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Publication date: July 28 2007
UKG FIRST PLAY
NOT 'GOODBYE'; MORE 'WE'LL BE BACK'...
In the world of 'Urban' music, artists announcing their retirement
is nothing new. JAY-Z, DMX, DR. DRE all did it at one time or another.
is nothing new. JAY-Z, DMX, DR. DRE all did it at one time or another.
But an act announcing that they're going on: study leave...???
I've a soft spot for any act that just gets up and 'does'...
One of the (thankfully receding) hampering factors that plagued the growth of the
independent UK gospel scene has been the impression that 'the deal' will either
miraculously land on a doorstep, or - because a piece of creative work is Christian - it
somehow deserves automatic promotion and support...
While the latter point might have some weight, in an industry that is still more than 99%
independent, people (promoters, labels, managers, etc, etc, you get the idea) have to
choose their projects carefully, more often than not opting only for 'fights they can win'.
That invariably means almost everyone is ultra-selective.
In a sense, that isn't necessarily a bad thing. In my experience cream will almost
always rise to the top...
And besides, nothing - but nothing - beats straight up grinding...
One of the (thankfully receding) hampering factors that plagued the growth of the
independent UK gospel scene has been the impression that 'the deal' will either
miraculously land on a doorstep, or - because a piece of creative work is Christian - it
somehow deserves automatic promotion and support...
While the latter point might have some weight, in an industry that is still more than 99%
independent, people (promoters, labels, managers, etc, etc, you get the idea) have to
choose their projects carefully, more often than not opting only for 'fights they can win'.
That invariably means almost everyone is ultra-selective.
In a sense, that isn't necessarily a bad thing. In my experience cream will almost
always rise to the top...
And besides, nothing - but nothing - beats straight up grinding...
That makes FOUND SOULS FAM's story all the more interesting. They're based in
Gloucester - not exactly a hotbed of Urban gospel activity. But despite that, they have
managed to build solid hook-ups, serious mileage and a growing profile as they go about
setting up their ministry.
And - just as it all comes together - (they release their debut album next week, and put on
the LOLLIPOP AND YOYO PARTY support event featuring TRYUMF, JAHAZIEL,
Birmingham's 1QUEST and S.O.): they are about to go their separate ways...
It was time to investigate this interesting set of events...
Gloucester - not exactly a hotbed of Urban gospel activity. But despite that, they have
managed to build solid hook-ups, serious mileage and a growing profile as they go about
setting up their ministry.
And - just as it all comes together - (they release their debut album next week, and put on
the LOLLIPOP AND YOYO PARTY support event featuring TRYUMF, JAHAZIEL,
Birmingham's 1QUEST and S.O.): they are about to go their separate ways...
It was time to investigate this interesting set of events...
GC, TRUSAY, IQUE, PRECIOUS J and SACRED
Gloucester City (it's a small city in the South
West of England, just north of Bristol), but we are
diversifying into other cities, namely Birmingham,
Wolverhampton and Leeds...
Gospel Hip-hop with a hint of R&B...
it's the style of music that we like and it is
relevant to our target audience, which is mainly the youth
of today, of whom a great percentage enjoys this genre.
So we use the music - particularly the style of music - as a tool which we can use to spread the good news.
DWAYNE TRYUMF, JAHAZIEL, ONE QUEST RECORDS, SAMMY G, NEW D CREW, S.O., COMMISSION.
NAME CHECK:
BASED IN:
BASED IN:
MUSIC STYLE:
BECAUSE:
BECAUSE:
INFLUENCES UK:
INFLUENCES US:
GROUP BACKGROUND
INFLUENCES US:
GROUP BACKGROUND
JAPHIA LIFE, ROB HODGE, CROSS MOVEMENT, DA TRUTH, LECRAE, COREY
RED, CANTON JONES, KIRK FRANKLIN, TYE TRIBBET, J. MOSS...
GC: aka the Golden City's golden boy: born UK of
Jamaican background. The front man of the group.
Dabbles in graphic design (did some of the press release
designs). Full of ideas and a great organizer, very
passionate about ministry and also the art of song
writing. Loves clothes and is always dressed in the latest
garms!
TRUSAY: born UK of mixed Jamaican and English background. Brother of SACRED, second in command.
RED, CANTON JONES, KIRK FRANKLIN, TYE TRIBBET, J. MOSS...
GC: aka the Golden City's golden boy: born UK of
Jamaican background. The front man of the group.
Dabbles in graphic design (did some of the press release
designs). Full of ideas and a great organizer, very
passionate about ministry and also the art of song
writing. Loves clothes and is always dressed in the latest
garms!
TRUSAY: born UK of mixed Jamaican and English background. Brother of SACRED, second in command.
GC (left) and TRUSAY
Plays a big part in the organization of the fam despite the fact that he is almost always late. A self confessed perfectionist, loves rapping and all sorts of music. Dabbles in sound engineering, beat making and basic html programming (MySpace). Loves computers and gadgets, even though he can't afford most of them!
SACRED
Born UK of mixed Jamaican and English background. One of the
more quiet members of the group.
TRUSAY's brother has an intelligent flow and also a well trained
vocalist with a huge gospel music CD collection (seriously).
Very laid back, but when he has an idea, he does not stop until it is
communicated.
IQUE
SACRED
Born UK of mixed Jamaican and English background. One of the
more quiet members of the group.
TRUSAY's brother has an intelligent flow and also a well trained
vocalist with a huge gospel music CD collection (seriously).
Very laid back, but when he has an idea, he does not stop until it is
communicated.
IQUE
IQUE (left) and SACRED
Born Zimbabwe of mixed Zimbabwean and Zambian background. Another quiet member of the group, but when he speaks, he always brings a word of wisdom.
Awesome lyricist and deep thinker
Awesome lyricist and deep thinker
WHAT'S THE GRAND PLAN RE: GETTING YOURSELF OUT THERE..?
HOW EASY HAS THAT BEEN?
BLESS YOU. RELATED QUESTION: HOW EASY IS IT FOR A NEW ARTIST TO GET GOING THESE DAYS..?
AND WHAT ARE THE PLUS SIDES (IF ANY) TO BEING A NEW ARTIST...?
HOW EASY HAS THAT BEEN?
BLESS YOU. RELATED QUESTION: HOW EASY IS IT FOR A NEW ARTIST TO GET GOING THESE DAYS..?
AND WHAT ARE THE PLUS SIDES (IF ANY) TO BEING A NEW ARTIST...?
PRECIOUS J
Born UK of Jamaican Background.
Gifted vocalist awesome songwriter, very active in witnessing
at a street level.
Very stylish and a great encourager. Looks like she spends
thousands on clothes, dresses like a fashion model, but has an
eye for bargains! Always joyful and up for a laugh.
Born UK of Jamaican Background.
Gifted vocalist awesome songwriter, very active in witnessing
at a street level.
Very stylish and a great encourager. Looks like she spends
thousands on clothes, dresses like a fashion model, but has an
eye for bargains! Always joyful and up for a laugh.
We've got quite a few shows around the country this summer: Birmingham, London, Watford,
Brighton, and of course Gloucester, but there is going to be a lot of promotion utilising web based services undoubtedly including MySpace (we love you Tom! ) and just general networking...
Hard! Been blessed to meet a lot of real, talented, helpful people, including the guy that runs this whole joint!
...in one word: HARD!
It's difficult because you want to establish yourself nationally as a group but don't want
to get so caught up in the industry that the ministry is neglected.
Everyone is making music so it is only the very high standards of music that get recognized and when you have a very small budget compared to the world's finest artists it is very hard to compete.
Brighton, and of course Gloucester, but there is going to be a lot of promotion utilising web based services undoubtedly including MySpace (we love you Tom! ) and just general networking...
Hard! Been blessed to meet a lot of real, talented, helpful people, including the guy that runs this whole joint!
...in one word: HARD!
It's difficult because you want to establish yourself nationally as a group but don't want
to get so caught up in the industry that the ministry is neglected.
Everyone is making music so it is only the very high standards of music that get recognized and when you have a very small budget compared to the world's finest artists it is very hard to compete.
People want to hear what's out there now more then ever, so now via MySpace and other media outlets it is very much easier to get hold of a fan base very easy and quickly.
There is also a lot of help out there if you ask the right people, unlike the secular scene, it is all love and if you are doing something for the Lord and you are good, fellow Christians who have the same aim will always be willing to help you.
The only problem with that though is the people who are the best at what they do in the UK gospel industry are usually full time at what they do and as they need to eat, you have to be willing to pay for their services, which are usually fairly high priced.
There is also a lot of help out there if you ask the right people, unlike the secular scene, it is all love and if you are doing something for the Lord and you are good, fellow Christians who have the same aim will always be willing to help you.
The only problem with that though is the people who are the best at what they do in the UK gospel industry are usually full time at what they do and as they need to eat, you have to be willing to pay for their services, which are usually fairly high priced.
...unlike the secular scene, it is all love and if you are
doing something for the Lord and you are good,
fellow Christians ... will always be willing to help you...
doing something for the Lord and you are good,
fellow Christians ... will always be willing to help you...
> More Hang Time
DOWN SIDES...?
...AND - IN YOUR OPINION - WHAT'S THE VIBE LIKE IN THE UK RIGHT NOW...?
...AND - IN YOUR OPINION - WHAT'S THE VIBE LIKE IN THE UK RIGHT NOW...?
There seem to be strongholds of UK gospel: Birmingham and London. So if you are not from there you are almost an outsider, an unknown commodity, so it's harder to network with these peeps.
But the Internet is a great way of doing this, and we are witnesses that it can be done. You just need to get on your grind, speak to the right people ask the right questions; it will be done.
It's growing from strength to strength with releases from FOUR KORNERZ, JAHAZIEL, DWAYNE (TRYUMF's) new album, COMMISSION's EP out and a lot more releases to look forward to... The UK is doing it good right now.
We just need to keep the GOOD music coming out and coming out more regularly. Money would always be good, if there was somehow a way of getting funding to artists that need it,
But the Internet is a great way of doing this, and we are witnesses that it can be done. You just need to get on your grind, speak to the right people ask the right questions; it will be done.
It's growing from strength to strength with releases from FOUR KORNERZ, JAHAZIEL, DWAYNE (TRYUMF's) new album, COMMISSION's EP out and a lot more releases to look forward to... The UK is doing it good right now.
We just need to keep the GOOD music coming out and coming out more regularly. Money would always be good, if there was somehow a way of getting funding to artists that need it,
this could be an invaluable way of growing a lot of very talented artists who don't have the opportunities.
We are very blessed to be in the position we are as we were able to find quite a lot of money at this young age, which we could sow into our work for God.
TRUSAY: Ye mayne, we family!!!! 2020 (DARRYL JAMES): you the man!
2 many names, but big up to all of u!!! (I remember when we got the big up on ONE QUEST UKG FIRST PLAY, must admit it felt kind of sweet! But ye it's big. We up here now! )
We met at south Birmingham College at a gospel music industry workshop back in December 2005. We did a minor set in front of a panel of a few industry peeps - MIKE RIMMER from
We are very blessed to be in the position we are as we were able to find quite a lot of money at this young age, which we could sow into our work for God.
TRUSAY: Ye mayne, we family!!!! 2020 (DARRYL JAMES): you the man!
2 many names, but big up to all of u!!! (I remember when we got the big up on ONE QUEST UKG FIRST PLAY, must admit it felt kind of sweet! But ye it's big. We up here now! )
We met at south Birmingham College at a gospel music industry workshop back in December 2005. We did a minor set in front of a panel of a few industry peeps - MIKE RIMMER from
YOU GUYS ARE QUITE TIGHT WITH THE ONE QUEST LOT IN BIRMINGHAM...
HOW DID THE HOOK-UP COME ABOUT...?
HOW DID THE HOOK-UP COME ABOUT...?
CROSS RHYTHMS was there too. We didn't get very good feedback, which was a bit disappointing.
But any readers who encounter anything like that where people might say you aren't that good: don't put on a screw face. Listen, learn, get back on your grind and, along with seeking
God, refine your gifts. We gained of inspiration from watching and listening to how the pros do it, studying our craft. And we still are!
But anyways, back to the ONE QUEST thing. We spotted SAMMY G
and approached him afterwards and introduced ourselves. From
then we discovered what is now the UK's hottest up and coming
labels (ONE QUEST PRODUCTIONS) and one of the strongest beat
makers UK Gospel has got (VISION).
We kept in touch with VISION mainly, and eventually met almost the
But any readers who encounter anything like that where people might say you aren't that good: don't put on a screw face. Listen, learn, get back on your grind and, along with seeking
God, refine your gifts. We gained of inspiration from watching and listening to how the pros do it, studying our craft. And we still are!
But anyways, back to the ONE QUEST thing. We spotted SAMMY G
and approached him afterwards and introduced ourselves. From
then we discovered what is now the UK's hottest up and coming
labels (ONE QUEST PRODUCTIONS) and one of the strongest beat
makers UK Gospel has got (VISION).
We kept in touch with VISION mainly, and eventually met almost the
whole squad from various trips to Birmingham and they also passed
through the humble city of Gloucester to link. Strong times...
Mr. 20/20 himself, VISION, went on to produce two tracks for our
album and bwoy... Look out for more from both of us
through the humble city of Gloucester to link. Strong times...
Mr. 20/20 himself, VISION, went on to produce two tracks for our
album and bwoy... Look out for more from both of us
SAMMY G - part of Birmingham's
finest...
> NEXT
