Grammy Award-Winner Naomi Raine’s Debut Live Solo Album ‘Cover The Earth’ To Be Released on June 2…

First Song From the New Album 'One Name (Jesus)' Out Now...

Hello World,

On Friday, June 2nd, five-time Grammy Award-winning artist Naomi Raine will release her stunning debut live record “Cover The Earth” (TRIBL Records), which features a series of choir-filled performances recorded live from New York City and collaborations with nine-time Grammy Award-nominee Natalie Grant, Chandler Moore (Justin Bieber, Maverick City Music), Todd Dulaney and Lizzie Morgan (Maverick City Music).

Now, however, she shares the first song from the new album, “One Name (Jesus).” See the video of the song below:

“‘One Name’ is about Jesus and my total reliance on him,” says Naomi. “Over the past few years, people have listened to my music, experienced my ministry, and have begun to know my voice and my name. I just wanted to release a song about The Name that’s higher than every other name in a world where there’s so much emphasis on the names of celebrities and brands. I want to bring a message of hope, but not hope in me or my gifts, but in the God who gives them both freely and I pray that people find hope when they listen to the song.”

More than a collection of songs, “Cover The Earth” is a full-blown worship experience full of upbeat and praise-worthy songs that blend pop, R&B and more, while delivering encouraging and uplifting messages across ten songs and four “flow” song transitions. The album was recorded in the heart of New York City and produced by Naomi with Adale Jackson.

To date, Naomi celebrated the release of “One Name (Jesus)” with an event in Jamaica on held March 18th. Another event will be in South Africa on April 1st with more to be announced.

On “Cover The Earth,” Naomi addresses how faith can free us from mental prisons (“Paul & Silas (At Midnight) [with Chandler Moore]”), fear (“Uncovering”), greed (“Costly”) and more, while also revealing the character behind her source of inspiration for the music. Naomi also sings of the courage it takes to be a light in dark places on songs like “We Agree (Flow),” in which she boldly roots herself in her faith despite modern culture, proclaiming “we don’t care what the left or the right is saying ‘cause we agree with Heaven.”

“‘Cover the Earth’ is a project about the goodness of God, his kindness and faithfulness,” adds Naomi. “It is a call to action for those that love God to seek Him and spread the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ everywhere we go.”

Naomi’s debut live record follows her vulnerable album “Journey” and its follow up “Journey: Acoustic Sessions,” which were released in 2022.

In the past year, Naomi has performed on the BET Awards, Grammy Awards and more. The Grammy, NAACP, Stellar, BET, Billboard and Dove Award-winning artist is one of the top songwriters in the gospel genre, and starting this April, she’ll co-headlining the first-ever all-female worship tour, It’s Time Tour, alongside Tasha Cobbs Leonard, TAYA, Natalie Grant, Tamela Mann and others.

“Cover The Earth” Tracklist:

1. Rest On Us (Flow) – Live

2. Cover The Earth – Live

3. Sing Hallelujah [with Natalie Grant] – Live

4. We Agree With Heaven [with Todd Dulaney] – Live

5. We Agree With Heaven (Flow) – Live

6. Drink Offering – Live

7. Uncovering [with Lizzie Morgan] – Live

8. Costly – Live

9. Paul & Silas (At Midnight) [with Chandler Moore] – Live

10. Paul & Silas (Undignified Flow) [with Chandler Moore] – Live

11. One Name (Jesus)  – Live

12. One Name (Jesus)[Flow] – Live

13. VIP – Live

14. The Story I’ll Tell – Live

Naomi Raine on Tour:

Wed.,  Apr 26 | Bayside Community Church | Bradenton, FL

Thu.,  Apr 27 | Calvary Orlando | Orlando, FL

Fri., Apr 28 | Florida Theater | Jacksonville, FL

Sun., Apr 30 | James L Knight Center | Miami, FL

Tue., May 2 | Fox Theatre | Atlanta, GA

Wed., May 3 | Ovens Auditorium | Charlotte, NC

Fri., May 5 | Hulu Theatre | New York, NY

Sat., May 6 | The Met | Philadelphia, PA

Sun., May 7 | The Theater at MGM National Harbor | Washington, DC

Tue., May 9 | Wang Theatre | Boston, MA

Thu., May 11 | Toyota Oakdale Theatre | Wallingford, CT

Thu., May18 | Faith Church | St. Louis

Fri., May 19 | Transformation Church | Tulsa, OK

Sat., May 20 | Exodus Arts & Music Festival | Dallas, TX

Sun., May 21 | 713 Music Hall | Houston, TX

Mon., May 22 | Summit Christian Center | San Antonio, TX

Wed., May 24 | Saenger Theatre | New Orleans, LA

Thu., May 25 | BJCC Concert Hall | Birmingham, AL

Fri., May 26 | Landers Center | Southaven, MS

Sat., May 27 | Ryman Auditorium | Nashville, TN

Sun., May 28 | Grove City Naz | Columbus, OH

Tue., May 30 | Princeton Pike Church of God | Cincinnati OH

Wed., May 31 | Murat Theatre | Indianapolis, IN

Thu., Jun 1 | Grand Rapids First | Wyoming, MI

Thu., Jun 22 | The Rock Church | San Diego, CA

Fri., Jun 23 | Dream City Church Phoenix | Phoenix, AZ

Sat., Jun 24 | Masonic Theatre | San Francisco, CA

Sun., Jun 25 | YouTube Theatre | Los Angeles, CA

For more information on Naomi Raine, visit naomirainemusic.com.

Any thoughts?

Tasha Cobb Leonard’s Prayer for Beyoncé As She Goes on ‘Renaissance’ Tour Causes Controversy…

Hello World,

So in addition to folk getting up in arms about the ticket prices to Beyoncé ‘s “Renaissance World Tour,” which was announced last Wednesday, folks are also criticizing Tasha Cobbs Leonard for praying for Beyoncé. More specifically, they are criticizing her for the actual prayer that she prayed. Below is her prayer that she posted on her IG page.

I don’t necessarily see anything wrong with that prayer although it probably could have been a private prayer but in our social media-driven lifestyles, much of what we formerly kept to ourselves is now fodder for our feed…

Marcus Rogers, whom I must admit I’ve never heard of before today, but who is a minister according to his website,  did not respond to the prayer in the way that Tasha Cobbs Leonard anticipated. Below is his response:

How do I feel about his prayer? I feel he has a right to pray in the way that he wants to just as much as Tasha Cobbs Leonard has a right to  pray the way she wants to…I will let the good Lord decide which prayer He intends to answer. Or may He may answer both but it may not be in the way that either of them intended when they prayed…I will say this, after the pandemic, if your personal relationship with God doesn’t include discernment regarding spiritual matters, you should pray for discernment because otherwise you will be dumb out here…I would not go to a Beyoncé concert for spiritual direction and furthermore, she does not market herself as an artist who provides spiritual direction…I would go for entertainment purposes only as I enjoy some of her music. However, on the other hand, there are some secular artists who openly provide spiritual direction. I went to a Kem concert (Soul II Soul Tour) last night, and he had everyone stand up and give God praise for making it through the pandemic so…

Incidentally, this spring, the powerhouse women of Gospel and Christian music are coming together for a must-see worship experience. Kicking off on Tuesday, April 25 at James L. Knight Center in Miami, FL. GRAMMY-winning artists Naomi Raine and Tasha Cobbs Leonard, 9x GRAMMY-nominee Natalie Grant and globally renowned vocalist TAYA will join together for “It’s Time Tour 2023.”

“It’s Time” will visit 21 cities across the U.S. including Atlanta, New York and Houston. Fans can expect to see solo performances from each artist. The co-headliners will also share the stage for a few songs each night.

IT’S TIME 2023 TOUR DATES:

Tues., Apr. 25 | Miami, FL | James L Knight Center

Wed., Apr 26 | Bradeton, FL | Bayside Community Church

Thurs., Apr 27 | Orlando, FL | Calvary Orlando

Fri., Apr. 28 | Jacksonville, FL | Florida Theater

Tues., May 02 | Atlanta, GA | Fox Theatre

Wed., May 03 | Charlotte, NC | Ovens Auditorium

Fri., May 05 | New York, NY | Hulu Theatre at Madison Square Garden

Sat., May 06 | Philadelphia, PA | The Met

Sun May 07 | Washington, DC | The Theater at MGM National Harbor

Tues., May 09 | Boston, MA | Boch Center Wang Theatre

Thurs., May 11 | Wallingford, CT | Toyota Oakdale Theatre

Thurs., May 18 | St. Louis | Faith Church

Sun., May 21 | Houston, TX | 713 Music Hall

Mon., May 22 | San Antonio, TX | Summit Christian Center

Wed., May 24 | New Orleans, LA | Saenger Theatre

Thurs., May 25 | Birmingham, AL | BJCC Concert Hall

Fri., May 26 | Southaven, MS | Landers Center

Sat., May 27 | Nashville, TN | Ryman Auditorium

Tues., May 30 | Cincinnati OH | Princeton Pike Church of God

Wed., May 31 | Indianapolis, IN | Murat Theatre at Old National Centre

Thurs., Jun 01 | Wyoming, MI | Grand Rapids First Church

Click HERE to buy tickets…

Anyway, that’s all I have to say about that…

What say you?

Any thoughts?

 

19-Year-Old Grammy Nominee Jekalyn Carr Heads to the Super Bowl Along With the Atlanta Falcons!

super-bowl

Hello World,

Now that the home team, the Atlanta Falcons of the 5th Congressional District (Shout out to Congressman & Civil Rights Hero John Lewis), is headed to the Super Bowl in Houston on Sunday, Feb. 5, of course, I had to let y’all know about some of the Gospel-themed activities during the celebration!

19- year-old GRAMMY® nominated teen sensation Jekalyn Carr has been added to the performance line-up for the 19th Annual NFL Sanctioned Super Bowl Gospel Celebration. Carr will join top Gospel and Christian artists Yolanda Adams, Lecrae, Natalie Grant and CeCe Winans and R&B superstars Lalah Hathaway, Anthony Hamilton and BJ The Chicago Kid to name a few for a star-studded event that will be hosted by David and Tamela Mann. The event will take place on Friday, February 3rd at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX at 7:30pm and will be taped in front of 16,800 attendees. The show will air on Sunday, February 5th at 10a/9a CST on BET/CENTRIC.

j-carrCarr earned 5 Stellar Award nominations including top honors for Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for “You’re Bigger.” Additionally, Carr also recieved nominations in the categories of Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year, Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year and Praise & Worship CD of the Year (“The Life Project”). Carr is also slated to perform her chart topping single “You’re Bigger” on the award show which takes place on March 25th in Las Vegas at the Orleans Arena.

“I want to thank my team, radio, media and my supporters for their love over these last couple of months and to eOne for being a vehicle for my latest project,” says Jekalyn. “None of this would be possible without you and I’m forever grateful.”

Last month, THE RECORDING ACADEMY® announced that Carr, who is an independent artist, received a GRAMMY® nomination in the category of Best Gospel Performance/Song for “You’re Bigger.” This is Carr’s first GRAMMY® nomination, and it definitely caps off a remarkable year of firsts for the 19 year old prophetic powerhouse singer. The 59th Annual GRAMMY AWARDS® will take place on Sunday, February 12th in Los Angeles and will air live on CBS.

Any thoughts?

GO DIRTY BIRDS!!!