Amazon Freevee to Feature Unscripted, Faith-Based Content FromRenowned Spiritual Leader Bishop T.D. Jakes
For the first time, iconic sermons and inspiring messages from Bishop Jakes will be available to streamon demand and on a dedicated FAST channel, both free to watch. The announcement is part of the Women, Thou Art Loosed! Grand Finale Conferencein Atlanta, taking place this weekend.
Today, Amazon Freevee and Bishop T.D. Jakes announced a two-year deal to stream the spiritual leader’s most-loved sermons on the service in the U.S. beginning December 1. The deal includes streaming rights in the U.S., UK, and Germany, with exclusive on-demand and FAST channel rights to 300 hours of content, featuring some of the Bishop’s most treasured new and archived sermons and interviews.
Bishop Jakes will be the first faith leader to have their ministry available on the service, including a FAST channel, providing a free-of-charge, dedicated space for viewers inspired by his teachings and message. The T.D. Jakes FAST Channel will be available for customers in the U.S. to stream on the Freevee app and within Prime Video in early 2023.
Named “America’s Best Preacher” by TIME magazine, Jakes has commanded stages from the White House to the Aspen Institute, the Drucker Institute at Claremont Graduate University to the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. Spanning a wide array of themes and formats that include some of Jakes’ most iconic sermons, Freevee customers will also have access to content that includes emotional well-being; T.D. Jakes on The Road: Australia, London, and Africa; and leadership and business talks featuring National Cathedral messages and conversations with celebrities and heads of state.
“Through his powerful and dynamic sermons and wide-ranging community outreach, Bishop Jakes has been a source of wisdom and guidance to millions around the world,” said Lauren Anderson, head of AVOD Original content and programming at Amazon Studios. “At Freevee, our steadfast mission is to deliver our broad audience a diverse selection of compelling, personally resonant content. As we build our faith-based offerings alongside our entertainment selection, we are honored to be the exclusive video streaming home for Bishop Jakes’ decades-long ministry, and proud to be a destination for viewers to find an ongoing source of spiritual inspiration.”
“The launch of our channel with Amazon Freevee signals a major step forward in providing a protected and trusted space for audiences’ emotional and spiritual fortitude. As Amazon continues to innovate and offer audiences meaningful content, I’m proud to illustrate to the world how ministry and philanthropy can be done in an ever-evolving culture. Though what we’ve been able to achieve with this launch is unprecedented, our mission to positively affect lives by reducing limitations on how people can be ministered to remains our North Star. I look forward to taking more big, meaningful leaps with Amazon.”
Last week, Reach Records parted ways with GAWVI and dropped him from their upcoming “We Are Unashamed” tour. It didn’t take long to find out why as Catalina Bellizzi-Itiola’s tweet made the rounds faster than the CHH insider’s could keep up. While the issue of unsolicited pictures of nudity have been confirmed, there appears to be more layers to this unfortunate story. We want to clarify that sharing this story is not intended to bring any additional or unintentional harm to the victims nor is it an attempt to sully GAWVi who now faces the repercussions of his indiscretions.
“This is something we have been processing for over a year and have wrestled with what would be the right way forward. New details that were provided made us realize today’s decision was necessary. “
Reach Records
This isn’t new. GAWVI isn’t the first and because of the human condition, won’t be the last. However, from what a few insiders are suggesting, this was a long time coming. Far from the bandwagon dog piling of a man down, some suggest that GAWVI’s nature and demeanor lent itself to the behaviors which have now cost him his career in CHH. In the closing statement of REACH Records’ statement releasing the rapper, they hope that healing and restoration are the outcome. There are many layers to this story, the very least of them is what was exposed by Catalina or “Cataphant” as she’s known on Twitter. She went on The Tastemakers Podcast last week to explain why she took the extreme measure of releasing the tweet and provided insight into the timeline of the subsequent action by Reach Records.
Reach Records Releases Gawvi from label and Upcoming ‘We Are Unashamed’ Tour
Due to behavior that is inconsistent with our core values, we have ended our professional relationship with GAWVI. This was a tough decision for us because of the level of complexity and because we invest in our artists not just for their talent, but also as brothers and sisters in Christ. This is something we have been processing for over a year and have wrestled with what would be the right way forward. New details that were provided made us realize today’s decision was necessary. We also want our actions to be a reflection of love, care, and concern for those who fail and those who are affected by our failures. Each of us needs God’s grace and we invite you to pray for the families and individuals whose lives are being impacted. This is not a chance to throw anybody away. We continue to hope for restoration to be the outcome.
This week, Christian hip-hop label Reach Records cut ties with producer and artist Gawvi following allegations that he’d sent unsolicited explicit photos
With each separation of a label from talent, the inner workings of the entertainment industry are made somewhat public. Many of those working behind the scenes emerge to the forefront to either speak up for their represented talent or speak out against them. In Christian entertainment, the juxtaposition of demanding accountability while trying to balance relationships is nearly unbearable. GAWVI’s manager of many years took to Instagram to share another layer of this experience. You can watch her tearful video, here.
GAWVI has since deleted every Instagram post but issued a statement acknowledging his split with his wife in 2020. Though the marriage is and his contract with REACH Records have come to an end, GAWVI is now faced with accepting accountability for his actions. No charges have been filed, but almost irreparable has been done. What becomes of a disgraced CHH super producer? The industry is watching and waiting.
TALENT ANNOUNCED FOR 52nd ANNUAL GMA DOVE AWARDS PRE-TELECAST: TASHA LAYTON, DOE, THE NELONS, MIKE MAINS AND MORE CONFIRMED GMA partnering with new faith-based network AWKNG TV to produce
The Gospel Music Association (GMA) has announced details for the Pre-Telecast event ahead of the 52nd Annual GMA Dove Awards. Pre-telecast streaming live on Friday, October 22 at 6:00 p.m. ET on DoveAwards.com and AWKNGTV.com. Hosts Tasha Layton and DOE will perform as well as The Nelons and Mike Mains.
“On behalf of AWKNG, we are so excited to partner with the Dove Awards. We both have a passion for seeing the message of the Gospel shared and expressed through music and media,” says President Stovall Weems.
This year’s Pre-Telecast presenters include Byron “Talkbox” Chambers,Jon Reddick, Jordan Sapp, Krissy Nordhoff, Leanna Crawford, Randall Goodgame, Rich Tolbert Jr., Steven Malcolm, The Sound, Trilogy, and Zauntee. For the complete list of nominees, visit doveawards.com.
About Gospel Music Association & Foundation: Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the Gospel/Christian music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting, and celebrating the Gospel through music of all styles. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards, The GMA Hall of Fame Induction and Honors Ceremony, and the IMMERSE Conference. For more information on the GMA, visit www.gospelmusic.org and follow @gmadoveawards on Facebook, Twitter, and @gospelmusicassoc on Instagram.
About AWKNG TV: AWKNG TV is a new kind of faith-based TV network, home to compelling, entertaining and original content. We produce everything from reality shows, to documentaries, to kid’s shows, and more! Our heart is to encourage #healthybingewatching for the whole family. Subscribe today at awkngtv.com and get a year of AWKNG TV for free.
Renowned scholar, intellectual and professor Dr. Cornel West, along with fellow scholar and conversation partner Dr. Robert George, will, in tandem, pay a special personal visit to the St. Philip’s School and Community Center campus this morning at 8:15 a.m. where they will participate in morning chapel service and engage middle school students in a Q & A session. George T. Lee, Jr., Principal Kellee Murrell will give the homily for the morning chapel that will be streamed live on St. Philip’s Facebook page.
“I’m so very honored to have Dr. West on our campus once again. His heartfelt commitment to St. Philip’s and our students has been invaluable. We also extend a warm welcome to Dr. George.”
Principal Kellee Murrell
Dr. West has long been one of the nation’s most regarded and sought-after intellectuals on matters of race, gender, class and politics. He is now the new Dietrich Bonhoeffer Chair for the Union Theological Seminary in New York City, after leaving Harvard University this past summer.
This is Dr. West’s second stint at Union. Over his distinguished career, Dr. West has also taught twice at Harvard University, while also having served at Yale University, Princeton University, Dartmouth College, Pepperdine University, and the University of Paris. Among the books written by West have been the highly acclaimed Race Matters (1994) and Democracy Matters (2004).
Dr. Robert George is a highly respected American legal scholar, political philosopher, and public intellectual who serves as the McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University.
West and George have been frequent conversation partners on the national lecture circuit and are considered good friends. In 2017, they jointly published the statement “Truth-Seeking, Democracy, and Freedom of Thought and Expression.”
Internationally renowned singer/songwriter and worship music icon, Don Moen, is set to present An Evening of Hope, a livestream featuring special guest, Lenny LeBlanc. Partnering with Mandolin, the online worship event will be an intimate evening of acoustic praise and worship, as Moen and LeBlanc sing their most well-known songs, share stories and invite viewers to worship together. The event will take place on Friday, April 30, 2021 at 8 PM ET / 7 PM CT / 5 PM PT. This one-time-only, online worship event is accessible from anywhere in the world and will be available for viewing 24hrs after airing. For more information and to purchase your ticket, visit www.DonMoen.com/concert
There are 3 ticket options available:
– $15.00 | Livestream Ticket
– $45.00 | Livestream Ticket + Preshow Backstage Meet & Greet with Don Moen
– $115.00 | Livestream Ticket + Postshow VIP Experience with Don Moen – featuring a private one-on-one Zoom call.
In case you don’t know him, Don Moen, a pioneer of the modern Praise and Worship movement, has spent his career as a worship leader, producer, songwriter, and music executive. Moen has sold over 5 MILLION records during his career. While a student at Oral Roberts University in the early 70s, Moen began touring with the musical group Living Sound and evangelist Terry Law. By 1986, Moen had recorded “Give Thanks” for the Hosanna Music! praise and worship series at Integrity Music, where he would serve as creative director, executive producer, and eventually, president of the label. During his tenure there, he sold more than 5 million units and signed worship leaders and songwriters, such as Paul Baloche, Ron Kenoly, Darlene Zschech, and many more. Today, Moen lives in Nashville, Tenn., with his wife, Laura, where he is president of Don Moen Productions and oversees his international nonprofit ministry, Worship in Action.
Rapzilla Premieres Remix, Follows TobyMac/Terrian VersionAs Original “Glorify” Track Becomes Billboard Hit
“Glorify” Is First Single From Upcoming Album Stemming From Feliz’sSeason Of Prayer, Letting Go Of Anxiety, Stress, Messed-Up Priorities
The first single this year from Gold-selling, Dove Award-winning pop recording artist and songwriter Jordan Feliz, “Glorify,” became the No. 1 Most Added track at Christian radio following its release in June and is already a Top 20 and climbing Billboard hit song. This week, two-time Grammy-winning, multi-Platinum-selling hip hop recording artist Lecrae adds his celebrated rap flair to a remix of the song along with vocals from Reach Records’ Hulvey. The remix is available now at digital and streaming outlets everywhere from Centricity Music.
Leading Christian Hip-Hop site, Rapzilla.com, premiered “Glorify (Feat. Lecrae & Hulvey),” which follows seven-time GRAMMY winner and multi-Platinum selling artist TobyMac and new Gotee Records artist Terrian offering their Bryan Fowler-produced vocals on a separate remix of the song. This Feliz/TobyMac/Terrian-version released July 10 and is available to stream and download now from Centricity Music.
With the original album track likewise available at digital and streaming outlets everywhere, “Glorify” follows a string of No. 1 and top 10 charting, pop-centric singles like “Witness,” “Changed” and “Faith” from Feliz’s Billboard No. 1 Top Christian Album, Future. The soulful, R&B-tinged “Glorify” features a full gospel choir backing Jordan’s recognizable falsetto. In the vein of soulful acts like Earth, Wind & Fire, Al Green and Sam Cooke, Feliz pushes the song into wooden pew, altar call simplicity with a soaring praise-heavy chorus and signature propulsive beats.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever been as excited for a song as I am for this one,” Feliz says of the current single. “Glorify means ‘praise and worship,’ but the sub-context of the word actually is to acknowledge and reveal the majesty and splendor of God by one’s actions. For me, coming out of this hard season of anxiety, stress and messed up priorities, now all I want my life to do is to glorify. I want to reveal the majesty of God by my actions.”
Feliz wrote the fresh track with Jordan Mohilowski and longtime collaborators Colby Wedgeworth and Paul Duncan. Together, Wedgeworth and Mohilowski also co-produced the single. Sonically, with its healthy blend of pop, gospel and soul, “Glorify” forms a sturdy bridge between Future and Feliz’s next studio release, due in 2021. Lyrically, it offers some of Feliz’s most transparent work to date.
