A discussion about “Talented Xth”, race, & faith

On Monday night I was honored to be a part of an online discussion about rap, race, and faith.

It was hosted by author Seth Tower Hurd and included hip hop artist/urban missionary Kareem Manuel and Ta-Tanisha Jordan, a Chicago-based actress who will be opening up a Children’s Theater Company this fall.

Our talk was sparked by the release of Sho Baraka’s Talented Xth album (which hit #3 on iTunes’ Hip Hop/Rap charts yesterday) and his “Jim Crow” song that uses the “n-word” and “b-word” – something that surprises and shocks people given Sho’s past affiliation with one of  Christian hip hop’s most visible record labels.

Our hour long conversation covers:

• The “Jim Crow” song and its “controversial” language
• Whether or not Christians (particularly rappers) can use the “n-word” and “b-word” in their lyrics
• How music like this can motivate others toward positive action
• How this type of music compares to hip hop pushed in mainstream media
• What happens when marriages between Christians get strained
• Whether or not music by Christians that uses strong language should carry parental warnings or offer “clean” alternative versions

NOTE: It’s challenging to talk about these issues (particularly which terms are okay and which are not) without using the actual language. 

So heads up that the “n-word” and “b-word” are spoken in this video.

 

I’m speaking at the New Media Expo this weekend with deepspace5′s sintax.the.terrific and Just para-DOX

This weekend I’ll be joining deepspace5 member sintax.the.terrific and Jeramiah “Just para-DOX” Giehl as presenters at the New Media Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The four-day event is described as the South by Southwest of new media and the world’s largest conference and trade show for bloggers, podcasters, webTV and video series creators.

Keynotes will be given by Apple evangelist Guy Kawasaki, tech head Leo Laporte, and UFC president Dana White.

Giehl organized our session which will cover “3 Unique Ways to Build a Massive Community.”

It’s not a Christian or hip hop event, although all three of us come out of and represent that life.

Para-DOX has been involved in a number of Christian hip hop affairs over the years as a rapper and as part of Much Luvv Records.

And you might remember my reporting of sintax’s creative venture where, once or twice a week, he writes, records, and posts a rap song about a serious news story on his ThePressJunket.com blog.

Prayerfully, we’ll make great connections there and learn about a grip of cutting edge ways to use new media for God’s glory.

To learn more about the event visit nmxlive.com.

My video interview on "Donkey & Rocks"

Earlier this month my man Celah Orsaynuttin hit me up for a chat about my work covering the Christian hip hop movement for the last 14 years.

It's part of his "Donkey & Rocks" series of videos with different industry figures to understand how businesses and movements are really started.

NOTE: The audio in Celah's end is a little low, but my side is fairly clear.

In our talk, we discuss:

• 3 tips that will help any writer or journalist sharpen their skills 
• Where I believe Rapzilla and DaSouth.com both err in aspects of their web presence
• And a variety of other topics related to this scene

 

2011 Thanksgiving and Christmas revisited: My interview on Yadah Da King Radio & Thi'sl brings gifts and hope to his hood

From the Better-Late-Than-Never Department: A few items related to our recent holidays have just hit the web.

The first includes my interview with Yadah Da King Radio from Thanksgiving.

I always feel odd when I'm asked to be on the other end of interview questions, but I appreciate the good folks at YDK Radio and decided to play ball. The piece aired live in November and is now posted for your on-demand listening pleasure.

During the course of our convo we discussed how I became a follower of Jesus, how I got involved in writing about Christian hip hop, and about where I think the movement is headed.

Click here to stream or download the show.

The second is this nice video of Thi'sl spreading joy, hope, and Christmas gifts to members of his St. Louis community.

Part 1 of my "Bulldoze City" interviews with Gifted da Flamethrowa

A few weeks ago I met up with Houston's Gifted da Flamethrowa for a series of interview videos about a range of topics related to hip hop ministry.

Gifted's new album, Bulldoze City, drops tomorrow, Tuesday, September 20 on iTunes and other digital download spots.

Here's the first half.

Part 1 of 7
Gifted on:

• His new album/new label and
• What he's learned from other artists
  

Part 2 of 7
Gifted on:

• Online promotion
• Answering his critics and
• His animated "Reaper" video
  

Part 3 of 7
Gifted on:

• His New Orleans-to-Houston story
• The Lil Wayne impact and
• How he prepares to minister in hoods, prisons, and overseas
  

Part 2 of this series will cover Gifted speaking about going back to college, whether or not he would battle rap, what it means to be a servant, and the humble question he was asked by Malice of The Clipse.

Stay tuned.

Bun B discusses church, Pimp C's death, and teaching "Religion & Hip Hop Culture" at Rice University

In an article in Friday's Houston Chronicle, mainstream rapper Bun B (of UGK) spoke to me about his faith and teaching "Religion and Hip Hop Culture" at Rice University.

The article also looks at how Christian hip hop is being researched at another college within the city and how that subject was sparked by CHH veteran Lil Raskull.

Topics discussed:

• How Bun B defines his faith
• The impact that UGK partner Pimp C's incarceration and death had on his life
• Why he considers some of his music to be spiritual
• Whether or not some of his lyrics align with his faith
• How the Rice University class defines "religion"
• What messages hip hop offers
• How Houston's Christian hip hop scene is drawing additional academic interest

Click here to read the full piece on the Houston Chronicle's website.

Vidz: Country Hip Hop Dance

Admit it, when you found out I write about hip hop and live in a town named Cut-n-Shoot, Texas this is what you thought of, right?


Shout out to Rizoh at The Rap Up for the find.

Rawsrvnt cast on Donald Trump/Omarosa reality dating show - Premiers Thus, June 17

In a move that was bound to have message boards buzzing, Florida worship-hop star Rawsrvnt has been cast on the Donald Trump-produced Omarosa reality dating show called The Ultimate Merger that premiers on the TV One network at 9pm ET on Thursday, June 17.

I caught up with Raw recently to ask about the show and worked our conversation into an article that appeared in the Belief section of the Houston Chronicle last Friday.

Here's your teaser and link to the rest:

A Donald Trump-produced reality dating show with previous The Apprentice villain Omarosa as its focus doesn't seem like a place where you'd find a Christian rapper as a contestant.

Then again, it's probably the exact reason one was added to the cast. We're talking about it here, aren't we?

Yes indeed, 30-year-old Christian “worship-hop” artist Eddy Puyol, who raps under the name Rawsrvnt (pronounced raw servant), is one of 12 eligible bachelors looking to win Omarosa's heart in The Ultimate Merger, which begins airing Thursday on TV One Network.

The show also will feature 90's platinum R&B artist Al B. Sure and Akon protégé Ray Lavender.

Puyol was approached by the show's producers, who searched the Internet and contacted Christian hip-hop media outlet Rapzilla.com to suggest possible participants.

After initial hesitation, Puyol began to view the show as an opportunity to present a more accurate image of what it means to be a follower of Jesus than the one he believes is portrayed in mass media.

Read the rest and leave at comment here.

And here's the promo vid:

I'm now blogging for the Houston Chronicle

Exciting news: I'm proud to announce I'll now be contributing regular blogs to the Houston Chronicle's Belief site.

The invitation came after months of corresponding with the site's editor and suggesting several stories (DaSouth.com stage at SXSW, the CHH Kite Program, and the LOST LP) they liked and ended up featuring on the front page of the main Houston Chronicle website.

My blog will be mostly about Christian hip hop, but I'm sure I'll work in posts about other topics that mix faith and pop culture. Look for them to appear once or twice a week. And if the stories have broad appeal, they might make the front page of the site or into the weekly Religion section of the print version of the paper.

Here's the first introductory piece titled: 5 Things You Didn't Know About Christian Hip Hop. Feel free to stop by and leave a comment.

I believe this is a great opportunity for me personally and the genre as a whole. We'll be educating a mainstream audience about what we do and why it's important.

I am both honored and extremely grateful for the chance to continue my role as a Christian hip hop journalist.

See ya on the blog.

Sketch review: Von Won - Answering the Call

Von Won's album drops today. To go along with that, DaSouth.com has published my critique.

Here's your teaser and link:

I love Caller ID. Hate “Unknown” or “Blocked” numbers.

When my cell or home phone rings and I see those digital disguises I let my voice mail do the dirty work.

If you feel the same and are unfamiliar with Much Luvv Records’ Von Won, then you might be inclined to pass on his new Answering the Call album of gospel rhymes and hooks.

Make an exception.

Read the rest right 'chere.

My new book with Donald Miller

I was trying to keep this under wraps, but I guess the proverbial cat is out of the bag now. I've co-authored a book with one of my favorite writers.

Donald Miller's "Blue Like Jazz" and "Searching for God Knows What" really had an impact on me.

And y'all know the homie is from Houston, so the last time he swung through Space City we just decided to get together and knock this out.

"Sketch the Journalist added so much critical feedback" Miller said "and added to the text so gracefully that by the time we were done, I felt compelled to let the secret out. Essentially, I had a coauthor."

Read the rest of the press release here.

My losing Rockets rap: Shane Battier On 'Em

So, as you may know, I lost my Rockets/Lakers bet with DJ Wade-O.

Still, I'm a man of my word and ponied up with my own "---- ---- On 'Em" remix in honor of Shane Battier.

I figured the Duke boy's glove-like defense of Kobe served as a perfect reference for our team. I mean, we were "down three dudes / so I guess it makes sense."

Listen and/or download (if you dare) by clicking here to visit the story at DaSouth.com. My full lyrics are there too.

To hear Wade-O's response, you'll need to check out his show with the great Kirk Franklin interview. Get it here.

BTW, I in no way claim to be an MC. This was purely a goof and I had fun with it. I hope you do too.

S.O.M. "The Journey Revisited" review

My Houston patna’s Soldiers On a Mission just dropped their latest album “The Journey Revisited.”

For my thoughts on this quasi-rerelease visit DaSouth.com to read my critique.

Rockets v. Lakers = Sketch v. DJ Wade-O

Let the trash talk begin.

DJ Wade-O and Sketch the Journalist (your humble blogger) are engaged in a friendly wager over the Rockets / Lakers NBA Playoff Series. The loser has to create an “Air Jordan On ‘Em”-style remix of k-Drama’s signature rap song.

“The funny thing is, neither one of us are MCs,” Sketch said. “If you ask me, it’s going to be the listeners who lose!”

The bet began when Sketch began to brag online about his hometown Houston Rockets’ first successful advancement into the second round of the playoffs in more than a decade. Wade, who claims to be a longtime Laker fan (“since Magic was wearing the short shorts”), decided to issue a challenge against his Holy Hip Hop News Blast segment host.

“We both Tweeted and hit up the message boards for ideas and a frequent suggestion was to ride the momentum of all the k-Drama remixes and mine some humor out of our weak attempts to rhyme,” Wade said. “I’m a huge sports fan and having the wins and losses mean a little something extra makes the games even more interesting.

“Either way, the end result should be entertaining to our audience,” Wade laughed.

The Houston Rockets surprised most NBA fans by stealing a win on LA’s home court Monday night. But anyone who follows “The League” is no doubt aware that Laker star Kobe Bryant is bound to enter Game 2 with a specific goal to right this wrong.

Keep up with the back and forth verbal gamesmanship by following both DJ Wade-O (@wadeoradio) and Sketch (@sketchthej) on Twitter and listen for the special “-------- On ‘Em” remix to hit The Wade-O Radio Show shortly after either team is the first to win four games.

For more information on DJ Wade-O and The Wade-O Radio Show please visit www.wadeoradio.com

Audio: Sketch interview on Much Luvv Radio

Last month I mentioned my trip to 4930 Studios to record an interview with Von Won & DJ Primo for Much Luvv Radio.

It's now edited and posted for all your listening glory.

Check in as we chop up my history with Christian hip hop, my beef with Tre9, how your boy got his start as a gospel rap journalist and more.

• Download it here.
• Stream it here.
• Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes here.

Sketch review: theBREAX "Broken Television" DVD & "Restocked" album

DaSouth.com just published my review of theBREAX's "Broken Television" DVD and "Restocked" album that drops tomorrow - Tuesday, February 10.

Y'all remember how much I liked their last joint, so check out what I say about this one.

Here's your teaser and link.

Because they followed their satirical “When theBREAX Sold Out” concept album with a hybrid DVD, it’s conceivable that some would peg Mic B, Ruslan, and Beleaf as a gimmick group.

They would be wrong.

Read it in full right here.

Sketch article: KJ-52 in Tha Message Magazine

The next issue of Tha Message Mag drops next week and features my cover story with KJ-52. We talked a few days before he was filming his "Stuck in the 80's" video and got in some good convo about why he maintains so many connection points with his fans and what he's planning for his next album.

Here's your teaser:

KJ-52 has a lot on his mind.

On the night we spoke, he had spent most of the day on the phone doing publicity and coordination for the coming weekend’s “Stuck in the 80’s” album release party/concert/video shoot.

Apparently re-creating the look and feel of the “Me First” decade of cheese is a lot of work.

In addition to scavenging thrift-stores and eBay for classic British Knights and bag phone props, he’s also heading to a Seattle studio with super-producer Aaron Sprinkle to craft the next KJ album and planning for upcoming tour dates with The Newsboys.

Oh yeah, KJ’s also cataloging almost all of this via a multitude of web-based fan connection outlets. YouTube. Twitter. Weekly podcasts. Video devotion blogs. Dude does it all. But how?

Order your copy at www.thamessagemag.com

Sketch review: k-Drama / BoomBaptism

k-Drama gets my first review at the revamped DaSouth.com.

Here's your teaser and link to the full piece.

The introductory track to k-Drama's new album, "The Inevitable", builds anticipation to the rest of the disc. The artist's quick rap and explanation of the BoomBaptism title hooks the listener with a promise of a musical rebirth to come. And with a Theory Hazit-provided Thriller-like howl in the background, one immediately wants to buy into the vision of the project.

So it's quite a let down when...

Continue reading

Note to Da' T.R.U.T.H. - I'm real

DJ Wade-O told me about this a few weeks ago and the interview just hit iTunes this week, but apparently during his set with Da' T.R.U.T.H., my man started off by saying "This is a question from Sketch..."

There was a stumble and then Da' T.R.U.T.H. asked if "Sketch" was just a character/persona that Wade played on his show.

Funny stuff.

I'm real T - I promise. :)

We met backstage when you were in town over a year ago. I wrote it up here on my blog and took a quick flick with you. (In your defense, you probably get asked to meet and take pics with 1,000's of cats.)

Anyway, I just thought it was humorous and Wade and I have speculated that maybe even my cartoon-ish avatar threw you off.

As you know, Wade-O's show is top notch and his conversation with Da' T.R.U.T.H. is no different.

Download the enhanced digital version of this show here and subscribe via iTunes if you can.

And T.R.U.T.H., next time you're in town let me buy you a milkshake or something and prove I'm not a ghost.

One year of www.sketchthejournalist.com

Yep, we've officially had one full year of blogs at www.sketchthejournalist.com.

Thanks to all of you who read, link, comment, and send source material.

Here's to another 365 plus days of HHH news & opinion.