Artist description Urban Diciple aka "UrbanD" is not only a hip-hop artist, but also a full time inner-city youth pastor to close to 200 teens and young adults at Crossover Community Church in Tampa, Fla. Their Thursday night youth service is specifically geared to reach the hip-hop culture. Grafitti covered vans go to the city's roughest neighborhoods to pick up youth. Youth and young adults also drive in from all over the Tampa Bay area to come to this multi-cultural service which includes hip-hop style praise and worship with worship team Cross Culture and a live DJ scratching and mixing. Break Dancing classes, MC classes, Concerts, Drama Team, Discipleship classes, a hip-hop shop, open mic nights, and of course the word of God being preached in a relevant form are all parts of this unique ministry. The majority of these youth now have a relationship with Christ, and many have been discipled and even stepped into leadership.

Musical Influences Being raised in Philly, UrbanD has deep roots in the hip-hop culture.

Artist History UrbanD strayed from God as a teen, but recommitted his life to Christ at the age of 18. He felt a call from God to into urban youth ministry, and went on to study at Southeastern College in Lakeland, Fla. He graduated in 1996 with a BA degree in pastoral studies and a concentration in youth ministry. Urban D. then went on to start his youth ministry at Crossover with just 4 teens. Having rapped since a young teen, he finally began using this gift for Christ while in College. he independently recorded 2 full CD's - "Keep It Real" (1996), and "The Answers" (1998). Many doors began to open as he traveled extensively up and down the east coast and across Fla. seeing thousands impacted by the gospel. Urban D. was also featured on the classic "Godzhouse.com" album from CMN records in 1998 with his song "Roots". In late 1998 Urban D. signed on nationally with Seventh Street Records, and recorded his album "The Missin' Element", and shot a video to the song "Skintone" both in LA. His video recieved airplay on several networks across the country and even on BET's lift every voice. His touring schedule and ministry at home continuied to grow as he presented the Missin' element to this culture.

Group Members Urban D has recently finished his March 6th, 2001 release accurately entitled, "The Tranzlation". The production team includes The Ambassador, Official, and T.R.U.-L.I.F.E. of the Crossmovement, along with Golden Child and Gotee Brother Todd Collins. Guest artists include Corey Red and MC Precise (Mark Of The East), Cruz Cordero, KJ-52, 1way, and The Fla.vor Alliance. This new project offers a solid east coast foundation, but expands with a unique ethnic flavor with meditterean guitars, latin percussion, and some lyrics in Greek and Spanish. With selections that include upbeat crowd movers, to well thought out skits, to songs where he personally pours his heart out, Urban D. customizes the gospel to this culture with his upcoming release "The Tranzlation".

Albums Keep it Real, The Answers, The Missin' Element, The Tranzlation

Location Tampa, FL - USA

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