Nashville, TN – The 54th annual GMA Dove Awards is set to shine a spotlight on Christian Hip Hop with its exciting event, ‘Future Legacy.’ Empowered by a committee consisting of Syntax Creative, Reflection Music Group, and Rocketown, this two-day celebration will take place at Rocketown in downtown Nashville from October 15th to 19th. Tickets are now available for purchase.
Gospel Music Association President, Jackie Patillo, emphasized the significance of Christian Hip Hop in the Gospel music ecosystem, expressing excitement about its representation during this year’s GMA Dove Awards Week. The event, curated by Doc Watson, kicks off with a showcase featuring a diverse array of talented Christian Hip Hop artists, including Derek Minor, Social Club Misfits, Jon Keith, Adriel Cruz, and Wande, among others. The showcase is scheduled for Monday, October 16th, with doors opening at 7:00 pm.
“I’m excited to be a part of this moment,” says Reflection Music Group CEO Doc Watson. “Future Legacy is a rare opportunity to get in front of both the industry and the fans of the music.”
The networking brunch on Tuesday, October 17th, at 11:00 am, will be followed by two panel discussions curated by Timothy Trudeau. The first panel will focus on streaming strategies and feature executives from Amazon, Pandora, YouTube, and more. The second panel will delve into media strategies with representation from BET, Rapzilla, Darkchild Gospel, and Holy Culture Radio.
“We’ve secured representation from four of the top DSPs (Digital Service Providers),” states Syntax Creative CEO Timothy Trudeau. “It will be well worth the investment to attend.”
The ‘Future Legacy’ event highlights the transformative journey of Christian Hip Hop and its significant impact on the music industry. As both Hip Hop and the GMA Dove Awards celebrate their fifties, this event serves as a celebration of their enduring legacies.
“It all began with a brunch last year,” says Rocketown Director of Venue Verbs Boyer, the visionary behind this event. “Now we’re adding performances and panels. This is also a significant year for Christian Hip Hop. Future Legacy will be one for the books.”
Official Schedule
- 10/16/2023 – Performance Showcase
- Doors Open @ 7:00 pm
- Featuring Adriel Cruz (Syntax Creative), Derek Minor (Reflection Music Group), DJ Mal-ski (RMG Amplify), Grits (Gotee Records), Jon Keith (Indie Tribe), Social Club Misfits (Capitol Christian), and Wande (Reach Records).
- 10/17/2023 – Networking Brunch & Panel Discussions
- Doors Open @ 11:00 am
- Panel 1: Streaming Strategies
- Featuring AJ Ramos (Head of Artist Partnerships at YouTube), Lauren Tidwel (Christian & Gospel Programmer at Amazon Music), Melissa Chalos (Associate Director of Programming at Pandora), and more.
- Panel 2: Media Strategies
- Featuring Camryn Trayvick (Music Programming Manager at BET), Fred Jerkins (CEO of We Break Records), James Rosseau (CEO of Holy Culture Radio), Justin Sarachik (Editor-in-Chief of Rapzilla.com), and more.