Soul and gospel veteran Candi Staton is releasing her first Praise & Worship CD for Emtro Gospel.
The set, titled 'I Will Sing My Praise to You,' is set to bow on Oct. 21.
"This is my personal contribution to God," said Staton. "It's not about trying to please anybody but God. This is my personal praise and I will to do it unto Him. But, I named the CD `I Will Sing My Praise to You' so that each listener can put themselves in that spot and say, "Lord, I will sing my praise to you."
'I Will Sing My Praise to You' features 14 songs produced by newcomer John Brockman, who is the music director at Hope & Life Fellowship in
A multiple Grammy nominee, Staton is best known for R&B hits like 'Young Hearts Run Free,' 'Stand By Your Man' and ' In the Ghetto.'
Staton made her gospel debut in 1983 and for 18 years hosted the weekly series 'Say Yes' on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN).
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Gold-selling R&B singer Dave Hollister continues his foray into gospel music with his sophomore opus, 'Witness Protection.'
The CD, hitting the marketplace on Aug. 5, features 16 tracks including the first single 'Striving.'
"I alw 
ays write and record music that reflects where I am in life, and on this project I was drawn towards a theme of persevering through adversity, which we all have to do from time to time, and giving God glory for and also through these situations because we know the testing of our faith produces patience," said Hollister. "More than anything, the CD shows the depth of my heart for God by offering more songs of worship. I want people to be encouraged in their faith through this project, and I hope it will help people who may have lost their way find the path back to God."
Hollister, a former member of the R&B group Blackstreet who had solo hits like 'One Woman Man,' 'Can't Stay' and 'Take Care of Home,' made his gospel debut in Sept. 2006 with the 'Billboard' chart-topper 'The Book Of David: Transition.'
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Chicago-based choral collective Joshua Troop is on a national promotional tour to launch the campaign 'Play a Song, Save a Nation.' 
Led by the song 'L.O.V.E.,' Joshua's Troop hopes their initiative will help end violence among youth.
Joshua's Troop founder Percy Gray lost his teenage son to gun violence so the song and its campaign were birthed from that experience.
"We all have to take part in saving our young people, no one helped save my child, but I will help save someone else's," said Gray.
'L.O.V.E.' is featured on the choir's latest release, 'JT3: Joshua's Troop.'
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New & Noteworthy: Contemporary gospel trio 21:03 released this sophomore gospel set, 'Total Attention.' The CD is led by
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Its with great sadness that I report that gospel singer Rosalyn "Roz" McDuffie has succumbed to a bought with stomach cancer and has gone home to be with the Savior she sang about.
Both a solo artist and a member of the duo, LyricSings along with Rhonda McClemore, McDuffie was a powerful singer with a dynamic musical ministry.
McDuffie also had a great since of humor and called me her "cut-up buddy" when we would run into each other at gospel industry gatherings.
Back in 2003 at Dr. Bobby Jones' gospel industry retreat in Las Vegas back, there was a fashion show for the PanZai clothi
Reports of that McDuffie passed this weekend has shocked the gospel music industry, many who were unaware that the singer was battling the terminal illness.
The 39-year-old wife and mother leaves behind her husband, Pastor Efrem McDuffie, their two daughters, Charizma Zhonè McDuffie and Charity Zhonì McDuffie, and a son, Sir William.
McDuffie's last recorded work was featured on Pastor Gregg Patrick's CD/DVD release, 'Crossover.'
The home-going service will be held the Hilcroft location of the Fountain of Praise Church (13535 South Post Oak Road) in Houston, Texas on Saturday, Aug. 2. Friends and fans who want to send flowers and/or cards can send them to: McDuffie's Mortuary - 115 W. Hamilton Street, Houston, TX 77076.
VIDEO: Watch Roz McDuffie sing 'Holy' from the 'Crossover' DVD
the single, 'You,' and also features a tracked called 'Cover Me' that has guest turns by Fred Hammond, Smokie Norful and J. Moss... Christopher Lewis has a two-CD set titled 'Crisis: Change Is Required' in stores now. The inspirational offering is Lewis' first CD on Tyscot Records... Donald Lawrence is gearing up to record his next solo offering at The Living Word Christian Center in 
ng line, the club song, 'There's Some Ho's In This House' came on during the music mix. McDuffie and I cried laughing as the commentator J.D. ran to turn the song off.
Black Music Notes June 26
6/26/08: Jill Scott
Jill Scott's latest album 'The Real Thing' is coming to a television screen near you. And it's going to be a sight for your eyes and a pleasure to your ears. On June 29, TV One will premiere an original music concert special featuring the neo-soul high priestess in all of her glory. Titled 'Jill Scott: The Real Thing Tour (Live in Philly),' the one-hour special features the two-time Grammy Award winning wunderkind performing a mix of her classic hits such as 'A Long Walk' and 'The Way,' juxtaposed with material from her newer projects, including the inspirational anthem 'Golden' and the tell-it-like-it-is, take-no-prisoners 'Hate On Me.' The special (Scott's very first) was filmed in March 2008 at the Liacouris Center in Philadelphia. Encore airings of the show are scheduled to air on July 3, July 5, and July 11.
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6/26/08: D'Angelo
Despite going through legal woes over the past few years, neo-soul originator D'Angelo is back in the studio working on a new album. According to 'Billboard,' the singer is expected to release his new as-yet-untitled album next year on J Records. The company bought out his contract in 2005 from Virgin Records (who released his first two albums). Fans can expect the man legally known as Michael D'Angelo Archer to hook up with Raphael Saadiq once again, the two previously worked together on Saadiq's 2002 hit 'Be Here.' Although the album is still in its early stages, the 'Brown Sugar' crooner has plans to also land John Mayer on the opus, with a single to hit the airwaves by the end of the year. Until that time comes, fans can catch some of D'Angelo in his former glory with the recently released compilation, 'The Best So Far,' featuring hits, rarities and previously unreleased videos.
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6/26/08: Gerald Albright
This week, one of the most sought after saxophonists in contemporary jazz, Gerald Albright, will release his eleventh solo project titled, 'Sax for Stax.' The set features eight covers from the Stax Records catalog , in addition to three originals written by Albright. The multi-talented sax player reached out to vocalists Will Downing, Ledisi, and Philip Bailey to help recapture classic music such as Issac Hayes' top five hit 'Never Can Say Goodbye' and the Staple Singers' hit 'Respect Yourself.' "I went through two box sets with over 20 CDs to pick songs that felt good and would work well melodically for the saxophone," Albright said.
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6/26/08: Swizz Beatz
Just last year super-producer Swizz Beatz was hospitalized for exhaustion, and by the looks of it hasn't slowed him down a bit. The hip-hop hit-maker has been in the studio crafting hits for Jay-Z, G-Unit, Ludacris, T.I. , Alicia Keys, and surprisingly the icon himself Michael Jackson. The Bronx native (legally known as Kasseem Dean) recently revealed his plans to not only produce some music for the King of Pop, but produce his tour as well. "I'm probably gonna be producing his tour and everything," he explained to 'MTV.' "I'm designing planes for Gulf Stream and everything. They called me. I'm around different people. I'm around billionaires. I'm around people like that." This October Swizz Beatz plans to release his new studio opus entitled, 'Life After the Party.'
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6/26/08: Erykah Badu
This fall, Erykah Badu is planning on bringing some of her voodoo experiences on the road the neo-soul diva was recently added to the tenth annual "Voodoo Experience Festival," held October 24-26 in New Orleans. In addition to Badu, Wyclef Jean, Joss Stone, and Lupe Fiasco are among the other acts on board to join alternative rock headliners R.E.M. , Nine Inch Nails and Stone Temple Pilots. Tickets are priced at $115, while a three-day VIP pass will available for a whopping $450.
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6/26/08: Ludacris
Trying to maintain a successful career in the music industry as well as Hollywood can be a bit strenuous for some rappers. But not Ludacris! Luda (as he is also known as) not only has his new album, 'Theater of the Mind' slated to hit stores in September, he's also in the process of filming a few movies. On Halloween, the actor/rapper will be appearing in Guy Ritchie's new film 'RocknRolla.' He also recently finished shooting 'Max Payne,' a crime thriller fronted by Mark Wahlberg. When asked which profession he likes most, he simply replied: "Music is still my number-one love. I just balance a lot of different things now." Hollywood is still calling him, though. To date, Ludacris has starred in the Academy Award winning movie 'Crash,' the John Singleton-produced 'Hustle & Flow' and 'Fred Clause,' alongside Vince Vaughan.
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6/26/08: Ne-Yo/Keyshia Cole
The 2008 Reggae Sumfest is guaranteed to kick off with a bang! On July 18, new-school R&B superstars Ne-Yo and Keyshia Cole are tapped to headline this year's international night at the Montego Bay festival, which takes place from July 13-19. Reggae Sumfest will also showcase the best of the best in Dancehall and Reggae music including Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, and Lady Saw, among many others.
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6/26/08: Will.I.Am
Crafting hit music for The Black Eyed Peas and Justin Timberlake can only inspire an artist/producer such as Will.I.Am (born William James Adams Jr.)to go beyond the music industry. Fans can expect to see the Black Eyed Peas front-man in the forthcoming X-Men movie, 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine,' playing a role opposite of Hugh Jackman. Will.I.Am recently revealed to 'MTV News' that the character he'll be playing is a teleporter by the name of John Wraith. In addition to 'X-Men,' the producer also landed a role in the 'Madagascar' sequel. "With 'Madagascar 2,' I think there has to be an angel or something or my grandma's prayers guiding that," he says. "It's pretty, pretty dope. And I'm grateful and happy about it all." 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' is expected to hit theaters in May 2009.
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6/26/08: Mashonda
After releasing her debut album 'January Joy' internationally, Mashonda returns with two new singles 'All or Nothing' and 'No Panties' from her forthcoming untitled album. The Harlem reared singer describes her first single 'No Panties' as being "all about giving your man whatever he desires; no limits." In addition to her new music hitting the radio airwaves, the ex Mrs. Swizz Beatz (real name: Mashonda Tifrere-Dean) is the creative director and model for an upcoming coffee table book entitled, 'Alter Ego Revealed.' Mashonda's new album is set to drop in early next year.
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6/26/08: Lauryn Hill/Kanye West
'Entertainment Weekly' magazine recently unveiled its 'New Classics' list in which they ranked the best in music, movies, TV shows, and books from over the past 25 years. Lauryn Hill's mega-selling solo debut 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill' landed at number two slot behind Prince's timeless classic 'Purple Rain,' which held down the top spot. Other artist that made the list included Kanye West (No. 4), Jay-Z (No. 7), Outkast (No. 12), Beyonce (No. 19), Mariah Carey (No. 21), Nas (No. 28), and The Notorious B.I.G (No. 40), among many others.
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1. Jawn,
What a wonderful story you provided for Roz. I am saddened by this news. She was so young and gifted from God. We will keep her husband, children, and family in prayer. Thank you so much for sharing this story.
TaLisha Champagne at 8:34AM on Jul 29th 2008