Former gangsta rapper Samantha Coleman is excited about her forthcoming gospel/rap CD, For Such A Time As This, set for release on September 12 via the music label, Glory With Volume Records based in Atlanta. After years of performing in the world of hardcore rap music, the Atlanta-based artist is using her rap roots to showcase the new direction her life has taken and share her testimony with others through her music. For Such A Time As This, executive produced by label CEO Moe Jackson and Apostle John Hall, features 14 tracks spotlighting the rapper’s unique style. In preparation for the release of the full-length gospel hip hop CD this fall, the first single, Jesus Is Comin’, was released to radio in mid-June. The single has been added to WDJL-AM (Huntsville, AL) as well as the Internet radio show the TimJacksonJrShow.net. Jesus Is Comin’ is #5 and All The Time is #7, both tracks are already top ten requested songs at the Internet station. “I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store with the messages that are coming across on these songs,” states Coleman. “It has been a very patient journey, but I believe that this is God’s appointed time to introduce my message of deliverance to the world and I am excited about the souls that will be reached through the music and lyrics on the CD.”

Known as "DaGanksta," a hardball rapper from “da Dirty South,” Coleman was on the fast track to rap superstardom. She was one of the first females with a hardcore, southern street flow straight out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She began dancing for recording artist M-C World and the Girls in 1992, traveling the southern region while performing in shows with artists such as Men at Large, Father MC and Gerald Levert. She recorded her first rap song in 1993, and subsequently released a maxi single titled Da Ganksta Commin at Cha. She mesmerized listeners with her gangsta style of rap.

By 1996, Samantha had partnered with Bruce Moore, forming their own company called Ballin Records and as male/female rap group chose the name Beelow and DaGanksta. Beelow and DaGanksta went on to open for such rap stars as Master P, Cash Money Millionaires, Ghetto Twins, Mystical and others. In 1998, the duo decided to open a record store. Little did Samantha know, God was about to walk into her life and offer her a deal she couldn't refuse. The performance/business duo was eventually introduced to Private Eye/Mercury Records where they received a major distribution deal. At the age of 22, it seemed like everything was going great for her, but on the inside, her same sex attractions were screaming for control.

"I was dealing with an issue on the inside," said Coleman. "My family really didn't know. But, anyone who could see spiritually would have known that the spirit of homosexuality was plaguing my life."

"I dated guys, trying to be normal but I remained attracted to women. The spirit of sexual perversion had taken over my mind. At the age of twenty, I began to date a woman. Soon we were living together. I was living my life as a man providing for his woman. I had many problems with family and friends, but they just had to accept what I was."

One June day while Samantha was working in her music store, rap mogul Master P.’s cousin - an evangelist – happened to walk into the store. In her testimony Coleman tells what happened that day and how her life changed from that moment forward. She regularly ministers to young people and discusses her past homosexual life.

She was offered a major record deal, but the Lord told her to walk away from it – and that is what she did. Beginning in June 1998, Coleman spent four years studying the Word of God and pursuing full time ministry dedicated to winning souls for Christ. She says God called her back into rap and she became a woman reborn. Her first gospel/rap CD, aptly named Ganksta Resurrected, was released in November 2002.

Since that time, Coleman has moved from her hometown of Baton Rogue on to Atlanta. On May 13, she performed at the “Yes, I Can Ministries” conference in Baton Rogue in front of an audience of over 1,000 enthusiastic youth. She also performed at Dr. Bobby Jones’ 2nd Annual Urban IMPACT Summit on June 25 through June 27 at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut. On July 8th, she ministered at the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta about her former lifestyle. And on Saturday, August 5 she will make an appearance at CeCe Winans’ “Always Sisters Always Friends” conference in Nashville. Her celebrated testimony song, Funny Valentine was featured on Gospel Truth Magazine's June 2003 CD sampler which was distributed to over 200,000 subscribers, 15,000 radio stations and 20,000 retailers nationwide.

Former gangsta rapper-turned gospel artist Samantha Coleman recognizes the time to deliver her musical message is now…For Such A Time As This.

For more information check out her website at www.samanthacoleman.com.