Viktory: Big-Ups in the Secular Realm

I just read a great news item on the Holy Culture Web site. Rapper Viktory has gained attention on popular secular hip-hop sites All Hip-Hop.com and SOHH.com, for his new song, "On Fire."

According to Da South, which also reported on the news a few weeks ago, All Hip-Hop gossip columnist Illseed featured the video for Viktory's new song as an "epic win" for the day. Word from Da South is that Wit from the Frontlynaz gave Viktory the scoop on the good news.

A quick search of SOHH.com showed that the video was just posted there. Comments on the video were positive. "This video is HOT!!!!!!! Music I bob my head to and hear a great message. Good look Vik. We need this out here," said one poster. Others said they liked the song, especially because it brought something different to the game.

Here's the video, below. It reminds me of Johnny Blaze from "Ghost Rider," in a way. The gist of the plot is that sinners are seeing the holy fire in Viktory, and being in his presence makes them change their minds about embarking on various sins. Even Vik's E-class leaves a trail of flames behind when he rides off. Vik as a holy ghost rider is a cool concept.

Extra: A Viktory YouTube channel has clips on the making of this breakthrough video...
Part 1

Part 2

Part 3



Part 4

Atheists Getting More Shine

There's an article on The New York Times Web site right now, about the growing popularity of disbelief in God. Groups such as the Secular Coalition for America, an umbrella group for 10 atheist organizations, are finding their memberships growing exponentially. There are also college campus groups, such as the Secular Student Alliance, which has nearly 150 chapters. And as you're driving down your closest highway, don't be surprised if you see adopt-a-highway signs for atheiest groups--the article says the groups are putting themselves in the public eye by volunteering at food pantries and cleaning trash from the roadsides to gain notoriety.
"They liken their strategy to that of the gay-rights movement, which lifted off when closeted members of a scorned minority decided to go public," the article states. The atheists' strategy of showing their faces appears to be working, as the New York Times article states that among findings on the recently published American Religious Identification Survey, the group of those saying they have no religion is the only one that has increased in all U.S. states in nearly 20 years.
The article says that athiests are not necessarily looking to strip others of their belief in God, but rather that they are attempting to put a more positive spin on athiesim and to shatter stereotypes about athiests.
Atheists are embracing the world and attempting to reach people of today in ways that are meaningful to them. Are we, as Christians, always doing this? Or are we using strategies that worked for the Americans of the 20th century, who were already primed to respect Christianity? We were preaching to the choir in a way back then. Are we still trying to preach to the choir, without realizing the pews are empty?
I hate to be a broken record, but I think we are. I think more Christian groups need to come up with more effective strategies for reaching a public that is looking for more in life. For example, I heard an older Christian woman recently express doubt about starting a blog by saying that the Internet is a dangerous place because it can bring Christians too close to contact with the negative things of the world. Sure, I understand that there are places where you can find pornography, images of graphic violence, and other terrible things, but there are people out there in less sinful places who are hurting and in need of encouragement from the Good News. To me, it makes sense to make outreach in these areas, and not to fear being "in the world" or be disgusted to the point of social paralysis by placing yourself there.
Jesus looked for people to be "fishers of men" in his day. Today, I'd argue that we need to be "Web catchers," drawing people in to our corners of the Internet. There is an audience of millions out there online. Through positive entertainment, encouraging stories, and insightful commentary on scripture as it applies to our daily lives, we can do more to reach them in ways that will appeal to them.

Sho Baraka Mixtape

Haven't listened to it yet, and I'm not sure if this is something else I need a late pass for, but I saw a link for the mixtape, Barakology, on the One21 Web site. Enjoy!

Download here...

A Heavy Learning Experience

I haven't mentioned, but I found out on April 8 that I'm getting laid off from my job. My last day in the office is Thursday this coming week. I wasn't really surprised that this happened, for a variety of reasons, but the news was still surprising.

Though this is not the best news, I have seen God move firsthand in what has happened after that announcement. Most notably is the amount of support I've received from my soon-to-be former coworkers.

I am not an extroverted person by any means, and when I go to work, my cubicle is just about like a fortress of solitude. I go in at 8:30, do my work, grab some lunch to eat at my desk, and leave at 4:00. Because of this loner tendency of mine, I have not had a great wealth of meaningful interaction with my coworkers on a social level.

But despite this, many people have approached me to offer condolences for the loss of the job, as well as to put out feelers for me for work. Others have offered to serve as references for me as I need them. Others still have pledged to connect to me on the business social networking site, LinkedIn. I never imagined that so much help and love was out there for me!

I have thanked each individual, but I want to say another big THANK YOU on this page. God's mercy and love has truly been acted out through my coworkers.

I realize now that I've missed out on a lot by walling myself off away from others. I pray that I will gain more comfort in reaching out to others, so I can begin to repay some of what God has shown me in the past few weeks.

And the Winners Are...

Here are the winners of the urban-leaning Gospel Music Awards last night:

• Urban Recorded Song of the Year: Mary Mary, "Get Up"
• Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year: KJ-52, "Do Yo Thang"
• Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year: Group 1 Crew, Ordinary Dreamers
• Urban Album of the Year: Kirk Franklin, The Fight of My Life

I don't have cable, so I didn't see the actual show. How was it? Do tell!

My 2 cents, from just looking at the nominees and winners, is that I would've pulled for Lecrae and J.R. to win, for Rebel and "Not a Slave," respectively. Lemme show them some respect here on my page...

Here's one of many faves I have from Rebel, "Identity."

Identity (feat. Da Truth, Jr) - Lecrae

Here's the video for "Not a Slave."

I liked that Life by Stereo pushed the boundaries on R&B. Hope to hear more from J.R. soon!

As a bonus, another favorite J.R. song of mine is "Tonight." Blame 808s & Heartbreak and those hipster rappers--these days, I'm a sucker for songs with some electronic spice to them.

Late Pass: Trip Lee's "Real Vision" Video

Since I'm easing back into blogging, there are some things I've missed out on sharing. Check out this video, which I saw on the Dat Other Hip Hop Web site. (BTW, thanks for the add to the blog roll, guys!) Tedashii is also featured on the song.

Show and Prove: Works Without Words

I just read an interesting article on the Relevant magazine Web site, on "Silent Evangelism." (Shout-out to D-Turn for getting me hooked on Relevant!) The author riffed on a quote she read from Dieter Zander, which basically said that the works of the church are behind the words we use to try to reach others.

One particularly compelling passage from the article appears below:

"In the West (meaning the U.S. and Europe), the problem isn't that the Gospel hasn't been communicated—it’s that the Gospel hasn't been lived. As Christians, we have a lot to account for in our past: racism, religious wars, discrimination—all in the name of God. We tell people they need God but we don't necessarily feel a need to be Christ to them. I’m talking about a lack of incarnational witness. It is much easier to talk about being a Christian than it is to live like one. I firmly believe that this generation needs to see Jesus and not just hear about Him. They need to see us caring for the poor, treating others as more important and pursing spiritual life over material wealth. They need to witness our concern for injustice, racism and the shoddy way we have of taking care of God's creation."

I agree with this article. I am a Gen Xer, and I also have been part of the hip-hop culture since the late 80's. I know many people who don't follow Christianity--or any religion--think there is much hypocrisy in our religion. Case in point: Many people of my age group probably remember the downfall of several televangelists in our formative years. These people may have been projected directly into our homes via the TV set, to speak on the merits of Christianity, only to have their images (and that of the religion overall) tarnished by their criminal and/or immoral actions. I could definitely see how a non-believer or a sometimes-believer would be more readily drawn to Christ by someone who is a Big Brother or Big Sister, or cooks in a soup kitchen, or pays for groceries for a friend who has been laid off, or any kind of regular activity that shows the love and grace that Christ asked us to show to others. It can be hard to give of ourselves in this way, but I believe that in the current climate of the world, our actions will open the doors that will enable us to begin dialogue on the Word.

Ragga Stylee From Jahaziel

Saw this one, from the brother across the pond, on HolyCulture.net. More fiyah!

Lecrae "Don't Waste Your Life" Video

A powerful video for a great song.

Canton Jones on Chris Brown/Rihanna Situation

Canton Jones recently shared his personal thoughts on the reports of singer Rihanna being physically abused by singer Chris Brown. Here is a snippet:

"I am not afraid to say, without any hesitation, whatsoever, that violence of any sort has no place in a relationship.
What they are going through is no different than what happens to James and Barbara in southwest Atlanta or Richard and Stacey in Brooklyn, New York, or Alex and Rita in Compton, California. What they are going through is the same nightmare that thousands of people live with every day: a man who takes out his aggression, anger, frustration, or other weaknesses on a woman, and a woman who allows herself to become a man's punching bag, all in the name of love. Underneath it all lies a sickness--on both parts. It's no different than an addiction to crack or cigarettes or alcohol. Abuse becomes a vicious cycle that usually doesn't end until someone finally musters up enough strength and dignity to seek help. Sometimes, though, it doesn't end until someone ends up dead."

Jones goes on to urge people to stop turning a blind eye to abuse. He asks his fans, and the public at large, to talk with abusers and victims to encourage both groups to seek help.

I agree that the unfortunate situation between these two popular R&B singers, or anyone else in an abusive relationship, should not continue. There is help. For example, there is a national hotline that can be called for help and advice. If you or anyone you know is in a domestic violence situation, call 1-800-799-7233 (1-800-787-3224 is the TTY number for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing).

Web resources include:

• DomesticViolence.org, http://www.domesticviolence.org/
• National Domestic Violence Hotline, http://www.ndvh.org/
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, http://www.ncadv.org/
• Domestic Violence Information Center, http://feminist.org/other/dv/dvhome.html
• Online Domestice Violence Survival Kit, http://www.dvguide.com/

New Shachah Album in July

Just got a quick note in my e-mail about this. No title mentioned, but recording is done and tracks are being mixed. Special guests will be weaved into the songs, no names mentioned. Release date is July 28.

A Big Day for Anniversaries

I didn't realize until this morning, but today is the anniversary of two major events. Sadly, not happy ones, though positive outcomes have arisen from both. The two events I'm speaking of are the rape of the "Central Park jogger" and the killings at Columbine High School.

Both of these events were discussed on the "Today" show this morning. Twenty years ago today, Trisha Meili was jogging at night in New York City's Central Park when she was raped and assaulted to near death. In addition to the sexual attack, she also sustained a head injury and, following a loss of 75 percent of the blood in her body, ended up in a coma for 12 days.

These days, Meili is an author (after revealing her identity as the victim of the brutal attack in 2003) and a motivational speaker. She still endures minor physical ailments and, due to her head injury, she has no recollection of the events surrounding her attack. She admitted to "Today" anchor Meredith Vierra that she often feels frustrated that she doesn't remember what transpired, but that she doesn't have nightmares or flashbacks and feels blessed for that.

She also noted that she has learned about healing from the attack. What helped her to heal emotionally during the initial days was cards and well-wishes in the thousands that came in to the hospital, from the city and from around the world. "The power of that loving care and support was stronger than the power of the violence that night," Meili said this morning.

Through her motivational speeches, she encourages people to reach out to others in distress in any way that's comfortable for them, because it does make a difference. The other message she gives is that "whatever challenge you're facing, you can do so much more than you ever felt possible. Don't get caught up in a past you can't change, or the future."

The shooting spree carried out by two teens at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado 10 years ago resulted in the deaths of 12 students and one teacher, the suicides of the two shooters, and 24 others injured, according to "Today."

The show focused on a few of the victims. Craig Scott lost his sister, Rachel, on that tragic day; she was the first person killed. Craig, who was also at the school that day, is currently a filmmaker and does outreach through a nonprofit organization that his parents started in honor of their lost daughter. Craig said that today he strives to treat those in his life better than he did 10 years ago; his last memories of time with his sister include arguments and fighting.

Patrick Ireland, known as "the boy in the window" from a photo of his rescue after being found hanging out of a library window, had been shot twice in the head and once in the knee during the incident, according to an account on the Web site for "Today." The "Today" telecast noted that Ireland spent 7 months in rehab where, among other things, he re-learned how to talk. Ultimately, he graduated the school as valedictorian. Like Meili, due to his injury, he has no remembrance of the shootings.

Shawn Graves, who saw the shooters, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, loading what he thought were paint guns in the school parking lot, was paralyzed from the waist down after being shot six times during the attack. Today, he is physically mobile--he hasn't used a wheelchair since his graduation from Columbine High, in 2002, according to his bio on the Christopher and Dana
Reeve Foundation Web site. Graves serves as an ambassador for the organization.

I got several things from seeing both of these stories. First, the mercy of God to have removed terrible memories of the events from the minds of some, and inability to walk, or even talk, for others. The second thing is how these people (and others mentioned) went on to not only survive, but thrive. It seems that God really used these people as a testament to the power of love, as Meili, for example, cited the love she felt as a factor in regaining a sense of normalcy in her life. The third thing is that, unlike many stories that populate the news during these increasingly celebrity-obsessed times, these people were average Joes like the rest of us. They could've been working in an investment firm alongside us, like Meili's occupaation before her attack, or a friend of a son or daughter who copped rides in the back of our cars. We come into contact with all kinds of people every day, and we never know what kind of turmoil they are going through, or what struggles are to come. By extending love now and not diminishing love if troubles arise in a person's life, we are truly enacting Jesus' greatest commandment.