Tony Cummings reports on the latest initiative of multi-talented rapper and video director ANDY MINEO

Andy Mineo

Rapper, producer, minister and video director Andy Mineo has continued to make waves in the Christian music world, while attracting an ever-growing legion of mainstream music followers. His 2013 smash hit album 'Heroes For Sale' and his critically acclaimed and somewhat controversial 'Uncomfortable' album of 2015 demonstrate that this most versatile of creative spirits is showing no signs of running out of steam. Now he has collaborated with Jim Munroe, who in America is a popular magician often on US TV but also a leukaemia survivor. Andy and Jim have recorded a video together to encourage others to help Make Cancer Disappear.

The video, which is now dedicated in loving memory of Mineo's mother who recently lost her battle with leukaemia while waiting for a donor match, is part of the #MakeCancerDisappear movement. An expansive, social media-driven fundraising and awareness campaign, #MakeCancerDisappear is a public challenge that seeks to raise funds to support research to eliminate blood cancer and blood disorders, help families dealing with the financial impact of a blood stem cell transplant, and sign up donors for the Be The Match Registry®. People interested in participating in the challenge can record short, compelling and entertaining videos that can be uploaded on a multitude of social media platforms using the dedicated hashtag #MakeCancerDisappear. Participants can preview the instructional launch video from Be The Match®. "Our hope is that through this challenge we can reach people of all ages throughout the country and beyond and get them to see that they can literally, not just figuratively, make cancer disappear," says Munroe. For more information and to join the crusade, people are being asked to visit www.makecancerdisappear.com/the-challenge, www.makecancerdisappear.com, #MakeCancerDisappear and #BeTheMatch.

Mineo's latest project for Reach Records, 'II: The Sword', is the second of four EPs. On the seven-song project, the New York-based emcee is joined by guests Jon Bellion, Phonte, Christon Gray, Josh Garrels and David James.

Andy's video and television work includes the single "Destiny", by Sheena Lee, in which he was a featured performer, and, along with rapper Derek Minor, aided DJ Official in producing "Power Trip" by Lecrae, featuring Andy Mineo, Derek Minor and Sho Baraka, from the critically acclaimed album 'Gravity'. 'Gravity' won the Best Gospel Album category in the 2013 Grammy Awards.