This week, BEC Recordings’ KJ-52 released his seventh studio album, Dangerous, which debuted in the Top 10 on the iTunes® Christian & Gospel Album chart this week. The title track is climbing the radio charts -- at CHR the song is New and Active this week, and at Rock it has moved into the Top 25. Fans can also Tweet to unlock, listen and enter to win a promotion by clicking on this link.
Dangerous comes after 11 years in the music industry and more than 575,000 albums sold for this hip-hop veteran. In addition to KJ overseeing the album, it includes tag teams with producers Tedd T. (Mute Math, Delirious) and Aaron Sprinkle (Deftones, Hawk Nelson, Jeremy Camp). Fans will recognize the special guest vocals, which include GRAMMY®-nominated Lecrae (“They Like Me”) Canton Jones ("It's Going Down"), Dre Murray ("That Was My Life"), George Moss ("Do the Bill Cosby"), Thi'sl ("Shake 'Em Up") Rhema Soul ("Speed That Light") and Emily of Shine Bright Baby ("So Far Apart").
Here is what the media are saying about KJ-52’s latest effort:
"KJ-52 can be unapologetically straightforward about faith. His latest has the high production value of something like Kanye West or the Black Eyed Peas, but the subject matter is youth-group ready."
- Christianity Today
"Dangerous is KJ's best album to date. He's created a great project for long-time fans and will definitely win some new converts."
- C. E'Jon Moore, The Christian Manifesto
"His seventh solo album, Dangerous brings with it every reason why he is still at the top of his game."
- ChristianMusicZine
"This release is filled with Christ-driven themes, fun-laced flavor, and sweet beats that are worthy to played at any house party."
- JesusFreakHideout.com
"Kj-52 is a pro at blending humor, hope, and depth into every album, while still keeping the energy of hip-hop alive and movin’. Just like the artist who created it, Dangerous is diverse and unlike any other in its genre. It’s clear that even after eleven years of creating music, KJ-52 hasn’t lost a beat."
- NewReleaseTuesday.com
KJ-52 is taking this new album on the road for the upcoming 4thirty1 Experience. For complete tour dates and information visit his Facebook page.
After 11 years in the music industry and more than 575,000 albums sold, hip-hop veteran KJ-52 will be releasing his seventh studio album Dangerous on BEC Recordings on April 3. After thriving through the seamless transition between a cutting edge newcomer at the tip of the 2000s to one of today’s most respected and ambitious rap/hip-hop heroes, KJ-52 continues pushing the musical and lyrical envelope. In addition to KJ overseeing the album, it includes tag teams with producers Tedd T. (Mute Math, Delirious) and Aaron Sprinkle (Deftones, Hawk Nelson, Jeremy Camp).
“The theme that runs throughout the record is God is calling us to live dangerously for Him,” states charismatic KJ-52. “We have to be careful that we don’t give into the world, which is like drinking poison out of a gold cup. But as Christians, we can’t go along with the status quo or play it safe. There’s no room for laziness or complacency.”
While it would be easy for the six-time Dove Award winner and sought after collaborator (TobyMac, Newsboys, Thousand Foot Krutch) to rest on his laurels after more than a decade in the game, he aggressively walks that talk across Dangerous, while offering both listeners of faith and the mainstream scene plenty of reasons to relate. Dangerous also chronicles a series of compelling issues like drugs, divorce and racism, even the prejudice that sometimes pops up within the church’s walls. The latter is particularly evident across “They Like Me,” a collaboration with the Grammy nominated Lecrae.
Looking back on his career, KJ-52 reflects on what it means to have career endurance, especially as tastes and trends change practically overnight and many of his previous peers have since tapered out of the spotlight.
“Eleven years is really a lifetime in rap years,’” he suggests. “I think it’s a result of a lot of things, in part staying in tune with the fans, listening to them, listening to what’s going on musically, always staying on the road and looking to the future. Throughout it all, God’s provided and expanded my platform and He’ll continue to do that until it’s time to move on to whatever’s next.”
KJ-52 will take this new album on the road as he’ll be performing at the upcoming 2012 REVOLVE teen girl conference as well as the 4thirty1 Experience. For complete tour dates and information visit his Facebook page.
After releasing his popular “Five-Two Television” last fall, KJ-52 is seeking out “Modern Day Heroes.” He is joined by Group 1 Crew for the upcoming co-headlining tour the “Modern Day Heroes,” which will kick off next month, February 2010. This tour will be filled with vertical rhymes, high energy dance moves, and possibly even a few surprises. As with all things that KJ-52 is involved with, this will not be the average concert, but include elements to reach out to the local youth and “heroes.”
The “Modern Day Heroes” tour involves two facets making this an unique experience for those attending. First, those fans that purchase their tickets online will have entry into a pre-show Firestarter Bible Study. Secondly, fans can nominate a local “Modern Day Hero” in each market online powered by HearItFirst.com at www.moderndayheroestour.com. The chosen “Hero” will have free access to the show and be honored by KJ-52 and Group 1 Crew.
Local “Hero”:
This person needs to exemplify dedication to ministry, his or her community, and others around the area. The selected hero will be honored in their city when the “Modern Day Hero” tour hits their town. Nominations for the heroes can be made online by clicking “Nominate Your Hero.”
Firestarter Bible Study:
KJ-52 and Group 1 Crew will implement and lead a Firestarter Bible Study walking through the book of Luke for local youth groups in each tour market. Interacting on a spiritual level and studying scripture prior to the concert is for those that purchase tickets prior to the show online. Purchase tickets at www.moderndayheroestour.com. By purchasing tickets online, your name will be on the Will Call list granting entry to the study.
Tour dates are being revealed daily at www.moderndayheroestour.com. The tour is sponsored by Compassion International and Hearitfirst.com.
About KJ-52:
Releasing his debut project in 2000, KJ-52 continued to do his “thing” for a total of seven projects released. Three of his four titles have scanned over 100,000 units—the only Christian hip-hop artist in history to do so. KJ-52 has become one of the most trusted names in music as a songwriter, producer, minister, and comic poet, in spite of many seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Let's not forget: He is an unabashed follower of Christ, he is white, and he is a rapper. In 2009, KJ-52 was once again nominated for the fourth consecutive year as CCM Magazine’s Favorite Hip Hop Artist in the Reader’s Choice poll. He also was honored with his fifth Dove Award.
Releasing “Five-Two Television” in September 2009, KJ-52’s project was said to be “making a run for best rap album of the year,” and debuted at #14 on Billboard's Heatseaker's chart. KJ-52 is on BEC Recordings. For more information, updates, blog, and tour dates visit: http://www.kj52.com also follow KJ-52 on Twitter: @kj52 .
About Group 1 Crew:
A self-professed entertainer, a pop diva, and a bona fide producer: that’s the makeup of breakout urban sensation Group 1 Crew, three everyday Latinos who rose above their circumstances and the middle-of-the-road to become one of the most exciting aggregates in faith-based music. Their 2008 release, Ordinary Dreamers (2009 Dove-winning “Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year”), the trio’s second album for Fervent Records, shattered any and all preconceptions created by their out-of-the-box, Dove-winning debut, Group 1 Crew (2008 "Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year"), to position itself as one of the most unordinary offerings of the moment—an amalgam of rhythm and rhyme that takes the best of urban pop and hip-hop and turns them upside down. G1C challenge people to dream and pursue the calling God has given them. For more information, visit http://www.group1crew.com .
SEATTLE, WA...September 22, 2009...Today hip-hop extraordinaire, KJ-52, releases his newest adventure, "Five-Two Television," on BEC Recordings. This being one of his most ambitious projects to date, it features a massive 24 track-listing (24 tracks mirroring 24 hours in a day) as well as a star-studded list of guest appearances. "Five-Two Television" was co-produced by Aaron Sprinkle and KJ-52.
Those appearing on "Five-Two Television" include Theory Hazit ("Headline News At 5"), Trevor McNevan of Thousand Foot Krutch ("Let's Go"), J.R. (Cross Movement Records "Calling You"), Braille ("Headline News at 11"), Da T.R.U.T.H (Cross Movement, "Swagged Out With Tags Out"), Manwell and Blanca Reyes of Group 1 Crew ("Firestarter") and Funky ("Fuego").
A project filled with many "channels," KJ-52 engages his fans with a four-act spoken-word biography, a free "mix" tape with purchase of the CD, and much more. KJ-52 has always been about sharing the Gospel and diving into Bible Studies with his fans, and this album is no different showcasing his heart for the youth. You can check out his "Firestarter" Bible studies here http://www.kj52podcast.com/.
KJ-52's debut single from this project "End of My Rope" is currently charting at Christian Rock gaining momentum. It is currently sitting at No. 17 and has several CHR stations spinning as well.
The release of the new album today is followed with media acclaim. KJ-52 has been featured on the recent cover of Crossroad Magazine (digital found here http://www.crossroadmag.com/), as well as an interview on JesusFreakHideout.com (http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/interviews/KJ-52_2009.asp) and a podcast with DJ Wade O this past weekend (listen here). CBN Nightly News is also running a special segment on KJ-52 tonight (8-10 pm ET) on www.cbnnewschannel.com. Reviews are talking about the maturity and relevance of this project -- check out what is being said:
"KJ-52 is just as sly behind the mic as he is at delivering off the chain hip-hop explosions."
--ChristianMusicToday.com
"Five-Two Television will be making a run for best rap album of the year. Now hip hop fans have no reason to not pick up this stellar release."
--JesusFreakHideout.com
"THIS is the KJ-52 album I've been waiting years to hear. Five-Two Television is a true return to form for the talented emcee."
--C.E. Moore, TheChristianManifesto.com
Already on the road is the Pillar Confessions Tour, which features KJ-52 along with Run Kid Run. For upcoming tour dates and cities, check out KJ-52's website (www.kj52.com).
SEATTLE, WA…March 6, 2008...Following the 2007 release of his most recent studio album, The Yearbook, Christian hip-hop artist ended the year with television placement and began the new with a CCM Reader’s Choice award and two Dove nominations leading into upcoming dates on the “Cross the Line” Superchic[k] tour.
In late November, prior to the writer’s strike halting most television shows, KJ-52’s “Your Gonna Make It” appeared on the hit CBS drama “Cold Case.” It was the first time the artist’s music has appeared in primetime television. If you missed this episode, check it out at: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=21910228
In the January 2008 CCM Reader’s Choice issue, KJ-52 was voted by his dedicated fans as the Favorite Hip-Hop Artist for the third year in a row. Printed in the magazine, KJ-52 thanked his fans saying, “Thank you so much. It’s exciting to know that what you’re doing is connecting with people on many different levels. I consider it an honor to just be nominated for this award, much less to actually win it; it’s amazing where God can take someone. I remember reading CCM when I was just a teenage baby Christian, and to now be able to be in it is an honor and a privilege.”
Recently, KJ-52 was honored with two Dove Nominations for the 39th Annual Dove Awards, which will be held April 23rd in Nashville, TN. KJ-52 was named nominee for Rap/Hip Hop album of the year for “The Yearbook” in addition to Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the year for “Wake Up.”
Concluding a full year touring with the Women of Faith teen girl conferences, “Revolve Tour,” KJ-52 will also begin touring with Superchic[k] on their “Cross the Line” tour. Dates updated on www.kj52.com . The tour will also feature Disciple, Britt Nicole, and Starlit Platoon beginning on March 14th.
(Nashville, Tenn.) April 6, 2006 – BEC Recording’s own rapper extraordinaire KJ-52 took home the Dove Award for “Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year” with his Behind The Musik (BEC/Uprock Records) at last night’s 37th Annual GMA Music Awards. This Dove win marks a second for KJ-52, including his 2004 award in the same category with his album It’s Pronounced Five-Two.
“ I feel honored to be chosen for this award and to be recognized by the GMA community for this category,” said KJ-52. “I consider what I do to be a privilege and I’m humbled that God chooses some of the least likely candidates to carry out his purposes. It’s a blessing and incredible opportunity to do what I do. Awards like these are little road signs on this journey that tell you to ‘keep going!’”
The latest installment from this Dove Award winning rapper, KJ-52 Remixed, will street on May 2nd. KJ-52 Remixed hails 15 total hit songs from the four previous releases including two brand new songs, “Napoleon Dynamite” , “Washed Up”, and “Run For Cover” featuring Trevor McNevan of Thousand Foot Krutch. KJ-52 Remixed also showcases many of the songs as not only remixed, but with brand new and updated lyric content from KJ-52. Fan favorites such as “Dear Slim part 2”, “Are You Real”, “Mullet Song”, and “Fivetweezy” are also fresh off the remix table. Guest appearances include Jessy Ribordy of Falling Up, and Pigeon John. Remixed by KJ-52 as well as Joseph Kisselburgh of Falling Up and Reggateon artist Funky, the album features collaborative efforts from Liquid Beats, and DJ Morphiziz.
KJ-52, who has toured with the likes of Kutless, Disciple, and Falling Up is just off a 30-city run as part of The Anthem Tour with Superchick and Seventh Day Slumber. Upcoming performances include Acquire The Fire conferences and Dome Events throughout 2006. With six albums to his credit, KJ has amassed over 500,000 records sold to date. He was also just recently voted the favorite “Hip Hop Artist” in the CCM Magazine Reader’s Choice Awards. Look for KJ at every major festival this summer.
For more information check out KJ-52’s official artist website at www.kj52.com
