Welcome to 2009

May Christ bless us all in 2009.

If you missed that fly Syntax Records New Year's Eve Party podcast hosted by DJ Promote you need to get in gear and download the jawn here for FREE.

And don't go claiming that "gangstas don't dance - we boogie" mess neither. Those last six minutes of the set will have your kaboose on the loose.

Enjoy.

Vidz: Kaboose feat. Royce Da 5'9" - "Goin' Outta Control"

Syntax done it again. Peep the nice animated clip for the collab with Royce Da 5'9". The Hank Hill cameo kills me.

Promo: Designs By Faith

If you've still got some Christmas cash in your pocket and want some fresh gear, be sure to head over to Designs By Faith and cop some freshness.

They've been a great supporter of The Wade-O Radio Show lately are definitely worth a look.

I'm sporting my fave, the "Life is Mine" tee, and I copped "The Truth" design (at the top) to give to my sign-language loving brother s/ave for the holiday.

Get yours online here.

Note the alternate spelling in the URL:
http://www.dzignsbyfaith.com/

"The Word became flesh..."

"The Word [God] became flesh and made his dwelling among us." - John 1:14

I know I used this verse to celebrate Christmas last year, but it still rocks my world.

The Creator became flesh. Stepped out of heaven. Got down in the dirt. Just so we could know him better.

Wow!

Ponder that and worship.

Merry Christmas from Sketch the Journalist.

Free DL: Rap Fest Presents Vol. 2

The good men from Rap Fest in the NY are offering you another FREE Christmas gift.

Check out and download the heat contained in this little ditty here.

Thirty-eight tracks? Are you kiddin'?!?

I haven't been able to spin my copy yet, but have heard a few joints like the Thee Three Kings track from Syntax Records.

Bang!

Common & Soulja Boy promise more positivity

How crazy is that in the same week both Common and Soulja Boy are making statements about their music getting more positive?

While it's no surprise that Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr [aka Com Sense] is talking about this shift (although I'm told his newest album belies his track record), it is noteworthy for Superman do it.

Known for his Trojan Horse dance tracks, shouts out to slave owners, and self promotion, S-Boy now says he knows kids look up to him and that he wants to change.

I appreciate the talk, but frankly want to see it in their walk.

Read:
Rapper Common: Obama will change hip-hop's attitude (CNN.com)

View:
Soulja Boy says "Sorry", promises positive image (AP/YouTube)

Christ In a Hip Hopper resources

Some good resources for those of you deep in urban ministry:

If you or someone you know is a youthleader/mentor and looking for a fresh new way to connect with urbanized youth, Christianhiphopper.com proudly presents The Urban Remix Project.

This is a brand new, two part curriculum which includes fourteen lessons dealing with: Culture, Media, Leadership, Character, Manhood, Womanhood, Abstinence, Sex, Relationships, Marriage & Family.

This curriculum was designed by Brady Goodwin aka Phanatik of The Cross Movement after spending a year in the public schools of Philadelphia working with churched and unchurched youth on the above mentioned character formation issues. Seeing the limited resources that were available to urban youth workers when dealing with these issues, an effort was then made to understand the communication gaps within the culture and between the generations and then frame these topics in ways that would immediately speak to the current context in which many of our youth find themselves. This material will prove to be an education for the youthleader just as much if not more than for the youth it was designed to reach.

To order your educator's edition visit the store at www.christianhiphopper.com today
For more info contact: info@urbanremixproject.com

The author is also available for training sessions/consultations/speaking engagements.

Contact: Melissa@comcast.net

Send postal mail to:
Christian Hip-Hopper
P.O. Box 9831
Philadelphia PA 19140