FLAME'S Our World Redeemed Nabs GRAMMY Nod

Acclaimed Hip-Hop Artist Nominated Alongside Some of CCM's Biggest Names

Nashville, TN - Dove and Stellar Award-nominated Cross Movement Records gospel hip-hop artist FLAME has received his first GRAMMY nomination, for Our World Redeemed.

FLAME is nominated in the "Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album" category alongside some of CCM's biggest names, including tobyMac, Superchick, After Edmund and Sanctus Real. For a full list of nominees, visit www.grammy.com. The winners in all categories of the 51st annual GRAMMY Awards will be announced during the ceremony, which will be broadcast live on CBS on February 8, 2009.

The GRAMMY award nod for Our World Redeemed follows on the heels of his recent 2009 Stellar Award nomination in the "Rap/Hip-Hop Gospel CD of the Year" category. The project debuted at #5 on the Billboard Top Gospel Chart in March 2008 and hit the #1 position on the CMTA R&B/Hip Hop Chart, #1 on SoundScan's Christian R&B/Hip-Hop Chart, and #7 on iTunes' Mainstream Rap Chart.

Our World Redeemed is the second installment in FLAME's two-part audio novel and is the sequel to his album Our World Fallen, which released in April 2007 to rave reviews, hitting #7 on the Billboard Top Gospel Chart. The two-part album series captures the story of FLAME befriending a non-believer and pointing him to the cross of Christ, while examining the fallen condition of the world.

Picking up where the Our World Fallen cliffhanger ending left off, Our World Redeemed digs deeper into the plot concerning FLAME's fictional non-believer friend, whose life is now surrendered to Jesus Christ in this second chapter. FLAME paints a vivid picture of his many efforts to disciple and to exhort his friend in all areas of the Christian life, from ethical values to Biblical principles. Based on FLAME's example, his friend then begins to disciple others, leading many to Christ. The plot thickens as tragedy turns to triumph, when the untimely passing of the fictional character's relative becomes the inspiration to carry on the legacy of the Gospel.

"I was in my neighborhood sharing the Gospel," says FLAME of the inspiriation behind the two projects. "As I was talking to a 15-year-old, I could tell everything was going over his head. I asked him if he'd heard about Adam and Eve and he said 'no.'"

With production by Tony Stone, DJ Official and J.R., Our World Redeemed is comprised of 16 tracks and features collaborations with Trip Lee, Json, Iz-Real (Everyday Process), Future and shai linne, plus the work of beat masters Chike, k-Drama, Speedy and Alex Medina. The album runs the gamut from aggressive to lighter fare. Its most aggressive tracks include "Who Can Pluck Us," an extreme head banger laced with arranged strings and strong snares, and the crunk-styled "Hold On." On the lighter side, there's the soul-stirring "It's You," the prayerful worship medley "See More Him" and the authentic hip-hop worship ballad "Power In Your Name," featuring Dawn Dia from the duo Cho'zyn.

Born in the inner city streets of St. Louis, FLAME accepted Christ at the age of 16 and was heavily influenced by the hip-hop culture. He was particularly drawn to the work of The Cross Movement, who later signed the young rapper to their own label. One of the youngest members of the Cross Movement Records artist roster, FLAME is currently studying Biblical counseling at Boyce College in Louisville, Ky. The 2008 Holy Hip Hop Award honoree has been ministering for over 10 years in music and speaking engagements.

FLAME's Our World Redeemed is available on Cross Movement Records and is distributed in the CBA market by Provident-Integrity Distribution and by Sony/BMG in the general market. For more information on FLAME and his album Our World Redeemed, visit www.flame314.com, www.myspace.com/flame314 or www.crossmovementrecords.com.