FLAME

	Birth name Marcus Tyrone Gray Born September 16, 1981 (age 34) Origin St. Louis, Missouri U.S. Genres Christian hip hop Occupation(s) Rapper, actor, music executive Instruments voice Years active 2003-present Labels Clear Sight Music Associated acts 116 Clique, Chris Cobbins, NF, Lecrae V. Rose
	Biography During his personal time, Flame initially wrote raps as devotionals to God. After converting his devotionals to songs, Cross Movement Records took an interest in supporting Flame in publishing his gospel work through rap music. In 2004, Flame released his debut album with Cross Movement Records. Since then, Flame released 3 more albums and launched his own record label, Clear Sight Music. His self-titled debut album, Flame, was released in October 2004. In December 2005, Flame released his second album titled, Rewind. On April 17, 2007, Flame released his third album entitled Our World: Fallen, which is the first part of a two part series. On August 7, 2007, the sequel, Our World: Redeemed was scheduled to release, but the date was pushed back to March 4, 2008. Flame has been featured on radio shows in the United States such as Way of the Master, and in local newspapers such as The Pathway (the Missouri Baptist Convention statewide newspaper), and World (Magazine). Flame has sold over 170,000 albums, and one of his interludes from his first album is played on Busch Stadium's loudspeakers every other time Albert Pujols comes to bat.[1] On February 20, 2007, it was announced that Flame's track, "Gotta Notice", from the album Rewind was nominated for the 38th Annual GMA Dove Awards in the category Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year.[2] In mid-2007, Flame joined the rest of Cross Movement for their final tour.[3] Our World Redeemed was nominated for a Stellar Award, Dove Award, and Grammy Award. In 2009, Flame was a special guest on Reach Records 116 Clique's tour Don't Waste Your Life.[4] In 2010, Flame announced that he was starting his own record label, Clear Sight Records,[5] and a new album titled Captured.[6][7] Discography Albums Solo Year Album 2004 Flame First studio album Sold over 98,000 Released: October 12, 2004 2005 Rewind Second studio album Sold over 74,000 GMA Dove Award Nominee for Best Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year for "Gotta Notice" Released: December 6, 2005 2007 Our World: Fallen Third studio album Released: April 17, 2007 First album in a two-album series. "The album is a passionate, but basic, explanation of God's pursuit for His created people," Flame says. "It's very simple, but it's a very informative appeal for people to run to Christ."[8] 2008 Our World: Redeemed Released: March 4, 2008 Fourth studio album Second album in a two-album series Stellar Award Nominee for Rap Album of the Year GMA Dove Award Nominee for Best Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year for "Joyful Noise" Nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album. The last of Flame's albums released with Cross Movement Records. 2010 Captured Fifth studio album Released: December 28, 2010 Singles: "Surrender" featuring V.Rose, "Move" Stellar Award Nominee for Rap Album of the Year GMA Dove Award Nominee for Best Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year and Best Urban Recorded Song for "All I Need" No. 1 on Billboard Gospel (January 2011) No. 5 on Billboard Christian (January 2011) No. 17 on Billboard Rap (January 2011) No. 152 on Billboard 200 (January 2011) No. 11 on Billboard Independent (January 2011) 2012 The 6th[9] Sixth studio album Release Date: March 6, 2012 Stellar Award Nominee for Rap Album of the Year No. 1 on Billboard Gospel No. 2 on Billboard Christian No. 8 on Billboard Rap No. 67 on Billboard Top 200 No. 8 on Billboard Independent No. 1 on iTunes Rap (March 2012) No. 8 on iTunes Top Albums (March 2012) 2013 Royal Flush Seventh studio album Release Date: October 1, 2013 2014 Jesus or Nothing Eighth studio album Release Date: April 29, 2014 2015 Forward Ninth Studio Album Release Date: July 17, 2015 Singles Solo "Surrender" (featuring V. Rose) "All the Way" (featuring Trubble & Lecrae)