Trip Lee’s Story

Posted on December 8, 2024 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Atlanta-based Christian rapper, author, and pastor William Lee Barefield III is best known to music fans as Trip Lee, modernizing messages of faith with sleekly produced commercial rap tracks. Lee‘s energetic and spiritually driven albums have regularly found their way onto various Billboard charts, with 2012’s The Good Life cross-pollinating gospel and rap charts, and the subsequent 2014 effort Rise even breaking into the top 20 of the Billboard 200. In 2022, Lee released his sixth studio album, The End, and followed the next year with the mixtape The Epilogue.

Lee was born in Dallas, Texas, where in his teenage years he was a founding member of the Southern Christian rap collective 116 Clique. Lee moved from Dallas to attend various Christian universities, first in Philadelphia, then in Louisville, Kentucky. He made his full-length album debut in 2006 with If They Only Knew. His second album, 2008’s 20/20, featured guests and Reach Records labelmates Lecrae, Tedashii, and Sho Baraka. Not only did it break into the Billboard Top 200, but it also broke into the Top Ten of the Christian albums chart.

His success continued with Between Two Worlds in 2010, his first to top the Billboard Christian charts. His second chart-topper, The Good Life, arrived two years later and also broke onto the rap charts. Lee published a book of the same name months later before announcing his intention to focus his message on ministry. He continued writing and became a pastor. In 2014, he released his fifth album, Rise, his highest-charting Billboard 200 entry (number 16) and his third Top Three Christian chart entry. A second book, Rise: Get Up and Live in God’s Great Story, was released in 2015. Lee‘s mixtape, The Waiting Room, appeared near the end of 2016. In 2022, the sixth album, The End, was released, featuring guest appearances from Taylor Hill, KB, Wande, and others. The next year, a companion mixtape entitled The Epilogue came out, this time with contributions from Madison Ryann Ward and Kirk Franklin.

Childlike CiCi’s Story

Posted on July 19, 2024 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Childlike CiCi, though a native of Brooklyn, New York, was raised in North Carolina. She released her first Christian single, “Souls,” in March 2022 and followed it with her first gospel-rap song a few months later, in October. Although music has been her lifelong passion, she initially kept it a secret. It wasn’t until her senior year of high school that people outside of her family started to find out about her talent.

Even though she was raised in a faith-based family, life challenges led Childlike CiCi to temporarily drift away from her beliefs. Her journey took a turn when she attempted to make secular music, a decision that ultimately led her back to Christ. Despite gaining attention from unworldly artists and record labels, in 2019 God intervened and made it clear that her lifestyle and music were doing the enemy’s work. She realized that she could not serve two masters; she then deleted her social media accounts and wholeheartedly surrendered her life to Christ. The following years were spent strengthening her relationship with the Creator. She also reconnected with a high school acquaintance, who she later married.

It wasn’t until January 2022 that she felt the call to return to music, the way God originally intended. Since then she has been actively pursuing music professionally as a gospel-rap artist.

Me’Kayla’s Story

Posted on April 14, 2024 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

At just 19 years old, Me’Kayla is poised to revolutionize the Gospel music landscape with her unique blend of a remarkable voice and soulful melodies from a Gen-Z perspective. Hailing from a small town with big dreams, Me’Kayla’s passion for music ignited at an early age, drawing inspiration from the rich traditions of Gospel, Jazz and Blues, while infusing it with the vibrancy and relatability of her generation.

What sets Me’Kayla’s music apart is how she speaks directly to the experiences, challenges, and triumphs faced by her generation. She seamlessly weaves together timeless messages of hope, love, and redemption with modern rhythms and melodies, creating a sound that’s not only spiritually uplifting but also speaks to the realities of the digital age.

Me’Kayla’s musical inspirations are varied and range from Little Richard, Ray Charles, Luther Vandross, Dawkins & Dawkins, and The Clark Sisters, to Jazmine Sullivan and Kim Burrell. In fact, it was Kim Burrell who discovered her on Instagram, and called Harry Connick, Jr. to rave about her. Connick then reached out to a top executive at Motown Gospel, who promptly signed her while she was still in the 12th grade.

The Tennessee State University co-ed is a majorette dancer in the Aristocrat of Bands, as well as a featured vocalist on the bands’ GRAMMY-award winning LP, The Urban Hymnal, which won Best Roots Gospel Album at the 65th GRAMMYS®.

Produced by Sir The Baptist, Aristocrat of Bands is the first collegiate marching band and the first HBCU marching band to ever win the accolade.

Me’Kayla is a name to remember, a voice to cherish, and a beacon of light for all who seek meaning, purpose, and a deeper connection through the universal language of music.

Zamunda’s Story

Posted on March 17, 2024 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Zamunda, whose birth name is Christopher Gayle, was born in the vibrant hills of Seville Heights, St. Ann, Jamaica. From the tender age of seven, when he penned his very first song, There is Only Love, it became apparent that he was headed for musical greatness, and by the time he turned sixteen, music had become an integral part of his life.

The following statement from Zamunda encapsulates his passion for the art form. “Music has been a part of my life from birth as I have been deejaying from the age of five in my community and other places in Jamaica. I realized that I could sing at the age of 19, and I then decided that I would sing rather than deejay. Music is really what I want and love. I enjoy entertaining people from all over. I want to take reggae to the world.”

Initially starting as a deejay, Zamunda transitioned to singing in his late teens when he realized the gruff toasting style was taking a toll on his voice. He had a stutter, a speech impediment that vanished when he sang. As such, friends urged him to let his voice do the talking, and he took their advice to heart.

Zamunda‘s blend of reggae and R&B, enriched by his resonant baritone, delivered a powerful message of love and justice. His signature song, Jah Love Surround Me, catapulted him to stardom in 2011, and a string of hits followed: One People, Still A Pray fi Dem, Working 9-5, Science Dem A Work, Talk and Stutter, Badda Dan Dem, Forever Loving Jah, and Cyaan Program Me. In 2017, Zamunda digitally released his self-produced debut album, Scripts and Scrolls, setting the stage for a promising career. After the release he didn’t stay idle, he then gave the world Paradise on Earth in 2020, further establishing his artistry.

2021 was a turning point for Zamunda. After losing a sound-clash to Popcaan, he sought collaboration. Together with Dre Island, they remixed Jah Love Surround Me, and it skyrocketed on the international scene. Live On, Running from Love, Valley, and Protection came after, making him a global reggae sensation.

In 2023, Zamunda unveiled his latest masterpiece, Jah Love Surround Me, a live studio album where every instrument resonates in perfect harmony. This album features legendary artists Capleton, Christopher Martin, Popcaan, Anthony B, and Jah Cure. From there he went on to drop a fresh new single called Chill Pill.

Throughout his journey, Zamunda has graced the stages of Island Explosion, Full Clip, Sting, Tivoli Jamboree, and Reggae Sumfest, to name a few, leaving audiences mesmerized with his lyrical prowess and infectious vibes. “Ah just Jah works, I will continue to do the music and feed the souls and minds of the people,” he humbly professes. Indeed, Jah’s love continues to surround him, guiding Zamunda on his mission to bring the heart and soul of reggae to every corner of the globe.

H.U.R.T.’s Story

Posted on March 3, 2024 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Born in Southern California, H.U.R.T. has embodied the west coast style of music and culture since his first song. Growing up in a broken home and not receiving the guidance and/or love that he needed drove him to the streets, ultimately resulting in his gang banging. Being raised in church but maturing in the streets created the spiritually laced, lyrical, intellectual gangsta rap style that he’s become known for. Headlining countless shows and opening up for a number of hip-hop’s major artists, H.U.R.T. began to gain notoriety around the nation. In 2009 he released his debut album, The Pray-Lewd, as he began to transition from being a gang banger who rapped, to a businessman who happened to be from a gang.

In 2010 he began recording his 2nd album called H.U.R.T., which was scheduled to be his debut to the mainstream industry due to the professional relationships he’d acquired after releasing The Pray-Lewd. By 2011 the album was done and while in the midst of filming a documentary and meeting with labels he gave his life to Christ. H.U.R.T. then deleted his music catalog and footage throwing himself into the ministry and gave up rapping. God had other plans, and in 2014 the Lord called him back to music, but this time it was for ministry instead of his own selfish ambitions. Giving 14 years to the streets and gangs created a passion to make music centered on ministering to those in the same situations that God had delivered him from.

In 2015 he was ordained as a pastor, a calling and office which fuels every move in and out of CHH genre. 2016 saw the debut of H.U.R.T. as a Christian hip-hop artist with the release of his single God’s Love along with a thought-provoking video. He continues to release music under the label and ministry RPH (Royal Priest Hood), and has ministered either in music or outreach (shows) with artists such as Bizzle, GS, Datin, Sevin, Illuminate, Dontae, Faith Pettis, Q’Heem, Eshon Burgundy, No Malice, Thi’sl, Bryann Trejo, and more. H.U.R.T. is ministry-minded, powered by the Holy Spirit, and believes that music ministry should embody the best of both worlds: great music and the Kingdom of God!

A Love Story

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Alwayne Love is one of reggae music’s best-kept secrets. After having two breakout singles many years ago under the moniker J Love, and then subsequently taking a long hiatus from the industry, Alwayne is back!

Born Jermaine Alwayne Love in St. Mary, Jamaica, he – in consultation with his new management team – opted to change his artist name from the former J Love to now Alwayne Love. A native of Broadgate, a small district in the aforementioned parish, Alwayne had a difficult childhood, one that unfortunately involved deeply distressing experiences. As a result, he was raised by his biological mother and stepfather, as well as with foster parents. His academic achievements were attained at Broadgate Basic, Mahoe Hill Primary, and St. Mary High School. Sadly, he did not complete the latter.

With all that he had to deal with at home, young Alwayne spent a lot of time at the local church, which is where he first started singing. In fact, he credits the word of God coupled with his childhood trauma and rejection as his main sources of inspiration. And although he is most known for performing reggae and dancehall tunes, he has made it clear that he has, and will continue to include gospel and inspirational music in his catalogue.

As he steps back into the music industry, Alwayne Love is coming with the very thing that has allowed him to work with Gyptian, Box Lunch Production, Tad’s International, and other credible artists and labels; good music. His come back tune, which will be released shortly, is a nostalgic reggae song called Africa The Motherland.

Alwayne Love is now under the management of Mark Burke of T25 Records.

Miriam Simone’s Story

Posted on January 21, 2024 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Miriam Simone is a recording artist and producer who resides in The Netherlands despite her Surinamese roots.

Although it is known by everyone close to her that she enjoys various musical genres: hip-hop, R&B, kaseko, gospel, reggae, soul etc., and that her favorite artists list includes several performers of differing styles: Etana, Aretha Franklin, Dezarie, Mary J Blige, Israël Vibration, Whitney Houston, Bob Marley, and the I Threes, many years ago Miriam decidedly chose to embark on a career as a roots-reggae vocalist.

As such, in 2009 she co-founded Dredda Records. She has since released a number of singles, one of which is her Jah Decko produced hit song, Almighty, which eventually ended up on her 2012 EP Follow my Dreams. That project also features collaborations with Fyah King and Jah Melody, as well as two productions by accomplished Jamaican creator Bobby Digital.

She followed up with her first full-length studio album in 2015. Published via her own imprint, the LP, titled Mount Zion, includes her other hits: Mount Zion, Rivers, and the big combination done with Lutan Fyah, His Kingdom Arise.

After a successful album launch in Jamaica, and having conducted studio sessions with Bobby Digital for her second LP, Miriam Simone shared Ämsterdam Revival a few years later, in February, 2020. On Amsterdam Revival she also worked with producers Sheldon ‘Calibud’ Stewart, Everton ‘Caveman’ Moore, DJ KAT, Mr Patze, and DJ Jacko. She was also able to score additional collaborations with Queen Omega, Sizzla and Capleton.

In 2021 she shared two singles: Higher Heights and It is time; both are collaborative efforts done with Jah Works and Zen Social Production. The track Keep Hailing King Rastafari came after, with an official video which was shot in Jamaica. While on the island she connected with Earl Chinna Smith and the Binghystra. Miriam Simone’s latest single – Stop the Shooting – released on the Sound System Club label in November 2023, came from a number of recording sessions done with London-based producer Paul Scott, a protégé of dub legend Osbourne ‘King Tubby’ Ruddock.

Most of Miriam Simone’s songs touch on social issues, black empowerment, upliftment and unity. Things that are considered to be the cornerstones of authentic roots-reggae music.

When she is not singing in the studio or on stage, Miriam Simone is usually hard at work on the radio. Since 2018, she has hosted a popular reggae radio program in Amsterdam called Sweet Meditation on Radio RAZO. It addresses various issues such as spiritual enlightenment, mental freedom, and black history, while also playing a lot of conscious reggae music centered on spirituality, healing and love.