Hip Hop Pioneers Mark Double Anniversary

Pioneering Christian hip hop crew GreenJade are celebrating an unusual anniversary – with a free gift to their legion of fans.

The ‘Tru School’ group went their separate ways one year ago, and have decided to celebrate their disbandment with a free reissue of their final album.

GreenJade, who made headlines when they wrote to organisers of the prestigious MOBO (Music Of Black Origin) awards, asking to be removed from the list of nominees in 2008, were together for 14 years before they eventually called it a day.

They released numerous albums, headlined events and festivals around the world, and took part in a schools tour which aimed to help young people think again before getting involved in gangs and violence.

And it was their involvement in schools work which led to the group stepping down from the MOBOs, a move which caused some controversy in the music community.

GreenJade member Patrick ‘Wizdom’ Lane explained that the group were concerned that the Gospel category nomination could interfere with their work with young people from diverse religious and social backgrounds.

He told interviewers: "We are honoured to be considered for a nomination but it may conflict with our work in schools. We don’t want anything getting in the way of that."

In 2010 the group split up, with members choosing to concentrate on solo projects and other collaborations. But Jan 31st 2011 not only marks the first anniversary of this split, but also the tenth anniversary of their first ever release ‘Chronicles’ – arguably only the third ever full length Christian Rap album.

To celebrate the group are offering fans the chance to download their last album ‘Movement to Progress’ for free from the UK Gospel website.