FLAME, who will perform at Rock the River Minneapolis-St. Paul, is one of the few who escaped and adopted, instead, a sold out lifestyle for Christ.
Born Marcus Gray, FLAME was headed in the wrong direction until a near fatal car accident and the passing of his grandmother served as a rude awakening.
His grandmother was the strongest and most influential Christian example in his life. Immediately after her death and the tragic incident, FLAME accepted Christ at the age of 16.
Rapping to the Gospel
Not long after, while visiting a Christian bookstore, FLAME noticed a style of music called Gospel Rap. Purchasing a CD by the industry’s leading Christian Rap group, The Cross Movement, FLAME was impressed by the artistic quality of their music and content, and found their lyrics saturated in Scripture.
During his personal time, FLAME initially wrote raps as devotionals to the Lord. As FLAME continued to support The Cross Movement’s ministry, his heart to share the Gospel through his tools and teachings grew more intense. So he decided to make his way to a Cross Movement concert in Chicago.
A Ministry Emerges
Much to his surprise, FLAME was able to meet the group and begin a partnership in ministry that was fostered over a couple of years. Converting his devotionals to songs, The Cross Movement, now as a full fledged record label, took an interest in supporting FLAME’s passion to share the strong messages of the Gospel through rap music.
Since the debut of his self-titled album in 2004, FLAME has released three albums, garnered nominations from the Dove, Stellar, and GRAMMY Awards and was honored by the Holy Hip Hop Association for his invaluable service, sacrifice, labor and contributions to the music industry
As the youngest member on the Cross Movement Records artist roster, FLAME is currently studying Biblical Counseling at Boyce College and resides with his wife Crystal Gray in Louisville, Ky.
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