TGM Revival’s Story

Posted on December 10, 2023 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

The Garilus Family is a group of passionate individuals who have dedicated their lives to serving God and advancing His kingdom. Their journey began with a life-altering event—the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010. Despite surviving this tragedy, they saw it as a wake-up call, a divine intervention that set them on a new path.

Motivated by their faith and the desire to make a positive impact, the Garilus Family made the bold decision to move to the United States. In their new homeland, they continued to nurture and develop their gifts and talents, ultimately using them as powerful tools to lead others to God. Through their ministry, they found themselves ministering at different churches, spreading the love of Christ, and sharing their musical talents with congregations.

Over the years, the Garilus Family’s dedication and commitment to serving God became evident as they achieved remarkable milestones. They participated in and won numerous talent shows, captivating audiences with their God-given talents and inspiring performances. Their annual concerts became a highly anticipated event, serving as a platform for worship and celebration within their community.

However, in 2020, the world faced an unprecedented challenge—the COVID-19 pandemic. Undeterred by the limitations imposed by the global crisis, the Garilus Family turned adversity into an opportunity to help others in need. During this time, they launched the Revival Project, a heartfelt initiative aimed at assisting young people in reconnecting with their faith and finding their way back to God amidst the chaos and uncertainty of the pandemic. Their unwavering commitment, resilience, and passion for God continues to impact lives, inspiring people of all ages to draw closer to Him.

Join the Garilus Family on their journey of faith, as they strive to bring revival, restoration, and joy to the lives of individuals and communities through their ministry.

Andria Alston’s Story

Posted on December 3, 2023 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Born in Brooklyn, NY and influenced by her mother, Andria Smith-Alston began singing at age six. Her style encompasses different genres such as R & B, Reggae, Jazz, CCM, and Gospel music. Andria has been blessed with a voice that encaptivates an audience and provokes worship. The passion exhibited in her songs is fueled by her love for the Lord and her deep commitment to reach people from all walks of life.

Throughout her life Andria has been very active in the local church. Her roles included Praise and Worship Leader, Praise Dance Leader, Youth Choir Director, Drama Team Leader, Director and Coordinator of Black History Month Events and Programs, and Youth Leader. She played a lead role in the Gong Show Live Off Broadway, from 2016-2019, Ananiah Production’s Gospel Musical “Lord Just One More Chance” and also played key and supporting roles in KeKar Production’s “It’s My Divorce”; New York City High School Collaboration, “It’s Blooming”; and “Revelation” – Upper Room Christian World Center. Her journey has also led her to minister in bars across Long Island, NY where souls were led to Christ.

Andria has recorded with such artist as Grammy and GMA Dove Award winners, Elevation Worship & Maverick City, Elevation Rhythm, Christine D’Clario, Brian & Kate Torwalt, UVIP, (Five Time Mc Donald’s Gospel Fest Winners), Arise and The New York State Mass Choir, just to name a few. She has ministered throughout the United States and abroad.

Andria currently resides in Charlotte, NC with her Husband Steven Alston and her three lovely children D’Andre, Andrew & Kayla. Andria now serves on the worship team at Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC.

Ada Ehi’s Story

Posted on November 4, 2023 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Ada Ogochukwu Ehi, professionally known as Ada Ehi is a Gospel singer, Songwriter, Recording and Performing artist. Ada Ehi was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria in the early ’80s, and she kickstarted her career in the music industry as a backing vocalist at around the young age of ten.

She attended Lagos State University where she obtained a degree in Chemical and Polymer Engineering. Ada Ehi is happily married to Ehi Moses a creative entrepreneur and the CEO of FreeNation INC and SoundCode Studios whose unquantifiable partnership has helped profoundly in the emergence and continuous growth of his wife Ada. Together they are blessed with their daughter Emma-Jane.

With a career spanning decades, Ada Ehi released her debut album in November 2009, titled “Undenied”. The album garnered several positive reviews and served as a stepping stone in launching her career in the gospel music scene.

She has since been known to craft some of Africa’s biggest gospel anthems, and successfully delivered five other studio albums including her second album “Lifted and So Fly”, a two-disc album released in November 2013, “Future Now” released on October 2017, “Ada’s EP Vol.1”, a 5 track EP released in 2019, and “Born of God” released in 2020.

Ada Ehi has collaborated with several artists including Nathaniel Bassey, Sinach, Samsung, Eben, and Protek amongst many others.

Ada’s singles have also created a whirlwind of sensation across the world. Most notably, her song ‘Only You Jesus’ currently has over 100 million views on YouTube alone and was listed on YouTube’s top 20 most viewed songs of the decade.

Wesrok’s Story

Posted on October 25, 2023 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Country-reggae music has become increasingly popular, and has sparked the interest of music moguls and mainstream medias all over the world. Percival Buddan – more popularly known as Wesrok – is Jamaica’s king of country-reggae music!

Wesrok had a humble beginning; he grew up in the small district of Bog Walk, located in St. Catherine, Jamaica. As a young man he was passionate about education, and found pleasure in music. When he was of age, he enlisted in the Jamaica Constabulary Force, where he became a police officer so that he could escape poverty.

He completed his Master’s in National Security and Strategic Studies in 2010, and earned a Master’s in Business Administration at Northern Caribbean University in 2008. In 2013, he was awarded the Prime Minister’s Award in Jamaica for Community Development. A year later, in 2014, he voluntarily left the police service, having attained the rank of Superintendent of Police.

His passion for music, coupled with the inspiration he receives when listening to the sound, style, and lyrical aptitude of Kenny Rogers and Marty Robbins, led him to pursue a career as a recording artist. This was done while he simultaneously embraced entrepreneurship.

In August 2020, Wesrok released his debut song Looking Back. The single received a warm welcome from mainstream and underground media houses in Jamaica, and he was lauded for what many described as a budding career. He followed up with yet another record, Poor Country Boy, which was accompanied by some stunning visuals. It received more than 150,000 streams on Spotify, resulting in an exponential growth in his fanbase, and was also instrumental in solidifying him as a strong country-reggae act. He says that both tracks are a “clear representation of his childhood struggles, and his successes overcoming those struggles.” As for his musical style, he describes it as conscious, and relatable, with a mellow vibe for everyone to enjoy.

Wesrok released his first EP – Look At Me Now – in 2020. It has a total of seven tracks: Born As A Winner, Cover Me Jah, Jamaica Land, Left Out In The Dark, Looking Back, Poor Country Boy, and You’re My Love. The following year, in 2021, he landed a collaboration with trending dancehall artist Masicka, called Try To Hold Me. It was released on the Troyton Music and 360 Global Entertainment imprints.

In addition to being a recording artist, Wesrok is also the executive producer of all the projects he’s on. That said, he would like to collaborate with other producers, as he looks towards international success. Wesrok brings serenity and joy to the listeners of his music, and wants to be acknowledged for his unique sound and style.

Zacardi Cortez’s Story

Posted on October 22, 2023 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Houston, Texas-born gospel singer Zacardi Cortez brings his full-bodied vocal gymnastics to award-winning songs of faith and praise. He started out as a member of James Fortune’s FIYA project before launching a solo career in 2012. Since then, Cortez has remained a fixture on the gospel charts, landing a string of hits including “God Held Me Together,” “YDIA,” Time,” “You’ve Been Good to Me,” and “Lord Do It Again,” along with releasing full-length albums like 2014’s Reloaded and 2022’s Imprint (Live in Memphis) that showcase his religious devotion and dynamic vocals.

Having grown up touring the gospel circuit with his family band, the Cortez Family, Zacardi was mentored on the road by John P. Kee. After an appearance on Kee’s 2005 release, Live at the Fellowship, Cortez joined Fortune’s FIYA, singing lead on their 2007 album The Transformation, and its Top 20 single “The Blood.” With Cortez up-front, FIYA would top the gospel charts with singles like “I Believe” and “Let Your Power Fall.”

The stage was set for a solo career, which began in 2012 with The Introduction, released by the Black Smoke Music label. The LP cracked the Billboard 200 and climbed to number two on the gospel charts. 2014’s Reloaded yielded the single “God Held Me (Together),” which enjoyed a 12-week run atop the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart. More hits followed, including 2016’s “YDIA,” 2018’s “Oh How I Love You,” and 2019’s Kerry Douglas-assisted “You Don’t Know.” In 2022, Cortez issued a live rendition of “You’ve Been Good to Me,” the lead cut from his jubilant 2022 live album Imprint (Live in Memphis).

Along with his studio output, Cortez made appearances on major platforms including The Stellar Awards, Black Music Honors, P. Diddy’s Bad Boy Reunion Tour, and BET’s Sunday Best.

^{Written by David Jeffries.}

Darius Rucker’s Story

Posted on October 12, 2023 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Darius Rucker first achieved multi-platinum status in the music industry as lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the GRAMMY Award-winning band Hootie & the Blowfish, who have sold more than 25 million albums worldwide. This includes their diamond-certified debut Cracked Rear View, which remains among the top 10 best-selling studio albums of all time.

Since releasing his first country album in 2008, Rucker has earned a whole new legion of fans with four No. 1 albums on the Billboard Country chart, including RIAA platinum-certified Learn to Live and True Believers, plus 10 No. 1 singles at country radio and 11 gold, platinum or multi-platinum certified hits.

Rucker was inducted as a Grand Ole Opry member in 2012 and in 2014 he won his third career GRAMMY Award for Best Solo Country Performance with his 9x platinum version of Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel,” one of the top five best-selling country songs of all time. He co-hosted the 54th annual CMA Awards in 2020 and topped the charts at country radio once again with “Beers And Sunshine” in 2021.

As a lifelong philanthropist, Rucker supports the MUSC Children’s Hospital in his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina and has also raised millions of dollars for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through his annual Darius & Friends benefit concert and golf tournament. Rucker has also advocated for over 200 charitable causes supporting public education and junior golf programs in South Carolina through the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation and serves as a National Chair for the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville.

Artist To Watch: Jenny Lampz

Posted on September 28, 2023 by Maria Jackson 27 Magazine

Garland, Texas based artist, Jenny Lampz, is a Filipino American rapper. Her music is reflective of her real life experiences and strong Christian beliefs, which are made apparent in many of her works.

Because of her background in public education, her songs are described as positive, family friendly, and constructive. Jenny has used hip hop to provide music that teaches with the intention of causing listeners to be reflective of their own lives.

As a second generation immigrant, Jenny became intrigued by the art of rap in her young years but did not begin writing until much later in life. Growing up, her influences included mainstream artists, such as Eminem, J. Cole, and Drake, but in realizing the power of words, she began to gravitate towards artists who spoke life, such as Aaron Cole, Andy Mineo, and Lecrae.

As an artist, Jenny chooses to use her abilities in writing and rhythm to provide her audience with music that not only “hits hard,” but also allows listeners to shift their mindsets to grow and build.