For some people, obstacles are minor bumps in the road on the way to success. For others, obstacles represent a major catastrophe of epic proportions threatening to disrupt any chance of success they may have otherwise had. But for seven-time GRAMMY® award winner Kirk Franklin, obstacles represent the challenges needed to propel you through life. In THE BLUEPRINT: A Plan for Living Above Life's Storms (Gotham Books; May 18, 2010; $25.00), Franklin reveals how he turned negative aspects from his own life-drugs, an absent father, teenage parenthood, poverty, etc.-into blessings by learning from them and moving forward. The beauty of THE BLUEPRINT is that Franklin by no way claims to be perfect or have insider knowledge of how to live your life wisely, but rather puts his setbacks and faults on full blast and suggests that oftentimes people, like Franklin at one point, go through life without a plan for success, simply living purposelessly, and without a person to show them the right way. THE BLUEPRINT fills the void of not knowing which way to turn and arms you the necessary tools to succeed.

The list of outstanding performers at the DaSouth.com Presents The Life in Hip Hop stage at this year’s 2010 SXSW Music Festival continues to grow.

After a four-year hiatus multifaceted singer/songwriter Michelle Bonilla readies to release her sophomore studio effort entitled In Spite of Me, April 13th on RockSoul Productions. She’s back with her producer Lee Jerkins (Out of Eden, Cross Movement) with an inspirational 16-track CD--13 full songs and three diary excerpts--with strong infusions of R&B, pop and Latin melodies featuring Jamaican gospel recording artist Chevelle Franklin, and gospel hip-hop artists Lecrae, Flame, and R-Swift.  "My music is a blend of who I am culturally—urban, Latin, rock and soul," says Bonilla.

While behind the scenes at Yaves video shoot for his new single "Alphameric Kicks" the Sling Shot Clique decided to do a a highly requested cypher. Check out the movement in rare form, as Hitman goes in on the beat box! Shouts out to KamBINO, Priest, J.Flue, Trev-Eaz and frontrunner Yaves as they give honor to God through their lyrics.

If you missed the interviews that Holla-Fest Radio had with Sevin, Tha GIM, Brotha Ruff and President Chell, then you missed some great and interesting stuff! All of these artists are from the West Coast, as that's who Preach Dat Fire is interviewing all this month. Check them out below and be sure to tune in for the next live show!

The lowercase emcee, shai linne, just got engaged! Who is the lady who will be "Mrs. lowercase emcee" in the months to come? Find out!

D-Maub's next album "Your Feature Presentation" will be droppin' very soon and you should definitely be ready to cop it. What can you expect? This project will "feature" (pun intended) some of D's best and favorite collaborations and more. So, that alone lets you know you can expect to hear several other artists on the project. We'll keep you informed as details unfold! Peep the cover...

In June 2010 Redd Lettaz will be releasing his long-awaited LP "The GRow Process" which is sure to be a refreshing album with new and innovative music. Y'all know how Red does it. On April 8th the maxi single "Boom Pop" off the LP will be available on www.neopsalmz.bandcamp.com. Stay tuned!

Brand new urban artist CMO is creating a huge buzz on the airwaves and on the streets with his slamming newly released album “CMO in Technicolor.”

Christawn is a THUG on a mission. A THUG. for him, is The Higher Understanding of God. This Hip Hopper has real talk street cred. In his past life, he ran the streets, sold crack, packed pistols and chased skirts. He’s rapping about all of it on his forthcoming debut CD Life Story (Abundant Harvest Entertainment/Universal Music Christian Group) that hits stores everywhere on May 18, 2010.