Check in to Rehab

Check out Rehab which drops today!  Find out more here

Lecrae's testimony

Here is a link to Lecrae sharing his testimony on the 700 club.  I thank God for stories of God's grace in peoples lives.

ENTERMISSION

On December 26th, Reach Records released the debut album of DJ Official.  The album contains a compilation of original songs by over 20 artists including- Lecrae, Flame, J-son, Trip Lee and many more.  Fish, as he is affectionately called, is a master DJ and producer and this album is a must have for every fan of Christian hip hop.  Pick up yours today or go online to REACH RECORDS.

Album release

I wanted to mention the release this month of my guy Kareem's debut album. Be sure to check it out.

Urban Churches

I get excited about urban churches that have a special focus on evangelism to the younger generation. I know of two such churches that are in the early stages. Epiphany Fellowship in Philly is a few years old and has established a solid foundation for the future. Blueprint Church in Atlanta is just getting started, but has a committed core and the type of leadership to make a difference.

If you have any interest in churches reaching out to make disciples for Christ from the "hip hop generation", then these churches should be an encouragement to you.

Grace and peace to the brothers and sisters in Philly and ATL keeping real for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

What churches are an encouragement to you?

Is hip hop music angry in tone?

Sorry for the absence from posting. I have had a lot going on.

I came across an excellent conversation on between John McWhorter and Ta-Nahisi Coates that began by discussing hip hop music and then ventured into the role of race in our nation. I would highly suggest taking the time to listen if you are interested in the influence of hip hop music or on issues of race. You can find it here. I am a big fan of McWhorter's books and I found myself agreeing with a lot of what he said, but also found great insight from the perspective that Coates offered.

One of the points that McWhorter makes is that a key element or central ingredient to the genre of music that is hip hop is anger/rebellion/a sense of disrespect of authority. Because of that, he suggests that although it may express emotion it offers little in terms of solutions.

What do you think? Is hip hop music, at its roots, angry?

REBEL drops September 30th

Lecrae's newest project will be released on September 30th. You can pre-order today at Reach Records.

If it is anything like the rest of his music, I'm sure that it will be hot. What blesses me is the authentic lifestyle of faith in this brother. Lecrae was in Chicago last week for our Legacy
Conference and I was able to talk to him, observe him, etc. a lot. He even spent the night at my house a couple of nights. I appreciate him more as a man of God than I do his music. Glory to God.

Are you planning to purchase this new album?

Trip Lee 20/20

Ben Washer from Reach Records sent me one of Trip Lee's new CD -20/20 to review. Honestly, I think it was a mistake. I think that he had me confused with someone else, but since I got the CD I will give my thoughts.

I really have no right to critique hip hop music except for the fact that I have been listening to it off and on for about 20 years. Yes, I go all the way back to Kool Moe Dee, Boogie Down Productions, Heavy D. and the boyz, and many more.

I am still getting used to this CD, but it definately is worth purchasing. The content of the message is powerful as always with any Reach artist. The theme of clearing up our vision to see clearly according to God's Word instead of the messed up vision of culture is throughout the tracks. The album is full of guest appearances (Lecrae, Cam, Shai Linne, Flame, and the list goes on).

At some level, a critique of good music is about style. I enjoy good hip hop. I want good Christ honoring content in my music. I want artists whose life represents the message that they portray. Trip has all of this. But I also can have too much of a style. Trip Lee's style is like that to me. I like a song here and there, but have trouble listening to a whole album in one sitting. That's just me. Other styles I can listen to a whole album the whole way through. For me, this is Lecrae, Shai Linne, Flame. And of course, my guy Catalyst.

That being said, here are a few of my favorites from 20/20: Come close, Who He is, Eyes open.

If you are looking for bangin' hip hop that glorifies God and not the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, then 20/20 is for you.

Urban Prophets

I have been encouraged by the music of Lecrae, Tedashi, the 116 Clique as well as their predecessors in their genre, Cross Movement. What is most exciting to me about these men of God is that their lives are about ministry. Music is just one of the outlets of expression of that lifestyle.

Reach Life Ministries recently produced a gospel tract that is relevant in style to the urban culture, but with the same timeless truth of the gospel. You can find an on-line interactive version here: http://www.readthisbeforeyoudie.com/

What new resources have you found useful for the gospel?