| While the hip-hop industry tends to balk at Gospel | | | | Access Granted. Like his counterparts, Jones has an |
| emcees, DJ’s remain unsure about what to do | | | | entourage of HHH affiliates who include independent |
| with hip-hop’s inspirational subgenre, Gospel rap. | | | | recording artists Big Ran, Da Fam, Mouthpiece, and |
| Earlier this month, the Recording Academy provided a | | | | Kay Bizzy, all of whom are members of World |
| solution--adding a new music category titled, | | | | Changers. |
| “Best Rock Gospel or Best Rap Gospel”. | | | | New Birth is the home church for four key supporters |
| Nominees and an award that will represent what is | | | | of the holy hip-hop movement: Minister eDDie Velez, |
| more commonly known as holy hip-hop (HHH), will | | | | Fatima Hall, Edward “Young Dirty” Long, |
| make its debut during the 49th annual Grammy | | | | and Lil iROCC Williams. |
| Awards on February 11, 2007. The category will include | | | | In addition to being a rapper, TV and radio personality, |
| Christian emcees that specialize in hip-hop music. The | | | | eDDie Velez is also the senior director of Youth |
| addition is a viable move given HHH’s growing | | | | Development at New Birth. Velez started on the HHH |
| appeal. | | | | circuit in 1998 when he debuted on Hot 97.5’s |
| One of the most influential advocates of holy hip-hop is | | | | holy hip-hop radio pilot. He lends 25 years of |
| rap pioneer, Christopher “Play” Martin. | | | | experience to the HHH movement. Currently, “Da |
| Martin is best known for his role in the Kid’n Play | | | | Preachin’ Puerto Rican,” is the host of the |
| rap duo and as an actor in the House Party trilogy. | | | | syndicated Holy Hip-Hop radio and TV program. He is |
| From executive producing video projects to gaining | | | | also the host for the annual Holy Hip Hop Artist |
| exposure for the genre, Martin lends his full support to | | | | Showcase & Music Awards held in Atlanta. |
| the holy hip-hop movement. In addition to working with | | | | Fatima Hall is the founder and publisher for IMAGE |
| a myriad of premier holy hip-hop artists, Martin’s | | | | Magazine, a nationally distributed print medium geared |
| HP4 Digital Works & Solutions ( production | | | | towards youth and young adults. Although faith-based, |
| company released a movie titled, Holy Hip-Hop, which | | | | the magazine has grown to appeal to a broad and |
| made its DVD debut in March. | | | | international audience by focusing on universal interests |
| “I am excited for the artists and feel that [they] | | | | like music, fashion, and social trends. Hall frequently |
| can finally be recognized for their efforts,” Martin | | | | highlights the accomplishments and influence of HHH |
| commented.” | | | | artists such as Canton Jones and Lil iROCC both of |
| Although a little known fact, holy hip-hop has a 20 | | | | who have graced the magazine’s cover. In |
| plus-year history that has seen exponential growth in | | | | addition to having magazines that advance the genre, |
| recent years. The Gospel Music Association (GMA) | | | | HHH also boasts popular audio outlets. |
| estimates that Christian rock and hip-hop music | | | | Edward "Young Dirty" Long is the son of New |
| accounts for 25% of all Gospel music sales. According | | | | Birth’s senior pastor, Bishop Eddie L. Long. To his |
| to the GMA, double-digit sales growth is largely due to | | | | credit, Young Dirty is the CEO and host of The Good |
| churches embracing diversity in music to appeal to | | | | Life Radio as well as the vice-president of Represent |
| youth and adults. | | | | Entertainment, LLC. Like his father, Young Dirty has a |
| Holy Hip-Hop’s A-List | | | | groundbreaking ministry that reaches the masses. The |
| Two Atlanta based churches: World Changers Church | | | | Good Life Radio is a nationally syndicated radio show |
| International and New Birth Missionary Baptist Church | | | | that airs in over 17 markets and via the Internet. The |
| help fuel the holy hip-hop community. With close to | | | | broadcast provides a diverse listening experience to |
| 55,000 members between them, the churches play | | | | include rap, R&B, contemporary Gospel, pop, |
| host to many holy hip-hop supporters and industry | | | | urban hip-hop, and holy hip-hop. In addition to being a |
| A-listers. Dr. Creflo A. and Taffi Dollar are pastors of | | | | radio host, Young Dirty is also an inspirational speaker |
| World Changers Church in College Park, GA and New | | | | and an emcee that collaborates often on recording |
| York, NY. Mrs. Dollar is also the CEO of Arrow | | | | projects with mainstream and holy hip-hop artists. |
| Records the recording label for Canton Jones. A | | | | Though little in stature, Lil iROCC has a big impact on |
| Grammy Award nominee, Jones has amassed appeal | | | | the holy hip-hop community. At 16, he is both the |
| in churches across the U.S. Africa, and Europe. The | | | | youngest HHH artist and the youngest music |
| most musically diverse of his holy hip-hop peers, Jones | | | | executive. In 2004, iROCC, along with his dad and |
| is also the president and CEO of his own company, | | | | mentor, “Big ROCC,” established their own |
| CAJO International. Jones’ versatility and | | | | label, Authority Music. Since his debut album, iROCC |
| crossover appeal grants him access to such events | | | | has received numerous accolades and awards that |
| as the Vibe Music Fest, the Miami Spring Fest, the | | | | reflect his skills and accomplishment. Like Jones, |
| Bobby Jones’ Gospel Industry Retreat, and | | | | iROCC has crossover appeal and has garnered |
| Bishop T.D. Jakes’ MegaFest. Notably, Jones | | | | national and international acclaim with his peers and |
| was the only holy hip-hop artist represented at David | | | | adult audiences. Although his approach is diverse (he |
| Banner’s Heal the Hood concert in Atlanta last | | | | collaborates with a variety of music artists), he remains |
| fall. | | | | predominately rap in terms of content. Duly mature for |
| A HHH industry first, Jones kicked-off his 2006 concert | | | | his age, iROCC sets a standard for HHH emcees. |
| tour and live DVD recording with a pre-concert Purple | | | | Among other characteristics, holy hip-hop’s |
| Carpet (versus red) event. The sold-out concert | | | | A-listers have the uncanny ability to reflect the lifestyle |
| featured a slew of HHH artists based primarily in the | | | | they lead without loosing the art, form, flavor or feel of |
| South. The concert was a landmark production hosted | | | | hip-hop--a telltale sign that holy hip-hop’s present |
| by comedian, John Gray ( and chocked full of dancers, | | | | affect is sure to impact the music industry for years to |
| actors, and guest artists. Jones has three albums to his | | | | come. |
| credit to include his latest release: The Password: | | | | |