Phoenix Rising: The 2019 Platinum Vinyl Awards 1st Qtr - Rap

The third of the four way tie is Rap and Hip Hop. Let's get to it.

Rap/Hip Hop

• Canon - Home
• Aaron Cole - The Other Side EP
• Psalm - Deathproof
• Gerry Skrillz - Hundred Proof EP
• DA T.R.U.T.H. - Vet

This quarter we have mostly established veterans, though Aaron Cole could be considered somewhat of a newcomer. Our final in this first tie is Remix. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Siberian Siren: The 2017 Platinum Vinyl Awards 1st Qtr - Rap

We begin our second grouping with rap. This grouping consisted of a full finals, that would be 7 entries, but even that wasn't good enough for number one. We continue.

Rap/Hip-Hop

• Sho Baraka - The Narrative
• Canon - Loose Canon, Volume 3
• Dead Heroes - Dead Heroes
• Heesun Lee - Beauty For Ashes
• Trip Lee - The Waiting Room
• S.O. - These Things Take Time
• Toby Mac - Hits Deep Live

That does it for rap. Really not much to say here as they are all solid releases from dependable artists. Rock is next. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.    

Music Video Monday: Joy

Welcome back to an all new edition of Music Video Monday, where we serve up the best and the latest CCM videos we can find. We are going to begin with another video from Sho Baraka and his new release The Narrative. This is Fathers, 2004.
Next up we continue with Rap, this time with Canon. Sometimes I wonder if this guy ever takes a breath. He should be called machine gun. You do have to stop and reload a canon. This is Eagles from Loose Canon, Vol 3.
And finally we take a break from rap, though this is an all African-American version of Music Video Monday. This is VaShawn Mitchell from Secret Place: Live In South Africa, this is Joy.
That does it for this edition of Music Video Monday. See you next time. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.  

Night Beat Rewind: October 2014

The 6th Platinum Vinyl Award Eligibility Year is under way. I am really excited about this year. It is quite obvious by looking at the new releases that things are taking off. I mean, I have four Perfect 5's this year already. We're on pace for 48 perfect 5's in the non holiday variety. We begin with the Holiday releases however, for such is the season. Though if you could hold off on the music on the radio until after Thanksgiving, I would be grateful.

Christmas Music (Non-Eligible)

• 1 Girl Nation - A Merry 1 Girl Nation Christmas 4.50 Emeralds
• Carolyn Arends - Christmas: Story of Stories 4.75 Emeralds
• Chris August - The Christmas EP  4.50 Emeralds
• Peter Furler - Christmas 5 Emeralds
• Wayne Haun - Sentimental Season 5 Emeralds
• Salvador - Hope Was Born 4.75 Emeralds
• Aaron Shust - Unto Us 4.50 Emeralds
• Various Artists - Gotta Have Gospel Christmas: O Holy Night 5 Emeralds
• Various Artists - Silent Night Carols 4.75 Emeralds

Though 3 releases among the Christmas Music are Perfect 5's, since we don't have a Christmas Music Category, they are not counted among the Perfect 5's for award or best albums of the year. Just an honest opinion of the music.

We move on to the song releases. Singles have always been a mainstay of the music industry from the days of the 45. It's just a little easier with mp3's.

The Singles Scene

• KIDD - Bellavia 3.75 Emeralds
• Silent Planet - Firstwake 4.50 Emeralds
• Project 86 - Genosha - 4.75 Emeralds

Always love Project 86. They always say that if any two albums sound alike, they have failed. That might disappoint some fans, but not this one. On to the albums, and, as always, we begin with those releases which

Missed The Mark

• Seth Condrey - Worship Sessions, Vol 1 3.75 Emeralds
• Jamie Nunnally - God is With Us 3.75 Emeralds
• Teleosong - God's Glory 3.50 Emeralds

Except for Teleosong, which seemed to be an album without a direction, these were pretty good, except for the fact that they won't be award worthy. These next releases, however, are more than worthy. They are, in fact

Pure Platinum

• KJ-52 - Mental 5 Emeralds
• Kings Kaleidoscope - Becoming Who We Are 5 Emeralds
• Planetshakers - This Is Our Time (Live) 5 Emeralds
• Whosoever South - Come on In 5 Emeralds
• Young Oceans - I Must Find You 5 Emeralds

There is not much to say here. Some may disagree with Kings Kaleidoscope because they are disappointed that the Songs from Live In Color were redone. Still, it is not enough to tarnish the Platinum.

We finish with the in betweens, the 

Semi-Precious Metal

• Susan Boyle - Hope 4.75 Emeralds
• Brightwork - Hope for Love 4.50 Emeralds
• Canon - Loose Canon Vol. 2 4.75 Emeralds
• The Classic Crime - What Was Done, Vol. 1: A Decade Revisited 4.75 Emeralds
• Decyfer Down - Anthology 4.50 Emeralds
• Fit For A King - Slave to Nothing 4.50 Emeralds
• Gideon - Calloused 4.50 Emeralds
• Wes Hampton - Out On A Limb 4.50 Emeralds
• Je'kob - This Side of the Sky 4.75 Emeralds
• We Are Leo - Fightback Soundtrack 4.75 Emeralds
• Trip Lee - Rise 4.75 Emeralds
• Manic Drive - VIP 4.75 Emeralds
• Laura Hackett-Park - Love Will Have Its Day 4.75 Emeralds
• Mac Powell - Southpaw 4.50 Emeralds
• Izzi Ray - Make Much of You 4.75 Emeralds
• Sanctus Real - The Dream 4.50 Emeralds
• Martin Smith - Back to the Start 4.75 Emeralds
• L. Spenser Smith - Unstoppable 4.75 Emeralds
• Chris Tomlin - Love Ran Red 4.75 Emeralds
• Chris Tomlin - Love Ran Red (Deluxe Edition) 4.75 Emeralds
• Various Artists - Before Amen: A Worship Collection 4.50 Emeralds
• Rhett Walker Band - Here's To The Ones 4.75 Emeralds
• Worship Central - Set Apart (Live) 4.50 Emeralds

That does it for October. We are off to a flying start. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

 

Music Video Monday: How We Do It

Welcome to the Presidents Day edition of Music Video Monday. The fake holidays never seem to end these days. Don't get me wrong, I love Washington and Lincoln. Only in this case, I wish we had two holidays instead of one. Making President's Day is just wrong. Sure, you get to honor the two above listed Presidents, but since it is a "day to honor all Presidents like William Henry Harrison (1 month), James Buchanan (Caused The Civil War), and Ulysses S. Grant (most corrupt administration in history). I could say more, but this is a music blog. You got a Whig, a Democrat, and a Republican. There's balance for you.

We have four rap videos for you today. We start with London Rapper Jahaziel. They Don't Know.

More music shot out of a Canon. It's How We Do It.

Benjiman is next. He Can't Stop

We finish with Benjah. He knows that an edition of Music Video Monday is a lot of Work.

Next Monday we crank things up with a bit of metal. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Music Video Monday: All In

The stakes have been raised in an all new all rap Music Video Monday. We have a video trifecta today. We begin with Canon, which is a misnomer. He raps so quickly he should be named Mac 10. This is Mad Haven.

Next at the table is Flame. He's holding a Royal Flush, so you know he's All In.

We finish today with Lecrae. I'm Turnt.

That does it for this week. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Swing Season: The 2014 1rst Quarter - Rap

Two genres had eight eligible entries this quarter, and if we ceased the eligibility year right now, the 5th Awards would be filled. Of course the awards would suck, because even better entries might be coming. Like I said, this is the first hurdle.

Hip Hop/Rap is the first of these two. It was a very good quarter, and a few Perfect 5's graced the genre. Let's get to the contenders.

• Can't Stop , Benjiman
• Church Clothes Vol. 2 , Lecrae
• Haze & Reflections (Vanity Fare Remixed), Benjah
• Heads Up , Jahaziel
• Instruments Of Mercy ,  Beautiful Eulogy
• Mad Haven , Canon
• I Need You , Seth and Nirva
• Royal Flush , Flame

Now Seth and Nirva made 3 genres in their debut: Dance, Gospel and Rap. We shall see how it all pans out for the Diverse City duo. Heavy Metal is next. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Music Video Monday: A Beautiful Place

Welcome to our regularly scheduled Music Video Monday. December is here, let the Christmas Music Begin. Things are hectic this year, so I have not decided if I will have a Christmas Parade this year as I did last. I have quite a few non seasonal videos. Rap itself will take up half of the month.

We Begin with Canon. Not, surprisingly, considering the name, the video is Loud Music.
Brinson is next up. Ironically, seeing I just referred to him, he says he actually has No Name.
In the world of Japhia Life, it's a Small World.
And finally, we close this week off with Je'kob and he says while it may be a small world, it is A Beautiful Place.
Two rap editions down. We have three more to go. Stay with me every Monday and Friday. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply. 

Falling Notes: The 2013 First Quarter - Rap

Int the original post for Hip Hop and Rap there were three entries which passed muster to be eligible for the 4th Platinum Vinyl Awards. There are always more releases than are eligible, of course, but, when additional entries are discovered, things get a little complicated. In this case the entry list suddenly doubled, and two Perfect 5's joined the ranks. There isn't much cause for concern here, not yet. Not like, say, Alternative. Check out Confessions of the Candyman for more information. I still don't know what to do if the 5's fill the ranks of a genre. Expand or Shrink to fit. I guess whatever will cause the least griping.

Hip Hop & Rap

• Brinson - No Other Heroes
• Canon - Loose Canon EP, Volume 1
• Coffee Jones of Grits - Fresh Brew
• Japhia Life - Westside Pharmacy
• Je'kob - Hope
• Thi'sl - Free From The Trap

Brinson and Thi'sl made a perfect rating. They were pretty impressive. A few other notes on this redesigned quarter. Adult Contemporary, Pop and Metal were combined into one post and Gospel and Folk Music another. Alternative, Modern Worship and Rock will have their original posts readjusted. And still, I have to redo the second quarter and post the third. Maybe I can get it all done before the Fourth Quarter ends. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.