention featured great collaborations with her cousin J Moss, Tonex, and Mary Mary who she has often called her big sisters good for “giving great advice”.

(Kierra “KiKi” Sheard ‘Best Of… ’ a CD released Sep 16 of 09’ on TOSHIBA Music Label. It includes 3 new tracks ‘Teach Me’, ‘Sing to the Lord’ and ‘Jesus Is Waiting’ and only available by import from United Kingdom…its cost you ask???UK£ 48.67 = $73.00 U.S. dollars)

While her US success is indeed significant, it’s her jaw dropping international career that commands praise.In 2005 she released a remix album “Just Until” with the initial purpose whetting her fan’s appetites for more music until her next project — hence the name — the project peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Gospel chart. Even More surprising, the album became a monster hit in Japan were less than 1% of the entire population believes in Christ.Fans in the UK pay top dollar or shall we say Euro for Sheard’s music. This has created the demand for mixtapes and ‘Best Of… ’ compilations typical US Gospel consumers would scorn a artist with only two albums for.

(Here in a very rare video we find Kierra leading ‘Bring You Out’ a couple Sunday’s ago at her home church Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ where she serves as the Choir Director and Youth Leader among other things)

Optimizing her versatility and taking another path to success she recently played a role in “Preacher’s Kid”, which was released on DVD and Blue Ray on May 4^th, working alongside Letoya Luckett and Clifton Powell. It is no wonder whySheard is often distinguished as the next generation of gospel greats. Our eyes and ears are still wide open for more on MaMajik, Kiki’s edgy new clothing line which released promo photos back in. We’re sure all the fashionista are cracking at the seams to get their hands on that.

(The legendary Mighty Clouds of Joy, live at the Music Hall in Houston, TX singing ‘It’s Another Day’s Journey’ I’m Glad About It” (1967) with Ermant Franklin Jr. on lead. Listen and see video below.)

Here’s an oldie but goodie. The Mighty Clouds of Joy performing “Walk Around Heaven.” Growing up I would wake up to this almost every Sunday morning while my grandmother would sit in her chair nodding her head (aww the good ole days). Known as “The Temptations of Gospel” the Mighty Clouds of Joy have been in the recording industry since the late 1960′s.

This legendary performance at Montreux Jazz Festival in 1981 was one that truly showcased the talent within the group with Hampton Carlton on the organ and Paul Beasley being the soloist.

The original members included Paul Beasley, Elmeo Franklin, Dwight Gordon, Johnny Martin, Michael Cook (who died in 2008), Ermant Franklin, Leon Polk and Hampton Carlton. Together these guys have released a total of 17 CD’s with their latest CD “At the Revival” having been released in the earlier part of 2010.

As you watch this clip just sit back and think about the good ole days when you would go to your grandma’s house and listen to gospel legends from dusk to dawn. Enjoy

If you guys missed last Sunday’s episode of Sunday Best you should be ashamed of yourselves because you truly missed a great show. The final two contestants braced the stage to showcase their vocal abilities one last time before America gets to decide who earns the title of Sunday Best. Now you’re probably wondering well what actually happen on the show and this is where the OC comes in.

The show opened with a gospel great, Ledisi performing “Higher Than This.” If you are familiar with Ledisi then you would know that she took us to church on this song. What a great way to start the show. Elder Goldwire McLendon was first to hit the stage and boy did he bring it. Performing an old church hymn “I Know It Was the Blood”, McLendon showed us why he’s in the final two. Week after week he amazes us with his vocal abilities that showcases his passion for his love of God. Leandria Johnson took the stage next and performed “Running Back To You” by Fred Hammond. I have to admit Johnson brought it with this song. If you’re a fan of gospel music and seen this performance I bet you was two seconds away from losing it. Johnson performed this song down to the key. Her piece was nothing short of perfect.

In between sets Vanessa Bell-Armstrong showed us why she’s considered a gospel legend. Singing her latest single “Good News” followed by “Peace, Be Still” she showed the final two contestants how to really hit the stage.

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(Kirk Franklin’s CNN Faces of Faith interview with T.J. Holmes)

Seems like Kirk Franklin’s new book is causing quite the stir in the industry but the OC has a feeling this is just what he had planned. Franklin has been bombarded with interview after interview and numerous television show appearances. In his most recent interview he sat down with Diane Cowen of The Houston Chronicle to discuss the success of the book and his attempt to help inner city youth heading down the wrong path.

(Cover of Kirk Franklin’s new book)

No stranger to hard times he reveals to Cowen how tattered his teenage years were with one foot in the church and the other in the streets, struggles with abandonment, becoming a teenage dad,and how his life simply lacked purpose and direction. Franklin explains that none of this changed until Pastor Tony Evans of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas became his first real mentor and helped him realize what his life could really be.

When asked about his book, Franklin stated that he  wrote the book himself without a ghost writer because he wanted the truth to be birthed within the pages and the readers to know that he is someone who came from their predicament. The instant feedback from the readers makes Franklin feel as if he’s reaching out to them directly and offering them a guide to becoming one with themselves and ultimately one with God.

One question Franklin faced was how teens need to stop mistaking sex for love and stop having babies at a young age. Franklin stated “The most powerful person to get through to them is their parents. There’s nothing a celebrity on TV can do. The mother and father in the home have to do it.” The OC is predicting that The Blueprint will be on the best sellers list shortly and Franklin will be in more magazines and featured on many daytime talk shows in the near future.