A star-studded list of contemporary Christian music artists — including Group 1 Crew, Shonlock, Rachael Lampa, and Rapture Ruckus — will perform live on the campus of Bluefield College, Thursday, October 13 at 7:30 p.m. in Harman Chapel.
On the Christian college campus as part of the “Outta Space Love Tour,” a high-energy performance package full of sound, lights, and a full LED video backdrop, the multi-artist concert will be free to the BC family. Tickets for the general public will be just $10 at the door.
Touring off the heels of two Dove Award wins, Group 1 Crew formed three years ago when visionary Manwell Reyes started a Bible study for local musicians. The study united him with Pablo Villatoro and Blanca Reyes to create an eclectic hip-hop trio pieced together with diverse styles and an original sound influenced by The Black Eyed Peas, Beethoven, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Buble.
“Our sound is fresh, funky and live,” said Manwell. “We can perform in such a variety of styles, everything from melodic pop to Spanish R&B. We aren’t limited to one specific genre.”
And, if their unique hybrid of hip-hop, rock, funk and soul wasn╒t enough to distinguish Group 1 Crew on its 2007 self-titled debut, their passionate message of hope and encouragement was.
“We want our show to be one that everyone can come to and walk away experiencing the love of Christ in a non-threatening way,” said Manwell. “Our music isn’t for one specific demographic. It’s for anyone with a pulse.”
As demonstrated in the band’s name, Group 1 Crew has one purpose, one goal, and one ministry: “to shine the love of Christ through the power of song.” They do just that on their third CD release, “Outta Space Love.”
“They have amazing testimonies that will affect many lives,” said Fervent Records President Susan Riley. “They are some of the best communicators I have seen in years. Artists like these are rare to find, and we are thrilled to share their music with the world.”
Performing with Group 1 Crew at the Bluefield College show will be Shonlock, Rachael Lampa, and Rapture Ruckus. Plucked out of his Chicagoland high school by R. Kelly’s management team as a result of his dance skills, Shonlock joined R&B powerhouse Aaliyah and hip-hop pioneers Arrested Development on tour as a choreographer and dancer. From there, he joined Grammy-nominated revolutionaries Grits, which not only opened up more career doors, but also led to an entirely new perspective on life.
“At first, I was using a lot of my gifts and talents for the wrong reasons, but I came to a whole new outlook on life after I met Verbs, who was supporting Grits at the time,” said Shonlock. “He presented the Gospel to me, which was really refreshing, because it was coming from somebody who understood my background and had similar interests in music. It was life changing.”
Since, Shonlock has taken his gifts to the contemporary Christian music scene to perform with the likes of Nicole C. Mullen, The Katinas, and TobyMac. In fact, after touring extensively with TobyMac, Shonlock’s debut single, “Something In Your Eyes,” shot to the top of the CHR chart, landing in the number one slot for an impressive eight consecutive weeks.
Lampa is a Dove Award-winning Christian singer-songwriter who rose to fame in 2000 with her debut album, “Live for You,” which garnered four number one singles. She also was named the number one “Young New Female Artist” by CCM Magazine and made appearances on “The Tonight Show” and “The View.” Her fourth album, “All We Need,” which she’ll be promoting at Bluefield College, is scheduled for release this month.
New Zealand Christian hip pop and rock band Rapture Ruckus has released four albums. The band’s first, “I Believe,” won Best Gospel/Christian Album of the Year at the New Zealand Music Awards. Their self-titled CD last year was nominated for a Dove Award for Best Rap/Hip Hop Album.
For more information about the “Outta Space Love Tour” at Bluefield College, contact the BC Office of Public Relations by phone at 276.326.4212 or by email at [email protected]