Hustle commonly refers to:

A confidence trick, deceptions performed by hustlers or grifters

The tradecraft of a hustler who deceives others by hustling, usually in sports

A slang word in American hip hop culture, meaning to get money, with no concern as to the legallity

Hustle or The Hustle may also refer to:

''Hustle'' (1975 film), an American crime film starring Burt Reynolds

''Hustle'' (2004 film), an American made-for-TV movie about baseball player Pete Rose, nicknamed Charlie Hustle

Hustle (dance), a disco dance popularised by the 1975 song

Hustle (professional wrestling), a.k.a. HUSTLE, a Japanese professional wrestling company, founded in 2004

''Hustle'' (TV series) (2004-present), a BBC drama about a group of confidence tricksters (grifters)

Hustle, Virginia, an unincorporated community in Essex County

"The Hustle" (song), a 1975 American disco track by Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony

''The Hustle'' (album), a 2004 album by American R&B;/hip-hop trio G. Love & Special Sauce

''The Hustle: Detroit Streets'', a 2006 Activision video game for the XBox and Playstation

USS Despatch (1902) (1902–1921), US Navy ferry launch known as USS ''Hustle'' from 1918

An early name for the Snake video game

Hustle is a motto used by current WWE star John Cena: Hustle, loyalty and respect.

See also

Hustler (disambiguation)

de:Hustle fr:Hustle it:Hustle ja:ハッスル (曖昧さ回避)

Coordinates	52°5′0″N21°11′53″N
name	Pimp C
background	solo_singer
birth name	Chad Lamont Butler
aliases	Sweet James Jones, Tony Snow
born	December 29, 1973Port Arthur, Texas, U.S.
died	December 04, 2007Los Angeles, California, U.S.
genre	Southern hip hop
occupation	Rapper, Songwriter, Producer
years active	1987–2007
label	UGK, Rap-a-Lot
associated acts	UGK, Jazze Pha, Lil Boosie, Webbie
website	www.pimpcmusic.com }}

Chad Lamont Butler (December 29, 1973 — December 4, 2007), better known by his stage name Pimp C, was an American rapper, singer, and producer. Pimp C is best known for his work with Bun B as a founding member of the Underground Kingz (UGK) and is widely considered a pioneer of the signature Houston, Texas scene and sound.

Personal life

Chad Lamont Butler was born to Charleston L. and Weslyn Jacob Butler on December 29, 1973 in Beaumont, Texas. Chad's parents were originally from Crowley, Louisiana where its presumed he spent a portion of his early life before moving back to Texas. He attended public schools in the Port Arthur Independent School District. Chad’s interest in music surfaced at an early age. Given the onset and grass root popularity of urban music, Chad knew, as early as nine years old, that he wanted to be a musician. He began playing various musical instruments and received his vocal aptitude in school and church choirs. Over the next several years, with the guidance and encouragement of his step-father, Mr. Norward E. “Bill” Monroe, Chad honed his skills at writing and instrumentation. Butler married Chinara Kushana Jackson on April 29, 2003. The couple has three children, two sons, Chad II and Dahcory; one daughter, Christian.

Music career

UGK

Butler formed the rap group Underground Kingz (colloquially known as UGK) with best friend Bernard "Bun B" Freeman. In 1987, Jive Records signed UGK and released ''Too Hard to Swallow'', followed by the critically acclaimed ''Super Tight''. The group's third album, ''Ridin' Dirty'', reached #2 on the ''Billboard'' Top R&B;/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and their momentum was continued with features on the popular singles "Big Pimpin'" with Jay-Z and "Sippin On Some Syrup" by Three 6 Mafia. UGK's fourth album, ''Dirty Money'', was distributed in 2001.

Due to Butler's incarceration in 2002, UGK only released two projects prior to 2004: ''Side Hustles'' and the eponymous ''Underground Kingz'', the latter of which spawned the hit single "International Players Anthem (I Choose You)", a collaboration with the Georgia-based rap group OutKast.

Arrest and solo debut

In January 2002, Pimp C was sentenced to eight years in prison for violating his probation stemming from an earlier aggravated assault charge. His arrest was widely protested by the hip hop community, who immediately initiated a grassroots "Free Pimp C" campaign. While Pimp C was in prison, Rap-A-Lot Records released ''Sweet James Jones Stories'' in 2005, most of which consisted of unreleased freestyle recordings.

Pimp C spent the later portion of his sentence at the Terrell Unit in Brazoria County, Texas and was transferred to the Huntsville Unit a week prior to his release. On December 30, 2005, Pimp C was released from prison and placed on parole until December 2009.

Death and tributes

Pimp C was found dead in his hotel room in Los Angeles on December 4, 2007. According to the Los Angeles County Coroner, Butler suffered respiratory depression due to an accidental overdose of promethazine and codeine coupled with a preexisting sleep apnea condition. Like many other Southern rappers, Pimp C frequently referenced the recreational consumption of "sizzurp" in his music.

The funeral was held at the Bob Bowers Civic Center in Port Arthur, Texas on December 13, 2007. Port Arthur mayor Deloris Prince, Pimp C's mother Weslyn Monroe, and fellow UGK member Bun B were among the speakers at the service, and the eulogy was delivered by pastor Dr. John R. Randolph. Attendees included many fellow luminaries of the Houston rap scene: Slim Thug, Chamillionaire, Mike Jones, Willie D, Big Gipp, and Webbie.

Bun B continues to pay tribute to Pimp C through his music, including the tracks "You're Everything," a collaboration with Rick Ross, David Banner, and 8Ball and MJG, and "Pop It 4 Pimp" which was produced by Mouse and featured Juvenile and Webbie off of Bun B's 2008 album ''II Trill''. Bun B released the final UGK album, ''UGK 4 Life'', in 2009. ''UGK 4 Life'' had been recorded, for the most part, in the time frame between their previous album and the passing of Pimp C.

During Drake's verse in Bun B's "Put It Down" music video, Pimp C's oldest son Chad Butler II is shown climbing a set of stairs, but the video does not show his face. The chorus and last line of Drake's verse also reference Pimp C.

Pimp C was set to appear in a song titled 'Naked Lady' by Chamillionaire after his wife gave some material to Chamillionaire, however upon realising that Universal Records wanted to take most of the money from the song, leaving little for Butler's family, Chamillionaire returned the material in hopes that it would be sold to someone else for a higher amount of money.

Chamillionaire recently announced through a hidden message in his mixtape "Major Pain 1.5" that he has gained access to some new unreleased Pimp C content that he plans to put to use. Also Otherside by Macklemore is about him.

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

{|class="wikitable" |- !rowspan="2"|Year !rowspan="2"|Title !colspan="3"|Peak chart positions !rowspan="2"|Certifications |- !width=40|U.S. !width=40|U.S. R&B; !width=40|U.S. Rap |- |2005 |''Sweet James Jones Stories''

Released: March 2, 2005

Label: Rap-A-Lot/Asylum

Format: CD, LP, digital download

| style="text-align:center;"|50 | style="text-align:center;"|7 | style="text-align:center;"|3 * |- |2006 |''Pimpalation''

Released: July 11, 2006

Label: Rap-A-Lot/Asylum

Format: CD, LP, digital download

| style="text-align:center;"|3 | style="text-align:center;"|1 | style="text-align:center;"|1 |

US: Gold

|- |2008 |''Greatest Hits (Pimp C album)|Greatest Hits''

Released: June 3, 2008

Label: Asylum

Format: CD, LP, digital download

| style="text-align:center;"|- | style="text-align:center;"|- | style="text-align:center;"|- | * |- |2010 |''The Naked Soul of Sweet Jones''

Released: October 5, 2010

Label: Rap-A-Lot

Format: CD, LP, digital download

| style="text-align:center;"|25 | style="text-align:center;"|8 | style="text-align:center;"|5 * |- |2011 |''Still Pimping''

Released: July 12, 2011

Label: Rap-A-Lot

Format: CD, LP, digital download

| style="text-align:center;"|72 | style="text-align:center;"|15 | style="text-align:center;"|8 |}

Singles

{|class="wikitable" |- !rowspan="2"|Year !rowspan="2"|Title !colspan="3"|Chart chart positions !Rowspan="2"|Album |- !width="40"|U.S. !width="40"|U.S. R&B; !width="40"|U.S. Rap |- | style="text-align:center;"|2005 |"Is A Playa" (featuring Bun B, Twista, and Z-Ro) | style="text-align:center;"|105 | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— ||''Sweet James Jones Stories'' |- |rowspan=3|2006 |"I'm Free" | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|12 |rowspan="3"|''Pimpalation'' |- |"Pourin' Up" (featuring Mike Jones and Bun B) | style="text-align:center;"|103 | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— |- |"Knockin' Doorz Down" (featuring P.O.P. and Lil' Keke) | style="text-align:center;"|108 | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— |}

Featured singles

{|class="wikitable" |- !rowspan="2"|Year !rowspan="2"|Song !colspan="3"|Peak chart positions !Rowspan="2"|Album |- !width="40"|U.S. !width="40"|U.S. R&B; !width="40"|U.S. Rap |- | style="text-align:center;"|1997 |"I Miss My Homies" (Master P featuring Silkk the Shocker and Pimp C) | style="text-align:center;"|25 | style="text-align:center;"|16 | style="text-align:center;"|2 ||''Ghetto D'' |- | style="text-align:center;"|1998 |"Ghetto Life" (Master P featuring Bun B and Pimp C) | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— ||''Da Last Don'' |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"|2006 |"Get Throwed" (Bun B featuring Jay-Z, Pimp C, Z-Ro, and Young Jeezy) | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|49 | style="text-align:center;"|24 ||''Trill'' |- |"Love Song" (Missez featuring Pimp C) | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|53 | style="text-align:center;"|— ||''Single Only'' |- |"D-Girl (DopeGirl)" (Brooke Valentine featuring Pimp C) | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|92 | style="text-align:center;"|— ||''Single Only'' |- | style="text-align:center;"|2009 |"Top Notch" (Z-Ro featuring Pimp C) | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— ||''Crack'' |- | style="text-align:center;"|2010 |"Right Now" (Bun B featuring Pimp C, 2Pac & Trey Songz) | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— ||''Trill O.G.'' |- | style="text-align:center;"|Unreleased |"Naked Lady" (Chamillionaire featuring Pimp C) | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— ||''Unknown'' |}

Music videos

{|class="wikitable" |- !Year !Title !Director |- |2006 |"Pourin' Up" |Mr. Boomtown |- |2007 |"Knockin' Doorz Down" |Benny Matthews |}

References

http://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Hits-Pimp-C/dp/B0015I2P6I

External links

Official website

Chad "Pimp C" Butler at Find A Grave

Category:1973 births Category:2007 deaths Category:Accidental deaths in California Category:African American rappers Category:American people convicted of assault Category:Asylum Records artists Category:Drug-related deaths in California Category:People from Port Arthur, Texas Category:Rappers from Houston, Texas Category:Screwed Up Click members Category:Deaths from heart failure Category:Southern hip hop musicians Category:Rappers from Texas

de:Pimp C es:Pimp C fr:Pimp C ko:핌프 C it:Pimp C pl:Pimp C pt:Pimp C fi:Pimp C sv:Pimp C tr:Pimp C

Coordinates	52°5′0″N21°11′53″N
name	Martin Lawrence
birth name	Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence
birth date	April 16, 1965
birth place	Frankfurt am Main, Detroit, Michigan
medium	Stand-up comedyTelevisionFilm
nationality	American
active	1983–present
genre	Observational comedyPhysical comedyImprovisational comedyBlack comedy
subject	Human sexuality, African-American culture, racism, race relations, self-deprecation
influences	Eddie MurphyRichard PryorBill CosbyRedd FoxxCedric the Entertainer
influenced	Dave ChappelleKevin HartChris TuckerTracy Morgan
spouse	Patricia Southall (1995–96); Shamika Gibbs (2010–present)
domesticpartner	Lark Voorhies (1993)
notable work	Martin Payne on ''Martin''''House Party''''Bad Boys'', ''Bad Boys II''''Big Momma's House'', ''Big Momma's House 2'', ''Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son''''Open Season''
website	}}

Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence (born April 16, 1965) is an American actor, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and stand up comedian. He came to fame during the 1990s, establishing a Hollywood career as a leading actor, most notably the films ''Bad Boys'', ''Blue Streak'', and ''Big Momma's House''. Lawrence has acted in numerous film roles and starred in his own television series, ''Martin'', which ran from 1992 to 1997.

Life

Lawrence was born in Frankfurt am Main, Hesse in Germany on April 16, 1965, to American parents. He was given his first name after civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. and his middle name after US President John F. Kennedy. His father, John Lawrence, served in the US Military. After his parents divorced when he was eight, Lawrence rarely saw his father, who worked as a police officer at the time. His mother, Chlora (née Bailey), began working several jobs to support her family. During his teen years, Lawrence excelled at boxing. He lived in Maryland, and attended Thomas G. Pullen School of Creative and Performing Arts (Landover, Maryland), Fairmont Heights High School (Fairmount Heights, Maryland), Eleanor Roosevelt High School, and also Friendly High School in Fort Washington, Maryland, becoming a Mid-Atlantic Golden Gloves boxing contender.

Career

Lawrence moved to Denver and found his way to the legendary Kings Wood comedy club. Shortly after appearing at the Wood, he won a performance spot on ''Star Search'', a popular show in the United States. He did well on the show and made it to the final round before ultimately losing. However, executives at Columbia TriStar Television saw Martin's performance and offered him the role of "Maurice" on the television sitcom ''What's Happening Now!!''; this was his first acting job. Upon cancellation of that show, Lawrence found bit parts in various films and television roles. His breakthrough role was as Cee in the Spike Lee film ''Do the Right Thing''. Other roles followed in films such as the ''House Party'' series and the Eddie Murphy vehicle ''Boomerang''. During this period, entertainment mogul Russell Simmons selected him to host the groundbreaking series ''Def Comedy Jam'' on HBO. ''Def Comedy Jam'' gave many comedians (including Chris Tucker, Dave Chappelle, Bernie Mac and Cedric the Entertainer) mainstream exposure.

During his stint with ''Def Comedy Jam'', Lawrence appeared in his own hit series, ''Martin'', which aired on Fox TV. The show ran from 1992 to 1997 and was an enormous success. ''Martin'' was the flagship of Fox's Thursday-night line-up, which drew millions of viewers away from NBC's "Must See TV" line-up. He hosted ''Saturday Night Live'' on February 19, 1994, where he made crude remarks about women's genitalia and personal hygiene; the monologue was completely edited out of NBC reruns and syndicated versions, and Lawrence was banned from the show for life. "Martin"'s ratings continued to skyrocket so much that Fox became more of a contender against NBC and came closer to being considered among the top television networks.

Lawrence's ''Martin'' co-star, Tisha Campbell-Martin, filed a lawsuit against Lawrence and the show's producers for sexual harassment and verbal and physical assaults. HBO Studios settled the lawsuit so the show's final season could be completed. Campbell-Martin agreed to complete the season on the condition that she not appear in any scenes in the last two episodes with Lawrence. No criminal charges were ever filed and the accusations were never brought to court.

After ''Martin'' ended its run, Lawrence found ample work in comedy films. He often starred as the second lead opposite actors including Eddie Murphy, Will Smith, and Tim Robbins. Many of his films were blockbusters at the box office, including ''Boomerang'' (1992), (also with him again in "Life") ''Bad Boys'' (1995), ''Blue Streak'' (1999), ''Big Momma's House'' (2000) and ''Bad Boys 2'' (2003). He also starred in critical and box office failures including ''Black Knight'' (2001) and ''National Security'' (2002). Regardless, his salary steadily increased to over $10 million per film role. He continues to work in film, with such films as ''Big Momma's House 2'', which opened #1 at the North American box office and grossed almost $28 million its first weekend, and ''Wild Hogs'' (2007), in which he plays a bored suburbanite seeking adventure on the open road in a biker comedy alongside John Travolta, Tim Allen and William H. Macy.

In 2006, Lawrence appeared on ''Inside the Actors Studio'', during which Lawrence briefly brought back to life some of the characters he'd portrayed on ''Martin''.

In 2008, Lawrence starred in Disney's ''College Road Trip'' co-starring with Raven Symone. This particular film was his first G-rated film. Even though it was his first film to be G-rated, it is not his first time appearing in a children's film. as well as a voiceover role in ''Open Season'' (2006) opposite Ashton Kutcher.

At the 2009 BET Awards he appeared in a spoof movie trailer with Jamie Foxx for a fictional movie ''The Skank Robbers'' that featured, their respective television characters ''Sheneneh Jenkins'' and ''Ugly Wanda''. in 2010, Fox announced that it was producing a film based on the sketch, featuring Foxx, Lawrence, and actress Halle Berry.

In 2010, it was announced that Lawrence would reprise his role as FBI agent Malcolm Turner in ''Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son'', the third film in the ''Big Momma's House'' series, which was released in 2011.

Personal life

Lawrence was engaged to actress Lark Voorhies in 1993.

He married Patricia Southall, a former Miss Virginia USA, in 1995. The couple had one child, Jasmine. They then got divorced in 1997.

On July 10, 2010, Lawrence married longtime girlfriend Shamika Gibbs at his Beverly Hills home. Actors Eddie Murphy and Denzel Washington were among the 120 wedding guests; Shanice serenaded the couple by singing the Minnie Riperton classic "Lovin' You".

In the mid-1990s, during the filming of ''A Thin Line Between Love and Hate'', Lawrence lashed out in a violent outburst on the set. He became increasingly erratic and was arrested after he reportedly brandished a pistol and screamed at tourists on Ventura Boulevard in Los Angeles.

He was also arrested at Burbank Airport for carrying a loaded gun in his suitcase.

In March 1997, Lawrence was arrested again after assaulting a man in a Hollywood nightclub.

During August 1999, Lawrence slipped into a three-day coma after collapsing from heat exhaustion while jogging in 100-degree heat while wearing several layers of heavy clothing. He recovered in the hospital after nearly dying from a body temperature of 107 °F (41.7 °C), his breathing assisted by a respirator.

''House Party (film) ''Talkin' Dirty After Dark'' ''House Party 2'' ''Boomerang (1992 film) ''You So Crazy'' ''Bad Boys (1995 film) ''A Thin Line Between Love and Hate'' ''Nothing to Lose (1997 film) ''Life (film) ''Blue Streak (film) ''Big Momma's House'' ''Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat'' ''National Security (film) ''Bad Boys II'' ''Rebound (2005 film) ''Open Season (film) ''Wild Hogs'' ''Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins'' ''College Road Trip'' ''Death at a Funeral (2010 film) ''Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son'' ''Bad Boys 3''

Year !! Title !! Role !! Note

1989

''Do the Right Thing

Cee

1990

House Party'' ||

Bilal

1991

|

Terry

1991

|

Bilal

1992

Boomerang'' ||

Tyler

1994

|

Himself

Stand-up actingExecutive producer and writer

1995

Bad Boys'' ||

Marcus Burnett

1996

|

Narrator/Darnell 'Deeny/'D'/D.W.' Wright

Also director, executive producer, music supervisor, and writer

1997

Nothing to Lose'' ||

Terrance Paul Davidson

1999

Life'' ||

Claude Banks

1999

Blue Streak'' ||

Miles Logan/Detective Malone

2000

|

Malcolm Turner/Big Momma

Also executive producer

2001

''What's the Worst That Could Happen?''

2001

Black Knight (film)>Black Knight''

2002

|

Himself

Also executive producerStand-up acting/Writer

2003

National Security'' ||

Earl Montgomery

Also executive producer

2003

|

Marcus Burnett

2005

Rebound'' ||

Roy McCormick/Preacher Don

Also executive producer

2006

''Big Momma's House 2''

2006

Open Season'' ||

Boog

Voice only

2007

|

Bobby Davis

2008

|

Dr. RJ Stevens/Roscoe Steven Jenkins, Jr.

2008

|

Chief James Porter

2010

Death at a Funeral'' ||

Ryan

2011

|

Malcolm Turner/Big Momma

2012

|

Marcus Burnett

Television

*''What's Happening Now!!'' (cast member from 1987–1988) – Maurice

*''A Little Bit Strange'' (1989) (unsold pilot)

I'm Gonna Git You Sucka#Spin-off>Hammer, Slammer, & Slade'' (1990) (unsold pilot)

Al B. Sure!#Other work>Private Times'' (1991) (unsold pilot)

*''Martin (TV series)

*''[[Def Comedy Jam'' (host from 1992–1993)

*''Love That Girl!'' (executive producer)

Filmography

Year	Album	Chart Positions
		! width="45"	! width="45"
1993		76	10
1995		–	35

Awards and nominations

Blockbuster Entertainment Award

*nominated with Eddie Murphy for Favorite Comedy Team (2000) for the movie ''Life''

*nominated for Favorite Actor (2001) for the movie ''Big Momma's House''

NAACP Image Award

*won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (1995) for the series ''Martin''

*won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (1996) for the series ''Martin''

*nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (1997) for the series ''Martin''

Kids' Choice Award

*nominated for Favorite Television Actor (1995) for the series ''Martin''

*nominated for Favorite Television Actor (1996) for the series ''Martin''

*nominated for Favorite Movie Actor (2001) for the movie ''Big Momma's House''

MTV Movie Award

*nominated with Will Smith for Best On-Screen Duo (1996) for the movie ''Bad Boys''

*nominated for the movie ''Big Momma's House''

*nominated with Will Smith for Best On-Screen Team (2003) for the movie ''Bad Boys II''

ShoWest – Male Star of Tomorrow (1995)

Teen Choice Award – nominated for Wipeout Scene of the Summer (2000) for the movie ''Big Momma's House''

BET Comedy Award – won Icon Comedy Award (2005)

References

External links

Interview, 2005, BlackNews

Interview, 7/03, BlackFilm

Interview: January 25, 2006 on the Tavis Smiley show

Martin Lawrence HBO Stand-Up Special Videos

Category:1965 births Category:American stand-up comedians Category:American actors Category:American film directors Category:American film producers Category:American screenwriters Category:American comedians Category:American film actors Category:American television actors Category:African American film directors Category:African American comedians Category:African American film actors Category:African American television actors Category:Living people Category:Actors from Maryland Category:Military brats Category:People from New York City Category:People from Frankfurt Category:People from Prince George's County, Maryland

ar:مارتن لورنس an:Martin Lawrence cs:Martin Lawrence da:Martin Lawrence de:Martin Lawrence es:Martin Lawrence fa:مارتین لارنس fr:Martin Lawrence ko:마틴 로런스 id:Martin Lawrence it:Martin Lawrence he:מרטין לורנס ka:მარტინ ლოურენსი lv:Mārtins Lorenss nl:Martin Lawrence ja:マーティン・ローレンス no:Martin Lawrence pl:Martin Lawrence pt:Martin Lawrence ro:Martin Lawrence ru:Лоуренс, Мартин simple:Martin Lawrence sk:Martin Lawrence sr:Мартин Лоренс fi:Martin Lawrence sv:Martin Lawrence tr:Martin Lawrence zh:馬汀·勞倫斯

Coordinates	52°5′0″N21°11′53″N
{{infobox magazine| title	HM: The Hard Music Magazine | image_file HM_Magazine.gif | image_size 200px | image_caption ''HM Magazine'', Issue #117, Jan/Feb 2006 | editor Doug Van Pelt | frequency Bimonthly | category Christian metal | company HM | firstdate Summer 1985 | country | language American English | website hmmagazine.com | issn 1066-6923 | }}

''HM: The Hard Music Magazine'' is an American bimonthly publication focusing on both Christianity and hard rock. Articles include news, album and festival reviews, posters, artists to watch, indie artist reviews, devotionals and interviews with Christian artists. The recurring "So and So Sez" interviews focus on artists who often are not Christians and play in secular bands, in order to discuss their music, upcoming tours, albums, and to determine their views on Jesus Christ and other spiritual matters.

History

In 1985, Doug Van Pelt started ''Heaven's Metal'' as a fanzine. The classified ad Van Pelt's friend placed in ''Kerrang!'' happened to be in the British rock magazine's 100th issue—an issue with 100,000 extra copies. This affected on the number of people ordering subscriptions. During that time many Christian record labels became interested in Christian metal, and they advertised the newly signed metal bands on their roster on ''Heaven's Metal'' since it was the only publication exclusively covering the movement. Soon ''Heaven's Metal'' achieved more popularity and became an official, professional publication, with five full-time journalists working for the magazine. ''Heaven's Metal'' achieved a regular flock of 15,000 readers.

The name was changed to ''HM Magazine'' in 1995, where the HM can also represent "Hard Music". Despite name and format changes over its history, the magazine's spiritual focus remains identifiably Christian, as it follows both the Christian rock and the Christian metal movement. Bands' sales usually rose when the ensembles were covered on the magazine. For example, during the mid-1990s, ''HM'' was the only magazine that covered P.O.D. The band's label appreciated ''HM'' for this and eventually Atlantic Records bestowed upon Van Pelt the gold P.O.D. plaque. Gold records are given to industry figures that impact sales. During the 1990s, ''HM'' sealed a distribution deal with a major magazine wholesaler that immediately increased its print-run from 13,000 to 22,000 copies and allowed Van Pelt and his co-workers to double ad rates, making ''HM'' a stable business enterprise.

Two specific articles greatly bolstered ''HM'''s popularity. The first was the band King's X's vocalist Doug Pinnick revealing his homosexuality. The second was Alice Cooper's interview in 2002 when he, for the first time in public, admitted being a Christian, though he had avoided becoming a "Celebrity Christian," since other news portals in the world quickly noted this interview.

On October 2004, Van Pelt brought back the ''Heaven's Metal'' name by starting a new fanzine under that title. Christianity and hard music are also themes of this venture, but produced in a smaller, less formal format. The ''Heaven's Metal'' fanzine also focuses on the more traditional styles of heavy metal and bands that are not as mainstream as those featured in the ''HM Magazine''. The ''Heaven's Metal'' fanzine is released between issues of the primary ''HM Magazine''.

''HM'' has expanded to include acts other than those that would fit into the hard rock or metal category. It is not unusual to find an article on a softer rock band like Deas Vail or a synthpop outfit like Owl City.

Van Pelt currently remains the editor and publisher of both the ''HM Magazine'' and ''Heaven's Metal Fanzine''.

In an attempt to get out of debt, ''HM'' has launched a "Save HM Magazine campaign" through their website to raise funds in order to continue printing the publication. As a thanks to donors, they are offering a collection of songs available for download.

References

External links

HM Magazine (official)

Austin Chronicle: HM Editor/Publisher Doug Van Pelt's Hard-Rocking Christian Empire 7 August 2000

Phantom Tollbooth: Heaven's Metal Re-launches As A Fanzine 4 October 2004

Category:Christian magazines Category:Christian metal Category:American music magazines Category:Magazines established in 1985

fi:HM (lehti)