Pan African Film & Arts Festival Showcases Higher Ground in February; Donnie McClurkin Hosts Higher Ground Special on TBN's ``Praise The Lord'' March 4th.

Entertainment Editors/African-American Writers

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 29, 2004

"Higher Ground: Voices of Contemporary Gospel Music" is being showcased at the 12th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival in Los Angeles, Feb. 6th at 7 p.m. and Feb. 12th at 6:30 p.m. at Magic Johnson Theatres in Los Angeles. New Day Multimedia, in association with Image Entertainment, also gears up for the Feb. 10, 2004 release of the film and the accompanying CD "Higher Ground:Hip-Hop Reformed & Reborn." Meanwhile, Donnie McClurkin hosts a "Higher Ground" special on Trinity Broadcast Network's show "Praise The Lord" March 4th.

Marci Kenon, music journalist-turned-film producer, joined forces with urban music veteran Violet Brown and Emmy Award-winning director Damon Stout, to document the perspectives of gospel artists in "Higher Ground." Artists interviewed include Donnie McClurkin, Mary Mary, Vickie Winans, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, Andrae Crouch, Dr. Bobby Jones and Out of Eden.

"In three months we traveled around the country connecting with Fred Hammond, Dorinda Clark-Cole and Karen Clark Sheard in a two-day trip to Detroit," Kenon recalls. "We were in Las Vegas conducting interviews with veterans Edwin Hawkins, Albertina Walker and Deniece Williams. This was a very intensive project."

C.L. Ryderz First Gospel Rap Act to Grace Soul Train

C.L. Ryderz, Christsyde Records' duo, performs "The Struggle Is Over" with Six Foota Slimm on Tribune Network's "Soul Train," Saturday, Jan. 31st. The song is the first single from "Higher Ground: Hip-Hop Reformed & Reborn."

The 21-track CD boasts an all gospel hip-hop line-up also including, Jah Word, Ziklag, The Cross Movement, Grits, Gospel Gangstaz, Righteous Riders, Lavoisier The MC and Tonex proteges -- Applejaxx and Gibraan.

In a 15-minute segment on gospel hip-hop music in "Higher Ground," artists like T-Bone, Gospel Gangstaz, Minister eDDie Velez, Christsyde, Jah Word, and Elle R.O.C. give reports of their struggles and victories and veteran gospel artists show their support. "If Rap is an effective tool, Gospel Rap is an effective tool," says Verity/BMG recording artist Vickie Winans. "Whatever you're doing, do it skillfully, do it with the anointing. It's the anointing that destroys the yoke."