{"id":2031,"date":"2014-04-30T14:08:17","date_gmt":"2014-04-30T18:08:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/~reviewing\/?page_id=2031"},"modified":"2014-04-30T14:21:03","modified_gmt":"2014-04-30T18:21:03","slug":"christian-hip-hop-seeks-to-lose-religion-label","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/reviewing\/?page_id=2031","title":{"rendered":"Hip-hop … with a positive message"},"content":{"rendered":"

Posted April 30, 2014<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

By VICTORIA HERNANDEZ<\/p>\n

Christian hip-hop has taken the music world by storm. A lot of people don\u2019t know what to do with it. People who claim Christianity as their religion support it because they like the beats and the positive message.<\/p>\n

Some who came to Christianity after a life without faith are appreciative for the genre because they can enjoy the music they are used to without compromising their new-found lifestyle. On the other hand, people who aren\u2019t necessarily religious have been slow to embrace Christian hip-hop. It, like other Christian music, can be preachy and lacks the raw storytelling that makes hip-hop so near and dear to listeners. Christians, too, sometimes reject the genre because of the stigma of hip-hop culture.<\/p>\n

Recently, there has been a movement within Christian hip-hop to shed the religious label. Why can\u2019t it just be called \u201chip-hop\u201d with a positive message? Everybody knows Lupe Fiasco is Muslim, but his music isn\u2019t labeled as \u201cMuslim Hip-Hop.\u201d Many rappers like to talk about God or spirituality whether they live it out or not. So Christian hip-hop has set out to break into the mainstream.<\/p>\n

This year, four \u201cChristian hip-hop\u201d projects have been released so far. Two of them are by the most popular label, Reach Records. The other one is by lesser known artist but OG in Christian hip-hop Da\u2019 T.R.U.T.H. A final album that was released is not exactly hip-hop, but is an R&B artist on a predominately rap label. Each project had its own style and each artist expressed his faith in a different way.<\/p>\n

Reach Records released two EPs this year. Founder and rapper Lecrae has taken Reach to the top of both the Christian and hip-hop music scene because of his adaptability and willingness to work with mainstream artists. He sees hip-hop as his mission field and does not want to operate inside a \u201cChristian\u201d bubble.<\/p>\n

\"ANDYMINEO\"Andy Mineo released \u201cNeverland\u201d in late January. KB dropped \u201c100\u201d in March. Both are fairly short, seven and six songs respectively, but are able to establish a solid theme and show a little bit of diversity in a small amount of time.<\/p>\n

Andy Mineo isn\u2019t afraid to push boundaries and once again created a project that is utterly unique. \u201cNeverland\u201d is a solid follow-up to Mineo\u2019s debut album, \u201cHeroes for Sale.\u201d Sticking with Reach\u2019s philosophy, this EP doesn\u2019t scream \u201cJesus\u201d but instead tells honest stories about how the rapper\/singer\u2019s life has changed as a result of his faith.<\/p>\n

Warning: RapGenius is needed for most of the songs. Mineo celebrates his Italian heritage especially on \u201cPaisano\u2019s Wylin\u2019\u201d and \u201cPaganini.\u201d Apparently, \u201cPaisano\u201d is the Italian term for \u201chomie\u201d and Paganini was a great violinist. Honestly, there probably aren\u2019t a ton of rap fans that would be excited about these themes.<\/p>\n

At least the beats are good and the bass is solid. Actually, it is a significant step that these projects are even on RapGenius (all four projects have at least a couple songs on the lyrics website). This shows that the music is gaining recognition in the mainstream arena and if a new listener comes across any of these projects, he or she will be encouraged that these songs are on the beloved website. The artists will also gain a lot of credibility.<\/p>\n

The structure of \u201cNeverland\u201d is very effective and goes from introducing how Mineo is flying high off the joys of life (he will \u201cnever land\u201d) and explaining how he doesn\u2019t need drugs or worldly fulfillment to \u201cget high.\u201d The track \u201cRewind\u201d is a slower song that brings a little diversity to the otherwise hard-hitting album. \u201cPaganini\u201d is actually a pretty good song. KB and Canon make guest appearances and the song ends with beat boxing. The conclusion, \u201cDeath of Me\u201d is a good reflection and clarifies Mineo\u2019s love for hip-hop balanced with joy in his savior.<\/p>\n

\"KB_100cover\"KB\u2019s \u201c100\u201d is a little more preachy than \u201cNeverland\u201d but is more true to the hip-hop style. Mineo is honest in his storytelling, but lacks the lyrical acrobatics that creates exciting hip-hop music. KB on the other hand, can spit 100 m.p.h. No pun intended.<\/p>\n

The introduction track, \u201cGive My All\u201d builds up the beat until KB literally shouts \u201cJesus.\u201d Unlike \u201cNeverland\u201d where there is distinct diversity between songs, \u201c100\u201d features significant tempo changes within individual tracks. Mineo makes an appearance on \u201c100\u201d but instead of rapping, he sings the chorus.<\/p>\n

Even though \u201c100\u201d is more obvious in its religious theme, KB throws in more references to pop culture. In the title track, he references Jackie Robinson to explain how it feels to be living by a different standard than the world. On \u201cDoubts,\u201d he has a really clever line, \u201cSometimes I still feel like I\u2019m in the dark\/Let me explain the conflicts of Kevin\u2019s heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

This line is simple but crazy good because KB\u2019s name is Kevin, so he is being honest about his struggles in life. But also, he is referencing the famous comedian Kevin Hart who had a movie called \u201cLet Me Explain.\u201d Any mainstream audience would immediately get this reference and give KB credit for his creativity and honesty.<\/p>\n

\"datruth_heartbeat_albumcover\"Da\u2019 T.R.U.T.H. has been a household name in the Christian hip-hop world since 2004. He is still going strong and just released \u201cHeartbeat\u201d on April 15.<\/p>\n

Overall, the album is very clearly \u201cChristian\u201d and doesn\u2019t show the effort to be as relatable as the Reach projects. Da\u2019 T.R.U.T.H. hasn\u2019t expressed the desire to crossover like the Reach camp has, but he should still try to challenge himself.<\/p>\n

Overall, \u201cHeartbeat\u201d was a legit album. It was a solid mix of hip-hop and worship music with guest features from James Fortune and Chris August.<\/p>\n

Some of the songs seemed to take hip-hop norms and flip them on their head. The song, \u201cStanding O\u201d is a little cheesy. TJ Pompeo is an up-and-coming artist who balances rap and singing nicely.<\/p>\n

But this song just tries too hard. The chorus goes, \u201cYou see the lights in the city, they make the night so pretty.\u201d T.R.U.T.H. shouts out practically every Christian hip-hop artist in the business. This seems a direct contrast to the epic hip-hop song \u201cControl\u201d where Kendrick Lamar thrashed every big name in the game. Obviously, because T.R.U.T.H. is coming from a Christian perspective he has a friendlier persona than Lamar, so his music is going to be lighter. But it\u2019s hard for people who enjoy the competitive nature of hip-hop to hear a bubblegum song like this.<\/p>\n

The best song hands down is the title track that features who else but Lecrae. The song is just so honest and raw. Both T.R.U.T.H and Lecrae share their passion for why they do what they do. And Lauren Lee provides a beautiful chorus.<\/p>\n

\"christon_gray_school_of_roses_cover_540\"By far the best \u201cChristian hip-hop\u201d album of 2014 so far isn\u2019t even hip-hop. It is \u201cSchool of Roses\u201d by Christon Gray, a member of the super group W.L.A.K. from Collision Records. Gray is the complete package. He can sing, rap, play piano and is quite handsome. (Sorry ladies, he\u2019s taken.) Comparing to the mainstream, he is similar to John Legend, but definitely has his own style.<\/p>\n

The album is an honest, raw account of Gray\u2019s search for true love. The opening song, \u201cThe Last Time\u201d is very thoughtful and reflective. The tone quickly changes on \u201cWanna\u201d with a good boom-bap beat.<\/p>\n

Gray describes the temptations that women present for him. This song is reminiscent of \u201cTrouble\u201d or \u201cShe Knows\u201d off J. Cole\u2019s hit album \u201cBorn Sinner.\u201d Doesn\u2019t everybody feel the desire to seek attention from attractive people? Commitment is hard and Gray is not afraid to explore that.<\/p>\n

There are three piano interludes on the album, \u201cRoses 101,\u201d \u201cRoses 102\u201d and \u201cRoses 103.\u201d These songs serve as nice transitions throughout the story. Here, Gray takes a moment to reflect on where he\u2019s at in life.<\/p>\n

Of all the projects, Gray\u2019s faith is the least explicit. He drops little gems here and there to let the audience know why he is broken and in need of a savior. On \u201cWindchaser\u201d he says, \u201cWe exchange vows from I do to adieu like we exchange vowels\/Sin nature made me a wind chaser.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sin is a very Christian concept, but he drops it gently and doesn\u2019t scare away a non-religious audience. As the album progresses, references to Gray\u2019s spirituality become stronger. In \u201cRoses 102 \u2013 Burning House,\u201d he says, \u201cLord help me close the door.\u201d In the dramatic conclusion, \u201cArena (The Final Hour)\u201d Gray is completely unashamed of his faith. The chorus includes clear scripture references to Jesus being the savior of the world. This song is pure worship as Gray thanks God for believing in him even when he thought all hope was lost.<\/p>\n

Each of these projects had different target audiences. Da\u2019 T.R.U.T.H.\u2019s was clearly still a Christian audience who needs a little bit of traditional gospel music mixed with their hip-hop. Andy Mineo and KB went more towards the middle of the road. Christon Gray hit a grand slam in creating a project that Christians will appreciate but non-believers will be able to process and enjoy just as much.<\/p>\n

Christian hip-hop still has a full year ahead. The discernment into how to express faith through the vessel of hip-hop is an ongoing process. It might seem slow, but it is steady.<\/p>\n

Thi\u2019sl will release \u201cFallen King\u201d on May 6. His music is usually raw which should reach out to the hardcore hip-hop fan base. Reach Records is releasing Tedashii\u2019s \u201cBelow Paradise\u201d on May 27. This album should be important because it is going to reveal T.Dot\u2019s inner struggle after the death of his young son. It will probably be a great album to reach a non-Christian audience who can relate to unexplainable suffering.<\/p>\n

Really, a Lecrae-Kendrick Lamar collab just needs to drop pronto.<\/p>\n