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Bringing Gospel Music to Life By Cheston Green

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Cheston Green

Rising gospel artist Cheston Green is using his voice and musical talents to share the messages god has placed in his heart with the world. The North Carolina native recently released his lyric video for his latest single “Identity RMX, that is destined to provide a positive and godly vibes from beginning to finish. I caught up with Green to discuss his new music, journey to christ and his plans for the future in regards to music. Check it out below.

Cheston Green Interview

Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up? Where do you live now? What was your
childhood like?

I grew up in a small county in North Carolina, called Granville County. We moved around a bit within the county but stayed there until I went off to college. I grew up with a big family. My mom is the eldest of 6 children. I have 16 first cousins on my mother’s side, alone. We are close knit and even the extended family feels close. We grew up singing together. Our family had several groups within it,and we took pride in singing about Jesus. I was a country kid with a big city dream. I had a strained relationship with my father and found solace in church. I would watch my cousin direct the adult choir and mimic her. I would sing. One day, while the choir sang, I was carried away to another land for a few minutes where I sang and performed without fear. But then my mom yelled across the church for me to “sit down, running around this church”. And what did I do? Dropped down Indian style right where I stood. Angel was not someone to play with.

As I grew up, I joined the band but wasn’t good. We lived with my grandparents, and I lacked discipline to rehearse. My grandfather worked swing shifts, so there were times I couldn’t practice because he was asleep to go to work at midnight. I got the opportunity to audition for the chorus in school and then it was all over. I fell in love with the stage. It grew from playing an instrument on the stage to singing and acting in front of hundreds. I later went to singing on bigger stages, but they all evolved around church. My church as a teen sat 2000 people. The bigger the audience, the less I became more nervous. They could see me, but I couldn’t see all those people. I began writing songs over beats I heard on the radio. I would study the bible and then find a way to fit ideas into the music. That grew to writing theme songs for church conferences and leading praise and worship. I directed the choir. There were some Sundays where I would sing for a 9am youth service, sing on the praise team, direct the choir selection and then go to the choir room to sing praise and worship for the children. I think I got my 10,000 hours pretty quickly at that point.

I moved to the DMV in 2012 and have been building relationships both professionally and musically. I sang in a group where I begin to hone in on creating my own lane and writing more. I began recording in 2013 and have been going every since. I have traveled to the Caribbean to sing for gospel tours and weddings. I have been a part of shows to honor the greats, such as Donny Hathaway. I have won local singing competitions.

How do you define success?

Success is when intent meets effort and causes impact. Sometimes that is when people share
their story with you because you shared yours in song. Other times, it’s the moment that a listen
emotes in an uncontrollable way that tells the artist that their song echoes the sentiments of the
listener’s heart. When I can go to a venue in a place I have never been and perform in front of a
room full of people who aren’t my friends and family, that’s when I will know that I have become
successful.

What was the inspiration behind becoming a musician?

I have always loved music. I would sit in church as a kid and just cry listening to the harmonies
of the choir and chords of the organ. When I heard the Williams Brothers sing “I’m Just a
Nobody”, I knew I wanted to sing. But it was when I heard the Clark Sister’s version of “Jesus Is
The Best Thing” that I knew I wanted to write about life and Jesus.

What sets yourself apart from others in your industry?

I have a unique sound that doesn’t mimic anyone. I tell my story or the stories of others from my
perspective. I incorporate lessons and techniques I have learned in therapy and my career in
mental health to the music. For example, I have a song called “I Worship” which is really a song
of affirmations.

What are your key secrets to an effective marketing strategy to promote your music?

Taking people with me on the journey. Being transparent and sharing my highs and lows. Asking my friends for feedback creates buy in. That later turns into an advertisement to those who may not even know my name.

What is your best piece of advice for aspiring and new musicians?

Know the difference between passion and business. Once you have that covered, read all you can about the business. The creativity should already be inside of you. It is the business acumen and knowledge that you must ingest.

When you are not creating music, what else do you enjoy in your spare time?

In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, hosting game nights and traveling.

Who is your business role model? Why?

Kandi Burress Tucker has made a great living of learning how to pivot and maximize opportunities. She taps into various interests and finds ways to monetize them. And she always talks about living below your means to live the real dream.

Musically, name 3 artists that inspire you within gospel?

Bebe Winans, Kirk Franklin and Fred Hammond inspire me when ot comes to gospel music.

If you had to choose 1 artist out of the three to collaborate with, who would you choose and
why?

Kirk Franklin because I would ask him to write and produce the song and feature wise i would have to say BeBe Winans and Fred Hammond because those are my music heroes!

Musically, what do you have coming up in the near future? Can fans look forward to a full-
length album from you in 2022 or 2023?

We have an EP that is being mixed and mastered. There will be more content, both visually and
auditorily. I have already started recording the second EP and am making small changes. I am
about 75% complete and am planning to release that the top of 2023.

Where can we follow you on social media?

Stream Cheston Green’s “Identity RMX” below.

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Dee-1 Calls Raheem DeVaughn To “Purify My Eyes”

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Fresh off his Breakfast Club appearance after having “Lines Drawn” with help from Billboard and successfully migrating From The Hood To Harvard, NOLA native Dee-1 taps Soul singer/songwriter Raheem DeVaughn for “Purify My Eyes.” Continuing his theme of counter-culture centered messaging the timely track, which was produced by Anonymous, urges listeners to replace images of corruption and cynicism with lifegiving content to reprogram our thinking for the better.

“This is easily one the most important songs I have ever done because it provides Hip-Hop with a solution-based perspective meant to combat some of the problems we face as a culture. It’s honest, raw, and transparent. I’ve been friends with Raheem Devaughn for a long time, so to finally collaborate on a song feels great. When I played the record for him, he fell in love with it and instantly added his parts; which took the song to another level,” say’s the David Found His Slingshot author in a exclusive statement to Medium Creative Agency.

Award-winning rapper. educator, host, activist, business owner, and keynote speaker are synonymous with Louisiana’s Dee-1. The Nasir “Nas” Jones Hip Hop Fellow at Harvard University is a Billboard Top 10 charting, game-changing MC with a persona to match his penmanship. He’s transitioned from being a middle school math teacher in The Boot to a Hip-Hop heavyweight with much more to accomplish. He has released 10 albums and 21 projects thus far in his career.

Dee-1’s music is part of a bigger lifestyle movement called Mission Vision, which centers around three core principles: Be Real. Be Righteous. Be Relevant. In 2020, Dee received the prestigious NAACP “Power of Influence Award,” highlighting his community activism and commitment to inspiring the youth. In 2021, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work on “The Manhattan Project,” but he lost to Michelle Obama. Later that year, Dee was appointed to the “Louisiana Council for the Success of Black Men and Boys” by Governor John Bel Edwards, making him the first rapper in Louisiana history to become a governor’s appointee.

After addressing critics and fans alike in the official music video for the Danny Beats-produced single for “Lines Drawn” and following his viral interview on Sway In The Morning centered around industry hypocrisy, Emmy-nominated educator turned entertainer Dee-1 released his latest project to date From The Hood To Harvard. The 8-track body of work includes guest features from Skyy Brooks as well as P3RK and is anchored by supporting records “Impostor Syndrome” & “Dr. Freshh.”

Stream “Purify My Eyes” on your DSP of choice below and watch Dee-1‘s interview with The Breakfast Club | HERE.

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Chelsea Pastel Releases Motivative New Single “Price Going Up”

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To celebrate “Greener” pastures, following the announcement of her joining Kid Cudi’s ‘Insano World Tour,’ Cleveland native Chelsea Pastel releases the Cassius G-produced single “Price Going Up.” Marking CP’s explosive entrance into 2024, the empowering anthem resonates with anybody pushing forward with resilience and determination. With infectious beats and powerful vocals, she asserts her presence as a rising star to watch. Setting the stage for an exciting year ahead, the brand-new track is a bold declaration of Chelsea’s unwavering commitment to excellence.

“I jumped off that porch, I’m not going back to that house and I mean just that. I’m never looking back. I took a leap of faith and where I land is where I’m staying,” says the talented triple threat in a press statement to Medium Creative Agency about her latest release.

Born and bred in Forest City, Chelsea found her passion for music early on, which led her to enroll in the Cleveland School of Arts. After graduating, Chelsea begin to make a name for herself throughout the Midwest and beyond. Her unique sonic style, catchy hooks, and lyrical prowess have earned her the title of Cleveland’s Next Up talent.

Apart from accolades, which include spotlight spots regionally on WKYC and Dirty Glove Bastard as well as national recognition on top-tier entertainment networks like BET, Chelsea is a self-taught instrumentalist who often handles her production, writing, and engineering. Her unique brand of ballads can be best classified as a fusion of Rap and Pop with a touch of Rock accented by old-school flavor.

Press play on “Price Going Up” on your DSP of choice below and watch the visual for “Greener” | HERE via Pastel Productions LLC / Vydia.

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Antoine Stewart Is In Hip-Hop To Lead People To Christ Through His Lyrics

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Step into the heart of the nation’s capital, where amidst the bustling streets of Washington DC, a cultural icon is emerging, poised to redefine the very essence of hip hop. Antoine Stewart, a visionary artist fueled by an unyielding faith, is spearheading a movement that transcends the boundaries of conventional rap, infusing the genre with the transformative power of Christian spirituality.

Born and raised in the vibrant DMV area, Antoine’s journey from humble beginnings to the forefront of the music scene is nothing short of remarkable. Drawing inspiration from his surroundings and experiences, he honed his craft on the gritty streets, mastering the art of storytelling through rhythm and rhyme. Yet, it was his deep-rooted connection to his Christian faith that set him apart, propelling him towards a greater purpose beyond mere entertainment.

With each verse, Antoine weaves a tapestry of hope, redemption, and divine guidance, inviting listeners to embark on a spiritual journey unlike any other. His lyrics, imbued with authenticity and sincerity, serve as a beacon of light in a world often overshadowed by darkness and despair. Through his music, he seeks to uplift souls, offering solace and inspiration to those in need of a guiding light.

But Antoine’s impact extends far beyond the confines of the recording studio. Recognizing the need for meaningful discourse within the Christian community, he, alongside his trusted co-host Aaron Moore, launched the groundbreaking “Real Talk Convo” podcast. Here, they fearlessly tackle pressing issues facing believers today, fostering dialogue and promoting unity amidst diversity.

As Antoine’s star continues to rise, fueled by an unwavering commitment to his craft and his faith, his influence shows no signs of waning. With each performance, he captivates audiences not only with his undeniable talent but also with the sincerity of his message. Through his website, social media channels, and live performances, he invites fans to join him on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual enlightenment, where the transformative power of music meets the eternal truths of the gospel.

In a genre often associated with materialism and excess, Antoine Stewart stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding us all of the profound impact that faith and spirituality can have on the world of hip hop. As he continues to pave the way for a new generation of artists, his legacy will endure as a testament to the enduring power of music to change hearts and minds, one lyric at a time.

Check out everything Antoine Stewart here:

https://antoinestewartmusic.com/

 

 

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