In his unvarnished portrayal of life and faith and their accompanying tensions, a Christian rapper has stirred debate over whether he crossed the line by using the taboo n-word and b-word.

In his latest album, Talented Xth, Amisho "Sho Baraka" Lewis, 33, comments on social issues like racism, abortion and commercialism with a Christian worldview and an aggressive angst-addled tone which forces you to listen to his lyrics and not just rock to the beat behind his music.

In track nine of the 14-track album title "Jim Crow" a.k.a "N***a Island," however, Sho Baraka rails against the oppressive nature of racism, referencing the n-word and the b-word as noted in edited excerpts from his song below. more >>

World-famous worship leader Darlene Zschech has announced the release of her new book "Revealing Jesus" on Tuesday.

Additionally, the best-selling author is releasing a "Revealing Jesus" live worship CD/DVD as well as a 365-day devotional hardcover book today.

Produced by 5-time Grammy Award-winner Israel Houghton, the "Revealing Jesus" CD features special guest appearances and song co-writes with Michael W. Smith, Kari Jobe, and Houghton. more >>

Nicole Scherzinger, singer-songwriter and television personality, says perhaps the reason she has yet to receive some of the entertainment industry's most coveted awards is because she refuses to sell her soul to the devil.

Scherzinger, 34, rose to popularity as a singer in groups like Eden's Crush and The Pussycat Dolls. However, she recently spoke out about some of the downsides of fame, including compromising moral standards to get ahead.

"This is such a tough industry, you know. To make it, you really have to sell your soul to the devil ... I haven't," Scherzinger recently told The Independent U.K. "That's probably why I haven't quite reached the top of my mountain. I mean, where's my Tony Award, my Grammy, my Oscar? Why don't I have any of those things yet?" more >>

Zion, the latest and third album from contemporary Christian and alternative rock band Hillsong United, is also now the group's most commercially successful album after striking gold with a mainstream audience and debuting at the number five spot on Billboard's 200 chart on Friday. It is also number one on Billboard's Christian Album chart.

The only albums currently ranking higher than Zion on the mainstream music chart are Bruno Mars' Unorthodox Jukebox, Amok by Atoms for Peace, Babel by Mumford and Sons and The Heist by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.

In a message on Friday to fans on Twitter, the group wrote: "Thank you all for your support getting Zion into the top 5 on the USA top 200 Billboard charts//We appreciate you all." more >>

Curtis Finch Jr., a 24-year-old "American Idol" contestant, left judges praising God after his rendition of "I Believe I Can Fly" on the Fox singing competition Wednesday night.

Finch is a St. Louis, Mo. native who made his appearance on the singing competition with his rendition of the gospel song "God Is Able." He managed to bring the judges to their feet during the men's semifinal portion of the competition on season 12 of the show.

Keith Urban, an "American Idol" judge and country music singer-songwriter, told Finch that he brought something godly to the competition after his performance. more >>

Canadian pop star Carly Rae Jepsen, who shot to fame in 2012 with her hit single "Call Me Maybe," has cancelled her planned performance at the 2013 National Scouting Jamboree in West Virginia in July over the Boy Scout's ban on gay members.

"As an artist who believes in equality for all people, I will not be participating in the Boy Scouts of America Jamboree this summer," Jepsen declared on Twitter.

"I always have and will continue to support the LGBT community on a global level, and stay informed on the ever changing landscape in the ongoing battle for gay rights in this country and across the globe," the 27-year-old singer from British Columbia continued. more >>