Biography of Kevin Elijah Burgess Popularly Known as (KB)

Kevin Elijah Burgess was born in St. Petersburg, Florida on July 21, 1988, into a military family. Shortly after his birth his parents moved to Southern Illinois where he was raised for eight years. When he was 8 years old, his parents divorced and he moved back with his mother to the south-side of St. Petersburg, which according to Burgess is "probably one of the worst areas in the state." He did well in school and at age 15 was offered an opportunity to pursue college through a program called St. Petersburg Collegiate High School. But despite this opportunity, he struggled with extreme depression and experimented with various drugs to try to relieve it. He began struggling at school due to his problems with his personal life, and even contemplated suicide. During this period of his life he met a Christian named Jeremy who introduced him to Christian rap. Jeremy offered him a CD, and Burgess says he was saved after hearing the Gospel presentation on the recording.

“I was losing the will to live; life was becoming meaningless, and I was becoming progressively more empty,” and his declining academic performance reflected this attitude. But that would soon change.

It’s not a stretch to say the winding road that began in St. Petersburg, FL led Kevin “KB” Burgess straight to God.

Raised middle class, divorce left KB and his mother in a poor economic situation, “I went from the suburbs to the hood in one day,” he recalls. Having been raised in Southern Illinois on a military base, drug dealers and criminals were a stark contrast to the safe haven he had become accustomed to. Fear of death and the unknown gripped his teenage years, leading him to depression and thoughts of suicide. On the other hand, KB also excelled in high school and was offered the opportunity to be a part of a program where juniors could become full-time college students. After foregoing varsity basketball to join the program, KB soon realized that solely excelling in school wouldn’t bring fulfillment. “I was losing the will to live; life was becoming meaningless, and I was becoming progressively more empty,” and his declining academic performance reflected this attitude. But that would soon change. While in school, a classmate introduced him to Christian rap, and although he already self-identified as a believer, after listening to a song on which an artist delivered the Gospel, KB wholeheartedly trusted and believed in Jesus. In his regeneration, the Gospel exposed the underlying issue of fear and uncertainty that plagued him as a teenager. Emptiness, depression, and meaninglessness were now being exchanged for grace, rest and forgiveness.

After trusting in Christ, KB was motivated and willing to honor God in all his ways. He took more pride in school, his grades began to reflect his intelligence, and he began pursuing the American Dream. He had retained the plans developed by his guidance counselors and ambitions for success, but suddenly, through scripture and prayer, the Lord implored him to abandon all his plans and go to Bible college. After abandoning "the dream," he found himself in fellowship with a bunch of brothers who happened to be Christian rappers, which naturally spawned a personal interest in the genre. But it wasn't until after performing and winning a “Battle of the Bands” competition that he recognized the call on his life to use rap as ministry. 

KB and his friends formed HGA (His Glory Alone) and developed a following, which eventually included Lecrae, Ben Washer and DJ Official, who actually featured him on Entermission. Lecrae invited him along for the “Acquire the Fire” tour and, after months of building with him, KB was asked to join the Reach Records team. As a member of the Reach roster, KB is amazed by the providence of God, which brought him to Reach Records. “I liken my experience to Abraham, who was lead to an unknown land. My land is Reach Records--where I plan to serve for the next several years,” says KB.

Currently residing in Tampa, KB is enjoying life with his new wife and occasionally preaches at Crossover Community Church. Through his music, he hopes to communicate that God is the absolute canon of all things good, true and beautiful. “I want people to realize God and His centrality. It is not us putting Him at the center, He is already there. We must put ourselves onto that reality.”

Source: NRT

Biography of Tree63

 

Tree63 is a Christian rock band from Durban, South Africa formed in 1996 currently featuring John Ellis on vocals, guitar and piano, Darryl Swart on drums and Daniel Ornellas on bass guitar. Originally, the band was unnamed. John Ellis, the group's founder, came up with the name Tree in 1997 when performing at North Beach, Durban. The band had to come up with a name before performing on stage. The singer, John Ellis, was standing under a tree, so decided to call the band Tree. They added the 63 in 2000 due to a naming conflict with an American band. 63 had been the name of their second album, which was named in reference to Psalm 63.

Years Active: 1996 – 2009, 2004 - present

Genres: Contemporary Christian music, contemporary worship music.

Label: InPop, Survivor

 

"We were originally just "Tree", after the numerous references in the Bible to trees: the garden of Eden, the cross Jesus hung on etc. "63" was the title of our second record, and it came from Psalm 63. When we got to the States in 2000, we discovered a band in Boston called "Tree" already, and they were unwilling to give up their band name, so we had to either alter or change ours. The compromise was "Tree63".'
— John Ellis, Interview with Christian Music Daily

Their first album released in the United States, Tree63, won the GMA Dove Award for Rock Album of the Year in 2001.

Tree63's recording of Matt Redman's "Blessed Be Your Name" helped to spark the song's popularity. This recording was featured on the 2005 edition of WOW Hits and was nominated for two Dove Awards. On a 2 February 2007 broadcast of 20, The Countdown Magazine (special edition, Praise and Worship), guest Chris Tomlin described Tree63's rendition of "Blessed Be Your Name" as "...the definitive recording of one of the most all-encompassing songs in the entire world of Christian music." The song was then announced as the number 3 Praise and Worship song of all time.

Tree63 parted ways in 2009, and John Ellis returned to South Africa, where he started his solo career. His debut solo album, Come Out Fighting, was released in June 2010.

Splashy Fen Music Festival announced that Tree63 would be part of their line-up in 2014.

On November 2014, Tree63 released previously unreleased songs from 2006. They claimed that the tracks were considered candidates for their Sunday! album.

After reconvening in 2014 for a series of celebratory South African concerts, talk of a new album and resumed live work resurfaced and the band began work on their new album in Nashville in November 2014.

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Biography of Travis Tremayne Tyler (a.k.a Thi'sl)

Travis Tremayne Tyler, (born March 17, 1977) better known by the stage name Thi'sl is an American Christian hip hop producer and songwriter from St. Louis, Missouri. In 2007 Thi'sl was signed to the record label X-Hustler where he recorded three studio albums entitled, After This House I Shall Live, Chronicles of an X-Hustler and Beautiful Monster. In 2012 he was featured on Lecrae's album Gravity which won a Grammy award 

Years Active: 2007 – present

Genres: Christian Hip – Hop.

Label: Reach, Full Ride

At the corner of street life and honest living stands Thi’sl (thizil): an ex-hustler turned urban missionary who brings the Truth to the hood and urban struggles to the Church.  A look into his past reveals the authenticity of his gritty, in your face lyrics and God’s grace, which spared his life and gave him a clean slate to begin anew.  

Travis “Thi’sl” Tyler moved to St. Louis with his mom and brother to one of the worst neighborhoods in America at the age of 2. Living on the Westside of St. Louis, without a father present, his grandmother stepped in to help raise Thi’sl and his brother, while his mom constantly worked. Disaster soon followed—Thi’sl was expelled from all St. Louis public schools in the 8th grade for having a weapon, his mom and other relatives got hooked on drugs and he found himself struggling just to survive.  He moved to live with his grandfather and attended high school for one year, until it began interfering with his hustle: selling crack. “I was a monster. I did whatever I had to do to survive,” he recalls.  By the age of 18, narcotics began to consume every aspect of his existence. With his life spinning out of control, pains and hurts being drowned in a variety of drugs and an identity grounded in the streets, Thi’sl was headed for destruction. 

But then came his awakening—through the murder of one of his cousins. “It rocked my life and it made me look to God for answers,” he remembers. Thi’sl began attending church and reading the Bible, and his conscience was awakened to his sin. He knew he had to leave the street life behind him. He even parted ways with a childhood passion—rapping. While Thi’sl had relocated and experimented with different drugs quite frequently as a youth, rap had remained constant since the age of 11 as a means to vent his pain and struggles and extol the things he valued in life. In light of his awakening, Thi’sl now hated what he promoted in his music, so he walked away from the game and didn’t plan on coming out of retirement. Of course, God had other plans.

After a year and a half of studying Scripture and serving in his church, Thi’sl had a burning desire to reach his generation and culture. He prayed for direction, and God impressed upon his heart to return to rap. Initially, he tried to mimic the heavily theological raps he had been exposed to, until finding his own lane.  He eventually started an independent label and released his national debut album, Chronicles of an X-Hustler, which debuted at No. 4 on the iTunes Hip Hop chart.  Chronicles is a self-described “autobiographical” look into Thi’sl’s life as he addresses real life situations through a biblical lens and provides practical solutions to everyday situations.  That’s his mantra—let his biblical knowledge meet real people in their current realities.  Having been featured on several albums since his national debut, Thi’sl is gearing up to release his sophomore album Beautiful Monster. Driven by his mom’s words, “While people are sleeping, I’m working,” Thi’sl is dedicated to making the most of his platform and changing the world.

He currently resides in St. Louis, MO with his wife and kids as he serves faithfully at New Direction Christian Church. Ultimately, Thi’sl stands as a voice crying out to hoods and suburbs across the globe, “There is hope in Jesus. No matter how messed up you are, what jail you’re in, or how many people have told you that you will fail. There is hope! I found that hope in Jesus.”

Thi'sl is very involved in the Ferguson, Missouri shooting of 18-year-old man Michael Brown. He recently addressed the public about justice issues in the St. Louis, Missouri area and he put together a peace response, calling out the community and church to take part in the healing of the community. On Demember 13, 2014, Thi'sl teamed up with Bubba Watson and donated $25,000 to repair vandalism and stolen technology at local Ferguson school Griffith Elementary.

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Biography of The Afters

The Afters are a Christian pop rock band founded by Joshua Havens and Matt Fuqua. Havens and Fuqua first worked together in aStarbucks coffee shop in Mesquite, Texas, where they played for customers, before deciding to form a band. They added Brad Wigg and Marc Dodd, who were also employed at the same Starbucks, under their original name of Blisse. Their song "Never Going Back to OK" was the most-played song on R&R magazine's Christian CHR chart for 2008.

Years Active: 1999 – present
Genres: Christian Rock, CCM, Alternative Rock, Pop Rock
Label: Columbia, INO, Sony BMG, Integrity

The only true alchemy in this world occurs when trials turn to gold, the debris and heartbreak of life transformed and polished into shining beauty by a loving, unseen hand. We try to catch a glimpse of this remarkable change in action, yet human eyes fail us. However, once these storms of life pass, we see the afterglow through signs as sure as Noah's ancient rainbow. A loved one overcomes. Morning breaks after an impossibly long night. Grace thunders through spiritual drought with a mighty downpour of living water. All of this, and more, affirms the fact that yes, life is beautiful. 

Such alchemy transforms The Afters' fourth studio album, Life Is Beautiful, though the title came innocently enough to vocalist-guitarist Josh Havens. He's been carrying it in his head ever since the release of the Oscar-winning 1997 film of the same name. But by the time the music came to fruition, Havens said he was wrestling with an ordeal that tested him like no other—and this from a guy who, along with his wife and kids, survived a near-fatal car wreck several years prior. 

"My son had some unexpected problems at birth and had to spend some time in the hospital ICU," he recalls. "And I prayed that God would turn my trials into testimonies." 

The result: "Waiting for an Answer," a song Havens says was inspired not only by his son's struggles with a punctured lung, but also the children and parents in that ICU who coped with much more: "I don't have to know how/ Or see you turn this around/ To believe in you now…" 

"I had a friend who lost his child,” Havens continues. “He went through years of depression. I can't even imagine going through that. But he said something to me I'll never forget: 'The thing that challenged my faith in the short term is what strengthened my faith in the long term.' I hope to move through the struggles to find a deeper faith in God. I want to be the person who grows closer to God through the hard times." 

That spirit surrounds Life Is Beautiful, an album that dares to affirm all that matters through its every detail, right down to the artwork. The Afters solicited fans, friends and family to send in photos that answered the question, "What are the beautiful things in your life?" The album design assembles a collage of those pictures, much as the songs explore the facets of finding beauty in ashes, the everyday, and all spaces between and beyond. 

Take "Every Good Thing," the debut single that rockets from backbeat intro to melodic pop chorus on a feel-good tide of riffing guitars and handclaps. Praise to the maker comes for "every heartbeat, every day we get to breathe … every second chance." Rarely do catchy songs come this infectious and insightful; "Every Good Thing" lifts the listener to a place where they can see the source of true joy, even as they feel it through the music. 

"We wanted something strong, upbeat and positive," Havens says. "We were looking back over the last year and we were struck by how many times we'd wake up and see those horrific headlines in the news. We're reminded every day of how many bad things there are in life, so we wanted to write a reminder of how much God is capable of doing." The verse they turned to for inspiration, fittingly, was James 1:17: "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." 

Definitive as that statement sounds, Life Is Beautiful began with challenging questions the group members pondered while on a writing retreat in Colorado. "As songwriters, we never what to make the same album twice," says guitarist-vocalist Matt Fuqua, who co-founded The Afters with Havens while the two worked as Starbucks baristas in Mesquite, Tex. "For us we try to go in asking: ‘What can we do that's different? How can we stretch ourselves? How can we take things further? How can we do more?' It was intentional to be really honest with our audience, and to be honest with ourselves by sharing things that are personal and meaningful." 

The title track itself makes good on that promise; in fact, it earned a spot in the film October Baby long before the rest of the album was complete. "That was a song we had to rush to finish," Fuqua recalls. "The producers of the movie heard the song and got so excited. They shifted things around in terms of turn-in and release date just so we could get the song completed, and it was perfect timing." 

And so does "Broken Hallelujah," a tender anthem inspired by last summer's wildfires in Colorado. Writing went into high gear after a friend sent pictures, snapped from his church, that showed the flames creeping precariously close: "Nothing left to hold onto/ I raise these broken hands to you/ Here's my broken hallelujah." 

"There were times," Havens recalls, "when we were in tears writing that song. We opened the book of Job and saw a man who experienced more losses than we could ever fathom. In the midst of all that, he shaved his head and got rid of his clothes so that he had nothing left, and yet he still worshiped God. 'Broken Hallelujah' came out of that sense that when we're broken, the only thing we have is our worship." 

Live and in the studio, Havens and Fuqua team up once again with drummer Jordan Mohilowski and bassist Dan Ostebo, who bring nimble musicianship and plenty of personality to the proceedings. "Dan is an outstanding writer and bass player, and Jordan is a phenomenally talented producer," Havens says. "A key to the dynamic of our band is that we have four creative minds, and we get along great. We love traveling together and when we write, there's wonderful chemistry. Something special always comes out of it, and if we weren't in a band together, we'd be hanging out." 

Producer Dan Muckala (who helmed the band's 2010 effort Light Up the Sky) also returns to guide eight of the new album tracks. David Garcia (Mandisa, Britt Nicole) and Ben Glover (For King & Country, Jason Castro) produce three more tracks, while Mohilowski took on the song "Moments Like This," earning praise from his bandmates: "He killed it, and the song sounds amazing," Havens raves. 

Such enthusiasm for "Life Is Beautiful" may sound like idle boasting. It's not. Rather, The Afters sweated this recording in a way they could hardly anticipate. Life gave them the unplanned, the unexpected, even the unwanted. No one would've blamed them had they crumbled beneath it all, or called a long time out. Instead, they dared to ask a simple question: 

"What are the beautiful things in your life?" 

Havens sums it up thus: "Our hope for our record—and a lot of heartache went into this album—is that it will encourage people to see how God is working in their lives. He's not just there on the sunny days. No matter what we go through in life, God is still with us and life is beautiful—God is beautiful."

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Biography of Andy Mineo

Andy Mineo, former stage name C-Lite, Born in April 17 1988 is an American Christian hip hop artist, producer, minister, TV and music video director from New York City. He is currently signed to Reach Records and in addition to his solo work is a member of that label's hip hop collective 116 Clique. 

Years Active: 2001 – present

Genres: Christian Hip – Hop, Hip Hop

Label: Label:  Trace, Marshall Street, Reach

At just 17, Andy Mineo was living a dream; he had money, local fame and the respect of his peers. But while attending college in NYC, he finally faced the music—neither was the key to life.

Andy, formerly known as "C-Lite," grew up in a single parent home in Syracuse, New York. Without any positive male figures around, at a young age, he struggled with profanity, submission to authority and physical aggression. With his conduct becoming uncontrollable, Andy was removed from the public school system and placed in behavioral modification centers. But change was on the horizon.

The summer before entering the 8th grade, Andy attended a Christian camp where his sister served as a counselor. While there, he heard the gospel preached clearly, cried out in desperation for Jesus to forgive him and experienced “some pretty unforgettable prayer sessions that really rocked [him].” Andy came home with a love in his heart for people that he once hated, and knew he was changed. But, he also came back to no home church, no community, no bible study and no mentors. So, as he rode his spiritual high into the ground and neglected to fan the flame that had begun, his relationship with God was compromised. His heart wasn’t set on pursuing Christ; instead, music and status had become his focus.

While in middle school, he began recording in his mom’s house and was buying new pieces of equipment with birthday money. Eventually, he started selling studio time out of his closet; before long, he was a sophomore in high school running a lucrative business out of his mother’s basement recording and producing hundreds of artists in Upstate New York. He had also started a rap group with a few friends that led to a deal with Syracuse University's Marshall Street Records, which gave them the opportunity to open up for the major acts that performed at SU. As a solo MC, Andy became well known in the underground freestyle rap scene for winning battle competitions during high school and his freshman year in college. Adding to his resume, he also excelled in athletics—thriving in football, basketball and lacrosse throughout high school.

Unfortunately, all of the success and recognition only led him away from God and towards greater sin. Headed for the big lights of New York City to attend college, stardom and rebellion seemed inevitable. But while taking a piano class his freshman year, Andy met Alex Medina (producer of “Background,” “The invasion (Hero)” and many other Reach tracks) who invited him to check out T.R.U.C.E. (an urban ministry that focused on evangelism via performing arts). He soon got connected with others, was discipled and the Lord began to deal with him more deeply concerning sin patterns in his life. After hearing Da Truth's “Price Tag” song, he vowed to shut down his recording studio and never use his gifts to help record music that did not honor God. He lost all his business and income, but he found his new identity in Christ.

Armed with a new purpose, Andy spent several months traveling with T.R.U.C.E. and sharing the Gospel in some of the most poverty-stricken and drug-infested neighborhoods in the U.S. He went on to release Sin is Wack Vol. 1, which caught the attention of Lecrae and many others. To his credit, he has since been featured on Rehab, Flame’s Captured, Tedashii’s Blacklight, Ambassador’s Stop the Funeral and many other notable projects. While his introduction to a larger audience came through his vocals on Lecrae’s “Background,” and he continues to pen melodic choruses, rapping remains his passion and focus for future projects.

Entering a new season in his life, Andy decided to drop his stage name, C-Lite, in favor of his birth name; it symbolizes his aim to live out everything off stage that he pours out through his art on stage. He recently graduated from City College of New York and currently serves on the board as a leader of a new church plant in Washington Heights. He is also leading weekly small groups and men’s groups at his apartment, traveling on the weekends to minister and working on his highly anticipated debut album. Once divided in his ambitions, Andy has resolved to love the Lord with all his heart, soul, strength and mind—no compromise.

To date, Reach Records' sales approach three million records and is distributed through Sony Music Entertainment's RED. Its founder and flagship artist Lecrae made Billboard chart history with his #1 album debut across five Billboard charts including the coveted Top 200. Andy Mineo is Reach Records' next big artist to break. And the pressure can at times be palpable. But in the midst of it all, Andy remains himself.

"I think its more a Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar relationship," Andy expounds. Mineo doesn't get too caught up in the hype and he doesn't focus his attention on possible album sales or the success or failure of any one project. On his debut album, "Heroes For Sale," he took an approach exploring infectious party beats, memorable hooks and a wide anthem-driven sound. Following "Heroes For Sale," Mineo's follow-up EP, "Never Land" took a lyrical and personal direction. For Andy, his success has given him an opportunity to dig deeper into his music and expand and grow as an artist. And for his next highly anticipated full-length album, Uncomfortable, Andy is exploring a sound that is a tribute to his home, New York City. "This album will be very nostalgic, musical and sample-driven. There are not a lot of anthemic pop songs on this album. It's more of a cohesive body of work. My other albums have sounded like playlists. This is more of a focused full-body of music. It's uncomfortable in its approach. I break a lot of song structure but it will take people on a journey." Mineo explains excitedly.

Ultimately, beyond the empathetic lyricism, colorful storytelling and emotion, Andy Mineo fans can always expect a relatable truth. While appealing to fans of artists like Action Bronson, Macklemore, Drake or Vic Mensa, Mineo's music stands apart as the only hip hop that weaves weighty topics, truth, humor, and inspiration from all genres of music into one cohesive and excellent work. It is in Andy's ability for self-reflection where his fans discover the honesty in his music. But Andy's take is simple. "At the end of the day, I want to sit at the table of hip-hop, be respected for my artistry and have an opportunity to bring what I believe to the mix like everyone else does."

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Biography of Nikki Laoye

Oyenike Laoye-Oturu, professionally known as Nikki Laoye, is a Nigerian recording artist, singer, songwriter and dancer, renowned for her eclectic musical expressions and captivating stage performances. Born in Lagos, Nigeria; the only daughter to Prince Olushola Isaac Laoye & Olori Christiana Yetunde Laoye. With her long natural hair, Laoye bears traces of a mixed heritage as her father, Olushola is of European (Dutch), Ghanaian and Nigerian ancestry. She is sister to three brothers: Femi, Bola and Ade, who is also known as Xblaze, a budding young music producer/Hip Hop artist in Lagos, Nigeria.

Enrolled in choirs and dance classes at the age of five, Laoye started off her education at Grace Children School, Gbagada, Lagos. Soon enough, she was singled out by her music teacher, who noticed her music abilities at such a tender age and personally offered her free piano lessons at the end of each school day. Laoye's musical talent was further enhanced during her high school years at Federal Government Girl's College, Sagamu (from where she graduated in 1998) and at the University of Ibadan respectively as she performed with the school choirs and joined up with music and dance groups including Exousia, Soul Alliance and the girl group trio, Soul Sistas.

Her passion for humanitarian activities attracted the attention of the Nigerian National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), who unveiled her as the celebrity 'Voice of Refugees' in Southwest Nigeria. Her musical style is an Urban Contemporary sound with the fusion of Alternative Rock, R&B, Hip Hop, Pop, Soul, Funk, Jazz and Gospel. Born in Lagos, Nigeria and hailing from the musical lineage of the talking drum legend - Late Oba Adetoyese Laoye (from Ede, Osun State-Nigeria), The singer, fondly called, the small one with the big voice, rose to fame in 2006 with the hit single, "Never Felt This Way Before" from her debut studio album,Angel 4 Life (2008), which also featured other notable singles, including the Hip-Hop collaboration with Rooftop Mcs and her brother, Rap2Sai - "Taka Sufe"; the love ballad "Someone to Love" with R&B crooner Jeremiah Gyang amongst others.

The release of the single "Never Felt This Way Before" brought a fresh urban Christian contemporary sound to the Nigerian music industry. This seven-time award nominated song, (2009 Hip Hop World Awards- Best Vocal Performance (Female) and HipHop World Revelation (Best New Artist); KORA Awards-Best Spiritual Artist and Best Arrangement; 2009 City People Entertainment Awards-Musician of the Year (Female); the 2009 Nigerian Entertainment Awards in the US -Gospel Artist of the Year & 2009 SoundCity Music Video Awards-Best Female Video), received major accolades and gave Laoye the rating as the 3rd Best Performance at the 2009 HipHop World Awards in Nigeria (Darey Art Alade and Tuface coming 1st and 2nd respectively, out of the 10 performances at the awards).

Laoye was the only female contender alongside top male Nigerian Artists - M.I, Banky W and Naeto C for the HipHop World Revelation (Best New Artist) category of the 2009 HipHop World Awards.

In 2009, Laoye performed alongside Kirk Franklin, Cece Winans, Donnie McClurkin to an audience of 500,000 at The Experience Concert in Lagos.

Laoye's music has gained critical acclaim beyond Africa, as she was one of the first three Nigerian artists ever to be interviewed and recognized on American entertainment channel, BET in 2009 and she was one of the preliminary judges for BET's Sunday Best Auditions which held in Lagos, Nigeria in December 2009. In 2011, Laoye's life and career were showcased in a special feature segment on BET, tagged "BET Spotlight – Nikki Laoye".

In 2013, the singer made a comeback into the music scene after being on a hiatus following the loss of her father in 2011.

Laoye was commissioned to record her own version of the Nigerian National Anthem for Nigerian TV Producer, Mo Abudu's Ebony Life Television in June 2013. The video is renowned as the first official music video for the Nigerian Anthem. Since its release in June 2013, Laoye has been invited to perform the anthem for the Presidency in Aso Rock, Abuja and at other official functions. As at 2013, she released the singles "No Be Beans" with Yoruba Hip Hop artist Base One; the dance single "1,2,3"; and the ballad "Only You", a song dedicated to the memory of her late father, for which she won an award for the Best Vocal Performance (Female) at the 2013 Headies Awards in Lagos, Nigeria.

On 11 December 2011, Laoye married Alexander Oturu in Lagos, Nigeria.

Laoye's work has earned her numerous award nominations and accolades including the prestigious KORA Awards, HipHop World Awards (now Headies),Soundcity Music Video Awards, City People Entertainment Awards, NEA Awards(US), Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA); Africa Gospel Music Awards(UK), Crystal Gospel Awards, Nigeria Gospel Music Awards(NGMA), and a special feature on MTVBase Advance Warning Reality TV Show. She was announced as one of the brand ambassadors for popular wrist watch brand, Ice Watch, in Nigeria.

On 26 December 2013, Laoye was unveiled as the winner of the category for the Best Vocal Performance (Female) for her soulful ballad "Only You" in a strong field that included singers Waje, Niyola, Seyi Shay and Zaina, at The Headies 2013 Award ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria.

In April 2014, Laoye was unveiled as 'The Voice for Refugees' in southwest Nigeria, by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI). As part of her role as a celebrity voice, she has appeared at various events organized by the Commission to enlighten the general public about the travails of refugees and internally displaced persons. She has also made donations to the cause and performed at a number of events in support of the cause.

On 21 May 2014, Laoye was nominated in the category of Best Gospel Artiste at the African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) 2014. The Award ceremony is set to hold at the Eismann Centre in Dallas, Texas on the 26th of July 2014. Later that month, Laoye was also nominated for Best Gospel Artiste of the Year by the Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEA).

On 20 July 2014, Laoye picked up the Crystal award for Best Worship Song for "Only You" at the 2014 Crystal Awards in Lagos, Nigeria. She was also nominated for the Artiste of the Year and Best Female Vocalist categories at the awards.On 24 August 2014 at the Fairfields Hall-Croydon, in London, England, Laoye won the award for 'Female Artiste of the Year' at the 2014 Africa Gospel Music Awards (AGMA). She had also been nominated for the 'Artiste of the Year' (West Africa) at the same awards.

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Biography of Frank Edwards (a.k.a RICH BOY)

Frank Ugochukwu Edwards (born July 22, 1990), simply known as Frank Edwards is a Nigerian contemporary Christian singer-songwriter and recording artist from Enugu, Enugu State. who was born into a family of seven. He hails from Enugu state Nigeria, Frank Edwards is an exceptional, versatile and multiple award-winning rock artiste whose melodic voice and enjoyable instrumentals span nearly every genre of music. Basically, he makes music for you to enjoy. He portrayed interest in music right from childhood, as at an early age of 7, he played the piano at home. Through the year, he grew through the ranks, perfecting his finger skills and now he plays on one of the world’s largest stages.

 He is an active member and a prominent music minister in Christ Embassy International, where he sits under the tutelage of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome who teaches the Word of God in simplicity and power. On loveworld records, this great artist was raised, tutored, and mentored by pastor chris oyakhilome phd, whom he holds in exceeding great esteem. Frank Edwards is also the President of RockTown Records, his own record label. Besides being an artist with many songs in all musical genre, He is also a genius producer, master mixer. 

 As a result, Rock Town Records, which he owns, has a generation of up coming talent with names like GIL, Divyn, David and many others. He currently has four albums to his credit (The Definition, Angels on the Runway, Unlimited, and T.A.G.J.A.M), as well as a joint album (Higher Place) with another artiste, Bella. He is also featured on numerous songs from other artistes. His songs are available on iTunes and Reverbnation, and other popular digital media purchase sites.

Awards

In May 2011 he was nominated as the Gospel artiste of the year in the sixth annual Nigeria Entertainment Awards (NEA). He won the award of the best Gospel Rock artiste in the first annual awards he also won west Africa best male vocalist in 2012/ best hit single at the love world awards 2012/ and 3 awards at the Nigeria gospel music awards (male artiste of the year,song of the year and best male vocal).

Have a taste of Frank Edwards by either watching the video or downloading any of his songs, better still you can do the both. :) For Audio Mp3 Formate, click on the download button below !                    FREE Mp3 DOWNLOAD

Biography of Capital Kings

There’s no denying much of today’s music has the power to move the masses physically. Inventive beats and hooky choruses are the currency of the day. Now enter Capital Kings, a talented duo that blends pop, electronic dance music, and rap into an intoxicating musical mix that makes audiences want to move, and yet there’s a thought-provoking, life-affirming undercurrent. Capital Kings combine style with substance and introduce flash with a foundation.

Years Active: 2010 – present

Genres: Christian Hip – Hop, Christian – Pop, Electropop, Dance-Pop, Dubstep, House Music, Hip House and CEDM. 

Label: Gotee

Engaging audiences seems to come naturally to Jon White and Cole Walowac, who formed Capital Kings while still living in their native Washington D.C. Jon and Cole have parlayed a long-term friendship and shared passion for music into one of the hottest careers in the industry. Despite their young age, the duo’s history is a lengthy one. “We were in the nursery in the same church,” Jon says.

“We moved away to Massachusetts for a few years, Cole and I met back up in the same middle school and we started playing in the youth group band. Cole would play drums and I would sing and that’s how we started making music.”

Influenced by a variety of artists from Maroon 5 to TobyMac, Jon and Cole began creating their own sound. Both are multi-instrumentalists, and between the two of them, they play piano, guitar, trumpet, keyboards and drums. "We were really interested in electronic music and were always fascinated with what DJs were doing because that was starting to get big when we were in high school,” says Cole. “We got really into programming, just making beats. We love hip-hop music as well, so I always made beats and we just decided that one day we’d start making music that was different than a normal rock band. We just started making electronic music and beats and it just came together. It was a natural thing.”

The duo began sharing their music and earning the respect of some of their heroes. “We were even dropping music to Toby, saying, ‘Hey, check out our music,’” says Jon, recalling how they caught the attention of one of Gotee’s founding fathers, Toby McKeehan. “We played a bunch of shows in high school and it gave us a lot of experience. That’s when we first really started getting out in front of the public. It definitely shaped us into who we are now.”

The two relocated to Franklin, Tennessee, and soon found themselves working with TobyMac. “Toby said, ‘Hey, I’ve been telling people about you guys and how you guys can do remixes,’” says Jon. “We did one for him and then all of a sudden we just kept getting calls. It came out of nowhere. It was a blessing for sure.”

Since signing with Gotee Records, the duo has gained a reputation as the industry’s freshest REmix masters, working with some of the top artists in the industry, including TobyMac (EYE ON IT, Dubbed & Freq'd), Group 1 Crew (Fearless), Mandisa (Remixed: Get Movin') and Britt Nicole (Gold).

As much as they’ve enjoyed working with other artists, recording their own music afforded them a whole new level of creative expression. “We have a studio in Franklin that we use and we basically go in almost everyday and write song after song after song,” says Jon. “Over the past year we’ve developed a lot.”

“It’s not everyday I get to introduce Christian music fans to a group that exceeds all expectations, but that’s exactly what Capital Kings is doing,” says Toby McKeehan, Gotee Records co-founder and CEO. “Already proven studio remixers and producers, this songwriting duo makes up a new artist that will take our industry to a new chapter and inspire listeners everywhere. I can’t wait for people to hear it!”

Aside from creating their own unique wall of sound, Capital Kings have also earned a coveted slot on the 2012 Winter Jam Tour. They will join Tobymac, RED, Chris August, Group 1 Crew and label-mate Jamie Grace.

In a perfect storm of entertainment and inspiration, Capital Kings create music that is definitely fun, but with an underlying current of hope that is absolutely infectious. “We’re not preachers. We just love singing about real life,” says Jon.

“God is obviously No. 1 in our lives and we base most of our experiences on finding His hope and His love.”

“We’ve always really like believed in what we are saying. We know the importance of everything that we do and we’re cool with that,” adds Cole. “That’s why we were put on the planet. If we can inspire somebody to live life to the fullest and we can just be a positive influence on other people, I think we’re doing our job.” Recently Cole got married

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Biography of Ayiesha Woods

Ayiesha Woods (born July 2, 1979 in Long Island, New York) is a contemporary Christian musician signed to Gotee Records. She has released two studio albums on Gotee: Introducing Ayiesha Woods (2006) and Love Like This (2008). Woods is known for the hit songs Happy and Big Enough from her debut album. Her musical style is a distinct mix of several genres, predominantly including pop, soul, urban and rock.

After having an interest in musicianship and singing during her childhood, Ayiesha Woods released an independent album in 2004, What You Do to Me, and went on to receive three Gospel Music Marlin Awards that year, including New Artist of the Year. Gotee Records manager TobyMac discovered her music while visiting Jamaica, and Woods was eventually signed onto the record label. Her Grammy Award-nominated debut album, Introducing Ayiesha Woods, was released in June 2006.

 The album's single "Happy" garnered popularity on Christian radio in the U.S., and Woods received a Dove Award nomination in 2007, as well. She appeared at several major Christian music festivals during mid-2008, and soon afterward her second album, Love Like This, was released in September.

Ayiesha Woods was born on July 2, 1979 in Long Island, New York. She has lived in a variety of locations, including Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, and Texas; she spent a portion of her childhood growing up in Bermuda, as well.  

Woods was surrounded by music while growing up, and was the granddaughter of a professional musician. Throughout high school she sang in chorus and played in the school's band, sang harmony in her church choir, and learned to play instruments such as the guitar, keyboard and. percussion

In 2003, Ayiesha Woods wrote and recorded an independent album, What You Do to Me, which was released in 2004. In 2004, she was the first female musician to receive the Producer of the Year  award at the Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Awards.  She also received Marlin's New Artist of the Year  and Contemporary Vocal Performance of the Year (Female) awards that year.  Crazy, a song from the album, was being played on local Christian radio where she lived in Jamaica. Gotee Records manager TobyMac was visiting the area for an interview, and heard her song on the local station Love 101. After Caribbean Hour host Arnold Kelly played a few of Woods' songs for him, TobyMac obtained her contact info and called her as soon as he returned to the United States. Initially in disbelief upon receiving the call, Ayiesha Woods said, "I wasn’t home when he first called ... I couldn't believe it."  A few weeks later he invited Woods and her family to a concert he was slated to perform at in Texas, where they met in person. She was soon signed onto his record label, and went in studio to record material for a new album.

Introducing Ayiesha Woods (2006–2007). After recording the album, Woods' first single "Happy" was released in 2006, and soon became a hit on Christian radio. The song was used in an ad campaign for the DVD release of the 2006 film A Good Year. The song was also used in the 2009 movie "My Life in Ruins" starring Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding).  Her debut Gotee Records album, Introducing Ayiesha Woods, was produced by Chris Stevens, Otto Price, Ric Robbins and David Mullen. It was released on June 6, 2006 and reached number 39 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart. The album was Grammy Award-nominated for the category of Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album in 2007. Two additional songs from the album were released as singles: Big Enough and Beauty. At the 38th GMA Dove Awards of 2007, Woods received a nomination for the New Artist of the Year award.

Love Like This (2008–present). Woods guested on Women of Faith's Revolve Tour, an annual conference for teenage girls, in February 2008. Her second album, Love Like This, was recorded around early 2008, and its approximate release time of  late summer was announced in May 2008. The album's lead single, Love Like This, was released to contemporary Christian radio in June 2008.  Ayiesha Woods performed at several major Christian music festivals over the next few months, including Creation East, Creation West, and Lifefest, as well as the 2008 Christian Music Boat Cruise. Love Like This was subsequently released on September 9, 2008 through the Gotee label. It debuted at #20 on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums chart. The album's latest single is the track Alive.

Woods has also recorded and released a Christmas album entitled Christmas Like This, which was released on November 10, 2009. Woods was one of three judges at the 2013 Christian Women in Media Association National Music Showcase in Nashville, Tennessee.

Ayiesha Woods grew up in a variety of cultures including the Bermuda locale, which has given her music a Caribbean and dancehall sound. Her musical influences include Stevie Wonder, Commissioned, Fred Hammond, Ella Fitzgerald, Lauryn Hill and India.Arie. Her musical genre is generally defined as Christian pop and soul, although it contains much variety on both of her albums, including R&B and urban styles. Woods has said, I don't want to be placed in one specific category. I think I represent a lot of different styles of music. Her debut album Introducing Ayiesha Woods has been labeled as having something for everyone, and critics have compared her singing voice to Tracy Chapman and Tasmin Archer.  Love Like This is also a multi-genre project, "subtly adding jazz infusions" on the song Take Me There, although Christian Music Today's review said that it was "not as soulful" as her previous album. Her music includes rock influences (Big Enough) as well as the contemporary worship style in her songs Love Like This, Refine Me, and her originally-independent track What You Do to Me.

Albums

Year	Album details
2006	Introducing Ayiesha Woods Ø  Released: June 6, 2006 Ø  Label: Gotee Records
2008	Love Like This Ø  Released: September 9, 2008 Ø  Label: Gotee Records
2009	Christmas Like This Ø  Released: March 24, 2009 Ø  Label: Gotee Records

Singles

Year	Title		Album
2006	Happy		Introducing Ayiesha Woods
	Big Enough
	Beauty
	The Remedy
2008	Love Like This		Love Like This
	Alive
2011	Come Back		Non-album song

Awards

Ø  2004: Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Award for "Producer of the Year" – won

Ø  2004: Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Award for "New Artist of the Year" – won

Ø  2004: Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Award for "Contemporary Vocal Performance of the Year (Female)" – won

Ø  2007: Grammy Award for "Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album" (Introducing Ayiesha Woods) – nominated

Ø  2007: GMA Dove Award for "New Artist of the Year" – nominated

Ø  2010: GMA Dove Award for "Christmas Album of the Year" - nominated