The Overflow (Gospel News Round-Up): Mary Mary, Joshua Rogers, James Fortune & FIYA, Lecrae, Hezekiah Walker & More

Ever keen to broaden our musical scope, recent months have seen That Grape Juice venture into a number of new musical landscapes including, most recently, gospel.

Spearheaded by well-received interviews with gospel singers Yolanda Adams, Hezekiah Walker, Fred Hammond, Kierra Sheard, Dorinda Clark Cole, Israel Houghton, Marvin Sapp, and more, TGJ is now offering readers ‘The Overflow’ – a collection of the top gospel-themed news stories from the week.

Tuck in below for the latest news on Lecrae, Joshua Rogers, James Fortune & FIYA, Mary Mary, and more:

Announcement:  Join Ruth La’Ontra Tomorrow On LiveStream For An Exclusive Preview Of Her New Album ‘So Good’

Ruth La’Ontra is one of gospel’s freshest new faces and is already taking the genre by storm.  Likened to Kierra Sheard for her masterful use of melisma and unmistakable tone, La’Ontra is readying the release of her long-awaited debut album (aptly titled) ‘So Good’.

Featuring the tune “Count It All Joy” (seen below), the songstress is building buzz for the project by inviting fans to an exclusive virtual preview of the album’s content. Set to be hosted via LiveStream on the day of her debut album release (November 11), word has it La’Ontra will even engage in a Q&A session and treat fans to a few performances as well.

We know we’ll be in the house.  Hope to see you there!

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Sneak Peek:  Season 3 of Mary Mary’s hit WeTV Reality Show

Our girls Mary Mary are back and, if the trailer above is any indication, better than ever!

Indeed, after fans tuned in to their WeTV in droves for a successful two season run, the Grammy winning gospel duo are back with what promises to be their most dramatic season yet! Highlighting Tina’s highly publicized marriage woes to Erica’s stint at solo stardom, the ‘Shackles’ singer unleash an action packed sneak peek at their 2014-due third season.

See it above courtesy of our buds at The Gospel Guru!

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Bishop T.D. Jakes Talks About the New Jennifer Hudson film ‘Black Nativity’, His New Talk Show, & More

With his BET talk show ‘Mind, Body, & Soul’ still winning rave reviews from viewers, famed inspirational leader Bishop T.D. Jakes makes his return to the big screen with ‘Black Nativity’ (starring Jennifer Hudson, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Mary J. Blige, and more).

In a recent sitdown with our bud Vaughn Alvarez, Jakes dishes on the musical film (due November 27th), media criticism, and more. See it above (and check out the trailer below):

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New Song:  James Fortune & FIYA – ‘Live Through It’

After topping charts with their ‘Identity’ album, featuring assistance from TGJ favorite Monica on the hit song ‘Hold On’, James Fortune & FIYA are back with a new empowerment anthem.  Titled ‘Live Through It’, the tune kicks off his highly anticipated new album due in 2014.

Are you ready for some FIYA?  Get into it below:

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Joshua Roger’s ‘Unconditional’ Makes Impressive #2 Debut

Fans must’ve anxious to get more of ‘Sunday Best’ champion Joshua Rogers – as evidenced by the impressive performance of his sophomore album ‘Unconditional’ on Billboard charts this week.

The album, the follow-up to Rogers’ inaugural album ‘Well Done’ (which debuted at #1 on Itunes in late 2012), continues to help him carve his own path in gospel as it landed at #2 on this week’s Billboard Gospel Album charts.  Held at bay by long-time chart champion Tamela Mann’s ‘Best Days’, see how all of gospel’s top acts fared this week in the listing below:

Tamela Mann – “Best Days”

Chart position: #1

Weekly Sales: 6,888 /Total US Sales: 344,387

Joshua Rogers – “Unconditional”

Chart position: #2

First Week Sales: 2,720

Tasha Cobbs – “Grace”

Chart position: #3

Weekly Sales: 2,270/Total US Sales: 112,493

Tye Tribbett – “Greater Than”

Chart position: #4

Weekly Sales: 1,981/Total US Sales: 82,030

Kevin Vasser- “Only You Can Deliver”

Chart position: #5

First Week Sales: 1,702

6.  Beautiful Eulogy – ‘Instruments of Mercy’

7. Donald Lawrence – ‘Best For Last’

8.  John P. Kee – ‘Life & Favor’

9.  Hezekiah Walker – ‘Azusa:  The Next Generation’

10.  Lynda Randle – ‘Ageless Hymns’

Click here to read our interview with Joshua Rogers!

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New Video:  Hezekiah Walker – ‘Every Praise’

Hezekiah Walker has finally shared the official video for his hit single “Every Praise“!

The song, which saw its 14th consecutive week at #1 last week,  came as the first singer from Walker’s “Azusa: The Next Generation“ LP released in June.  See the long-awaited video above:

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Free Download:  Lecrae – ‘Church Clothes 2’

Before fans can get their hands on his new album ‘Gravity’, Grammy winning Christian rapper Lecrae unveiled his newest mixtape “Church Clothes 2” hosted by DJ Don Cannon this week!

The 17 song set features vocals and productions from hip hop heavyweights David Banner, Street Symphony, and Grand Hustle’s B.O.B.  Get into it below:

Download Mixtape | Free Mixtapes Powered by DatPiff.com

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Throwback Gospel Jam of the Day:  Trin-i-tee 5: 7 – ‘God’s Grace’

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