You know it’s the place to be… it just is. Lol

Urban Soul Cafe returns to Stellar Awards weekend with its annual “Access Granted” event, featuring some of the greatest gospel artists in the game. It’s got three events over the course of the weekend!

During that time, Dorinda Clark Cole and the Rance Allen Group will be honored with Lifetime Achievement awards, while Kim Burrell is receiving an Artist of the Year award. Plus, you’ll get live appearances from just about every artist that comes to Nashville, including Marvin Sapp, Myron Butler, Canton Jones, Da’ T.R.U.T.H., Shirley Murdock and more.

For a complete list of events, visit http://urbansoulcafe.com.

Quiet as it’s kept, B Reith has got to be one of GospelPundit.com’s favorite artists because of his style and sound, but also because of his innovation and refusal to be boxed in. We’ve covered him before and, though he’s not as widely known in the gospel industry, he’s someone you ought to know about!

B just finished several dates on the MisFit Tour, which featured Da’ T.R.U.T.H., The Ambassador, Mali Music and more. His latest album, How The Story Ends is in stores TODAY.

The 12-track project features B Reith in his sing-song style of hip-hop and soul. He’s both a gifted rapper and vocalist, and he beautifully weaves the two together. B could definitely have let this project be a one-man show, and it would have been great, but he’s got enough smarts to know that two heads (and sometimes three) are better than one, so the project features guest vocals from heavy-hitters like Lecrae, as well as underground faves like Lisa Gungor and PJ Morton.

Standout tracks on this project abound, but some of my faves are “For Once In My Life” with PJ Morton, “New Found Love,” and “Made for More” with Lecrae and Lisa Gungor.  Look out, also, for “2 Steps Forward” and “Not Who I Am” featuring Dave Barnes.

Check out snippets of How The Story Ends and buy it right here, right now–

Go, Le’Andria, go!

For the third straight week, the season three winner of BET’s Sunday Best is in the #1 position on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart. If you still don’t have her debut project, The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson…, read our review and buy it!

Here’s this week’s Top 10 in Gospel…

1 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson…
2 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
3 | Isaac Carree – Uncommon Me
4 | WOW Gospel 2011
5 | Donald Lawrence – YRM (Your Righteous Mind)
6 | Da’ T.R.U.T.H. – The Whole Truth
7 | Mary Mary – Something Big
8 | Trin-i-tee 5:7 – Angel & Chanelle
9 | Dorinda Clark Cole – I Survived
10 | Deitrick Haddon – Church on the Moon

I am EAGER to see next week’s chart, where we’ll see how this week’s new releases from Jessica Reedy, Andraé Crouch and CoCo Brother’s fare in stores.

Gospel hip-hop fave Da’ T.R.U.T.H. lands at #2 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart this week with his new album, The Whole Truth.

Still reigning at #1 is winner of last season’s Sunday Best on BET, Le’Andria Johnson, with her debut album, The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson. I expected a bit of a sales dip, but I’m quite proud of her for that staying power!

Trin-i-tee 5:7 also experiences a notable sales bump, moving from #19 to #5 this week with their latest album, Angel & Chanelle.

Here’s a glance at the full Top 10 in Gospel…

1 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson…
2 | Da’ T.R.U.T.H. – The Whole Truth
3 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
4 | Isaac Carree – Uncommon Me
5 | Trin-i-tee 5:7 – Angel & Chanelle
6 | WOW Gospel 2011
7 | Donald Lawrence – YRM (Your Righteous Mind)
8 | Dorinda Clark Cole – I Survived
9 | Mary Mary – Something Big
10 | Earnest Pugh – Earnestly Yours

I’m not expecting to see any big debuts on the charts in the coming week, but the following week, I think we’ll see strong showings from Jessica Reedy, Andraé Crouch and CoCo Brother’s Gospel Mix V compilation, all of which hit stores on the 27th of September.

After a hiatus, one of my absolute favorite Christian rap artists, Da’ T.R.U.T.H., returns to the game with a great video for his new single, “Alive.”

The message of the song is great– transparently declaring “I was going left, but Jesus made me right.” And I love its conclusive ending– “I am alive, cuz He’s alive.”

The video is high-energy, with a performance interwoven with footage of Da’ T.R.U.T.H. working on the road. It also features several of his co-laborers in Christian hip-hop, including radio personality CoCo Brother, history-making artist Lecrae and labelmate The Ambassador. I think I also spotted Brian Courtney Wilson, J Moss and Sean Simmonds… a lil’ of e’rybody!

Check it out–

Grammy, Stellar AND Dove-nominated producer Freddy Washington (credits include Da’ T.R.U.T.H., Melinda Watts) is making his new single, “Jesus,” FREE until Resurrection Sunday!

Since debuting on the internet phenomenon radio show, Bonnerfide Radio, the single has been gaining momentum across the web. I’m diggin’ it.

Take a listen here–

And download it for FREE right here.

The tune is from his upcoming album, The Jesus Album, for more info on Freddy, check out his website at http://www.FreddyWashington.com.

Xist Music recently announced the signing of gospel hip-hop artists Da’ .T.R.U.T.H. and The Ambassador, both of whom were formerly signed to Cross Movement Records.

After a tumultuous year for each of the artists, personally, their album releases will be accompanied by extensive touring throughout the year during which they each plan to share their rich testimonies.

The Ambassador’s album, titled Stop the Funeral, will be released this summer, while new music from Da’ T.R.U.T.H.– his fifth, entitled The Whole Truth– is expected in the fall.

Xist Music will be distributing the music via a new joint venture with 220 Entertainment., the management arm of which has guided the careers of Group 1 Crew, Rachel Lampa, Rhema Soul and more.

Word has it that gospel hip-hop artist Da’ T.R.U.T.H. (Emanuel Lambert) and his wife, Nicole, recently renewed their vows before friends and family.

The renewal celebration comes roughly seven months after the rapper announced that he would be taking a sabbatical, following a “moral indiscretion,” the news of which rippled through the Christian hip-hop and gospel industries.  The ceremony was also special, as the pair just celebrated their 7th anniversary yesterday.

I’m glad that the Lamberts were able to reaffirm their commitments to one another, no matter the test.  That’s dope.  Score one for marriage! Whoo hoo!

Let’s lift them up in prayer as they enter a new chapter in marriage, cool?

I want you guys to check out this video.  I think it’s a great idea– powerful and rather innovative for the gospel community.

The video features the newest single from J Moss, “Rebuild,” behind a bunch of artists and industry peeps talking about what “rebuild” means to them.

You’ll see J and his wife Melanie, PDA, 21:03, Tye Tribbett, Hezekiah Walker, Monica, Fred Hammond, Da’ T.R.U.T.H., Kierra Sheard, Donald Lawrence, Canton Jones, Warryn Campbell and more…

I think it’s pretty powerful and inspiring.  And I love to see all the artists that got on board to help him out with it.

Whatdy’a think???

The nominees for the 41st annual Dove Awards were announced on Thursday.

Natalie Grant and Bart Millard will host the awards show on April 21st.  Unlike last year, the awards will not be broadcast live– they will air on gmc on Sunday, April 25, 2010 from 8pm-10pm EST.

There are 43 categories and you guys don’t know most of the names in ‘em, so I’m not typing it all… sorry.  BUT, you can visit http://www.gmclife.com/41st-dove-award-nominees for the full list.

In the meantime, a quick recap of some of the folks you’ll find there:

Donnie McClurkin, Israel Houghton, Melinda Watts, Freddy Washington, Brian Courtney Wilson, Mali Music, Vickie Winans, Smokie Norful, Mary Mary, Crystal Aikin, Bishop Paul Morton, Hezekiah Walker, Heather Headley, Mandisa, B. Reith, Fred Hammond, Group 1 Crew, Da’ T.R.U.T.H., BeBe & CeCe Winans… see, there are just too many to name!

Ok, more Dove Awards info and discussion as the time draws nigh.  Until then, tell me what you think about the nominee list!