NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Terverius Black believes in hip-hop gospel so much he sold his first home to get the money needed to start his Christian-themed entertainment company.
It was a risky move, but the 34-year-old entrepreneur believes the company’s diversity, which is producing music, a film, a reality television show and a gospel cruise, will help boost a struggling genre of Christian music.
Secular hip-hop used radio as a launching pad, but holy hip-hop gets little play on regular hip-hop stations and nearly none on gospel or Christian radio.
“It’s tough, but we’ve got to get a little more creative,” said Black, who started Huntsville, Ala.-based Xist (pronounced “exist”) Worldwide Record Label three years ago with partner Sean Simmonds.
Both men point to hip-hop moguls like Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jay-Z and Russell Simmons, who succeeded branching outside the music industry. Even though their message is faith-based, Black and Simmonds believe they can find the same success.
“We’re trying to create our own blueprint for gospel, but at the same time, make it so that it’s respected across the board, and can be followed,” said Simmonds, 32.
