Tuesday, December 29, 2009

A Belated Birthday


Gotta wish S.O. a belated birthday (Dec. 5 was the actual day) and thank him for sharing a track he whipped up to celebrate his born day.

Think of it as a late Christmas present from me... Wow, I stay losing with the celebrations this month!

Seriously, though, "Makings of Me" is a nice, laid back track. S.O., the UK Christian rapper who brought you "Love Is" earlier this year, jacks the beat from a Jahaziel track, also called "Makings of Me," to give love to some of the people in his life in six minutes and some change.

Enjoy.



And, if you don't already, follow the kid on Twitter: @SdotThekid

Also, check his Myspace page for more tracks.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Building Through Brokenness

























I have come to appreciate the moments when God has whispered a Bible chapter or verse to read that has brought me clarity. I had such a moment this morning.

Flipping through the Bible to get to 1 Corinthians for a Bible study on Jehovah Nissi, I found myself in Nehemiah, staring at chapter 4. I was called to read it.

The chapter deals with repairing the walls of Jerusalem out of rubble. It deals with individuals and ethnic groups despising the efforts of the Jews to rebuild the wall, first with mocking words ("Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble--burned as they are?"), and then with threats of violence, once these groups realized at the halfway point of the rebuilding project that the work was going well.

How did the Jews respond to the negativity that began to swarm around them? They prayed to God and ultimately posted a guard at the wall.

But, after hearing from Jews who were privy to the conversations of the foreign enemies, they came to realize one guard wouldn't be enough to squash the antagonistic desires of Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the men of Ashdod, who became even more bold with their threats.

A decision was made to devote half the Jewish men to protecting the work efforts, and the other half to doing the actual building. However, those who carried materials took to having a weapon at the ready in one hand. Even the builders wore swords. All men stayed within Jerusalem, to serve as watchmen at night.

Additionally, a trumpeter was on call to sound out an alarm in the event of an impending attack. In case a need to fight arose, those who were working on the massive project could regroup and be prepared to defend their rebuilding efforts. "Our God will fight for us," Nehemiah said of what would happen after any necessary trumpet call.

The words that kept them going were these: "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."

I found this to be a powerful passage. And I also later realized that God can be seen in the light of Jehovah Nissi, "the Lord is my banner," through this passage, keeping in line with my initial Bible study focus. No actions concerning God are ever wasted!

What struck me most about this chapter is that the city was literally in a state of brokenness--its former walls a heap of shattered stones. Its inhabitants needed to fight hard, harder than anticipated, to keep moving forward on fortifying the city limits.

This parallels common internal strife we face. We often find ourselves crawling tenaciously out of a period of brokenness, sitting in a pile of rubble, yet holding a remnant of faith that things will get better. We look to God to pull us through, and often challenges may seem to build even as we grow in the strength with which God has blessed us.

That is when we have to fight even more, to not give up, but to figuratively rebuild our spirits with one hand and fight with the other. But we have to fight smarter, by ensuring that our strategy to advance and overcome is truly rooted in God, and not in our own limited power. Let God be the banner in our fight for wholeness and peace, the actual and symbolic sign of victory over nagging internal struggles.

Ultimately, the wall was rebuilt, and the enemies' ambitions were deflated. Nehemiah 6:15-16 reads: "So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God."

What we can take away from the passage is that to prevail in an internal struggle, it may take splitting focus on work and protection. It may take being on guard for your spirit overnight--when we are often most vulnerable to attacks of doubt and fear from the enemy--to begin the hard work of rebuilding again in the morning. It may take more than a day. But, victory is at hand. Under the banner of God, fight for your peace and wholeness. When the trumpet of alarm sounds, run to Him, and let Him lead the way. The enemy can't help but lose confidence when faced with a work of God in you.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Music Brief: Willie Will's Redemption Mixtape



We argue about whether Christian rappers should rhyme over secular beats, but Willie Will's mixtape, "Redemption," shuts down this debate for now.

It's a mighty work for the Lord in reaching nonbelievers, taking some of the grimiest hip-hop tracks (including "We Gonna Make It," by Jadakiss; "C.R.E.A.M.," by Wu-Tang Clan; "Ambitionz az a Ridah," by 2Pac; and "Shook Ones Pt. II" by Mobb Deep) and claiming them for God. Not only does he jack beats, but he also swagger jacks to further capture the essence of the original songs, stylistically stepping into Raekwon's two-tone Wallabees on his remake of "C.R.E.A.M.," for example.

These 32 songs are now fortified with the Holy Ghost and Willie Will's dense, intelligent lyrics. Classic tracks in the hands of a talented lyricist is always a win, and this one is a big win for God.

My Top Tracks: There wasn't a track list provided with the mixtape as far as I can tell, so I'll have to title by the names of the original songs and list track numbers. Without further ado...
  • Track 4, "Big Poppa" remake: Stop being a baby, baby.
  • Track 5, "Shook Ones Pt. II" remake: Be shook if not saved.
  • Track 11, "New York State of Mind" remake: Start the revoloution. God=solution.
  • Track 12, "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" remake: Praise for the real Hov.
  • Track 13, "We Gonna Make It" remake: Amped lyrics and amped music.
  • Track 15, "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)" remake: Christ's story, Pete Rock heatrock.
  • Track 16, "It Was a Good Day" remake: A humorous praise song.
  • Track 21, "The People" remake: Will's flow > Common's. Trust.
Where do you cop this one from? DaSouth.com. Join the site and access this mixtape, and many other free downloads.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Video: Sean Slaughter: "Flesh Killa" (Feat. J.R.)

Another dope song and video. I'm putting Sean Slaughter on my late pass list as we speak. Gotta check for more stuff from him!

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Video: Eshon Burgundy, "A Note for the Hopeless"



Philly may have (sadly) lost the World Series recently, but man we been winnin' lately with the CHH music! If you haven't already, drop everything and cop R-Swift's "Anthem." Fantastic album. Read my five-star review of it here.

Here, we have Eshon Burgundy, dropping 100 bars on "A Note for the Hopeless."



I've been behind on my Internet travails (You may have noticed me M.I.A. from this blog and my Twitter account lately...Tryna get back on it now...), but props to my fellow DaSouth.com writer Kellus Hill for putting me on to brother Burgundy a few weeks back. He goes Sugar Ray Leonard on this one. Don't be surprised by the lightness of his delivery (a whispery flow completely devoid of menacing attitude) and his relaxed composure; he verbally sticks, moves and delivers a TKO on the soul sample. My fave line: "Lucifer? I don't know you... Huh? Oh yeah, I'm acting brand new."

I hear he's working on a new release. I'll be lining up for it, like going to Pat's or Geno's for cheesesteaks.

For more info on the man, check out his Myspace, here. There's a treasure trove of music to be found here--three mixtapes! (Note: copy and paste the links into your browser to get at the free downloads.)

Monday, November 2, 2009

New S.O. Song: "Around My Life"


Another dope song from the brother across the pond. This one is about being filled with, and surrounded by, God's grace and love.

UPDATE: The song is down now, for some re-tooling. Look for a version with a revamped chorus to come soon.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Video: Da' T.R.U.T.H.: Lost

Like the song, like the video. Well done! And a nice shout-out to P4CM, who make the "Ex-" shirts that were featured in the video.

Friday, October 2, 2009

First-Class Citizens, All

When reading through the Bible last night, I came across a passage in Philippians that hit me:

“Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:2-3, NLT)

What touched my soul most about this passage is the exhortation to think more highly of others. This sounded like a good statement for me to focus on in my journey toward being more openly loving to others. (I don't necessarily harbor a lot of hatred, though, like anyone else, I have had my share of dislikes when it comes to people. My biggest problem is being an introverted person, with baggage rooted in fear, and struggling to get beyond myself to establishing meaningful connections with others.)

Think about it: If we are honest with ourselves, the people we gossip about, scream at in our minds (or aloud), and otherwise harbor negative feelings toward are ones to whom we have assigned second-class human status. We are not considering them on our level (of intelligence, compassion, whatever), and we are certainly not loving them. We may not even call them by their names in conversation, instead resorting to “that woman,” “him,” or something worse that we'd never want to escape from our mouths.

How would your attitude change toward someone if you upgraded your perception of them? Someone with whom I face a struggle currently immediately came to mind for me. If you consider your “problem person” the same as you, or better, it becomes impossible to think about them the same light as before.

There are many areas of life that can be challenging, but the hardest has to be doling out love unconditionally, in the spirit that Jesus intended. I thank God for the ways He has changed my spirit so far, and I look forward to more work!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Music Brief: Jas Knight's "The Psalter"



The best albums, secular or Christian, are ones that you can play all the way through and use for all occasions. Everyone has that one album they can go to for dinner when company's over, driving on a sunny day, cleaning the house and vibing to in an introspective moment. Jas Knight just offered you another of those releases to keep on hand, with "The Psalter."

Knight presents this jazzy, neosoul offering as a contemplation of the Psalms. A Psalter is a collection of the Psalms for worshipers in olden times; Jas' Knight's Psalter covers several Psalms, repeating key verses that can be meditated on, with the mellow music serving as a willing vehicle for the uplifting reminders. "This is soul music," Da' T.R.U.T.H. aptly announces on "Psalm 91." Other guests include shai linne and R-Swift.

My Top Tracks:
  • Psalm 100: Smooth sound, but joyful regardless.
  • Psalm 136a: Enduring love, midtempo groove.
  • Psalm 91: Bouncy encouragement for the faithful.
  • Psalm 29: Dramatic rendering of God's power.
  • Psalm 37:A funky faith proclamation.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

New Sho Baraka Song


Sho
Baraka dropped a song called "Word" yesterday. It may ring a bell with those of you who attended the Don't Waste Your Life concert.

"Word" will be on Sho's full-length release next year, titled "Lions and Liars." (For more on the release, and more on Sho, check out my recent interview with him for DaSouth, here.)

The song features a minimalist 808 and soul-clap beat. On the song, Sho sometimes clothes his words in a Jamaican-style accent, which coordinates with the woman on the chorus with an exotic dialect. "I walk with boldness like Revenge of the Nerds," Sho says of the strength he gets from the Word of God.

He also gives a shout-out to the Bible for shaping his life for better--encouraging him to serve wifey with breakfast, give to the poor, and to repent when he realizes he's been doing wrong.

Sho is keeping tight wraps on "Lions and Liars," but if this song is any indication, the album should attention grabbing and thought-provoking.

Until then, "Word" is available on iTunes and Amazon. There are also special promotions for the song on the Reach Records site. Get it for free by telling five friends, or if you want to pay, Reach allows you to name your price.

Late Pass Music Brief: Jade Harrell's "Class Reject"


I gotta admit that sometimes I judge by the cover. In a positive way. A close examination of wording and images has often led me to thoroughly enjoyable entertainment that I would've never known about if I hadn't been nosy.

Jade Harrell's "Class Reject," released this summer, is the latest Exhibit A for me in this line of thinking. Her CD caught my eye in the urban section of my local Christian bookstore. Her punky hair, Day-Glo clothing and the title's defiant nod to not fitting into the norm stood out with panache.

I was not disappointed by dropping my cash on her album. "Class Reject" is a light-hearted, pop-leaning concoction of dance and rock, with reggae and even a retro R&B moment. Harrell's willingness to bend genres to her versatile alto is enjoyable.

My Top Tracks:
  • Into the Music: Futuristic escapism at its best.
  • Me and My Radio: Worship: No club, DJ needed.
  • Who Are You: Empowerment celebrated, with Ayiesha Woods.
  • The Unseen: Stay faithful; don't line-walk.
  • Don't Leave: Praise clothed in 60's soul.
  • You and I: Crazy in love with Christ.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Jin in the Light Club

You have probably heard by now that Jin, a secular rapper who, in the last decade, had a lot of buzz from winning freestyle battles on BET and ultimately being signed to Rough Ryders, recently released a Christian hip-hop song, "Welcome to the Light Club," on his Myspace page and his YouTube page.



The song, rhymed over Kanye West's "Amazing," starts out with Jin reading Matthew 5:14-16, with the words posted on the screen. With this nearly three-minute audio clip, Jin shines light on his new life as a growing Christian to the urban masses. "Jesus is the truth; with Him, freedom can be achieved," Jin proclaims on the song.

He lays bare his feelings on his past, of being a rising star in secular hip-hop, only to seemingly crash in a resounding, career-ending blaze after being defeated at a Fight Klub battle by Serius Jones. "Ego crushed, but it also taught me humility," Jin confessed. "I used to hear the side commentary and get upset with it/Until I realized what was said had some sense in it/No excuses for the stupid records that I made/Would I still be saying this if those records had got me paid?/I can't call it/Either way I'm trying to save/What's left of my soul and not just what's going inside my wallet."

The song begs the question, what's next for Jin? Making more hip-hop, with a positive, Christian-influenced edge has not been ruled out, he seems to say. "Common said he used to love H.E.R.; yo, she's still my baby/So it's only right I learn to treat her like a lady/You want raps about pimpin? Killin? Snitchin? Ballin?/You won't get 'em from me, nah, that's not my calling/God Almighty reached out/I mean it sincerely/He spoke to me like Morgan Freeman did to Jim Carrey," the MC states.

Following the release of the audio clip came a video, straight from Jin's kitchen in Hong Kong, and courtesy of his laptop camera. The nearly 10-minute video has answers to all of the questions that have been floating around Christian and secular hip-hop message boards for the past few weeks.



Jin notes that he has been surprised by all of the Web sites, including HolyCulture.net and AllHipHop.com, that have featured the song. With this exposure, plus that of the song being on his personal pages, Jin acknowledged that he has received a lot of e-mails and Myspace comments from people wanting to know if he's a Christian rapper now.

Jin's answer? Yes, without a doubt, he's a Christian. He still raps, albeit in Chinese lately, but he is not opposed to dropping more English tracks in the future. Is he a Christian rapper? "Hey, I'll let you call it," he says.

Though Jin basically identifies himself as a rapper who happens to be a Christian, he doesn't sidestep the issue of his faith, and the fact that he is relatively new to it. By listening to his account on the video, him giving his life to Jesus, unbeknownst to him, has been a long time in coming.

When Jin was eight years old, a beloved aunt of his, whom he has rhymed about previously, offered to have him stay with her in New York, to go to vacation Bible school. He recalls that he was not thrilled with the idea of summer school, but was amped to have a chance to see the Statue of Liberty and do all the other exciting things that his aunt, a devout Christian, had promised.

He agreed to make the trip from Miami to go to VBS. There, he made friends, but he also learned "the basic fundamentals--which is just God's love for all of us, and Jesus, and how great he was, and what a sacrifice he made." He went to VBS roughly between the ages of eight to 13, stopping when it became necessary for him to help out with his family's restaurant. "I accepted Christ at a young age. Never got baptized, but I accepted Christ as my savior."

Though the seed was planted, Jin notes that the relationship didn't grow, aside from him praying in times of personal need. But, God was working behind the scenes. "What I've learned in the last year is that God wants us to turn to Him when we're in trouble, but what makes Him even more happy is when we turn to Him when we're not in trouble, and just being grateful for what He's done for us, and what Jesus has done for us."

Jin getting back on the path to salvation became a done deal last year. Before he moved to Hong Kong, in May of 2008, he met a pastor in January of that year. He told the pastor about his past experiences with Bible school and his aunt. He doesn't divulge what else went down in that conversation, but ultimately that meeting, on a Friday, led Jin to get baptized right away, on Saturday.

"I'm still not a perfect angel now, there's still a lot of things that I'm fighting, there's still a lot of demons that I'm fighting, and a lot of personal devils that I need to overcome, but it definitely was the beginning of a new chapter in my life," he expressed.

Jin feels that God brought him to Hong Kong, where he thought he was going to explore a Cantonese hip-hop career. "As time passed, I realized that God planned all of this....I want to turn to Him now and express to him exactly how grateful I am. I've just been so blessed in the past year."

Now, "it's bigger than me," Jin said, expressing his desire to "publicly declare just how great God is." The rapper asked for us to keep him in his prayers.

He closes the video by acknowledging that he has said and done "some pretty ungodly things," but that he is certain that "the only thing that's going to...enable me to change is the grace of God and the power of God." For him, the journey is just getting started."

I was happy to hear that Jin had put out a Christian hip-hop song but, like many of you, didn't know what to make of it. Was he really a practicing, authentic Christian? Was he just trying to get shine in the CHH arena after having to bow out of the secular one? Was this a one-time deal?

Only God and Jin know what's next, but I have to commend Jin for being honest about his spiritual state of mind, and his love for Christ. I pray that his plain talking, his detailed testimony, and his willingness to confess why he loves the Lord will inspire others.

Consider this a sizable spiritual coup d'etat, even if Jin doesn't drop another obviously Christian rhyme. He still has many fans, who are potential souls for Christ, as noted by approximately 200 comments each for the "Light Club" video and the explanatory video, titled "Jin....From battle rapper to Christian rapper?!"

"yungblackcat," a commenter to the "Light Club" video post, recalled how Jin never tried to embarrass his foes in freestyle battles, but rather tried to overcome with lyrical ability. "That's what I always liked about you. And now you're saved, that's even better," he expressed. Of the testimony video, "amberannan" said, "I feel the Holy Spirit in your words. What a wonderful testimony. You inspire people like me who are living in Today's world. We can be young, modern and Christian. Thank you." "Onlywon" added: "Much love Jin. Been prayin' for you for years. A real blessing to know that God answered both of ours." Let's hope that Jin's testimony inspires others to consider a life for Christ.

One thing I've learned recently when hip-hop and Christianity have crossed paths in the news is that secular fans aren't necessarily as close-minded to Christian beliefs or as "brainwashed" by the world as some of us may think they are. I was impressed by the number of people on popular secular hip-hop site The Smoking Section who didn't fall for the okey-doke when Jay-Z released a T-shirt emblazoned with "The Return of the God," referring to himself, in promotion of his new album. Comments on that particular post called the pronouncement blasphemy, expressed displeasure at Jay-Z for equating himself to God or, at the very least, complained that the T-shirt was in bad taste. We may have good opportunities to help make a positive change in others' lives.

I would hope that hearing a story like Jin's, of secular rappers heeding God's call, will become more and more commonplace, whether those who are called continue rapping, in a Godly manner, or simply leave the secular arena to focus their personal lives on Christ. I hope that we will give these people the support that they need as new members of the body. We need to recall the struggles we faced in taking that step forward; imagine how much more challenging it must be for someone in the public eye to shed a negative identity that has given them psychological and financial worth, or to quiet the voices of industry folks and "friends" who don't have their best interests at heart, to hear God's still, small voice. Just as it has been a process for us, it is a process for people like Jin. The same goes for any fans of Jin's who want to find out more about his God. Let's show people the love that the Holy Spirit has given us--the clothes of compassion described in Colossians 3:12-13.

Kiki's Mixtape Dropping


A trip to Gospelpundit.com reminded me that Kierra "Kiki" Sheard's "Kiki's Mixtape" is coming out next week as well.

Take a trip over to EJ's page to hear an exclusive, the track "Teach Me." The midtempo song has a smooth, live neosoul sound, with percolating drums framing Kiki's lush vocals. "Lord, teach me to be like you, I wanna be pleasing/I wanna trust you, I wanna be like you," she prays.

Humble Tip's "Lethan PoiSIN" Video

Up this morning surfing the Web, and I saw this one over at Sketch the Journalist's page. Pretty cool video, featuring Grammar.



The song is a single from "About Business," which drops next week!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Music Brief: Papa San's "Higher Heights"


World-famous reggae veteran Papa San, having come to Christ more than 10 years ago, has released another Christian offering, "Higher Heights." The 16-tracks don't skimp on the "style and fashion" that fans of the former secular toaster, an annual performer at Jamaica's legendary Sting concert, according to a Wikipedia page, came to love from him.

Papa San, dubbed "Marathon Man" for regularly offering a barrage of popular songs at once, has done it again. All of the songs on "Higher Heights" are enjoyable, for different reasons. Styles range from organic, rootsy tracks to dancehall-flavored ones. Topics range from praising God to church goings-on, to uplifting city dwellers.

Secular reggae interestingly mixes "spiritual" fare into its popular music without anyone protesting, though many of the songs are Rastafarian in nature. Its refreshing to hear quality Christian riddims from Papa San.

My Top Tracks:

  • Fa Sure: Jesus has the cure.
  • Higher Heights: Call 'pon the flock's Shepherd.
  • Ina the Ghetto: Hope for the concrete jungle.
  • Disaster: Easygoing percussion under convicting lyrics.
  • Church House: Whosoever will may come.
  • Let Burn: More fiyah--God's anointing.
  • Hell Broke Loose: Energetic, horn-punctuated beat.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Music Brief: Shachah, "Let the Light in"



Psalms says to "make a joyful noise unto the Lord," but it essentially gives us carte blanche on the "how" of it. Thankfully, there are many flavors of praise music for our many moods and needs.

Shachah, “four dudes from So.Cal,” defies staying in one lane on their latest, "Let the Light in." Rock, pop, and reggae (with Jahaziel dropping in on ragga toasting duties) moments are all present. The group hit my ears lovely with the collabo they did with John Wells (aka The Tonic), "Deliver Us," a rousing rap-rock hybrid. Hip-hop shows up elsewhere, thanks to Brenden Mcpeek from the group, as well as The Tonic and Phanatik.

Shachah is Hebrew for "worship," and the guys definitely bring the noise. If you want to diversify your praise experience, this album will do nicely.

My Top Tracks:

  • None Foresaken: Jammin' reminder of God's promises.
  • Deliver Us: No more entertainment bottom-feeding.
  • Lord Speak: A servant standing with hope.
  • The Harvest: Lyrics of fury, hype track
  • Revive Me: Roots vibe and staccato flow.

"Can't Break Us" Remix

Man, I should've been at my computer on Labor Day! I read the Tweets via phone about this song, featuring the Frontlynaz, J.R., Eddie Nigma, J. Johnson and Viktory, but just listened to it today.



That's what I get for sleeping. This is straight heat, from the MCs going in, to J.R.'s impassioned chorus, to Wit's sonic alchemy--a little bit of the original G-Styles beat, a little nod to the old school (I'm hearing the flavor of Eric B. & Rakim's "Paid in Full" and Boogie Down Productions' "The Bridge Is Over," I believe?) and a smattering of futuristic keyboarding.

Song is available for download at Da South. It needs to be in your iPod, stat.

Friday, September 4, 2009

"Love Is," by S.O.

I heard this song on the DJ Wade-O Radio Show a few weeks back but didn't get to check the playlist to see who the personnel was. A Web crawl for new music solved the mystery for me!

The artist is S.O., which is an abbreviation of his name, Seun Otukpe. S.O. hails from Durham, UK by way of Nigeria. He began his hip-hop ministry in 2006, according to his Myspace page, and has been on tracks with UK CHH gospel acts including Jahaziel and Four Kornerz.

If you haven't already, feast your ears on "Love Is:



The song, produced by Battle Axe, has a classic hip-hop sound, with a sparse boom-bap beat embellished with a light touch of piano. On it, S.O. gives praise for God's love, the realest there is. "True love is found in the Gospel," he reminds us.

Want more from S.O.? He is currently hard at work on writing and recording for a future EP, to be called "Bridgin' the Gap." Battle Axe will be producing all the EP tracks.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Music Brief: Knine's "Robots Have Feelings, Too"



Confession time: As a new CHH fan (going back to late last year), this is my first listen to veteran MC Knine. But it's not my last!
The "Robots Have Feelings, Too" theme reinforces that Christians are not the blind, following "robots" of stereotypes, but rather multidimensional, caring people who have found the true solution for the pain and fear of life.
Knine also skillfully shows we have style and flava, too. With a relaxed flow, the sometimes humorous, sometimes profound lyrics cover everything from the 10 Commandments to how fans should cope when he dies.
Sonically, no secular artist is safe. Beat jacking victims include Ciara, Notorious B.I.G. and ODB. Even the annoying DJ Cannon mix tape drop gets ethered.
At 27 tracks, this mix tape is a generous, filling appetizer until The Dogg's next album drops.

My Top Tracks
  • Thank the Lord: A laundry list of reasons why.
  • Breathe: US and UK flows? Brilliant!
  • But He Said: Believe the Lord's report.
  • It's Not a Game: Tons of clever sports metaphors.
  • The 10 Commandments: Rundown translated for hip-hop generation.
  • Everything: Clever sample use for praise.
  • On top of the World: Where God's mercy places you.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Shachah Video, Album Release

Shachah's sophomore effort, "Let the Light In," came out on Tuesday this past week. Coinciding with the release was the debut of a video for "Deliver Us," the song the group cut with John Wells, aka The Tonic.



I'm excited to hear this release! Shachah churns out a tasty mix of hip-hop, rock and funk, a nice departure from straight-ahead HHH. Just downloaded it today. I'll be posting a Music Brief on it soon.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Music Brief: Teddy P: Word & Deed


An emcee can be as fresh as he wants to be, but when rhyming on an uninspired beat, the results will never reach their full potential.

That's why producer-led albums are usually an ear-pleasing win-win. With one gifted person behind the boards and a stable of hand-selected, talented rappers, you have the makings of a textbook-proper hip-hop set, when many folks are on a death watch for the genre.

Teddy P's "Word & Deed," featuring Eddie Nigma, Rhema Soul, Nina Del, Wonder Brown, Braille, Young Joshua, Phien-X Zekarayah, EKO, Ackdavis, J. Griff, Conviction, Believin’ Stephen, Average Joe, and B. Morr, proves hip-hop is not dead, and that God is alive. The cerebral, jazz- and soul-fueled beats push the emcees to dopeness. This is "Soundbombing," a la Rawkus Records or, better yet, soul bombing--napalming the devil's lies with ether lyrics.


My Top Tracks:
  • Long Way to Go: Giving thanks for growing pains.
  • Grace: Bringing beauty out of ruins.
  • Love: Vintage beat and everlasting grace.
  • The Gospel: Bold bars for Christ.
  • Ride: Lifting Son up 'til sundown.
  • Free Write: All souls need an extension.
  • Set Free: Romans 9: The release papers.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Music Brief: Da' T.R.U.T.H.'s The Big Picture


The "big picture" premise of Philly rapper Da' T.R.U.T.H.'s latest release encourages Christians and nonbelievers alike to not sweat the small stuff and focus in on the grace of God that enables us to transcend the slavery of self-sufficiency and worldly notions. It also reminds us of the other important big picture premise, that life on Earth should not be our primary focus, but rather ensuring our eternal life with God when the time comes.

Da' T.R.U.T.H. refocuses our attention with songs that bring the Bible to life (by recounting creation, the fall of Adam & Eve, and the end times), and through songs meant to convict us through discussion on challenges that people face today. Track styles range from street rhymes to electronica, rock, and traditional gospel.

My Top Songs:
  • Legend: A glimpse of creation? Priceless.
  • Intermission: God's answer's always on time.
  • Lost: Trunk rattler and soul stirrer.
  • Fantasy: Identity adjustment, with J.R.'s help.
  • Pain: Futuristic beat for universal problem.
  • Suitcase: Posse cut--pilgrims passing through.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Lesson in Love


I tried out a different church yesterday, and God absolutely showed himself there.

I arrived a bit late and worked my way to the middle of the church, where I could nab the first aisle seat I saw. I had arrived during the time for musical worship. The congregation was singing songs playing from a concert video being projected onto one side of the front wall, accompanied by the lyrics being projected onto the other side of the wall.

I soon learned I was standing beside one of the liveliest members of the congregation. While others sang the words serenely, or stood with arms outstretched in silent praise, the woman next to me sang the songs with fervor, punctuated with words and shouts of praise when she felt the urge.

I always find it amazing and heart-warming to see someone so fully thankful for a relationship with the Lord, and for what the Lord has done in his or her life. But that wasn't the end of my lesson for the day.

When fellowship time came, she greeted me with a hug and introduced herself. I returned the favor. She then told me that she didn't have any short-term memory, a preemptive warning that my name would be forgotten.

This is what blew me away. The woman would never be able to remember mundane details of anything or anyone new in her life, but she clearly had her memories of her God firmly planted into her long-term memory. God had revealed himself to her at some point in her life, and He was with her always, never to take on a blurred edge in the murky depths of her subconscious.

What a blessing that those memories were not taken from her! And what a comfort to know that God offers the same indelible presence to us. Once the introduction is made, we have a bond for life, as long as we choose not to turn our backs on Jehovah. He will never leave us, nor forsake us, as laid out in Hebrews 13:5.

Sure, we have heard this line before, but I'm sure all of us have times when we feel distant from God. Those new to Christianity, especially those who have struggled with earthly relationships, may not be able to fully grasp the fact that, in the words of Andre 3000, our relationship with God is forever-ever. We cannot get God to love us more, and He will never love us less. But he will love us forever, as long as we have come to Him through Christ.

I've read recently that Christians are most effective at reaching out to others when they feel secure in their relationship with God. For those who are secure in the depths of God's love, let the notion of the vastness of this love stretch you to extend love to others in a bolder way. If you are still learning to experience the fullness of God's love, meditate on the fact of this eternal love and ask God to clear the negativity from your heart and mind so you can begin to partake in the unmeasurable grace He offers.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Canton Jones' "Kingdom Business" Video

And here's another one from Cajo's "Kingdom Business" album--the title track:



A remix of the song, the "Bawse Mix," appears on the recently released "It's Official: Hip-Hop Remixed" album from Arrow Records.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Music Brief: Mali Music, "The 2econd Coming"


The singer/songwriter/producer from Savannah, GA has absorbed the eclectic, artistic essence of his city and pours it out for the Lord. Influences include straight-ahead gospel, African rhythms, drum & bass/jungle, reggae, rock, R&B, and more. You often hear more than one influence on the same song! If you're looking for something that worships God outside of the lines, yet still has undeniable quality, this is where you want to be. The 17-song set of songs rocks, wails, falsettos, glorifies the Lord and condemns the devil without mincing words. Mali Music's voice, which ranges from a resonant tenor to a gravelly rasp, complements the workings of his fantastic band. Yep, all this, and live music, too.

My Top Tracks:
  • The Light: Soul clap and funky drums.
  • Nothing Too Hard: Hands down, my favorite track.
  • Impulses: Slaying temptation, in a rock package.
  • I Hate You: Verbal smackdown of evil one.
  • Heart's Song: Street festival drums, loving lyrics.
  • Higher: Boom-bap beat, inspiring lyrics.
  • Avaylable: Chorus: Good God-centered mantra.
This is the first review I'm doing in a new format, rather than doing an in-depth analysis of hundreds of words. For more on the format, click here.

Twitter-Worthy Reviews

Hey all,

The good news in urban Christian music is that there are a lot of fantastic releases coming out. The bad news for me personally (and maybe you too?) is that it's hard to keep up with everything. It's even harder for me to write about everything to the extent that I'm accustomed to when I need to work, want to maximize my family time, and have to pursue a stronger relationship with my Father.

So, in the spirit of the Twitterverse, where brevity rules, I'm going to try something new with reviews: A 140-words-or-less overview (yeah, I'm cheating a bit, but have you seen what you get for 140 characters???) and a bullet list of my fave tracks, with a description of 5 words or less, a nod to the acceptance speech requirement for the Webby Awards. Most reviews will be of new songs and albums, but I may also do "late pass" reviews, where I focus in on something not so new that I loved. I typically focus on the albums and songs that I like when I post about them, so the reviews will literally be short and sweet.

I should be posting my first Music Brief later today, on Mali Music's recent release, "The 2econd Coming."

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Late Pass: Canton Jones' "G.O.D." Video

Been hearing this song on the DJ Wade-O Radio Show. Didn't know there was a video! Here it is.

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Shout-out to D-Turn over at Turned Out. He had the video posted there!

Shachah Video to Come


Shachah announced today that a video is on the way for "Deliver Us," the song on which they collaborated with John Wells, a.k.a. "The Tonic." No debut date, but it is currently in the editing stages.

The group also announced that their upcoming release, "Let the Light In," now carries an official release date of Aug. 25. "It actually will work out as a blessing as more of a buzz will be created by the time the date comes around," the group said.

For more information about the album, and a link for listening, click here.

A Life-Changing Exercise

I have to continue to give God thanks for the time I've had to reflect on my life and my issues in the past two months. I feel like I am slowly getting what I was looking for: A closer relationship with the Lord.

I have been working my way through several Christian books during this time, but one that has been particularly helpful has been a LifeGuide Bible study on Christian Beliefs, by Stephen Eyre. In addition to leading readers through topics like "God in the World & in the Word," "The Holy Spirit" and "Our Identity and Dignity," some chapters culminate with mental exercises that are meant to open dialogue between you and God.

A particularly powerful exercise closed out the chapter on "Our Identity & Depravity." The exercise was to:

"Invite God to take a tour of your inner life for the purpose of cleaning it out. Keep in mind that the purpose of this tour is not to condemn you but to cleanse you. As God walks through the corridors of your heart, let him see your self-centeredness, envy, anger, jealousy, bitterness and whatever else that God calls sin. Ask God to cleanse each sin with his transforming holiness and grace. After you have spend some time with God on this tour, make a note about how it affected you."

A few weeks before doing this exercise, I had an epiphany about particularly troublesome areas in my life, that there comes a point when human will alone is not enough, when we have to invite God in to take over. (I have been a self-focused person bent on controlling my life, so this was a big win for me.) After doing the exercise, I felt a lot lighter mentally. I no longer have to rely on my imperfect abilities to transform my life. I no longer have to fear that I will never be able to change myself for better. I simply have to believe that God is working his infinite power on my weaknesses, and I will begin to see signs of changes when I remove the clutter of negativity and inhibiting self-talk from my head and heart.

I encourage anyone who feels broken, anyone who feels stuck, to try this exercise. Be honest with yourself about the unclean parts of your soul, and give God a chance to wash you whiter than snow.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Good Book, Good Poem


One book that has been keeping me engaged in the last few days is The Power of Desperation: Breakthroughs in Our Brokenness, by Michael Catt, the executive producer of the movie Fireproof. It shows, in stories from the Bible, and in stories from people in Catt's life, how God places us in challenging periods to pull us through and make us stronger.

As I navigate career and personal issues, a poem Catt published in the book really spoke to me. I'm posting it here, in case anyone else needs to hear the words.

This poem comes from Thomas Merton, from his book Thoughts in Solitude (New York: Dell, 1961)...

My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain
where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think
that I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you
does in fact please you.
And I hope that I have that desire
in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything
apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this
you will lead me by the right road
though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always
though I may seem to be lost
and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are with me,
and will never leave me
to face my perils alone.

In Need of He Time

A Twitter Follow Fridays note from one of my Tweeps, Reporter4651, led me to an interesting blog, Reflections From a Christian Mommy Writer. The sister who runs this blog recently had a post titled "God as an Inconvenience?"

As someone who, for a month, had been struggling with work/life balance in the midst of a period of change, this post hit me hard. I had been experimenting with making regular time to focus on fellowship with God. And I didn't find too much success at it.

My problem? A long commute, plus long work hours was a recipe for exhaustion. I was missing the regularity of my life before being laid off, missing being able to spend more quality time with my family, missing there being more to life than driving, working, eating and sleeping. That period is over right now, as I am in between contracting positions and still searching for a permanent job. But I feel like I need to learn how to handle myself if a similar situation arises.

During that wilderness time, I wanted desperately to be able to say that 6 a.m. or 9 p.m. every day worked perfectly for reading and studying the Bible or engaging in prayer, but I couldn't. The best thing I could do was to ensure I was weeding out as many unnecessary distractions as possible, to focus. That meant putting down Twitter and picking up Thessalonians, trading in complicated meal recipes for simpler ones, and turning off the TV for quiet time. I often found this hard to do, though, as I felt like I was always playing catch-up with everything in my life and didn't want to miss a thing. Clearly I chose to chase the wrong pursuits.

Last week, I realized I needed a change. I backed away from the BlackBerry, and I even turned it off when I needed to really stop myself from wasting time. (However, one useful thing with my phone is that I now have the Bible downloaded to it, so I can review verses any time, anywhere.) I spent more time in prayer, any time I felt the need. I made a point to carve out some family time and be fully present for it, then to move on to other things that needed to be done.

As I said, my schedule is wide open at the moment, so time will tell if this works when I find myself beyond busy again. I'm praying that it does. In the meantime, I'm enjoying the downtime. I've purchased several books from my local Christian book store to feed my spirit. I am also making an effort to work through some emotional issues that have been blocking me from a deeper relationship with God. Prayer and reading these books and working through the exercises that come with them have been helpful in the past few days of freedom.

I want to learn from others, though, because I know this period of career hibernation will not last forever. How do you ensure you are making adequate time for God? You may be doing something else that I'll find helpful. I'm all ears!

In the meantime, this song on the topic has been on my mind lately: “Pause,” by Lisa McClendon. Check out the video, if you haven't already. And thanks for any advice or pertinent scriptures you have!

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

New Shachah Songs Up





In preparation for the release of "Let the Light in," on July 28, Shachah has posted nine songs from this album to their Web site, along with lyrics. You can check out "Deliver Us," the banger that also appears on The Tonic's latest release, "The Dash." There is also a reggae song featuring Jahaziel, called "Revive Me."

On the release, Shachah said, "We appreciate all your prayers and support through this process. May God do His awesome will with this project and may many souls be added to His kingdom through the message in the Music!"

The sounds range from dub to blues to funk, and all points in between. Enjoy!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Michael Jackson, Dead at 50



I tried to sort out conflicting news reports and Tweets for a couple of hours, but it's been official for a while now, according to several news sources: Michael Jackson, aka "The King of Pop," has died at the UCLA Medical Center, in Los Angeles.

According to a Los Angeles Times story, Jackson, 50, was not breathing when paramedics responded to a call at his home at about 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time today. The LA Times account says paramedics performed CPR and then took Jackson to the medical facility. He was pronounced dead at 2:30 p.m. His death comes before he was to kick off a 50-concert run in London. It is believed he suffered cardiac arrest at his home; at the hospital, he was in a deep coma, according to the LA Times.

Michael Jackson was known for selling hundreds of millions of albums in his lifetime to fiercely loyal fans and affecting a few generations--and more than a few artists--with his music. This goes for secular and Christian artists alike--after the news became certain, Richie Righteous acknowledged via Twitter that he had been influenced by the late pop singer. And the influence of the Gloved One was pretty clear to me on Deitrick Haddon's 2008 release, "Revealed," down to the ensemble Haddon wore of the cover of the album.

From the kid with the Afro and the high-pitched voice, to the man with the constantly changing visage, there are many Michaels to remember, and many moments to savor. Though those memories were marred for many in recent years by charges of molestation against Jackson, his influence in the global lexicon of music, in style, and in swagger (Motown 25, anyone?) remain. He will be greatly missed.

On a spiritual level, there are many lessons for us all to learn from Jackson's death. One, similar to my recent editorial on Jay-Z, is that we should watch ourselves and others for idolatry of Jackson, who was the epitome of superstardom and many times more successful than the Brooklyn MC. As has been voiced by several Christian Twitterers, to counter this, now is a good time to reach out to those who have been greatly affected by the news of Jackson's passing to share the news of the one King who never dies.

Others prayed that Jackson knew the Lord before his passing. Dwayne Tryumf Tweeted that Steve Harvey took Jackson to church and shared with him the Good News of Jesus Christ. We can all hope that the information made an impact on Jackson, and that he was saved. Let us also pray for his family at this time.

Lastly, I hope Christian artists continue to take heed to how much power music has to change people's lives. If any one urban Christian artist, or any group of them, can have even a fraction of the success that Jackson achieved at penetrating public consciousness, think of all the lives that would be saved and reinforced. Let's keep grinding!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Video: "Dey Don't Know," by Platinum Souls

I'm liking this song. I thank Da South for the late pass!

Here's the video.



Reggae in the summertime? Lovely! Summer begs for reggae, IMO. I still remember hearing "Electric Avenue" in the summer when I was a wee shorty.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Pack a 'Matic on Your iPod!

As I mentioned a few days ago on Twitter, Rapper Dwayne Tryumf, from across the pond, is giving away "I Don't Pack a Matic" when you sign up for his mailing list. Visit his Myspace page to get the goodness!

The rap/ragga hybrid with the heavy beat and reflective lyrics was inspired by a friend of Dwayne Tryumf's being shot and killed in 2007, as well as the news of other high-profile murders of youth in England. It's a reminder that you "don't need to walk with a gun. Walk with the Lord, walk with faith, walk with your Bible, and learn the scripture," Tryumf said in a YouTube interview on the making of the "I Don't Pack a Matic" video for the British TV show "UPRISE" (part of the UK Christian TV network OHTV). "Let's put down the guns and let's pick up the word of God, and change our lives that way."

DT said he chose to shoot the video in the Brixton section of London, in a rough "estate" (the equivalent of a housing project community in the U.S.). Brixton is a high-crime region of the city, a prime target for the message of "I Don't Pack a Matic."

Here's the video:



And here's footage of DT speaking out against violence in the city on the news:



Be on the lookout for Dwayne Tryumf's upcoming EP, "777 The Mark of the Peace" for more uplifting sounds.

Braille "Skepticold" Video

Great song. Check it out!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Leaving the Church of Hov

By now, you've probably heard of the new Jay-Z song, "Death of Autotune," that dropped on New York's Hot 97 on Friday last week. Everyone had an opinion on this song, evidenced by the near monopoly of Twitter discussion on "DOA" that night. (At one point, half of the Top 10 hot topics on Twitter pertained to the new release from the Roc's finest.)

Before I get any further, I want to make two disclaimers: First, I happen to generally not be bothered by Auto-Tune. True, some use it better than others. Mark J's "Enmity" and Kanye West's 808s & Heartbreak come to mind as great uses of the technology. (As much as I scratched my head at "808s" last year, I gotta give Mr. West props now. Yeah, I said it.) And you can't deny Cher's "Believe," the godmother of the sound. But exaggerated use of Auto-Tune (it's supposed to be undetectable when used normally) is not worse than any other gimmick co-opted en masse by rappers and singers, like Snoop Dogg's "izzle" speech, which still pops up today.

Second, I've never been a hardcore Jay-Z fan or "stan." Until recently, my household was like the James Carville/Mary Matalin of hip-hop: My husband, a staunch Jay-Z supporter, vs. me, riding for Nas. (Proud to say my Mr. favors Mr. Jones now.)

With that said, I listened to the song, which was available just about everywhere instantaneously. And? Well, that was basically my reaction: And? As some Twitterers noted, the next song played on Hot 97 after Jay-Z's jazzy diatribe on Auto-Tune was... a song using Auto-Tune. Not really shaking up the world.

I'm interested to see if fans and MCs really heed this call to arms against the great vocal equalizer. Jay-Z has had a reputation for being an all-powerful force in the world of hip-hop for quite some time, even calling himself "Jay-Hova," a play on Jehovah.

I think more than Auto-Tune, or the criticism of it, what bothered me most about the whole event was how many of the man's fans have bought into the whole Hov thing. Jay-Z does have talent (though he's been pretty lazy the last few years, IMO), and he's proven himself to be a successful businessman (and business, man), but does that really warrant the amount of rapt attention he received? Much like Tedashii called out in several places on Identity Crisis, this obsessive focus is a form of idolatry.

Do we do this with Christian hip-hop artists? I saw a reminder from someone recently on Twitter (sorry, the name escapes me) encouraging us to avoid this level of artist worship in our own backyards. Unlike the worshippers at the Church of Hov, those of us who listen to CHH have to be careful not to worship at the Church of Lecrae, or the Church of Viktory, or anyone else. Yes, there are many, many dope Christ-centered artists, but the message in CHH, and what we can get out of it to move us ever closer to God, is what's important.

I'm sure we haven't heard the last of this, as Jay-Z does have an upcoming album to promote. If he must make pronouncements, let's hope he chooses other more relevant topics, like the aftereffects of the recession on his inner-city and suburban fans alike, or the violence in Darfur, a la Mark J.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

A DJ Saved My Life



This a.m., a DJ saved my life, to flip the words of an old secular song.

OK, maybe I'm being melodramatic, but Episode 111 of The DJ Wade-O Radio Show, the "Get Right for the Summer Mix," did keep me alert, refreshed, and in the spirit during my hour-long commute.

This is no small feat, I tell you. I drive on two stretches of highway that are prone to accidents, and when there are no accidents or gaper delays, you better believe the volume of traffic stays at high. This is a major shock to my system, after a 30-minute, straight-shot kind of a drive to my last job, followed by a month of not really needing to be anywhere.

Honestly, I have been frustrated with the long commute and have been trying to focus on getting something better, along with my prayers for a full-time job. But after I started grabbing the Wade-O Show podcasts to play in my car as my weekly soundtrack, I have been able to make the commute with much less grumbling.

What is particularly fantastic about Episode 111 is that it is two hours of banging God-centered music. Just what the doctor ordered! Holy hip-hop, R&P, Christian reggae and Christian Baltimore club-style music--it's all there.

This is a perfect summertime mix, for driving with the sunroof open or the top down, or if you're live at the barbecue. You could also try rocking it at the beach, or "down the shore," in local parlance. (South Jersey stand up!!!) Wherever you're playing this mix, I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

Download Episode 111 and view its track playlist here.

Catch up on old episodes of the DJ Wade-O Radio Show here.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Catching Up on Videos

Saw these over at HipeHope Urban Gospel...

Deitrick Haddon, "I Need Your Help"


Young Joshua, "It's Cold"


Thanks to Exotic Mommie for the late pass!

UPDATE: Here's another one, "Heavy Laden," by N.I.F.T.Y., from the T-Dot. Late pass for this is courtesy of the Dope Artist of the Week column, written by Moeski of Da South.


There are more songs and a couple of releases to buy on his MySpace page.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Review: Tedashii's "Identity Crisis"


One pattern you'll often see in the lives of many unbelievers is a never-ending search for meaning in their lives. People may dabble in astrology in hopes of seeing a picture of who they are, sent from the cosmos. Or, they may amass a small library's worth of self-help books to discern their true nature and how to live properly according to it. Others take a more destructive path to self-knowledge, using drugs and alcohol in the same way Clark Kent used any available phone booth--as a gateway to becoming what they perceive to be a more dynamic, more special person.

It seems like these strategies don't really work for most people, as the emptiness persists and the search continues. Ask a Christian about fulfillment, though, and you'll get a different answer. With Jesus Christ comes both meaning and purpose, bringing the constant searching to a halt.

Tedashii's latest, "Identity Crisis," speaks to that struggle, and the good that can be found on the other side of it, after God enters the picture.

Whether it's in searching for identity in material things ("26's"), worldly vices ("Hollywood"), or in people-pleasing ("Work"), Tedashii rightly points out that all three of these behaviors represent idolatry and result in wasted time and emotion.

The antidote for such poisoned thinking can be found in "Gotta Believe." On the serene, live instrument-backed track featuring Diamone, Tedashii's relaxed rhymes and the subtle vocals on the chorus ask sinners to try God for the peace that can be found in Him.

"Fresh," a totally danceable anthem, brings home the happiness and strength that can be obtained through a relationship with the Lord. As detailed in the song, the "I'm fresh" proclamation gives the boast to God, rather than having Tedashii talk about himself. "All I Need," featuring Chris Davis, is a soothing head-nodder that also proclaims the goodness of the Lord. "The more I get to know you, the more I get to know truth/And from You, I see who I am/My identity revealed as You show me how to live through examples of the Godhead," Tedashii says with gratitude, bringing the album full circle.

One thing that makes "Identity Crisis" so enjoyable is Tedashii's candor. Whether loudly sounding the trumpet for action against himself on "Make War" or spending quiet quality time with the Lord elsewhere on the release, Tedashii makes it seem like anyone who wants a relationship with God can have one. Unlike the "gurus" in the secular world who seem to guard the secrets of existence, releasing them only for monetary gain, Tedashii is more than willing to let all listeners in on the true secret to wholeness and peace.

Additional standout track: "Identity 2: Adoption"

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Lessons Learned in the Garden

I'm in my second year of having a vegetable garden, and something that never ceases to amaze me is how the pea plants help each other to thrive.

Starting out as a small melange of leaves, pea plants grow into tall, fragile vines. These vines can flop over to the ground if they are not supported with stakes.

Though the vines do need a stronger support, they also attempt to help each other out. The vines have tiny tendrils that stream from the stems. Tendrils on several plants often intertwine to give each other a tenuous form of support.

When I think of the pea plants, I think of how we try to remedy problems in our lives without the Lord. We look for support in different places--we talk with friends and family on the positive tip, but people also attempt to cope negatively with drugs, sex and food, to name a few destructive strategies.

Ultimately, however, the strongest support we can obtain is from God. One of the first--and best--comforting Bible passages I've found comes from Isaiah 40 (verses 28-31, ) and illustrates the effectiveness of God's support quite clearly:

Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless.
Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted;
But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Unlike our friends, God never tires. Unlike the sad reality for those who abuse intoxicating substances in an attempt to find peace, God's ability to heal never diminishes. In fact, not only can God heal us, but he can also strengthen us.

I thank God for placing me in meditation on the fragile pea plant. I now have a great image for ensuring I always consider the Lord first for help. Like the dowels in my garden, there's no one better for strong support.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Humble Tip Gets Secular Shine

Yesterday, gossip columnist Illseed from AllHipHop.com posted the video for Humble Tip's "Can't Give In" to his column. [If you click on the link, please note that this is for a secular Web site.]

"Check out this rapper and his message," Illseed writes. One commenter to Illseed's post commented positively on the video.

Here's the video:

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This follows Illseed's recent coverage of Viktory's "On Fire" video. Props to Illlseed for sharing holy hip-hop with the masses!