FLAME’s GRAMMY and Stellar Award-nominated Our World Redeemed is the second installment in his two-part audio novel and is the sequel to his album Our World Fallen, which released in April 2007 to rave reviews, hitting #7 on the Billboard Top Gospel Chart. The two-part album series captures the story of FLAME befriending a non-believer and pointing him to the cross of Christ, while examining the fallen condition of the world. One of the youngest members of the Cross Movement Records artist roster, FLAME is currently studying Biblical counseling at Boyce College in Louisville, Ky. The 2008 Holy Hip Hop Award honoree has been ministering for over 10 years in music and speaking engagements.

Da’ T.R.U.T.H. is the winner of the 2009 Stellar Award for “Rap/Hip-Hop Gospel CD of the Year” for his latest project, Open Book–an award he also took home in 2007 for his sophomore album, The Faith. Open Book also scored a 2008 GRAMMY Award nomination in the “Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album” category, as well as a 2008 Gospel Music Channel Video Award win in the “Hip-Hop Video” category (for Open Book’s first video single, “Who Am I?” featuring Tye Tribbett and Kirk Franklin) and a 2008 GMA Dove Award nomination in the “Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song” category (for Open Book’s first radio single, “Who Am I?” featuring Tye Tribbett). The CD set a new record by securing the highest Soundscan/Billboard Chart debut ever for a gospel hip-hop artist when Open Book captured the #2 position on the Billboard Top Gospel Chart. Open Book also debuted at #1 on Soundscan’s Christian Hip-Hop Chart and at #3 on the iTunes Christian & Gospel Chart.

J.R. released his sophomore project, Life By Stereo, on December 26, 2007. The familiar voice behind numerous memorable hooks on Stellar Award-winning, GRAMMY-nominated and Dove-nominated Cross Movement Records projects, J.R. is the first R&B artist signed to the label. A versatile crooner and multi-talented producer with his own unique style and the point man behind So Hot Productions, J.R.’s list of collaborations includes “Cry No More” (Holy Culture, The Cross Movement), “N.F.L. (New Found Love)” (Moment of Truth, Da’ T.R.U.T.H.) and “My Clothes, My Hair” (The Thesis, The Ambassador), to name a few.

FLAME’s Our World Redeemed and J.R.’s Life By Stereo are available on Cross Movement Records and are distributed in the CBA market by Provident-Integrity Distribution and by Sony/BMG in the general market. Da’ T.R.U.T.H.’s Open Book is available on Cross Movement Records and distributed in the CBA market by Provident-Integrity Distribution and by Sony RED in the general market. For more information on FLAME and Our World Redeemed, visit www.flame314.com, www.myspace.com/flame314 or www.crossmovementrecords.com. For more information on J.R. and Life By Stereo, visit www.crossmovementrecords.com, www.myspace.com/jrinstereo or www.jrsings.com. For more information on Da’ T.R.U.T.H. and Open Book, visit www.datruth.net, www.myspace.com/truthonduty or www.crossmovementrecords.com.

The following is the complete list of nominees:

Artist of the Year
Beverly Crawford; Live From Los Angeles; JDI Records
Dorinda Clark-Cole; Take It Back; Zomba Label Group
Kirk Franklin; The Fight of My Life; Fo Yo Soul/Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group
Marvin Sapp; Thirsty; Verity/Zomba Label Group
Ricky Dillard & New G; The 7th Episode: Live in Toronto; Nuspring Records/EMI Gospel

Song of the Year (Songwriter; Song; Label)
Canton Jones ; “My Day”; Arrow Records
Jonathan Nelson and Justin Savage; “My Name Is Victory”; Integrity Music
Marvin Sapp / Matthew Brownie; “Never Would Have Made It “; Zomba Label Group
Myron Butler and John Webb; “Stronger”; EMI Gospel
Percy Gray; “God Is My Everything”; New Haven Records

Male Vocalist of the Year
Byron Cage; Live at the Apollo: The Proclamation; Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group
Isaiah D. Thomas; The Greatest; Habakkuk Music
Marvin Sapp; Thirsty; Verity/Zomba Label Group
Marvin Winans; Alone But Not Alone; PureSprings Gospel
The John Tillery Project; The Next Level; Danbla Records

Female Vocalist of the Year
Beverly Crawford; Live From Los Angeles; JDI Records
CeCe Winans;Thy Kingdom Come; PureSprings Gospel
Dorinda Clark-Cole; Take It Back; Zomba Label Group
Jessica Greene; 4 The World; Habakkuk Music
Shirley Caesar; After 40 Years… Still Sweeping Through the City; ShuBel Records/Light Records

Group Duo of the Year
Deitrick Haddon Presents Voices of Unity; Together in Worship; Tyscot Records
Israel & New Breed; Live: A Deeper Level; Integrity Music
Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose; Right Now Praise; Integrity Music
The John Tillery Project; The Next Level; Danbla Records
Youthful Praise featuring JJ Hairston; Exalted …Live in Baltimore; Evidence Gospel / Light Records

New Artist of the Year
Jai Reed; Anointed for Purpose; TLR Records
Jessica Greene; 4 The World; Habakkuk Music
Melody; The Reason; N’Flyte Music Group
Terrell Hunt; Awesome; Rich Escape Music
The Murrills; Donald Lawrence Introduces The Murrills Family Prayer; Verity/Zomba Label Group

CD of the Year
Dorinda Clark-Cole; Take It Back; Zomba Label Group
Kirk Franklin; The Fight of My Life; Fo Yo Soul/Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group
Marvin Sapp; Thirsty; Verity/Zomba Label Group
Ricky Dillard & New G; The 7th Episode: Live in Toronto; Nuspring Records/EMI Gospel
Tye Tribbett & G.A.; Stand Out; Columbia Records/Axis

Choir of the Year
Chicago Mass Choir Just Having Church Live; New Haven Records
Isaiah D. Thomas; The Greatest; Habakkuk Music
Ricky Dillard & New G; The 7th Episode: Live in Toronto; Nuspring Records/EMI Gospel
Tye Tribbett & G.A.; Stand Out; Columbia Records/Axis
Shekinah Glory Ministry; Jesus; Kingdom Records

Producer of the Year
Aaron Lindsey; Thirsty; Zomba Label Group
Donald Lawrence; Donald Lawrence Introduces The Murrills Family Prayer; Verity/Zomba Label Group
Isaiah D. Thomas, Warren Jones, & Christopher Leach; The Greatest; Habakkuk Music
Jonathan Nelson, Justin Savage, & Kenneth Shelton; Right Now Praise; Integrity Music
Kirk Franklin & Harold Martin; The Fight of My Life; Fo Yo Soul/Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group

Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year
Deitrick Haddon Presents Voices of Unity; Together in Worship; Tyscot Records
Israel & New Breed; Live: A Deeper Level; Integrity Music
Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose; Right Now Praise; Integrity Music
Myron Butler & Levi; Stronger; EMI Gospel
Vashawn Mitchell and Friends; Promises; Tyscot Records

Traditional Group/Duo of the Year
Bishop F.C. Barnes & Co.; The Barnes Family Reunion II; AIR Gospel
Doug & Melvin Williams; Duets II; Blackberry Records
Endurance; I’ve Got a Home;SCCME Records
Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s; So Much To Be Thankful For; MCG Records
The Canton Spirituals; Driven; Verity/Zomba Label Group

Contemporary Male of the Year
Byron Cage; Live at the Apollo: The Proclamation; Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group
Canton Jones; Kingdom Business; Arrow Records
Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose; Right Now Praise; Integrity Music
Marvin Winans; Alone But Not Alone; PureSprings Gospel
The John Tillery Project; The Next Level; Danbla Records

Traditional Male of the Year
Bishop Paul S. Morton; Embracing the Next Dimension; Light Records/ Tehillah
Keith ‘Wonderboy’ Johnson; Keith ‘Wonderboy’ Johnson presents The Rising Stars of Quartet Vol. 1; Malaco Gospel
Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s; So Much To Be Thankful For; MCG Records
Luther Barnes; The Barnes Family Reunion II; AIR Gospel
Marvin Sapp; Thirsty; Verity/Zomba Label Group

Contemporary Female of the Year
CeCe Winans;Thy Kingdom Come; PureSprings Gospel
Doreen Vail; Odyssey; Vail House Productions
Joann Rosario; Joyous Salvation; Verity/Zomba Label Group
Regina Belle; Love Forever Shines; Pendulum Records
Tonya Hairston Ware; The Voice; Princess Production Company

Traditional Female of the Year
Angela Spivey; Angela Spivey and The Voices of Victory “Eyes on the Prize”; Tekoa Records
Beverly Crawford; Live From Los Angeles; JDI Records
Dorinda Clark-Cole; Take It Back; Zomba Label Group
Dorothy Norwood; No Request; Malaco Gospel
Nancey Jackson-Johnson; The Launch Out Project; Habakkuk Music

Contemporary CD of the Year
Canton Jones; Kingdom Business; Arrow Records
Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose; Right Now Praise; Integrity Music
Marvin Winans; Alone But Not Alone; PureSprings Gospel
Deitrick Haddon Presents Voices of Unity; Together in Worship; Tyscot Records
Israel & New Breed; Live: A Deeper Level; Integrity Music

Traditional CD of the Year
Beverly Crawford; Live From Los Angeles; JDI Records
Bishop Paul S. Morton; Embracing the Next Dimension; Light Records/ Tehillah
Endurance; I’ve Got a Home;SCCME Records
Chicago Mass Choir Just Having Church Live; New Haven Records
Marvin Sapp; Thirsty; Verity/Zomba Label Group

Urban/ Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year (Artist; Song; Label)
Canton Jones; “My Day” Arrow Records
CeCe Winans; “Waging War” PureSprings Gospel
Deitrick Haddon featuring Ruben Studdard & Mary, Mary; “Love Him Like I Do ” Integrity Gospel/Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group
Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose; “My Name Is Victory ” Integrity Music
Kirk Franklin; “Declaration: (This Is It)” Fo Yo Soul/Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group

Music Video of the Year (artist, song/CD title, label)
Darius Brooks & The Tommies Reunion Darius Brooks & The Tommies Reunion; Journey Music Group
Deitrick Haddon featuring Ruben Studdard & Mary, Mary: “Love Him Like I Do”; Gotta Have Gospel! 5; Integrity Gospel/Gospocentric/Zomba Label
Kirk Franklin: “Declaration”; The Fight of My Life; Fo Yo Soul/Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group
Marvin Sapp: “Never Would Have Made It”; Thirsty; Verity/Zomba Label Group
Myron Butler & Levi: “Stronger”; Stronger; EMI Gospel

Contemporary Choir of the Year
Brent Jones & The T.P. Mobb The Ultimate Weekend; Tyscot Records
James Fortune & FIYA; The Transformation; WorldWide Music
Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose; Right Now Praise; Integrity Music
Youthful Praise featuring JJ Hairston; Exalted …Live in Baltimore; Evidence Gospel / Light Records
Ricky Dillard & New G; The 7th Episode: Live in Toronto; Nuspring Records/EMI Gospel

Traditional Choir of the Year
Bishop Charles E. Blake presents The West Angeles COGIC Mass Choir No Limit; EMI Gospel
Bishop Paul Morton & The Full Gospel Baptist Church Choir; Embracing the Next Dimension; Light Records/ Tehillah
Darius Brooks & The Tommies Reunion Darius Brooks & The Tommies Reunion; Journey Music Group
Chicago Mass Choir Just Having Church Live; New Haven Records
The New Life Community Choir featuring John P. KeeNothing But Worship; Zomba Label Group

Instrumental CD of the Year
Angélla Christie; The Breath of Life; ACSM Record Company
Barry D; Born To Play; TAQA Records/New Day
Courtney Nero; Make Me Walk; Courtney Nero Music
Esther Williams & Davey Yarborough; In the Spirit; DAV-EST
Jeff Majors; Sacred Major 7th; Music One

Special Event CD of the Year
Briana Scott; O What A Night; Waterbrooke Music
Dr. Bobby Jones; Bobby Jones Presents Ultimate Gospel; Time Life
The Clark Sisters; The Best of the Clark Sisters Encore; Dexterity Sounds
Vickie Winans; Happy Holidays from Vickie Winans; Destiny Joy Records
Yolanda Adams; What A Wonderful Time; Columbia

Rap/Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year
Da’ T.R.U.T.H; Open Book; Cross Movement Records
FLAME; Our World Redeemed; Cross Movement Records
Frontlynaz; Game Over; Frontlynaz, Inc.
Sho Baraka; Turn My Life Up; Reach Records
Trip Lee; 20/20; Reach Records

Children’s Performance of the Year
Ashley Payne; Peace in Heaven; Champion-Payne Productions
Dijon; A Kid’s Point of View; Verity/Zomba Label Group
First Coast Children’s Choir/FISH Kids; Raise the Praise/”Raise The Praise” Fitness; Spirit of Life Records
Kaira Miller; In God’s Time/It Ain’t Over; GFM Entertainment
The Bradby Girls; So Grateful; Jewel Records

Quartet of the Year
The Blind Boys of Alabama; Down in New Orleans; Time Life
Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s; So Much To Be Thankful For; MCG Records
Luther Barnes & The Sunset Jubilaires; The Barnes Family Reunion II; AIR Gospel
Endurance; I’ve Got a Home; SCCME Records
The Canton Spirituals; Driven; Verity/Zomba Label Group

Praise and Worship CD of the Year
Byron Cage; Live at the Apollo: The Proclamation; Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group
Marvin Sapp; Thirsty; Verity/Zomba Label Group
Israel & New Breed; Live: A Deeper Level; Integrity Music
CeCe Winans;Thy Kingdom Come; PureSprings Gospel
Shekinah Glory Ministry; Jesus; Kingdom Records

At the age of 16, FLAME’s grandmother passed away. As a result of this event, FLAME began attending church where the Holy Spirit convicted him and he began to diligently seek Christ. FLAME continued to grow spiritually and became heavily involved in ministry at his church.

While in a Christian bookstore, FLAME took notice to the music section. Being part of the Hip-Hop culture and having done secular rap for years, he was drawn to the Gospel Rap area and purchased a CD by Cross Movement. Impressed by the artistic quality of their music and the content, FLAME found the lyrics saturated in Scripture being both encouraging and challenging.

FLAME’s desire to spread the Gospel to those influenced by the Hip-Hop culture grew more intense. In 2000, after being edified through Cross Movement’s music, FLAME made his way to one of their concerts in Chicago. He met the group and provided them a demo CD of his own work. Much to his surprise, he received a call back. Cross Movement began building a relationship with FLAME that was fostered over a couple of years. In 2002, FLAME was invited on the Platinum Souls Tour with Cross Movement.

Shortly after, FLAME was signed to Cross Movement Records and released his self-titled debuted CD nationwide on October 2004. He was the first Christian Rap artist from the Midwest to gain national attention. FLAME released his sophomore album in December 2005 titled REWIND with hit tracks No Silence featuring Lecrae, So Sweet, and the Dove Award nominated Gotta Notice.

FLAME appeared back on the scene in 2007 for an interpretation of the bible’s first story of man, simply laid out for the masses. Stemmed from an eye opening conversation with a neighborhood acquaintance who knew nothing about Adam and Eve, the experience served as inspiration for the OUR WORLD CD Series. Laced with his quick and crucial delivery combed with his southern flair, the OUR WORLD CD Series began with his third album, OUR WORLD FALLEN. FLAME presented realities of mankind’s spiritual poverty and the grave consequences of a sinful lifestyle – on earth and after death. This successful release peaked to #7 on Billboard’s Charts and birthed many hit singles such as MySpace, Shinin’, Goodness to Repentance, and many more.

Involved in ministry for more than 10 years through music and preaching nationally at churches, events, and conferences, the 2008 Holy Hip Hop Award Honoree and current Biblical Counseling student at Boyce College (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary), FLAME arises to conclude the dramatic epic began in OUR WORLD FALLEN. This time presenting a study of the redemption process through pensive lyricism, OUR WORLD REDEEMED takes us on a victorious driven journey thus encouraging one to exchange thoughts of despair for redemptive thoughts of deliverance. The album peaked to #5 on Billboard’s Charts and still receives many great raves and reviews from critics and supportors, alike.

http://www.flame314.com/

Debuting #4 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Chart and #1 on CMTA’s R&B/Hip Hop Charts, OUR WORLD REDEEMED, released on March 4, 2008. After much success of the album and great raves and reviews from critics and even a push from FLAME’s supporters about the perfectly placed outro of the song on the album, FLAME teamed up with Tripp Crosby (‘Jesus Muzik’ and ‘Who Am I?’) to produce FLAME’s second music video. Click photo to view video:

http://www.myspace.com/FLAME314