The Ambassador (rapper)

William "Duce" Branch a.k.a. The Ambassador or Ambassador is a Christian hip-hop artist who has recorded both independently and as a founding member of the group The Cross Movement.[1][2] Branch is the former president of Cross Movement Ministries. He is an alumnus of Dallas Theological Seminary and has a Master in Theology degree graduating with honors.

The Ambassador
The Ambassador in Nairobi, Kenya in September 2012
Background information
Birth nameWilliam Tyrone Branch
OriginPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
GenresChristian hip-hop, hip-hop
Years active1991-present
LabelsCross Movement, Xist
Websiteambassador215.com

Personal life

A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, William "Duce" Branch a.k.a. The Ambassador is the co-planter of Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia. He has toured globally as a solo artist and with The Cross Movement and been covered by media outlets as diverse as Time Magazine, CCM Magazine, VIBE, The Source, Billboard and The Washington Post, Philadelphia Inquirer and more. He has also served as the president of the non-profit organization Cross Movement Ministries and ministered the gospel through rap and preaching for nearly 15 years. With a passionate commitment to the kingdom of Christ as well as a firm belief that faith must integrate with culture, The Ambassador has become known for his devotion to proclaiming Jesus Christ to urban contexts, and through urban mediums.

Building on the success of his sophomore solo project "The Thesis" and his Grammy- and Stellar-nominated release HIStory with group The Cross Movement, The Ambassador follows with The Chop Chop—an album with production by J.R., Official, Tony Stone and HOTHANDZ topped with an uncompromising message that will challenge listeners, while exposing the authenticity and supremacy of God.

“The Chop Chop: From Milk to Meat” is both an invitation and an exhortation from the Grammy, GMA Dove and Stellar nominated artist to rally those who are hungry for truth and determined to mature. "The current trend in our culture—and sadly in the church—is to 'dumb down' almost everything. Some things require a little more intensity, commitment and grind, and our faith is certainly one of those jewels," states The Ambassador.

With special guest appearances by Lecrae, Trip Lee, Da' T.R.U.T.H. and Stephen the Levite, The Chop Chop calls all hearers to take the meat of God's weighty truth and "chop it up", chew it until it becomes a part of them.

Following the single "Gimme Dat!", The Chop Chop has been called "a project that fires on all cylinders". Already embraced by broadcast Gospel outlets, The Ambassador most recently performed "Gimme Dat!" on TBN's "Praise the Lord", and is set to appear on TV1's "The Gospel of Music with Jeff Majors" and INSP's "Mixx Masters Lounge".

He is now Assistant Professor of Preaching and Bible and Undergraduate Chapel Coordinator for The College at Southeastern (Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary).[3]

Discography

Albums
Year Album
1999 Christology: In Laymen's Terms
  • first solo album
  • released: November 9, 1999
2005 The Thesis
  • second solo album
  • released: May 17, 2005
2008 The Chop Chop: From Milk to Meat
  • third solo album
  • released: September 23, 2008
2011 Stop the Funeral
  • fourth solo album
  • released: July 12, 2011
2013 The Ambassador Presents Hors D'oeuvres - EP
  • EP
  • released: August 20, 2013
2016 When Sacred Meets Secular
  • fifth solo album
  • released: September 16, 2016

Guest appearances
  • "Why Me" by Trip Lee
  • "Everyday All Day Cypha" by Everyday Process feat. Lecrae, FLAME, Phanatik & R-Swift
  • "Star Struck" by Da' T.R.U.T.H.
  • "It's The S.O.I. (Sons of Intellect Anthem)" by KJ-52 feat. Phanatik **Credited on the packaging and liner notes as "Deuce"
  • "I'm Alive Remix" by Jahaziel feat. G Kid & Da' T.R.U.T.H.
  • "One, Two" cuts by DJ Skillspinz
  • "Hold Your Ground" cuts by DJ Skillspinz

With The Cross Movement

Music videos
  • "The Ambassador - Honor and Glory (Official Music Video)" (1999)
  • "Get You Open" (2005)
  • "Gimme Dat!" (2008)
gollark: No, I mean we have automatic "just walk out" purchase processing.
gollark: It's logically impossible for you to steal them.
gollark: They're very stable except under strong unsafety fields emitted by C programs.
gollark: No, bees have internal apiolectromagnetic interactions.
gollark: By mass-energy equivalence, probably 5e163 (bees are very energetic).

References
  1. Farias, Andrea. (2005). "Review: The Thesis", Christianity Today
  2. Hyde, Jesse. (December 8, 2005). "Hip-hop's Public Enemy", Dallas Observer
  3. "William T. Branch". sebts.edu. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
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