- FLAME
Infobox musical artist
Name = Flame
Img_capt =
Img_size =
Landscape = yes
Background = group_or_band
Birth_name = Marcus Williams Gray
Alias =
Born =
Died =
Origin =St. Louis, Missouri U.S.
Instrument =
Genre =Christian music ,hip-hop
Occupation =
Years_active = 2003-present
Label =Cross Movement Records
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.flame314.com/ FLAME314: Discipling from a Distance]
Current_members =
Past_members =
Notable_instruments =FLAME (born Marcus T.W. Gray) is a
Christian rapper signed toCross Movement Records [ [http://www.flame314.com/pages.asp?pageid=28970 FLAME314 : Cross Movement Records ] ] He met the Cross Movement crew in Chicago after a concert. Flame, being a big fan, gave some of his work to the group, and Tonic (John Wells) was impressed. [ [http://ccmmagazine.com/features/3672.aspx FLAME: Man On Fire - CCMmagazine.com ] ]Biography
Flame was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He grew up in the inner city of St. Louis where he was influenced by the hip-hop culture. One of the most significant people in his life was his grandmother. She was his best friend and taught him many things about life and more importantly, Christianity.
At the age of 16, Flame’s grandmother passed away. As a result of this event, Flame began attending church where the Holy Spirit convicted him, and he was converted to Christ. Flame continued to grow spiritually and became more involved in his church.
One day, Flame found himself in the music section of a Christian bookstore. Being part of the hip-hop culture and having done secular rap for years, he was drawn to the gospel rap area, where he picked up a cd by
Cross Movement . The cd changed his life. Not only was Flame impressed by the artistic quality of the music, but also by the content. He found the lyrics saturated in scripture both encouraging and challenging. In 2000, after being edified through Cross Movement’s music, Flame made his way to one of their concerts in Chicago. This was where he met the group and provided them with a demo cd of his own work. Much to his surprise, he received a call back. Cross Movement began to build a relationship with Flame that was fostered over a couple of years. In 2002, Flame was invited on the Platinum Souls tour withCross Movement . Shortly after, Flame was signed to the Cross Movement Records label. In October 2004, Flame’s self-titled debut cd was released nationwide. He was the first national Christian hip-hop artist from the Midwest. In December 2005, Flame released his second album titled, "Rewind". On April 17, 2007, Flame released his third album entitled "Our World: Fallen", which is the first part of a two part series. On October 2, 2007, the sequel, "Our World: Redeemed" was scheduled to release, but the date was pushed back toMarch 4 Flame has been featured on numerous radio shows nationwide such as
Way of the Master , and in local newspapers such as The Pathway (Missouri Baptist Convention statewide newspaper), andWorld (Magazine) .Flame has moved more than 170,000 albums, and has one of his interludes from his first album playing on
Busch Stadium 's loudspeakers every other timeAlbert Pujols comes to bat. [ [http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2005-09-14/news/rap-vs-rapture/ St. Louis - News - Rap vs. Rapture ] ]On February 20th, 2007, it was announced that Flame's track, "Gotta Notice", from the album "Rewind" was nominated for the 38th Annual
GMA Dove Awards in the category Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year [ [http://www.doveawards.com/categories/ 38th Annual GMA Dove Awards - Recipients ] ] . In summer of 2007, FLAME joined the rest ofCross Movement for their final tour. [ [http://www.crossmovementrecords.com/articles.asp?columnid=3821 HIStory Summer Tour Details - Cross Movement Records (CMR) .:: A Trusted Name In Christian Hip-Hop :: ] ]Discography
=Albums=Guest Appearances
*"Eternal Cypha" by
The Cross Movement feat. J-Silas, Todd Bangz, R-Swift &Da’ T.R.U.T.H.
*"Who Is That?" byDa’ T.R.U.T.H.
*"Moments" by Tru-Life
*"Stand" byDa’ T.R.U.T.H. feat.Lecrae
*"The Greatest" by J.R.
*"Party Music" byTedashii
*"Who You Rollin Wit" byTrip-Lee feat. Json
*"The King" byLecrae
*"Everyday All Day Cypha" by Everyday Process feat.Lecrae , The Ambassador,Phanatik & R-Swift
*"The Last Cypha" byThe Cross Movement feat.Trip Lee , R-Swift, Mac the Doulos, Iz-Real, & Da' T.R.U.T.H.
*"Rock Star" by J.R.
*"A YO" by Json
*"Pleading 4 Ya Soul" by This’l
*"Come Close" by Trip Lee feat.Sho Baraka
*"Move Out" by Json feat. FutureReferences
External links
* [http://www.flame314.com/ FLAME314: Discipling from a Distance]
* [http://www.crossmovementrecords.com Cross Movement Records]
* [http://www.rapzilla.com/rz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=565&Itemid=83 Flame Interview] withRapzilla
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.