The math behind Lecrae’s “Gravity” imagery

I’ve studied and think I have it figured out.


Lecrae’s Gravity drops September 4.

Houston will get one of only three Gravity release concerts at Warehouse Live on September 28. Tickets can be purchased online here.

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* Think being the key word. After I initially published this post my man Jaap pointed out that De La Soul‘s Art Official Intelligence: Bionix should be added to the formula. He’s dead on, so I adjusted.

Also, Illuminati conspiracy lovers will probably point out that, similar to Trip Lee‘s The Good Life artwork, only one of Lecrae’s eyes is visible in the promo shot. Now run along to YouTube to post your pontifications.

My 5 Favorite CHH Albums of 2010

Sure, we’re almost into the second month of 2011, but I’m just egotistical enough to think you might be interested in my selections for the top five Christian hip hop releases of last year.

So here we go. In no particular order (because I kinda hate the year-end-ranking thing):

Bizzle – The Messenger: Volume 2

Bizzle certainly made a mark in 2010 with his “Explaining to Do” Jay-Z shot from The Messenger: Volume 1. But I believe that The Messenger: Volume 2 really allowed him to shine and show that he was capable of crafting more than just songs addressed to celebrities.

On V2 he was also assisted by a handful of respected Christian rappers who had reached out to and clicked with him when the publicity storm hit shore. It’s a secular remake style offering, but a good one (witness Bizzle, Sevin, and KamBINO stomp on that stellar “Beamer, Benz, or Bently” beat.) You’ll also get a little bit more insight into the post-Jay-Z era (“From the Horse’s Mouth”) and an original cut like “Legal Money” with Von Won and Dre Murray.

Interested listeners can cop the free download here.

Braille – Weapon Aid

As I noted in April, Weapon Aid has a somber-but-hopeful mood which is surprising, yet expected, from a follower of Jesus who has experienced a mass of emotional turmoil the past few years.

Braille has spoken publicly about his father’s death, his painful divorce, moving from state to state, and caring for his young daughter. Add in the, then recent, demise of his Hip Hop is Music company and the public diss from a former labelmate and you’ve got a justifiable recipe for depression. Still, his lyrics convey an air of ultimate trust and rescue through Christ the King.

They process the concerns of a “Blessed Man,” admit periods of doubt, darkness, and defeat, but never lash out. Instead, Braille seems to seize the opportunity for self-examination.

On record, betrayal never leads to bitterness. This is the route we wish RedCloud would have taken.

Weapon Aid is heart-sleeve hip hop in the emotional vein of Kanye’s 808s & Heartbreak. I’m guessing that five to ten years from now we’ll look back on this dark period in Christian hip hop and say that this album was a healing catharsis for us all.

This is another great album you can download for free here.

Playdough – Writer Dye

Playdough has always impressed me on the mic but Writer Dye definitely took it up a few notches. A large part of it has to do with the hipster-cool concept – for this project the MC took lyrics from other bands and genres (including The White Stripes, Kings of Leon, The Violent Femmes, and Nirvana) and turned them into hip-hop songs.

The lifts aren’t always obvious and often depend on the depth of your own listening experience, but still, it’s quite a feat. Dude’s got a freestyle vibe on nearly every song that reminds me of an X Games snowboarder gliding from topic to topic and he infuses just about every rhyme with a Scripture story, theme, or reference.

And of course, there’s the ill cover image. What more can you ask for?

To download this project, name your price here.

If you dig it, you may also want to read two of my Q&A sessions with Playdough here:

5 Questions with Playdough

Q & A: Playdough Talks Writer Dye, Battle Rapping, and White Rappers

Sho Baraka – Lions and Liars

I’ll admit, I wasn’t a big Sho Baraka fan before, but I mos def am now. My appetite was mostly whet by Reach Records’ excellent advance promo which included the lion character, teaser music videos, and deluxe package options.

What I really appreciated was that L&L showed such a breadth of topics, from manhood to loving your wife to issues of social justice, and of course, the supremacy of Jesus the Christ.

How much did I cut for Lions and Liars? I bought a copy for my pastor to introduce him to Christian hip hop. ‘Nuff said.

Buy it now from Reach Records

Theory Hazit and Toni Shift - Modern Marvels

In some circles, this joker flew under the radar but it needs to be top shelf. Theo’s an impressive producer, but my man can rhyme as well. I was impressed by the brave nature of two songs in particular – “Concealed Sorrow” and “Marvelust.”

“Concealed Sorrow” is a gut-wrenching tale of a gay kid who faces bullies on every front and contemplates taking his own life. Mind you, this track was recorded and released before this became one of 2010’s biggest news stories.

Meanwhile, “Marvelust” shares the story of a Christian father in a blended family. The narrator is brutally honest about his own failings to his wife, kids, and Lord but still expresses hope and trust in his Savior.

Those two tracks are daring enough for any hip hop artist, much less one who claims to follow Christ. The rest of the album is just as good, but even if it were just mediocre, I probably still would have listed Modern Marvels here on the strength of “Concealed Sorrow” and “Marvelust.”

Buy it now from Illect Recordings

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So there you have it, five of the albums I considered to be the best of 2010. Three of them are being offered as free downloads by the artists so don’t blame me if you’re still spinning an empty iPod.

Related: Top 5 CHH Releases of 2009

Top 10 Christian Hip Hop Stories of 2010

Y’all know how we do. The end of the year equals countdown lists and I’m teeing up the Top 10 Christian Hip Hop Stories of 2010.

Let’s go!

10. Richie “s/ave” Douglas passes

This one is deeply personal but also carries great significance for the entire faith-based genre. We entered 2010 by losing one of the greats – Richie “s/ave” Douglas. He was the man who founded DaSouth.com, was the original Christian hip hop journalist, and my dear friend.

s/ave was only 36 years old and died in his sleep as a result of an epileptic seizure. He was, and still is, sorely missed.

9. Oklahoma on the rise for Christian hip hop

As you know, I’m a Texan and we tend to have just a little bit of state pride, okay, who am I kidding? A LOT of state pride.

Still, I gotta keep it real and tip my hat to our northern border neighbors in Oklahoma. They’ve got guys like Dre’ Murray, Fedel, Kadence, Cam, and Sean C. Johnson going hard body lately.

All these cats seem to really be putting a professional shine on their art and represent well. They’ve also got the collective force of an organization like Positive Hip Hop.tv pushing them to the forefront and are hosting events like the Oklahoma Hip Hop Hope Unity Conference.

Is O-K the new Christian hip hop hot spot?

8. The Houston Chronicle covers Christian hip hop on the regular

This June, after several months of relationship building, I was invited to become a regular blogger for the Houston Chronicle’s Belief subsite. I retain full editorial control over what I cover and average about two or three posts a week about news and events in our genre.

Several of those stories get featured on the front page of the Chronicle’s main website and a handful have even made it into their weekly print edition. Houston is the nation’s fourth largest city, but only a one newspaper town. All that means is that this opportunity is definitely bringing some much needed exposure to what God is doing through hip hop as a whole and in my city in particular.

7. Rawsrvnt attempts “The Ultimate Merger”

A Donald Trump-produced reality dating show with previous 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?

Yep, Eddy “Rawsrvnt” Puyol was one of 12 eligible bachelors looking to win Omarosa’s heart on “The Ultimate Merger.”

The story goes that Trump’s people hit up Rapzilla.com looking for candidates and the Florida-based worship-hop artist was nominated.

Raw told me his goal in going on the show was to demonstrate what the walk of a true man of God looks like and to show how he treats and relates to women.

He only lasted three episodes, but anyone who saw the show can’t deny that Raw accomplished his task.

6. RedCloud torches Christian hip hop

"Evandalism," RedCloud’s firebomb diss track, hit YouTube on Good Friday. In it, he vented about his break up with his former label and his disappointment with many of the spiritual leaders within whom he had placed some trust.

What was obvious in this track was that he was hurting. The lyrics were laid over Diddy’s “Angels” beat and the original hook lines of “love don’t live here no more” and “I need someone to trust” that bled through were haunting. Cloud also screamed out “Lord, deliver me from your followers” and “Somebody feel my pain!”

His pain was indeed felt. And thankfully, after several individuals reached out to him, Cloud removed the clip from the net the next day. Still, the damage was done.

We’re still praying for you Cloud.

5. Braille’s Weapon Aid provides catharsis

Braille had spoken publicly about his father’s death, his painful divorce, moving from state to state, and caring for his young daughter. Add in the demise of his Hip Hop is Music company and the public diss from a former labelmate (see RedCloud's outburst above) and you’ve got a justifiable recipe for depression. Still, his lyrics on Weapon Aid convey an air of ultimate trust and rescue through Christ the King.

They process the concerns of a “Blessed Man,” admit periods of doubt, darkness, and defeat, but never lash out. Instead, Braille seems to seize the opportunity for self-examination.

On record, betrayal never leads to bitterness. This is the route we wish RedCloud would have taken.

Weapon Aid was heart-sleeve hip hop in the emotional vein of Kanye’s 808’s & Heartbreak. I’m guessing that five to ten years from now we’ll look back on this dark period in Christian hip hop and say that this album was a healing catharsis for us all.

4. Bizzle goes at Jay-Z

Admit it, you weren’t aware of Bizzle before his “Explaining To Do” track directed at Jay-Z became a hip hop gossip site staple. Heck, dude lived in my own city and I didn’t even know his name before this.

What some saw as a mere publicity stunt was really just the passionate outcry from a relatively new believer. He saw the game’s top dog dissing his Savior and felt the need to vocalize his frustrations with some righteous anger.

What was great about it all was that it got a conversation started and shed light in a traditionally dark area. And if you still have doubts about Bizzle’s motives, I urge you to download his Messenger and Best of Both Worlds mixtapes and witness his expanded topical focus.

3. Ambassador and Da’ T.R.U.T.H. break their silence

If 2009 was the year of shame then 2010 was the year of restoration. After publicly admitting failures in their marriage in unrelated incidents, both Ambassador and Da’ T.R.U.T.H. eventually broke their silence after a period of retreat.

Ambassador opened up via a video blog, proclaimed reconciliation with his wife, and later led a weekly Bible study on DaSouth.com. Shortly after, Da’ T.R.U.T.H. renewed his wedding vows on his 8th anniversary. DJ Wade-O brought us audio from that ceremony and later sat down with the artist and his wife to share their testimony.

By all appearances, we might even see both guys return to the booth for full albums that will no doubt be dripping with stories of grace.

2. Flavor Fest celebrates 10 years and a new building

The weekend of 10/10/10 in Tampa, Florida ushered in a celebration of two great things. First, it was the 10 year anniversary of Flavor Fest – an event designed to encourage, empower, and equip churches, ministry workers, and artists to better communicate the Gospel through hip hop.

Secondly, it was the grand opening of the new building and campus for Crossover Church – largely recognized as the leading and most vibrant all-out hip hop congregation.

Although I had visited Crossover before, this was my first ever Flavor Fest. I was definitely impressed. If you consider yourself a member of the Christian hip hop community you owe it to yourself to make a trip to Tampa and witness firsthand how God is using that church and that event to make Him famous.

Congrats Urban D and the Crossover Community. We love and celebrate this milestone with you.

1. Reach Records' Unashamed Tour raises the bar for CHH events

With nearly 30 shows and 25 plus cities, the crew from Reach Records raised the bar for a traveling Christian hip hop concert. Aided by the record-setting sales success of Lecrae's Rehab album and the momentum of a handful of other releases from their flagship artists, the Unashamed Tour brought out the masses.

Attendance reports started in the 1,000 person range (as it was in Houston) and continued to grow as the tour went on. Three thousand, 3,500, then close to 5,000.

The stage was set with Reach-provided screens and lights. There were pre-song and artist transitions videos and choreographed moments that perfectly meshed with the DJ Official and a live drummer's accents. But most importantly, the message of the Gospel was expressed and reinforced throughout the event.

When I interviewed the Reach Records team at Flavor Fest, Lecrae told me that he envisioned the Unashamed Tour as a hip-hop like Passion Conference, designed to introduce people to Jesus and lead those who already follow him in worship through hip hop. What a beautiful and well-executed vision.

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For more of my thoughts on the year in Christian hip hop (including my nominees for the best newcomer, video, interview, album, artist, and moment) check out my conversation with DJ Wade-O on Episodes 189 and 190 of the The Wade-O Radio Show.

Stream or download them for free right here.

A few thoughts on Braille’s Weapon Aid

I’ve had Braille’s Weapon Aid for a few weeks, but just really started to hear it.

It has a somber-but-hopeful mood which is surprising, yet expected, from a follower of Jesus who has experienced a mass of emotional turmoil the past few years.

Braille has spoken publicly about his father’s death, his painful divorce, moving from state to state, and caring for his young daughter. Add in the demise of his Hip Hop is Music company and the public diss from a former labelmate and you’ve got a justifiable recipe for depression. Still, his lyrics convey an air of ultimate trust and rescue through Christ the King.

They process the concerns of a “Blessed Man,” admit periods of doubt, darkness, and defeat, but never lash out. Instead, Braille seems to seize the opportunity for self-examination.

On record, betrayal never leads to bitterness. This is the route we wish RedCloud would have taken.

Weapon Aid is heart-sleeve hip hop in the emotional vein of Kanye’s 808’s & Heartbreak. I’m guessing that five to ten years from now we’ll look back on this dark period in Christian hip hop and say that this album was a healing catharsis for us all.

Must listens:

• Complexicated
• Shoeless Joe
• Revenge (The Right Way)
• Surgical

Available online now at iTunes, The Bus-Shop, Sphere of Hip Hop, and other outlets.

Vid: Braille discusses his personal life & marriage

Late yesterday the homie Braille released this video blog in which he discusses recent struggles in his personal life and marriage.

It should go without saying to keep him and his fam in prayer.

Vidz: Vohnbeatz - "You're Looking Over Us"

If you're not up on Vohnbeatz (11-year-old beatmaker/emcee) you should be. He's the son of the Strange Fruit Project's S1 (who also produced Braille's Cloud Nineteen album.)

Peep his beats and lyrics in the clip below. Video shot and edited by his pops.

Impressive.

VohnBeatz - You're Lookin Over Us from S1/ S.K.P. Film and Photo on Vimeo.

Braille / Hip Hop Is Music News

Braille Brizzy reports that he’s relocated from Portland, Oregon to San Marco, California in order to be closer to his business partners Syntax Records, The Glue Network, and NOTW Clothing.

Once his fam is there and settled he intends to go full throttle with his Hip Hop Is Music label (which just dropped the excellent Sojournalism: The Summer Articles from Future Shock member Sojourn) and wrap up his upcoming Audibly Enhanced Dreams album.

(BTW, you can grab that Sojourn joint right 'chere. He makes MCing sound easy.)

In addition, he’s still reaching toward that goal of giving away 30,000 copies of his Cloud Nineteen project. Dude’s halfway there now and looking to press up another 1,000. If you’d like to contribute to this effort, find him online at braillehiphop.com.

Braille's Hip Hop Is Music label is back

Photo by Sketch the Journalist

After a near two-year absence, Braille Brizzy has announced the official return of his Hip Hop Is Music label. After overcoming the stress and fear of starting up such a venture, Braille notes he’s ready to resume operations, if even on a small scale.

The first release will be from Future Shock’s Soujourn. Soujournalism: The Summer Chronicles will be dropping September 1. Download the first single and goodie bag for FREE right 'chere.

He also reports that he will be hosting and performing at the National Federation of the Blind Youth Slam on July 29. The event is said to be the largest mentoring program for the blind in the country.

And as for his desire to give away 30,000 copies of the Cloud Nineteen album – he and producer S1 are halfway there. 15,000 have been distributed at shows and events thus far. Look for more to come this summer and with your subscription to Urban D’s S.O.U.L. Magazine.

Vidz: Braille "Skepticold"

Braille Brizzy's got a fresh new clip for "Skepticold" from his Cloud Nineteen album. That's the joint he did with S1 and he's giving away for FREE at each show.

I love how he included the shots of the church gig with only a few peeps. I've been to a few of his sets with an audience that small and he still gives it his all (and then rocks a crowded club gig the very next night.) Dude is authentic!

Related: Braille & S1's Houston stop

Photo recap: Braille & S1 Cloud 19 Tour

S1 (brown shirt) & Braille (tan shirt) brought the Cloud Nineteen Tour to Houston on 03/23/09

Still playing blog catchup, but here are some flix and commentary from Braille & S1's Houston stop on the "Cloud Nineteen" tour at Fulcher Mission near downtown.

This was just two days after SXSW and the final show on this tour so they were both understandably beat. Still, both Braille and Symbolyc One really showed their hearts and shared their time and story with the small crowd of teens.


A small crowd & sound system ain't a problem for the down-to-earth Braille


Braille Brizzy performed tracks like "For Life," "Fill It In," and "Blessed Man."


H-town representatives in da building.

From left to right: Sketch, DJ Millhouse aka Noe (Fulcher Mission director), dogfight! (The 832 Movement), Enock (formerly of Cross Movement/Much Luvv), Felix (Coffee Pickers), and Pastor Jason.


S1 played hypeman to his silky smooth "Cloud Nineteen" beats


Braille rappin' hard on one leg


Noe getting the kiddies hype.

That's his daugher Mia in the pink & silver and Enock's daughter Jana in the pink & white.


Pastor Jason Hess closed the night with a message about God's grace when you encounter "Big Stuff."


As they've been doing at EVERY SINGLE show on the tour, Braille and S1 gave out FREE copies of their "Cloud Nineteen" album.



So far, Braille & S1 have given out almost 5,000 copies of the album.

Their goal is 30,000 and Braille told me they almost have enough donations for another print run of 10,000. They're giving these out at tour stops at churches, youth centers, prisons, and community events.

If you'd like to donate to the cause (like I did) and keep up with this movement, log onto www.itsnineteen.com.

Photo Recap: SXSW - The Life in Hip Hop

B.L.U.E kicked off the day with a great set

DaSouth.com has my full recap and photo album, but here's your teaser, link, and some of the choicest flix.

Christian hip hop explored new territory on March 21, 2009 with the first ever gospel rap showcase at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas.

South by Southwest (SXSW) is the premier Austin-based company dedicated to building and delivering conference and festival events for entertainment and related media industry professionals. Each March it draws nearly 12,000 registrants from all over the globe.

This year Much Luvv Records’ Bobby “Tre9” Herring and Jason “Sketch the Journalist” Bellini were personally offered the opportunity to create the urban gospel stage by Matt Sonzala, a respected independent rap promoter who is the official hip hop booker for SXSW.

Sonzala offered the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center for the venue and specifically requested that rappers Dooney da Priest (Dallas, TX) and Lecrae (Memphis, TN) be a part of the program. The rest of the show’s details were left up to Tre9 and Sketch.

Read the rest.

You can also find a lot of my instant reactions via Twitter.

Side note:
My wife took most of the best shots with my friend's killer cam.


Texas' Capitol City was the locale.


Tre9 (white shirt) & Jimmie McDowell (black shirt w/ paper) handle the pre-event meeting with all the artists


Dooney & his crew told the audience to "Pull Yo' Pants Up!"


Austin's The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S brought their people and the heat


The Carver Theater was small (and steep) but we packed it out


Kaboose got the crowd movin'. My favorite quote of the day came during his performance when I heard a cat in the crowd tell his boy: “Those Texas boys just rap! That’s a true MC right there!”


Braille & S1 came with the full "Cloud Nineteen" set AND gave everyone in the place a FREE copy of the new album.


Syntax Records (and fellow Texan) DJ Promote kept things live in between sets. This dude is so much fun and so full of heart.


This was a cool moment when event host DJ D-Lite took time out to call Special K to the stage and honor him for his pioneering efforts in getting gospel rap played on the radio in Austin.


Former 5th Ward Boy 007 looking fierce as he shared his testimony of Christian life-change through some new lyrics.


Gifted & Von Won having fun with a tag-team set.


Von Won is all about the kids.


My wife and I thought this stage tech looked a lot like Dwight Schrute from "The Office."


CY brought the whole "Circus" theme to his set.


One of CY's crumpin' clowns.


A moment when I wasn't Tweeting or takin' pics - otherwise known as "A Journalist on His Job."


Up close & personal with S.O.M.'s Chizzle. I think I see his fillings.


Tre9 & the Much Luvv Fam asking for a hollaback


Tre busted out several songs with rock group Laden. A live band adds SO MUCH to a show.


Here's a moment when the crowd had to be re-adjusted. The place was packed and people actually had to be turned away at the door. Thankfully, they relented just before the Much Luvv & Lecrae performances and allowed more people into the building and right in front of the stage.


Lecrae definitely brought the heat through song and Word. People were mos def feelin' the "Jesus Muzik."


Lecrae was specifically requested by SXSW for this event and we were so glad he was able to make it.


The crowd got in some worship during Much Luvv & Laden's performance of "Closer" and at other points throughout the day.


Lecrae even stepped over to kick off the After Party since he heard many people couldn't get into the Carver Theater to see all the sets.


One half of S.O.M. chilling at the After Party


DJs Promote & D-Lite setting up at the After Party


CY's restrained After Party Circus show


I got to meet the big homie XL who wants you to pick up his new "This Is Then Now" project.


My first time meeting Kaboose as well. The dude made it down from Minnesota and was super-cool. So glad to have him with us for the first SXSW jump-off too.