Flame (rapper)

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Flame

| image = FLAME716.JPG

| caption = FLAME at the Zurich, Switzerland airport.

| image_size =

| landscape =

| birth_name = Marcus Tyrone Gray

| alias =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1981|9|16}}

| death_date =

| origin = St. Louis, Missouri U.S.

| instrument = Vocals

| genre = Christian hip hop

| occupation = Rapper, actor, music executive

| years_active = 2003–present

| label = Clear Sight Music

| associated_acts = {{flatlist|

Cross Movement
NF
Lecrae
V. Rose
KB

}}

| website = {{URL|clearsightmusic.com}}

}}

Marcus Tyrone Gray (born September 16, 1981), known as Flame (often stylized in all caps), is a Lutheran Christian hip hop rapper from the United States.{{cite web |last1=Ronnevik |first1=Gretchen |title=Flame Raps the Sacraments |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/2024/11/flame-raps-the-sacraments-neo-ethos-lutheran/ |publisher=Christianity Today |access-date=22 December 2024 |date=22 November 2024}} He is with Clear Sight Music and has released nine albums. Flame has been nominated for several Dove and Stellar Awards. The Our World: Redeemed album was nominated for a Grammy Award.{{Cite web |title=Flame {{!}} Artist {{!}} GRAMMY.com |url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/flame/9045 |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=grammy.com}}

Biography

As of 2005, Flame sold over 35,000 albums, and one of his interludes from his first album was played on Busch Stadium's loudspeakers every time Albert Pujols came to bat.{{Cite web |last=Westhoff |first=Ben |date=September 14, 2005 |title=St. Louis - News - Rap vs. Rapture |url=http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2005-09-14/news/rap-vs-rapture/ |access-date=September 9, 2007 |publisher=Riverfronttimes.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929095651/http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2005-09-14/news/rap-vs-rapture/ |archive-date=29 September 2007 |url-status=dead}}

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.{{Cite web |title=38th Annual GMA Dove Awards - Recipients |url=http://www.doveawards.com/categories/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070404171623/http://www.doveawards.com/categories/ |archive-date=April 4, 2007}} In mid-2007, Flame joined the rest of Cross Movement for their final tour.{{Cite web |date=April 11, 1997 |title=HIStory Summer Tour Details - Cross Movement Records (CMR) .:: A Trusted Name In Christian Hip-Hop |url=http://www.crossmovementrecords.com/articles.asp?columnid=3821 |access-date=September 21, 2011 |publisher=Cross Movement Records |archive-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723021304/http://www.crossmovementrecords.com/articles.asp?columnid=3821 |url-status=dead }} 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. {{Cite news |title=Mars ill "When Heave Scrapes the Pavement" |url=http://www.rapzilla.com/rz/content/view/1330/103 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20160303193925/http://www.rapzilla.com/rz/content/view/1330/103/ |archive-date=2016-03-03 |access-date=2025-04-28 |work=Rapzilla |language=en-US}}

In 2010, Flame announced a new album titled Captured.{{Cite web |date=November 4, 2010 |title=FLAME to drop 'Captured' December 28th (cover revealed) |url=http://www.rapzilla.com/rz/news/1-press/2596-flame-captured-releases-december-28th |access-date=September 21, 2011 |publisher=Rapzilla}}{{Cite web |date=August 11, 2010 |title=Flame Talks New Label & New Album Details |url=http://www.rapzilla.com/rz/features/interviews/2357-flame-talks-new-label-a-new-album-details |access-date=September 21, 2011 |publisher=Rapzilla}}

He studied at Boyce College and obtained a Bachelor of Arts. Whitney Jones, [https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/flames-hip-hop-strengthened-by-seminary/ Flame’s hip hop strengthened by seminary], baptistpress.com, September 27, 2012

In 2014 Flame, along with three other musicians, filed a lawsuit against Katy Perry for alleged copyright infringement. In the suit, Perry was accused of stealing production elements from Flame's gospel track "Joyful Noise", in her song "Dark Horse". Flame and the other plaintiffs involved in the suit claimed that, not only did Perry use appropriate elements of the song, but that the video tarnished their production by using imagery associated with black magic and witchcraft, ideologies that Flame strongly opposes. It was originally reported that the matter had been settled out of court; however, as of late 2018, the case was set to go to trial.{{Cite web |date=August 30, 2018 |title=Update on Flame Lawsuit Against Katy Perry Over 'Dark Horse' |url=https://rapzilla.com/2018-08-update-flame-and-katy-perry-lawsuit/ |access-date=February 23, 2019 |website=Rapzilla}}{{Cite web |date=July 2, 2014 |title=FLAME & Lecrae Sue Katy Perry Over Dark Horse |url=https://rapzilla.com/2014-07-flame-a-lecrae-sue-katy-perry-over-dark-horse |access-date=April 8, 2019 |website=Rapzilla}}{{Cite web |last=Macias |first=Jr Martin |date=August 14, 2018 |title=Katy Perry Copyright Suit Heading to Trial |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/katy-perry-copyright-suit-heading-to-trial/ |access-date=April 8, 2019}} On July 29, 2019, a jury sided with Flame, leaving Perry to pay $550,000 and her label to pay the remaining $2.78 million.{{Cite news |date=July 29, 2019 |title=Katy Perry's hit Dark Horse copied a Christian rap song, jury finds |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/katy-perry-dark-horse-joyful-noise-1.5229765 |access-date=July 29, 2019}}{{Cite news |date=August 1, 2019 |title=Katy Perry among those ordered to pay a total of $2.78M in song copying lawsuit |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/katy-perry-dark-horse-lawsuit-payment-1.5233968 |access-date=August 1, 2019}} On March 17, 2020, Judge Christina A. Snyder overturned the jury award, citing numerous factors, including that the musical theme was both simple and common, and that the evidence given did not support the jury's award. Snyder vacated the jury's verdict and denied motions for a new trial, but stated that, should the case be heard on appeal at the Ninth Circuit, a new jury trial would be required.{{Cite web |last=Maddaus |first=Gene |date=March 17, 2020 |title=Katy Perry Wins Reversal of 'Dark Horse' Copyright Verdict |url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/katy-perry-dark-horse-reversal-1203537482/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |website=Variety}}{{Cite news |title=Katy Perry and Capitol Records win appeal in 'Dark Horse' copyright case |publisher=Music Biz Nation |url=https://musicbiznation.com/news/katy-perry-wins-appeal-dark-horse-case/}}{{cite court |litigants=Gray v. Perry |reporter=No. |opinion=2:15-cv-05642 |pinpoint=2020 WL 1275221 |court=C.D. Cal. |date=March 16, 2020 |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4492124/527/marcus-gray-v-katy-perry/ |access-date=June 25, 2020 }} Flame filed a notice of appeal at the Ninth Circuit on April 13, 2020.{{Cite web |title=Katy Perry Copyright Accuser Takes Case To 9th Circ. - Law360 |url=https://www.law360.com/articles/1264505/katy-perry-copyright-accuser-takes-case-to-9th-circ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930053311/https://www.law360.com/articles/1264505 |archive-date=September 30, 2020 |access-date=June 20, 2020 |website=www.law360.com}} In March 2022, the Ninth Circuit ruled in Perry's favor, upholding the vacation ruling from the District Court. The courts found the ostinatos in question unrelated, failed to meet the threshold of originality required for protection, and granted JMOL to defendants.[https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2022/03/10/20-55401.pdf Gray v. Hudson]; United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (10 March 2022). No: 20-55401; D.C. No: 2:15-cv-05642CAS-JC. uscourts.gov. retrieved 13 March 2022. PDF

In March 2020, Flame left the Reformed tradition and was received into the Lutheran Church.{{Cite web |last=Becklo |first=Matthew |date=February 4, 2021 |title="Christ for You": Flame Unpacks His New EP on the Lutheran Belief in the Real Presence |url=https://www.wordonfire.org/resources/blog/christ-for-you-flame-unpacks-his-new-ep-on-the-real-presence/29828/ |access-date=February 18, 2021 |publisher=Word on Fire |language=English}} His EP Christ for You focuses on the Lutheran belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, citing the Church Fathers such as Justin Martyr, Augustine of Hippo, Irenaeus, Cyril and Thomas Aquinas (cf. Eucharist in Lutheranism). Reflecting on his Lutheran Christian faith, Flame rejoiced: "It wasn't until I stumbled upon Lutheran thought that I discovered the treasure found in the liturgical and sacramental side of things." He praised the Lutheran tradition for its "ancient truths that will comfort contemporary consciences" and said that those "Truths that will bring people out of their heads and lift their heads from navel-gazing onto the sweet means of grace that God has provided outside of us." Flame named his album Christ for You as he wants his fans "to experience the joy and freedom that I’ve found in the sacraments." (cf. Lutheran sacraments)

In 2020, Marcus Gray earned his Master of Arts degree from Concordia Seminary in Systematic Theology, with minors in Church History, as well as Counseling.{{Cite web |last=Veith |first=Gene |date=February 3, 2020 |title=The Rapper Flame Becomes a Lutheran |url=https://www.patheos.com/blogs/geneveith/2020/02/the-rapper-flame-becomes-a-lutheran/ |access-date=February 18, 2021 |publisher=Cranach |language=English}}

Discography

=Studio albums=

class="wikitable"
Year ! Album
2004 \| Flame First studio album Sold over 98,000{{citation needed\|date=March 2022}} Released: October 12, 2004
2005 \| Rewind Second studio album Sold over 74,000{{citation needed\|date=March 2022}} 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."{{Cite web \|title=Flame: Man On Fire \|url=http://ccmmagazine.com/features/3672.aspx \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007101058/http://ccmmagazine.com/features/3672.aspx \|archive-date=October 7, 2008 \|access-date=September 21, 2011 \|publisher=CCMmagazine.com}}
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 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){{citation needed\|date=March 2022}}
2012 \| The 6th{{Cite web \|title=Flame Releases New Album March 6th \|url=http://clearsightmusic.com/blog/flame-releases-new-album-march-6th/ \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715044600/http://clearsightmusic.com/blog/flame-releases-new-album-march-6th/ \|archive-date=July 15, 2012 \|access-date=January 18, 2012}} 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 Dove Award Nomination for Rap Album of the Year
2015 \| Forward Eighth studio album Release Date: July 17, 2015 Stellar Award Nomination for Rap Album of the Year Dove Award Nomination for Rap Album of the Year
2018 \| God Knows Ninth studio album Release Date: March 2, 2018 Stellar Award Rap Album Of The Year{{Cite web \|title=The Stellar Award Winners Are..... {{!}} Sherry Mackey {{!}} 100.3 Hallelujah FM \|url=https://1003hallelujahfm.iheart.com/featured/sherry-mackey/content/2019-04-01-the-stellar-award-winners-are/ \|access-date=April 8, 2019 \|website=Sherry Mackey \|archive-date=April 8, 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408223855/https://1003hallelujahfm.iheart.com/featured/sherry-mackey/content/2019-04-01-the-stellar-award-winners-are/ \|url-status=dead }}{{Cite news \|date=April 2, 2019 \|title=Watch Flame new music video Silver & Gold ft. Melinda Watts on Rapzilla.com \|work=Rapzilla \|url=https://rapzilla.com/2019-04-flame-silver-gold-ft-melinda-watts/ \|access-date=April 8, 2019}}
2020 \|Extra Nos Tenth studio project First EP project First project as a Lutheran{{Cite web \|date=February 3, 2020 \|title=The Rapper Flame Becomes a Lutheran \|url=https://www.patheos.com/blogs/geneveith/2020/02/the-rapper-flame-becomes-a-lutheran/ \|access-date=March 9, 2020 \|website=Cranach \|language=en}} Release Date: January 24, 2020 \|
2021 \|Christ for You Eleventh studio project Conceptually focused on the Lutheran Doctrine of the Lord's Supper Release Date: January 29, 2021Flame, "Christ for You" on Apple Music (2021) https://music.apple.com/us/album/christ-for-you-ep/1549189328 \|
2022 \|Word And Water Twelfth studio project Conceptually focused on the Lutheran Doctrine of Holy Baptism Release Date: April 29, 2022

class="wikitable"

Year

! Album

2004

| Flame

First studio album
Sold over 98,000{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}
Released: October 12, 2004

2005

| Rewind

Second studio album
Sold over 74,000{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}
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."{{Cite web |title=Flame: Man On Fire |url=http://ccmmagazine.com/features/3672.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007101058/http://ccmmagazine.com/features/3672.aspx |archive-date=October 7, 2008 |access-date=September 21, 2011 |publisher=CCMmagazine.com}}

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
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){{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

2012

| The 6th{{Cite web |title=Flame Releases New Album March 6th |url=http://clearsightmusic.com/blog/flame-releases-new-album-march-6th/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715044600/http://clearsightmusic.com/blog/flame-releases-new-album-march-6th/ |archive-date=July 15, 2012 |access-date=January 18, 2012}}

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
Dove Award Nomination for Rap Album of the Year

2015

| Forward

Eighth studio album
Release Date: July 17, 2015
Stellar Award Nomination for Rap Album of the Year
Dove Award Nomination for Rap Album of the Year

2018

| God Knows

Ninth studio album
Release Date: March 2, 2018
Stellar Award Rap Album Of The Year{{Cite web |title=The Stellar Award Winners Are..... {{!}} Sherry Mackey {{!}} 100.3 Hallelujah FM |url=https://1003hallelujahfm.iheart.com/featured/sherry-mackey/content/2019-04-01-the-stellar-award-winners-are/ |access-date=April 8, 2019 |website=Sherry Mackey |archive-date=April 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408223855/https://1003hallelujahfm.iheart.com/featured/sherry-mackey/content/2019-04-01-the-stellar-award-winners-are/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite news |date=April 2, 2019 |title=Watch Flame new music video Silver & Gold ft. Melinda Watts on Rapzilla.com |work=Rapzilla |url=https://rapzilla.com/2019-04-flame-silver-gold-ft-melinda-watts/ |access-date=April 8, 2019}}

2020

|Extra Nos

Tenth studio project
First EP project
First project as a Lutheran{{Cite web |date=February 3, 2020 |title=The Rapper Flame Becomes a Lutheran |url=https://www.patheos.com/blogs/geneveith/2020/02/the-rapper-flame-becomes-a-lutheran/ |access-date=March 9, 2020 |website=Cranach |language=en}}
Release Date: January 24, 2020

2021

|Christ for You

Eleventh studio project
Conceptually focused on the Lutheran Doctrine of the Lord's Supper
Release Date: January 29, 2021Flame, "Christ for You" on Apple Music (2021) https://music.apple.com/us/album/christ-for-you-ep/1549189328

2022

|Word And Water

Twelfth studio project
Conceptually focused on the Lutheran Doctrine of Holy Baptism
Release Date: April 29, 2022

References

External links

[http://www.flame314.com/ Flame314: Discipling from a Distance]
[http://www.rapzilla.com/rz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=565&Itemid=83 Flame Interview] with Rapzilla
{{Discogs artist|Flame (27)|Flame}}

Category:1981 births

Category:African-American Christians

Category:African-American male rappers

Category:21st-century American male rappers

Category:African-American poets

Category:American evangelicals

Category:Cross Movement Records

Category:Living people

Category:American performers of Christian hip-hop

Category:Rappers from St. Louis

Category:Southern Baptist Theological Seminary alumni

Category:Musicians from Louisville, Kentucky