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!

Monday, May 18, 2009

Video: Zion Feat. Mali Music

Saw this from DJ Wade-O. Song is called "Trouble."

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The song is now available on iTunes. Check Zion out at his Myspace page for more info.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Thoughts on the Ambassador Situation


The Christian blogosphere was lively yesterday with news of Cross Movement Records' statement on The Ambassador's "marital compromise." (Read the official word from CMR president/CEO John Wells here.)

This is truly sad news. My 2 cents is that I hope Ambassador and his family are shutting out the rest of the world and taking the time they need to sort through everything.

Marriage is no joke. The challenges are real when it comes to funneling the unique thoughts of two individuals into one course of action and straining out unproductive personal wants in the process. I had my fifth anniversary last year and, though I'm blessed to say that there is no physical or verbal abuse going on in my union, my husband and I do have issues from time to time, like any married couple.

The thing I'm most proud of with my marriage is the fact that we don't give up on talking. There may be things I'm hesitant to share (and I'm sure the same goes for hubby), but I do eventually share everything with my husband, good and bad, because I know it makes us stronger as a couple and as individuals. And I know I couldn't really hide something important from someone I love as much as him.

I don't know the situation in Ambassador's marriage, and I won't begin to speculate. I don't think it's our business to know the gory details anyway. But what I would say to any couple with issues as big as infidelity or as small as which way the toilet paper should hang on the spool is to keep on talking.

If you haven't had an open dialogue before now, try to find a way to start. Don't rule out counseling by your pastor or a professional; counselors are excellent moderators in times of marital strife. Their neutrality could bring you and your spouse to new depths of understanding.

CMR may not be actively promoting Ambassador at this time, but I don't think we should drop him and his family from our hearts and minds. Put your prayers out there for the clan.

A final thought: When I heard the news, one of the things that popped into my mind was the song "Baby U Don't Luv Me," by Mark J. He gives a lot of encouragement for couples to find a way to work things out, even sharing strife he had in his own marriage, comparing tense times to an Ali/Frazier fight (but not on a physical level). If you haven't already heard this song, take a listen on his MySpace page. (But really, if you don't have the album, pick it up! The whole thing's fuego. Take my word for it.) Also, share the song with anyone you know who's going through it right now.

Friday, May 15, 2009

It's Friday, You Ain't Got No Job...

I came a realization today as I was driving home from time at the career center and a trip to the mall: I didn't have any need to rush. To paraphrase the clean 2/3 of one of Chris Tucker's lines from the movie "Friday," "It's Friday, I ain't got no job..." Why not take it slow? And why not take it slow beyond Friday?

I have been a lead-footed lady up until now. I love to drive, and I loved to drive fast. But really, what's the point? I was always putting myself on a timer when I had a 9-to-5, even when I didn't need to go to work. But really, my only true responsibility now is picking up my son from daycare. So, to repeat, no need to rush.

Today this seemed like an area in my life in which I needed to really let go and let God. Maybe it made me feel in control to go zipping down the left-hand lane, like I had some say in when I was going to get to my destination. But ultimately, it's not my doing. To turn around a popular bumper sticker, I am God's co-pilot in that car, albeit a super-junior co-pilot with a teeny, tiny set of inconsequential tasks.

And you know what? Shifting to the middle lane felt good. I felt less tense, less angry. I came across the scripture from the first chapter of James instructing believers to keep their emotions in check ("Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires"), and I think I finally understand one component of this.

It may sound strange to say it, but I have found a lot of blessings in being laid off. I thank God for revealing this message to me.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Michelle Bonilla Shares a Sneak Peek

She tweeted about this one.



Underneath her talking about what she's been up to (keep your head up through graduation next year, MB!), you can hear "Give It Up," which will be on her sophomore release, "In Spite of Me." She thanks the fans for their continued support and prayers and asks y'all to keep it up.

Can't wait that long? She's currently preparing for the Knotts Berry Farm Gospel Fest, on this Saturday, May 16.

Issachar Concert Hits Philly in June


Just saw this on Da South. I think I'll have to convince hubby to go with me!

The Issachar Live concert is presented by Cross Movement Records, hosted by Ron Jacob, and features John Wells--The Tonic, R-Swift and Everyday Process, with special guests k-Drama, J.A.Z, "and many more."

The concert goes down on Saturday, June 13, at the World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. [No info. on the time; I'll get back to you on that.] Tickets are just $12, but you can also make a donation to go along with the ticket price. Donations go to Chosen 300 Ministries, Inc., an organization that feeds the homeless and provides other services to this population, offers re-release classes for people who were in jail, and also hosts programs of value for inner city youth.

At the end of my workday I used to drive by one of the places where Chosen 300 feeds people (1116 Spring Garden St.), and I know they are putting in work, with folks lining up at the door. If you can't go to the concert, you can still donate here.

UPDATE: I learned from Cross Movement Records that the concert starts at 6 p.m.

Encouragement for Tough Times

This was a great Twitter post I saw from HolyRidaz yesterday:
"Swine flu, bad economy plenty of things to worry bout right? Read & Meditate on Psalms 91, Thank Him and the Rest in Him!"
Check out the passage for yourself here, in NIV.

How comforting is it to remember that "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge." If you have been downsized, deselected, or any polite synonym of "fired" that your company has created, a reminder that through God's mercy "You will not fear the terror of the night" is reassuring. This particularly hit home for me--my sleeping habits did change after my layoff. I found myself unable to stay asleep, with all kinds of thoughts running wildly through my mind.

If you find yourself in this bad place, just stop everything and pray. "He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him," the passage reminds us. How's that for a sleeping pill?

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

New Song From Viktory

As leaked on Da South... It's called "Don't Think They Know."

Check it out here.

For more on Vik, check him out here. The site is very comprehensive, and Vik seems to have a lot of interesting conversations going. He also promises exclusives if you register there.

Nice Track




A lil' somethin' somethin' posted by Mr. J Medeiros on his Twitter account, Mr. J vs. the legendary Mr. Marvin Gaye. Track is produced by Stro the 89th Key.

It's a peppy soul track sampling some of the same Marvin that Erick Sermon used on "Music." (Anyone know the name of the original Marvin Gaye song, BTW???)

Download for free here.

Mr. J says he has more free music here.

UPDATE: I changed the pic, because I was informed that the original pic I posted was not a pic of Mr. J. My bad! Sorry for engaging in some Nick Cannon vs. Marlon Wayans.

Pigs Must Be Flying Today...


I just did something I vowed I'd never do...

I signed up for Twitter last night. (I'm @dcangah.)

I heard of Twitter a while back and wrote it off as just another time-trap on the Internet. I like keeping up with technology, but I have my limits. (Case in point: Still no Internet on my Blackberry. And no iPhone, either. Tell Apple to holla at me when they come up with an 80-gig or better iPhone to replace my iPod.) My husband knows I can be a grumpy old-timer over this stuff, like Redman's old man alter ego Uncle Quilly.

What happened? Friends and other folks I've met through recent networking have lured me over to what I heretofore called the Dark Side. The person who finally convinced me was ya boy Sketch the Journalist.

You know what? I am going to have to hold myself back from spending a lot of time on Twitter, but it is useful. I have learned about what different artists (and publications covering them) are up to, and I've heard some good music. (Will post one thing in a minute.) Twitter has a love-it-or-hate-it reputation, and right now I gotta get my Justin Timberlake on and say I'm lovin' it. Never saw that one coming.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

New Hotness

This is "The Measure," by Mr. J. Medeiros. Heard this on the Wade-O Radio Show, episode 107. Definitely my cup of tea!


The Measure feat. Jonathan Korsyzk - Mr.J.Medeiros

Monday, May 11, 2009

Mark J "An Everyday World" Review



Mark J is a rapping force of nature, period. He thunders on many of the tracks on "An Everyday World" using the sheer urgency in his vocals and his vivid lyrics to grab your soul for the Lord. He is not afraid to take on challenging topics, such as the atrocities in Darfur or the horrors of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. His storytelling ability puts you on the front lines of these events and makes you want to take action.

Pairing many of these tracks with techno/electronica beats normally uncommon in mainstream Christian or secular hip-hop gives these songs a strong, hypnotic feel. The best way I can describe this album is that it must reflect what it feels like for the character Chuck of the NBC TV show of the same name to "flash" on the secrets of the Intersect. (For those who don't watch Chuck, his brain was implanted with a collection of digitized U.S. government secrets known as the Intersect that he involuntarily accesses through "flashing," which happens when he sees something that triggers a flood of these secrets to be unleashed in his mind.) Only in the case of Mark J's latest work, we are getting glimpses of the lives of sinners, the lives of saints, where we have been both sinner and saint in our own lives, and how to transcend sin.

The title track is especially spiritually evocative. Leading the album, it sets the tone that Mark J will not merely tolerate you listening to his album; he wants to get you moving for Christ, whether it's in bettering yourself as a person or bettering the world. He implores you to ponder what goes through the minds of suicide bombers, Ugandans killing people "at a generational rate," prostitutes and absentee parents, among others. He concludes by asking "What goes through the mind of a Christian who hears all this and does nothing, not even pray?"

"Apathy" makes use of AutoTune vocals with a chaotic blend of rock and electronica to jolt us out of feelings of spiritual indifference. "Let It Go," which speaks on forgiveness, is a great marriage of electro-rock and hip-hop made more compelling by Mark J's stream-of-consciousness lyricism on this song, which is reminiscent of secular hipster rapper Theophilus London.

"Merge," the lead track, and "Hold This Line" are more traditional hip-hop songs that still convey Mark J's passion for change in our lives. "I'm a soldier, ain't got time for silly games," he says on "Merge," with a chorus that simply loudly states "merge how you live and what you believe." The battle imagery continues on "Hold the Line": "Too many saints retreatin', left speechless/Lord Jesus we need more soldiers in the breeches," Mark J proclaims.

As mentioned earlier, Mark J also channels energy toward improving conditions in Darfur. In "Darfur Dreams," he begs for action against the regime in this country that has caused so much death and pain. "This is not just a song, this is my heart and soul," he confesses. He drops names of three organizations for us to check out for getting involved: EvangelicalsforDarfur.com, SaveDarfur.com, and StandNow.org.

Though the bulk of the songs are frenetic calls to action, Mark J proves he can also speak softly and carry a big stick. "Baby U Don't Love Me," which employs the sped-up soul sample sound of early Kanye West, encourages troubled married couples to stay together. Mark J recalls turbulence in his own union to show that problems can be overcome: "Muhammad vs. Frazier, it was major in the ring--not physically, but verbally." "Vanity Fair" urbanizes elevator music and pairs it with a woman speaking in French from Ecclesiastes 1 to steer people away from lives of materialism. (Shout-out to my husband, who reps French-speaking Ivory Coast, for the translation!) And "Love Thing," which Mark J describes as a "summertime joint," is a beautiful love letter to God.

Mark J is, in many ways, the Christian version of Chuck D. Mark J knows we're living in the Terrordome, with sin all around to pull us off our paths. Like the powerful Public Enemy frontman at his peak in the 80s and early 90s, Mark J uses brash music and vocals to get his message across. His ultimate goal is to build his own Bomb Squad of energized Christians to wreak havoc on the devil.

Other notable tracks: "Enmity," "Dating or Married," "Ride Out," "Look to the Sky"

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Sho Baraka "Barakaology" Review


The self-righteous MC who brings extreme seriousness to his craft, to the point of looking down his nose at others, is someone who continually gets lambasted in secular hip-hop. But, as Sho Baraka implies in the "Serious Rapper Skit" on his mixtape, "Barakaology," Christian rappers may easily find themselves in this rut when trying to bring the Word to others and to simultaneously rein in worldliness in themselves. Sho Baraka's release is meant to remind Christians and Christian rappers not "to become the religious stiff-necks of our day." He urges Christians to avoid living lives of double standards like Pharisees and instead to "love God, with all our heart, mind, body and soul and love the brothers; to honor the king; to show respect to all men and to preach with passion."

After putting his exhortation out for his rapper peers and fans in the "Barakaology" intro track, the short offering of songs that follow exalt God ("Glorious" and "Jesus," which uses the beat from Ambassador's song of the same name), give inspiration for stamping out sin ("Great Day to Die" and "My Testimony"), and feature Sho mixing these topics with relaxed wordplay for head-nodders with more pure entertainment value.

In this last category is "Kobe Bryant on 'Em," which features this punchline: "My God's something like Kobe--crazy and amazing on 'em/yours is always hurt, yeah--Tracy McGrady on 'em." (Sho tickles himself with this line, but later apologizes to McGrady's fans and wishes God's grace upon the baller himself.)

Musically, the tracks on the mixtape reflect Sho Baraka's globetrotting life. "Get You Open," which almost has a freestyle feel, finds Sho, who was born in Canada, taking on a vaguely Jamaican accent, and "Great Day to Die" morphs into a mellow reggae cut, with a reggae singer on the chorus adding world-weary vocals. "Glorious" and "Kobe Bryant on 'Em" have the Texas transplant rhyming over Southern tracks.

Though it's true that Christians are supposed to die to the ways of the flesh, this doesn't mean that they need to stop enjoying life, as Sho Baraka points out on "Barakaology." It's clear that Sho will never stop enjoying life as a Christian, or as a rapper, and that we can always look to him for edification and entertainment alike.