Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Five reasons you should go to P.U.R.E. Summer Music Fest 2012


1. Of course great Ministry should be expected.
2.Christian Hip-Hop Artist Bizzle and Bumps INF will be in the building.
3.You can acquire new mix tapes from Social Club and Truespitta x DayDream.
4. You will see high quality performances from every artist on the roster.
5. Marty Mar might punch you!

Bizzle:

Social Club:



A.D:
Bumps INF:

Check out this new group:




Tuesday, May 29, 2012

My Top 5 Favorite Christian Hip-Hop Albums of All Time

1.Rhema Soul – Red
This is my favorite Christian Rap album out because I feel its lyrics, flow, production, and arrangement is off the charts. Rhema Soul stays Hip-Hop but effectively mixes Rock, pop and other genres in the project. The collaborations are with heavy hitters like This’l, Shonlock, Benjah, Jai, and Ryan Stevenson. I am a huge fan of this group and feel this is their best work thus far. 

Favorite Song:

2.T-Bone – The Last Street Preacha
This album is a classic. T-Bone is a pioneer of Christian Hip-Hop. This album was Grammy nominated and has some of the most respected tracks in Hip-Hop. This is off the chain and was very relevant for the time. The sound is outdated now but you got to respect the work of the legends. 

Favorite Song:

3.The Ambassador – The Thesis
This record is a lyrical master piece. It proves that The Ambassador is one of the greatest lyricists ever. You got to give honor where honor is due and so I got to say the Ambassador is nice with it. This album like “The Last Street Preacha” has a sound that kind of went off the radar but regardless of that fact both albums display a rapper executing the technical aspects of rapping at a genius level. 

Favorite Song:

4. Da T.R.U.T.H  - The Whole Truth
Da T.R.U.T.H is one of my all-time favorites. He combined being a legitimate emcee with commercial instrumentals. Not many can do this effectively but Da T.R.U.T.H pulled it off. If you know me, you know that I love the world of underground Hip-Hop and commercial Hip-Hop. Da T.R.U.T.H brought both worlds together. This is an album you must get.

Favorite Song:


5. Lecrae – Church Clothes
This is one of my favorite albums for two main reasons. Lecrae is one of my favorite artists and this is his most significant record. This brought Christian Hip-Hop to a mainstream audience like no other album. With production by Producers like Boi-1da and 9th Wonder you know it was sonically on point. Greatness is what you will hear if you spin “Church Clothes”.

Favorite Song:





Sunday, May 27, 2012

Hip-Hop devotional: (Viktory edition) Relentless 4evr


     
     
     In the scriptures it says “he who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13). So if you have received his grace that saves (Ephesians 2:8) you will grind for the Kingdom till the end because you are no longer dead but regenerated. This Christian walk is not a game, it’s a blood sport,you are battling against the lustful media trying to infiltrate your mind. You are battling against your own sinful nature (Romans 3:23) and against this powers of darkness. Well not really you but the Holy Spirit in you. With the Holy Spirit we can overcome evil with good. We can move mountains and prove all the skeptics that what we profess with our mouth is not a game and it is definitely not a joke. Get into the word, pray and put your armor on. Jesus wants all of you and he wants you to live his lifestyle twenty-four seven. It’s time the troops rally and impact this nation!!! He wants you to press in!!!He wants you to be RELENTLESS FOREVER!!!!!!!!!

Record that inspired the devotional!!!







Monday, May 21, 2012

The Top Ten Christ Centered Hip-Hop Artist (SOFLA)


Based on Industry impact and talent combined!!!

1.  @ Rhema Soul 
Rhema Soul is a Hip-Hop powerhouse. I can’t think of any Christian Hip-Hop group that has had more national recognition then Rhema Soul. Rhema Soul is a three lyricist combo that consists of Juan Love, Butta P and K-Nuff. They have appeared on Fuse TV and have been mentioned in major publications like Sister 2 Sister. They have also performed alongside musical greats like Grits, Relient K, David Crowder Band, and Switchfoot. You might have seen them perform at one of the biggest concerts in the state called “Rock the Universe”. Their latest hit album “Red” was produced by heavy weights Andy Anderson (TobyMac, Group One Crew), Rey King and AD. Make sure you get the new record, I heard it and it’s a classic.






2. @Iamreyking
Rey King is known as the most controversial artist in South Florida but don’t get it twisted he is also known by many as the most talented. No solo artist has gotten as much buzz as Rey King on major Christian Hip-Hop sites like Dasouth.com. I went to a post about his critically acclaimed mix tape “Black Friday” and saw thousands of comments, one day I went to revisit the post and found that the comments were wiped out. Rumor has it that dasouth.com had to shut that comment board down. Rey King has multiple talents, he has impacted those in South Florida and around the world. The man rap, sings, produces, engineers and could probably do more musical things I didn’t name. Everything he does is at a high level. He has produced for major Hip-Hop groups like Rhema Soul and he has produced for top caliber Latin artist like Rey Cruz. If you type “Rey King” in the YouTube search bar and look at his hits you will immediately figure out the guy has influence. He is starting a movement called IAMYG.COM with local all-stars Young King and Leslie Grace. 

3. @TheBlessEdKid
If you made this statement: “Bless’ed is the best rapper from South Florida”. I would not think you’re crazy. This dude is lyrically insane. His flow is off the charts and he has been able to reach the masses for Jesus. He has millions of YouTube hits and has one of the most recognized albums in Christian Hip-Hop history. His album the “ The Bless’ed project” charted number 6 on ITunes at the same time Lecrae and Trip Lee were on the iTunes charts. He was part of Hip-Hop history, never had there been a time when three Christian Hip-Hop albums were in the top 10 Hip-Hop section before. Bless’ed has collaborated with some of the best like Bizzle, Cheno Lyfe and Rey King. The dude hasn’t dropped anything for a min but don’t sleep I predict the flood is coming.

4. @HeartOfficialAD
A.D like Rey King also is more than a rapper. He raps, sings, engineers and produces at a commercial market level. He has produced on the Rhema Soul’s classic album “Red” and has a mix tape out that has created quite a buzz around the city called “Life After”. A.D has in some way worked with the likes of Bizzle, Bless’ed, Cheno Lyfe, Rhema Soul, Rey King and more. 


5. @eddienigma21
Some may question why I would put him so high but I really don’t care. This list does have an element of industry impact but it’s also based on talent. This list isn't just based on Championship rings but also on individual Statistics. Eddie Nigma is one of the hottest lyricists you will ever hear. There are a few people that I can think of that have more industry impact but Eddie Nigma has still left a mark on the industry so don’t read what I’m not saying. Eddie Nigma has been on national records like “International” by DJ Morph and Young Joshua’s album “think out loud”. He has collaborated with the deadliest lyricist you can think of.   One search of him on Google or YouTube will confirm that I’m not crazy. He has been respected by the likes of rapzilla.com, dasouth.com, sphereofhiphop.com and fnflive.com. This dude is underrated by many but I won’t make that mistake. The only issue I think people have with him is that we have been waiting a long time for an album. 

6. @SocialxClub
Social Club is one of the most relevant and consistent crews from South Florida at the moment. They have two of the best in the game in Marty Mar (known for Rhema Soul collabs) and one of the best rappers in Fern. They are now considered two of the top names in South Florida and did it in less than 2 years. 2011 and 2012 has so far been their year for South Florida Mix tapes. They have been promoted heavy by the number one Christian Hip-Hop site in the world rapzilla.com. I could not forget to put them somewhere on this list. 

7. @dremarshall
Dre Marshall has been grinding for years and can’t be ignored. He has collaborated with Mahogany Jones, Rey King, Leon Timbo, Canton Jones and Kurtis Blow. His mix tapes are highly loved by Hip-Hop fans across the world. Dude has one of the nicest flows I have heard and is relevant with his music.  

8. @JoeJustiz
Joe Justiz is a very unique artist. He can blend lyrical ability with sick commercial vibes. He is great at doing love songs and everyone would love to have him on their hook. He has appeared on many national records and has collaborated with big names like DJ Morph, G-Notes, K-Nuff of Rhema Soul, Eddie Nigma, Cheno Lyfe, and many more. He has definitely been killing it over the years and South Florida is waiting for new heat. 

9. @chenolyfe 
Cheno Lyfe is known as Christian Hip-Hop’s number one hustler. This dude is doing a million things for the Lord in Miami. He was the winner of the Ministry is Major Conference in 2008, a legendary competition that was put together by Miami’s media personality J-Blaze from FNFLIVE.COM. After that conference he released what went on to be a classic Christian Hip-Hop album “Home”. With his “Home” album he was able to tour the country with national acts. He has collaborated with Pablo from Group One Crew, K-Drama, D-Maub, Rhema Soul and more. He will be performing at Flavor Fest 2012 and also expect a brand new album soon. 

10. G-Notes
He has dropped one of the best commercial albums out of South Florida “Bright Lights Magic City”, and he has performed at national events like Flavor Fest. He has gotten a lot of love from sites like rapzilla.com and dasouth.com. 

5 Artist to watch out for 

       1. Danny from the Lab
       2. Young King @IAMColinAnsby
       3. L.O.S @LegionofSouls
       4. Mac Reps @macreps12
       5. Authentik @authentik210






Say Goodbye to yesterday! Hip-Hop Devotional (Rhema Soul edition)


   
   Everyday God’s mercies are new but many times we don’t let that truth soak into our heart. We are sometimes held back by guilt/shame/condemnation or we can’t move on in some area because we are paralyzed by a past failure. It’s like we no longer want to pick the ball up and run with it because there is too much disappointment that has occurred in our life. It doesn’t have to be that way, failure can be used to motivate you and God certainly uses it to prune us so we grow mightier than before. One of the issues that can block God’s growing process is our unwillingness to break out and say good bye to yesterday. Today is different than yesterday. No matter what you have failed at you are made in the image of God and have potential. If you’re still alive God has work to do with you. Fix the things that are out of order with God’s help, think about your God given successes in some areas for encouragement and move forward. Today you have a new mindset if you want one. If you are a Follower of Jesus Christ the Old is gone and you are a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). Break out of the old and into the new life that God has freely given you. Remember that now is the time to change (2 Corinthian 6:2). Don’t stay stuck in sin: Once again I encourage breaking out into the zone God wants you to be in. A zone where you desire to sacrifice your life for God and live this life the way he designed you to instead of living for the flesh. You don’t have to feel condemned for anything anymore (Romans 8:1). You have power through the Holy Spirit to overcome the evil in this world plus your sinful nature. Break out, live life today and do it with zeal!!!  Romans 12:11

Record that relates to the message:

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Hip-Hop lives in Miami: its home is a place called Catalyst




Hip-Hop and I go way back. I remember driving in my cousin’s car and falling in love with Hip-Hop while listening to Eminem’s hit single “The Real Slim Shady”.  I was probably about 6 or 7 years old, no older than 8. Ever since then I was infatuated with the art of emceeing. I would listen to as many records I could get my hands on. I loved to go to used record stores and find the classics. I would spend hours trying to conjure up lyrics and flow patterns. As time progressed I started performing at open mics and events and decided to pursue a career in the music industry. Now at the age of twenty I am still honing my craft and trying to somehow break into music industry. I say all of that to say this: I am extremely passionate about Hip-Hop culture. Being that I live in Miami it can sometimes be hard to find others who share the same sentiments that I do for Hip-Hop. Miami is known for its power 96 party music and isn’t revered as a lyrical hot spot like New York and Chicago are. Don’t get it twisted I have met some authentic Hip-Hop aficionado’s and I have come into contact with some small Hip-Hop back pack lyrical communities but it’s really a rare species in Miami overall, in my opinion. At least it is compared to the vibrant poetic activity you hear about in the North parts of the U.S. Despite everything I just said Hip-Hop is not dead in Miami. There is a spot in Miami Springs keeping alive the essence of the culture and doing it in excellence. That place is called Catalyst.

I would have never expected a place like this to be in Miami and now I am being put on to some other spots but I feel there won’t be one that is as unique as what I discovered at Catalyst. I learned about Catalyst through a mentor of mine Manny “Jblaze” Garcia. He told me that if I wanted to see if I was a true lyricist that I should test my skills at Catalyst. I heard that one of my favorite groups Rhema Soul had performed there as well. I was very intrigued when he told me about the spot. Months after he told me about Catalyst he informed me that I would be performing at Catalyst for DJ Twin’s birthday party on Cinco de Mayo. Finally I would be able to check out the spot I had wanted to see.

After searching for Catalyst I finally arrived. It was in a back street in Miami Springs behind a Church. As I walked past the gates the excitement level increased. As soon as I saw dudes spray painting whole walls the excitement level went off the radar. I walked up the stairs and there before my eyes were serious Hip-Hop heads break dancing/creating graffiti art/emceeing and DeeJaying that organic Hip-Hop. REAL HIP-HOP!!! I encountered a bunch of dudes who were passionate about the art of Hip-Hop. I got to meet some awesome people like Joel Stigale (dude in charge lol), Sekajipo, Rudy Barro, Charlie Fast, Dee Jay Twin plus other great people. The Catalyst is an authentic Hip-Hop spot that you got to check out. Any Hip-Hop artist can pretty much go and express themselves but beware you will get merked on the mic if you aren’t a real emcee lol. The Catalyst was a mind stimulating experience but what impressed me more than the elements of Hip-Hop that were executed was the fact that it was a place that’s main goal was to help people walk in their purpose and find the life changing hope of Jesus Christ. This place exposes the most secular artist you can think of to the saving Knowledge of Jesus and they don’t beat people over the head with it. They create an environment where respectful dialogue on important matters can be talked about. It was powerful to see one of the illest artists in South Florida “Sekajipo” be more than an artist and actually minister in the middle of the night. If you want a dope positive Hip-Hop spot with food, great entertainment and intellectual commentary check out the Catalyst. #real talk - link for more info http://www.catalysthiphop.com/