Disney Channel Announces 'Let It Shine - Rap Battle Edition,' 6/30

Disney Channel has announced "Let It Shine - Rap Battle Edition," premiering SATURDAY, JUNE 30 (7:30 p.m., ET/PT), on Disney Channel. Lyrics from the movie's songs, featuring a mix of rap, hip-hop and gospel music performed by stars Tyler James Williams, Coco Jones and Brandon MychAl Smith, will appear on screen throughout the telecast.

DisneyChannel.com/LetItShine has everything fans need to stage their own rap battles, including printable lyric and music sheets. Additionally, Comcast customers can go to WATCHDisneyChannel.com or download the WATCH Disney Channel app for iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch to watch the full Rap Battle Edition live from their favorite device.

The premiere of "Let It Shine" (June 15) became the #1 TV movie of 2012 across core demographics, delivering 3.0 million/7.4 rating in Kids 2-11, 2.6 million/10.6 rating in Kids 6-11 and 2.3 million/9.4 rating in Tweens 9-14, and stood as the #1 scripted TV telecast of the day in Total Viewers (5.7 million - #1 cable overall).

The movie's soundtrack, from Walt Disney Records, shot to #1 on the iTunes Soundtrack chart and #9 on the iTunes Overall Album chart. In its second week of release, the album entered the Top 15 on the Billboard 200 chart at #12. It features stars of the movie performing songs written and produced by David Banner, Tim James and Antonina Armato, Toby Gad, Andy Dodd, In-Q, J-Doe, Adam Hicks, Steven Jones, Jay L'Oreal, Justin Mobley, Tocarra Phillips, Lindy Robbins, Thomas Armato Sturges, Dapo Torimiro, Anya Vasilenko, Jon Vella, Lambert "Stereo" Waldrip and Adam Watts.

"Let It Shine" tells the story of Cyrus DeBarge (Tyler James Williams), the musical director at his father's church and an aspiring rap artist who pens poems under the name "Truth." While Cyrus has been having some challenges convincing his father, Preacher Jacob DeBarge (Courtney B. Vance), that hip-hop is not the devil's music, his challenges continue when, through a freestyle rap competition at the local teen club, he tells his childhood friend and longtime crush recording artist RoxAnne Andrews (played by Coco Jones), how he really feels about her. When it's all said and done, his best friend, Kris McDuffy (Trevor Jackson), is mistakenly named the author of the rap song -- and winner of the contest. As Roxanne begins to fall for Kris, it's up to true poet Cyrus to overcome self-doubt, seize the opportunity to reveal both his talent and his feelings, and pursue his dreams. All the while, Cyrus must still convince his father that hip-hop music can convey a positive message -- despite the rap battle that the younger DeBarge is about to throw down with his nemesis, "Lord of Da Bling" (Brandon MychAl Smith), at the club.

Dawnn Lewis plays Cyrus's mother, Gail DeBarge. Alex Desert plays club owner Levi and Nicole Sullivan plays Roxanne's music manager, Lyla.

Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies. Currently available on basic cable in over 99 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney/ABC Television Group.

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