INTERVIEW: Ruslan talks about Kings Dream brand/conference

I recently caught up with theBREAX frontman Ruslan via e-mail to ask about his new Kings Dream brand and mega-conference/concert series that launches this weekend in San Marcos, California.

Sketch: You recently launched the Kings Dream brand. Outside of a record label, what exactly does that mean?

Ruslan: It prompts the questions: “Who is the King?” and “What is his dream for how we are to live our lives?” It’s based on John 10:10 and Jesus’ desire to give us life in the abundance. It’s also a ministry that we are hoping to launch in 2013 to reach young adults in our area.

It’s more than just a label or collective of artists. We really hope to impact regionally and nationally with the music being the soundtrack to our heart to see people win.

Sketch: Who do you see as the target audience for the Kings Dream conference?

Ruslan: Christians who desire to learn how to win and become successful in every area of their lives. We desire to reach 18-30 year old young adults specifically.

We feel there are a lot of Christians (especially within the hip hop culture) who have great theology and love Jesus – but the rest of their lives are kind of a mess.

We would like to really look at the Scriptures and conform ourselves into what it suggests and requires when it comes to areas like our finances, health, career, marriage – not just theology and ministry. We want to build healthy, balanced Christians who can impact and win in the marketplace and in their local communities.

Sketch: A megaconcert as large as the one you have planned here seems like a large enough undertaking so why add in everything else to make it a full conference? Isn’t that a lot of work?

Ruslan: It is a lot of work, but it’s very worth it. We feel a burden to equip our local community, and the Christian hip hop scene in general, to be greater through the power of Jesus and for His glory. We’ve had a lot of experience with event planning and so it’s a natural transition to attempt something greater for Jesus.

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Sketch: We’ve seen you [Ruslan] pushed as a solo artist as of late, so I have to ask – what’s the status on the group? Did theBREAX break up?

Ruslan: No, we didn’t break up, lol… theBREAX initially started as a band in 2006 with myself as the front man and over the years it evolved into a trio, duo, and came full circle back into a band. So all local shows we usually play as the band with Beleaf usually DJing and rapping. As Beleaf and his wife expecting their first son in February, he isn’t in the position to travel which is why the focus shifted into building a label and a sustaining solo career for me. The label enables us to release music for John Givez, myself and Beleaf and also allows us to shift the momentum we built as theBREAX into solo careers and for me to continue traveling.

Sketch: Who is your favorite king and why? Martin Luther, David, Burger, or LeBron James?

Ruslan: Jesus Christ. King David and MLK Jr.

For more information about the Kings Dream conference and concerts visit: https://kingsdreament.eventbrite.com/#

FULL CONERENCE SCHEDULE:

Friday, December 7
5:30 pm Doors Open
6:00 pm Worship – Drew Barragan
Introduction – Ruslan
“What We Believe, Determines How We Live” – Jobey McGinty
“Health & Fitness” – Anthony Steel
“Manners, Fashion & Etiquette” – Fonzworth Bentley
7:45pm Intermission
8:00pm John Givez EP Release Concert (Included in conference tix | $15 public)
Performances by Fonzworth Bentley, theBREAX, Je’Kob, NomiS, Genetics

Saturday, December 8
10:00am Welcome & Worship – Pat lynch
10:30am Session 1
“Evangelism” – James Murray (MS)
“Diversity & Privilege” – Dr. Bruce Hoskins (MHM)
11:20am Session 2
“Discipleship” – Chris Davis (MS)
“Diversity & Privilege” – Dr. Bruce Hoskins (MHM)
12:30pm Lunch (provided)
1:45pm Session 3
“Financial Stewardship” – Daniel Goulding (MS)
2:30pm Session 4
“Contentment in Being Single” – Andy Mineo & Janette…ikz (MS)
“Excellent Marriage”-J u lie Schaecher (KOM)
3:30pm Artist/Speaker Panel – Moderated by Daniel Rothamel
With Andy Mineo, B. Reith, Ruslan, Janette…i kz , DJ Rek, Bruce Hoskins
5:00p m Dinner (on your own) 5:30pm (Evening activity option) Saturday Night Service at theMovement
7:15pm Gospel Centered Living – Jeremy McGinty