May 2012
1 post
Thoughts on Lecrae and the "Christian rapper"...
This blog is concerning Lecrae’s most recent blog “Purpose/Passion/Progression” that can be found here. http://reachrecords.com/blog/post/Church-Clothes-Purpose-Passion-Progression Although I don’t agree with some things Lecrae said I do agree with other things. My purpose is not to attack him but more so to talk about the implications his statements have for the Christian...
April 2012
6 posts
CHH Has An Inferiority Complex
I believe the genre of Christian hip-hop has an inferiority complex. Let me explain. Due to previous negative connotations from the world who tend to think CHH is corny or wack we tend to go along with that view of the genre. Due to not being accepted by the mainstream throughout the years we agree with them that CHH is wack..”except for me and my crew” mentality. Yes there are lots...
Top 10 Rapper List- of all time
On a message board recently people were talking about who their favorite MCs of all time were. After thinking about it here is my list.
In no particular order. I don’t think there’s too many people toppin the people on this list. From wordplay, similes, delivery, punchlines, schemes; ability to stay on topic, etc. Wordsworth Eminem Timothy Brindle Black Thought Copywrite ...
Trip Lee Interview →
Check out this thorough interview with Trip Lee from Hip-Hop DX’s site. He talks about his new album and the state of Christian hip-hop.
March 2012
7 posts
Victory March Listener's Guide
Victory March featuring Phien
Background
As soon as I heard this beat on Big Juice’s website I knew I wanted it. It has that anthem type of vibe and I love the energy! (The horns on it are crazy and remind me of Joshua blowin the rams horn in victory). Most of the album has a contemplative feel with many of the songs having dark, emotional vibes to them. This was purposefully done since the album...
“If I hear one more Christian rapper (oh, excuse me, “christian who raps”) talk...”
– (via deathbybillions)
Through These Gates- Listener's Guide Entry
Below is the listener’s guide for the song “Through These Gates”. I thought it would be fitting to post this on a Monday since I go to this group on Monday nights. The group that inspired this song has been so helpful to my walk. Real men. Broken men. Honest men. Hurting Men. Depending on Jesus men. Those are the type of men that come to this group.
Through These...
February 2012
16 posts
Acts 7 feat. Stephen the Levite- Listener's Guide...
Acts 7 featuring Stephen the Levite
Background
I had this concept in mind for quite some time. Given that me and Levite have the same name (sometimes fans somehow get us mixed up at times) I thought it would be fitting for us to do a jam together. Stephen was a martyr and suffered for what he believed in so the song fit the concept of The Suffering Servant. Persecution is a huge part of the topic...
Looking For a Wife? (Manhood)-by Paul Washer
Manhood.
by Paul Washer
First of all, a young woman may pursue a relationship with the opposite sex only after she has embraced adulthood and it’s responsibilities. You’re going to be looking for a woman that’s not just beautiful, because she might just have no character whatsoever, but someone who has embraced adulthood. Biblical adulthood, she doesn’t want to be a child. She doesn’t...
Suffering Servant Part II (NT)- Listener's Guide
Suffering Servant Part II (NT)
Background
Originally I had intended to just make one title track called The Suffering Servant. After I wrote the long verse based off of Isaiah 53 I start coming up with more lines about the suffering Christ went through. I noticed that most of these lines were based off of New Testament passages. I considered making one super long song with the Isaiah 53 references...
Lin- Perseverance →
Great story of perseverance and waiting to finally get a chance.
Suffering Interlude featuring C.J. Mahaney-...
Suffering Interlude featuring C.J. Mahaney
I bought this beat off K-Drama in late 2009 and was hoping to actually write the “Grief Observed” song to this beat. However, after listening to it over and over again I felt it would fit better as an interlude track and would go well with a sermon clip. Over the past three to four years I listened to numerous sermons on the topic of suffering. Many...
"Grief Observed" - Listener's Guide Entry
Grief Observed featuring Deadmanwalking, B-Doe, and Average Joe
Background
I came up with the concept for this song after I moved back to Pittsburgh in late 2009. I wanted to study as much material as possible on the topic of suffering before I wrote most of the songs for the album. The book “A Grief Observed” by C.S. Lewis was a book I knew I had to read to help me understand the topic of pain...
The Suffering Servant- Nomination- Most Underrated →
The Suffering Servant has been nominated for most underrated album of the year in 2011 by Holy Culture. Please help me out by voting. Gametime!
Nominated for Most Underrated Artist on HCR →
I’ve been nominated as a finalist for HCR’s Most Underrated Christian Hip-Hop artist of 2011. Please help me out by voting! Thanks
'Joseph's Story' Listener's Guide
Joseph’s Story
Background
I strategically placed this song after “Walk With A Limp”. The third verse of “Walk With a Limp” is about how Jacob wrestled with God and walked with a limp following his encounter with God. Since Jacob was the father of Joseph I saw it fitting to place the song “Joseph’s Story” after Walk With a Limp. Joseph’s story inspires me so much and he is a great example of...
Walk With a Limp- Listener's Guide Entry
Walk With a Limp
Background
After telling people to take the mask off on track 10 I figured this song would fit well as the following song on the album. On this song I talk about my struggles as a believer and take my own mask off. I wrote this song shortly after I moved to Pittsburgh in the fall of 2009. It was tough for me to move from Philly that summer and go back to my hometown. One of the...
January 2012
33 posts
Take the Mask Off Listener's Guide Entry
Take the Mask Off featuring Average Joe
Background
This is one of my favorite beats on the whole album. My sister in-law has two brothers who make beats. They had one particular beat on their music page that I liked a whole lot but for whatever reason they weren’t able to send me the beat. I played the beat for Average Joe and he said he thought he could make something that sounded similar so...
Teddy's Story featuring Calm One- Listener's Guide
Teddy’s Story featuring Calm One
Background
This song is one part of a trilogy series I wrote. The other two related story songs are “Jenny’s Story” and “Lenny’s Story”. The Suffering Servant is my first full length album but it is my third overall project. On the What I Believe EP there is a song called “Jenny’s Story”. The song is about a girl named Jenny who is the prototypical teenager. She...
"Teddy's Story" feat. Calm One Listener's Guide...
Christ Can Relate- Listener's Guide Entry
Christ Can Relate
Background
All the stories on this song are true stories. I changed some of the names to protect the identies’ of a few of the people. I wanted to include stories of people whose stories often get overlooked. I strategically placed this song after Suffering Servant Part I so that Christ’s suffering and anguish would be fresh in the listeners’ minds. Often times we get so...
Unbreakable featuring Josue →
Check out this jam off Josue’s Zealous Mixtape called Unbreakable- based off Romans 8:31-39
Josue's Zealous Mixtape is Now Out!! →
Suffering Servant Part 1 (Isaiah 53) Listener's...
Suffering Servant Part I (Isaiah 53)
Background
This is the title track of the album. Having the album with a title of The Suffering Servant I felt it was vital to bring the listener to focus on THE SUFFERING SERVANT- who is Christ. The song is like 40 bars straight and then the 8 bar hook. On this song I basically let the Word speak for itself and broke down Isaiah 53 in a didactic manner, line...
"Suffering and God's Sovereignty" Listener's Guide
Suffering and God’s Sovereignty featuring Angela Board
I start off the song talking about God’s sovereignty from the gate. Many people like the line, “Where was God on 9/11? / The same place he was on 9/10” I have to admit I got that line from a sermon by my man R.C Sproul. R.C got it straight from Scripture. The following texts should be pondered on when considering God’s...