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.

Billy Graham + Christmas Hip Hop?

Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Commissions DJ Promote to Create and Offer Free, Christmas Hip Hop EP

While Yuletide-themed hip hop isn’t exactly a new concept (Kurtis Blow was “Christmas Rappin’” back in 1979), it often catches listeners by surprise. So when you take that recipe and add in sermon samples from and the full endorsement of “Greatest Living American” and beloved evangelist Billy Graham, expect to see more than a few raised eyebrows.

That’s exactly what can be anticipated now that Lights Up, Eyes On, a 5-track EP by DJ Promote commissioned by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, is available to the masses.

“I was so honored to be asked to create this project,” Promote said. “I mean, he’s like an icon. To take that timeless message he has and reinvent that in a way where people can hear it all over again is just awesome!”

Listeners can digitally download Lights Up, Eyes On for free at www.ransom.tv – a new viral media website created by the BGEA. DJ Promote crafted the beats for four of the five tracks and then invited several artist friends to add to the music.


Photo courtesy of In the Still Photography

The sound ranges from street rap to classic hip hop, electronica, and acoustic pop. Lyrics were penned by Verbs, Moses Uvere, AntBanx, and Kellen Bowhay. Swiftstyle, Dustin Cavasos, and Othello also contributed to the effort.

Several songs include audio clips from both Billy Graham and his wife Ruth encouraging the audience to reject a commercialized Christmas and embrace the birth of Jesus the Messiah as the true meaning of these holy days.

“[Graham’s] words are still relevant and that’s because the message is foundational. It didn’t change throughout the years. The whole time it was just about Jesus and the hope he brings to this broken world,” Promote said.

Promote is no stranger to the BGEA, having previously appeared in their “Bridge to Life” video as both a DJ and graffiti writer. He’s also well known on the touring circuit and has manned turntables for nationally known artists like Verbs, B.Reith, and Propaganda.

For more information on DJ Promote please visit www.djpromote.com

For more information on Ransom please visit www.ransom.tv.

"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.

LA Symphony's Christmas Video

LA Symphony's "Broken Tape Decks" from the hard-to-find Call It What You Want album has been turned into an animated Christmas video and it's lovely.

Check it out here.

A Podcast You Need To Listen To (Part A)

If you don't subscribe to the Syncast podcast from Syntax Records you're missing out on some of the best quality junk (and comedy) in Christian rap.

Download their Christmas edition now to hear shout outs from tons of top-rated industry figures (I guess I didn't make the cut - Heh) and some nice Christmas rappity raps.

The "Three Kings" from RedCloud, Jeremiah Bonds, and Kaboose is mad dope as is Tommy Percival's "Sidewalk Santa."

Download it here.

The Syncast wants your voice

I've got mad love for the cats at Syntax Records. Some 'em some yourself by subscribing to their podcast and giving them a shoutout for the Christmas show. Details below.

Hey everyone!

It's that time of the year again! Syntax Records is compiling 'greetings' from our friends and colleagues out there in the world for our Christmas themed PodCast. It takes us a very long time to create/edit this show so get your shout-outs in right away!

Reason's why you should call:
-You've never given a shout-out before... live a little.
-The audience is listening. Tell them what you think!
-You can promote a product, service, or company.
-Even if you don't celebrate Christmas people all over the world
still enjoy listening to your warm (digital) greeting to them.
-It makes YOU cool because you are 1 out of 5 Billion people on the planet who are NOT on the PodCast...
-It makes US cool because you are a special or important person in this industry and people are impressed that we know you :)

Instructions:
Step 1: Pick up your phone and dial 619-312-4586 (no one ever answers it's just a voicemail)
Step 2: The voicemail greeting will begin yelling at you, don't let him scare you.
Step 3: Beep. Anything from this point on is being recorded. Let us know who you are, what you are, where you are, what you want the world to know.

To hear if you made it to the episode search "syntax records" in iTunes making TheSynCast.com pop up and then click 'subscribe' it's free

"The Word became flesh..."

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

Ponder that and worship.

Merry Christmas from Sketch the Journalist

Promo: Crunk Christmas Carols and "The Perfect Christian Rap Album"

Just because December is almost over doesn't mean you can already get out of the Christmas spirit.

So, if you've grown tired of the traditonal holiday tunes, give k-Drama's "Crunk Christmas Carols" a spin.

A bit silly and outdated? In the words of Lil Jon - Yeeeaaahhhh!!!!!! But still, can't we all use a little laughter during the hustle and bustle (is that even a word?) of this time of year?

This four track EP reworks the classics with a thump and smile. Cin-City's k-drama provides both the beats and the vocals that remind us of family and faith.

Thankfully he also has a good sense of humor about himself and the project and seems to present it all with a wink and a smirk.

Listen in at: http://www.myspace.com/kdrama

Pick it up and play it for your Grandma. I'm guessing both of you will at least get a giggle.

Buy here: http://www.soundclick.com/kdrama

***********************************************************

And if you haven't seen this already, check out my most recent column at Rapzilla.com.

Click here to read: "The Perfect Christian Rap Album"

It's already stirring up some good conversation on message boards and comment threads.

Let me know your thoughts as well.