Andre Dow, aka west coast hip hop rap artist Mac Minister, who made headlines when he was featured on the television show “America's Most Wanted”, following a homicide, is readying himself for his first day of trial, September 11^th.

The hip hop artist is also poised to release his new album ‘The Minister of Defense’.

The project will be released on SMC Recordings/Fontana and features hip hop and rap artists Snoop Dogg, Mac Dre, Bad Azz, Too $hort & B-Legit, as well as production by LT Hutton & Mannie Fresh.

Mac Minister originally hails from the Bay Area and made a name for himself by giving "game sermon's" on albums by hip hop and rap artists E-40, Snoop Dogg, Yukmouth and the Cash Money Millionaires. He also appears on Snoop Dogg's upcoming album, Blue Carpet Treatment, alongside Young Jeezy & Nate Dogg.

Mac Minister, aka Andre Dow, is being held in a Las Vegas jail and will begin his trial on September 11th for the 2005 murders of rapper Anthony "Fat Tone" Watkins, 24, and his friend Jermaine "Cowboy" Akins. According to police speculation, a long standing rivalry had been brewing between Mac Minister and Fat Tone after the death of Bay Area rapper, Andre "Mac Dre" Hicks, who was gunned down in Kansas City in 2004 after a dispute over a payment for a concert. While maintaining his innocence, this album, The Minister of Defense marks an opportunity for Mac Minister to tell his side of the story and detail what led up to the incidents in question.

The Minister of Defense is an opportunity for listeners to hear about experiences that other rappers boast of, while not having lived them. Without glorifying violence, The Minister of Defense is a way for people to understand what a life on the street entails, as well as the consequences that come with the lifestyle.