The Ambassador (William Branch)
Encyclopedia
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
. 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.
Around 2009, Branch was caught in a relationship outside of his marriage. The event was a major setback in his career and it resulted in him being released from The Cross Movement
record label, and also from his pastoral position at his church in Philadelphia. News spread quickly of the affair and Branch finally wrote a letter to multiple sites explaining his apologies and final thoughts on the affair. An interview was held in 2011 on the matter. Branch, and his wife Michelle, both showed up for the interview and Branch explained that the relationship was mostly due to non-communication between him and his wife. He also stated that the relationship was "non-sexual, but definitely inappropriate". Branch went through counseling and spiritual revival, and came to release his new album Stop the Funeral
under a new record label, Xist Music, which he helped form along with Emanuel Lambert ( Better known as Da' T.R.U.T.H. ) and two other artists under the label.
"Genuine repentance and restoration are the hallmark of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and of true believers. Restoration starts an amazing healing process that is transforming for all who sin and come short of God's glory. By God's grace the Ambassador's restoration to his marriage and to his calling in ministry are both exemplary of the forgiveness and healing power of Jesus Christ". --"Walking The Talk" (2010, July)
The Cross Movement
-Ministry:The Cross Movement has three separate and distinct eponymous components which comprise its ministry. The first component is the Christian hip hop group known as The Cross Movement which was most recently composed of four solo rappers: The Ambassador , The Tonic , Phanatik , and...
. 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.
Around 2009, Branch was caught in a relationship outside of his marriage. The event was a major setback in his career and it resulted in him being released from The Cross Movement
The Cross Movement
-Ministry:The Cross Movement has three separate and distinct eponymous components which comprise its ministry. The first component is the Christian hip hop group known as The Cross Movement which was most recently composed of four solo rappers: The Ambassador , The Tonic , Phanatik , and...
record label, and also from his pastoral position at his church in Philadelphia. News spread quickly of the affair and Branch finally wrote a letter to multiple sites explaining his apologies and final thoughts on the affair. An interview was held in 2011 on the matter. Branch, and his wife Michelle, both showed up for the interview and Branch explained that the relationship was mostly due to non-communication between him and his wife. He also stated that the relationship was "non-sexual, but definitely inappropriate". Branch went through counseling and spiritual revival, and came to release his new album Stop the Funeral
Stop the Funeral
Stop the Funeral is the fourth solo album from Christian rapper The Ambassador.-Track listing:#A-M#Get With Us ft. Sean Simmonds#Mind Made Up#Pop Pop Pop#Up Down ft. Charmaine#Favor ft. Canton Jones#Bring You Out ft. Melissa T#Talk This Way...
under a new record label, Xist Music, which he helped form along with Emanuel Lambert ( Better known as Da' T.R.U.T.H. ) and two other artists under the label.
"Genuine repentance and restoration are the hallmark of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and of true believers. Restoration starts an amazing healing process that is transforming for all who sin and come short of God's glory. By God's grace the Ambassador's restoration to his marriage and to his calling in ministry are both exemplary of the forgiveness and healing power of Jesus Christ". --"Walking The Talk" (2010, July)
Albums
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 1999 | Christology: In Laymen's Terms Christology: In Laymen's Terms The Ambassador's first solo effort, Christology: In Laymen's Terms.-Music Video:A music video was made for the song "Honor & Glory" featuring the Tonic.----#Intro#One Two#Selah#Christology Interlude#Hold Your Ground#Thug Joint#Prayer Interlude...
|
| 2005 | The Thesis The Thesis The Thesis is the second solo album from Christian rapper The Ambassador.The Thesis is a lyrical exploration of the concept of God as the initiator and benefactor of the Gospel in song, i.e. Holy Hip Hop. In it, The Ambassador proposes that God is pleased when His people skillfully use Hip Hop to... |
| 2008 | The Chop Chop: From Milk to Meat The Chop Chop: From Milk to Meat The Chop Chop: From Milk to Meat is the third solo album from Christian rapper The Ambassador.-Track listing:#The Opener#The Chop Chop#Checkin' for My God #The Chop Chop Defined #Gimme Dat!#JESUS... |
| 2011 | Stop The Funeral Stop the Funeral Stop the Funeral is the fourth solo album from Christian rapper The Ambassador.-Track listing:#A-M#Get With Us ft. Sean Simmonds#Mind Made Up#Pop Pop Pop#Up Down ft. Charmaine#Favor ft. Canton Jones#Bring You Out ft. Melissa T#Talk This Way... |
Guest appearances
- "Why Me" by Trip LeeTrip LeeWilliam Lee Barefield III, better known by his stage name, "Trip Lee", is an American Christian rapper who is signed to Reach Records and has recorded both independently and as a founding member of the 116 Clique. Originally from Dallas, Texas, he now resides in Washington D.C.. He first gained...
- "Everyday All Day Cypha" by Everyday Process feat. LecraeLecraeLecrae Moore is an American Christian Hip Hop artist signed to Reach Records, the record label that he co-founded. Thus far Lecrae has released five solo studio albums, and his latest Rehab: The Overdose was released on January 11, 2011...
, FLAMEFLAMEFlame is a Christian hip hop recording artist with Clear Sight Music. He has released five albums including: Flame, Rewind, Our World: Fallen, Our World: Redeemed, and Captured. Our World: Redeemed was nominated for a Grammy Award...
, PhanatikPhanatikBrady Goodwin Jr. a.k.a. “Phanatik” is an author and Christian hip-hop artist who has recorded both independently and as a founding member of the two time Grammy nominated group The Cross Movement. Phanatik is signed to Cross Movement Records. His debut album entitled The Incredible Walk, was...
& R-Swift - "Star Struck" by Da’ T.R.U.T.H.Da’ T.R.U.T.H.Emanuel Lee Lambert, Jr. is a Christian rapper who goes by the name, "Da' T.R.U.T.H.".-Biography:...
- "It's The S.O.I. (Sons of Intellect Anthem)" by KJ-52KJ-52KJ-52 is a Christian rapper from Tampa, Florida. The "KJ" part of his name refers to his old rap alias, "King J...
feat. PhanatikPhanatikBrady Goodwin Jr. a.k.a. “Phanatik” is an author and Christian hip-hop artist who has recorded both independently and as a founding member of the two time Grammy nominated group The Cross Movement. Phanatik is signed to Cross Movement Records. His debut album entitled The Incredible Walk, was...
**Credited on the packaging and liner notes as "Deuce"
With The Cross Movement
- "Heaven's MentalityHeaven's MentalityHeaven's Mentality is the debut album from the popular Christian hip hop group the Cross Movement, released in 1997. Although there are just four men on the cover the Cross Movement crew is listed in the insert as: The Ambassador, Cruz Cordero, Enock, Gift , Phanatik, Prodigy and Tru-Life.-Track...
" (1997) - "House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives (album)House of Representatives is the second album from the popular Christian hip hop group the Cross Movement, released in 1998. The Cross Movement on this album consisted of The Ambassador, Cruz Cordero, EarthQuake, Enock, Phanatik, Tru-Life and Tonic....
" (1998) - "Human EmergencyHuman EmergencyHuman Emergency is the third album from the popular Christian hip hop group the Cross Movement, released on October 31, 2000. It included The Ambassador, EarthQuake, Enock, Phanatik and Tonic.-Track listing:#Intro - Dispatch...
" (2000) - "Holy CultureHoly CultureHoly Culture is the 4th album from the Christian hip hop group the Cross Movement, released on April 22, 2003. Includes The Ambassador, Phanatik, Tonic and Tru-Life...
" (2003) - "Gift RapGift RapGift Rap was a Christmas compilation album released by Cross Movement Records on October 26, 2004. It featured both CMR artists and others. Production by Kevin Arthur, EarthQuake, D. Hackley, Lee Jerkins, So Hot Productions, Maji, Official, Rodney Rockers, Tru-Life...
" (2004) - "Higher DefinitionHigher DefinitionHigher Definition is the 5th album from the Christian hip hop group the Cross Movement, released on October 26, 2005.-Track listing:#Civilian Affairs#Redefined#It’s Time#Hey Y’all#Lord You Are #Hip-Hop-cracy#Card Shark...
" (2004) - "HIStory: Our Place In His StoryHIStory: Our Place In His StoryHigher Definition is the 6th and final original album from the Christian hip hop group the Cross Movement, released on August 22, 2007. It recently received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rock Or Rap Gospel Album.-Track listing:#Our God#Louder...
" (2007)
Music videos
- "Gimme Dat!" (2008)
- "The Ambassador - Honor and Glory (Official Music Video)" (1999)
- "Get You Open" (2005)