Thoughts on Ambassador’s post-fall & restoration "Stop the Funeral" album

These days I don’t really write album reviews, but occasionally there are projects I feel deserve some commentary. Xist Records sent me an advance copy of Ambassador’s Stop the Funeral record and after a few spins this weekend, here are my thoughts:

• The Scarlet Letter on the Sleeve:

After admitting a “non-sexual but very inappropriate relationship with a woman other than my wife” and stepping away from the spotlight for spiritual restoration, we’re all no doubt curious how much space that topic takes up on his first album since it all went public.

The answer is: Some, but not all.

Throughout Stop the Funeral, Ambassador often references his fall from grace. It’s not in terms as clearly muddy as his official statement from April of 2010, but those who have followed the artist know exactly what he is talking about.

And months before the release of this album, he dropped “For Your Love” that hit upon all of those topics. In my opinion, it was a great way to speak to the obvious and get it out of the way. But honestly, I’m wondering if he shouldn’t have still included it and more songs that discuss this issue on the album.

Is that my carnal nature looking to feed the flesh with music derived from pain? (Often, the most artistically satisfying sort.) Do I really need to know all the down dirty details?

Or has what William Branch II offered on Stop the Funeral more than enough to let me see him as a sinful human who, like me, doesn’t deserve the redemptive grace God offers through the sacrifice of his only son - Jesus the Christ?

I’m still wrestling with that one.

• Sonically, the project is professional. Glossy production abounds; mostly in a robot-like, radio-friendly direction. Unfortunately, there are times when that sound dominates with very little distinction. Sequenced back to back, can you really tell where “Get With Us” ends and “Mind Made Up” begins?

• Although professionally executed, it can all begin to sound pretty bland. But then you’ll stumble across the oddly compelling flow of “Pop, Pop, Pop” or “Put It Down” and be reminded that Duece can still spit.

• “Bring You Out” rings true with callbacks to both the Jay-Z-tag-turned-T.I.-hit and the Biblical story of Jesus asking the previously-dead Lazarus to come out of his tomb. (Again, another excellent employment of the Stop the Funeral theme.)

• The “controversial” Canton Jones collaboration is pretty much wasted. With so many other over-produced singers on the choruses, it’s difficult to tell the Domionaire is even riding the hook. It’s not until you hit the last few bars that CaJo’s voice actually bleeds through.

And Canton’s not doing himself any “Favors” in deflecting his he-talks-too-much-about-money critics with silly lines like: “I don’t even worry cuz I know that You are able / You even blessed my neighbor / he didn’t even have TV, but now he has cable.”

• I find it an interesting contrast (artistically, not theologically) that on Ambassador’s last album (The Chop Chop) he was screaming “Gimmie Dat” in regards to all of God’s blessings and goodness and now he’s willing to settle for just the “Crumbs” from His table. Here again, we hear the heart of a man who has been humbled before his Creator.

• “Your Love” featuring KJ-52 and Michelle Bonilla isn’t a club banger, but could certainly fit into your church’s Sunday morning worship set.

• “The Reunion Cypha” with God’s Servant, J.A.Z., shai linne, C-Lite, and Cruz Cordero will definitely get you hypa.

• In the late 90’s and early 2000’s Cross Movement (Ambassador’s former group/label) was the face of the Christian hip hop movement. They were what Reach Records is today.

So it’ll be interesting to see how this album sells now that the 116 Clique fanboys largely determine iTunes’ chart positions on drop day.

Stop the Funeral released on Tuesday, July 12 and can be purchased on iTunes, Amazon.com, or at xistmusic.com.

A Year Later - Remembering the Life of Juan "Enock" James

Normally I take pride in breaking news stories. October 17, 2009 was not one of those days.

That was when I had to tell the world my friend died unexpectedly.

You may know him as Enock - a member of Christian hip hop’s flagship group The Cross Movement. He helped found and, in fact, gave them that title.

That seems like a lifetime ago. Another name, another city.

On this day, he was simply Juan James – husband to Natalie and father to then 4-year-old Jana.

The word I received was that, despite his youthful 35 years, Juan had an apparent heart attack at his overnight job. I was on the road at the time – traveling through the winding mountain roads of Arkansas to visit family.

Well, Enock was my family, too.

With spotty cell reception, Twitter seemed the best way to let the largest number of people know about our loss in the quickest way possible. One hundred forty characters and 30 tear-shedding seconds later, the word was spreading as well as prayers for his surviving family.

How I wished it were a mistake; a terrible, gossipy rumor that we are known for all too often.

When I arrived at my destination I was finally able to muster up the courage to call his wife. Unfortunately, Natalie’s sobs told me I had been a faithful journalist.

*****

Houston got to know Enock at the turn of the millennium. In 1999 my man s/ave was running ONEMIND Magazine out of his apartment. When he found Enock through an instant messenger search they became kindred friends, chatting freely, sharing stories, and talking about the sacredness of music and life.

At this time Enock had been asked to/decided to step away from the mic after dealing with sexual addiction and divorce – two seemingly “Scarlet Letter” sins for anyone involved in gospel music ministry.

A year later OM’s operations were moved to the offices of Much Luvv Records, where s/ave worked closely with Tre9. There, he established long distance ties between Nock and Tre and the trio built with one another through several late-night phone conversations. Seeking friendship, accountability, and a fresh start - Enock then decided to move from Philadelphia to Houston.

To me, as Sketch, I saw Enock as a rock star during our first face-to-face meeting. After all, this was THE Enock from THE Cross Movement. He deflected the admiration. Even though we knew him as the booming voice from “Introducin’” his own self introduction was always just “Juan” and usually not even audible. A man of considerable size and build, (CM members remember calling him “Cell Block ‘Nock”) he still seemed shy, contrite, and gentle.

*****

Part of Enock’s healing process came through the helping of others. Here in Houston, he started what were called R.A.M. Sessions – monthly Bible study and accountability meetings designed to “Restore All Men.”

Approximately a dozen guys devoted themselves to this group – praying for one another, asking tough questions, and allowing themselves to be vulnerable.

At Enock’s memorial service, these gatherings garnered nearly as many mentions as his song titles. Years later the legacy and impact of those studies survive its founder.

*****

Imagine if Trip Lee, the talented young bol from Reach Records’ 116 Clique, decided to switch camps, move to Florida, and make music for the independent, less lyrical theology-driven GodChaserz Entertainment label.

That’s akin to what took place when it was announced that Enock’s next project would be released on Much Luvv Records.

And it was bound to happen. Several months of living with and working for Tre9 had surely stoked his creative fires. With a renewed confidence, Enock expressed a desire to “take off the mask” of a professional Christian and share his story. His next album would honestly discuss his failures as well as the battle and temptations that plague full time music ministers.

The result was AWEthentic – a meaningful collection of tracks some deemed too raw for release. Enough that, a few short weeks before the project was scheduled to be the first title submitted to a new distributor, a key studio technician decided it best to pull his music off of the unconventional record.

Thankfully, the selfless Stephan “Stikk” Oran came to the artist’s aid, producing the perfect backdrop for Enock’s truth tales. The deadline was met and the Christian hip hop community got a peek behind the curtain they thought they’d never see.

AWEthentic illuminated imperfections, challenged co-laborers, and shouted warnings of similar, sin-inviting situations. Too bad not everyone took notice.

In the wake of last year’s public admissions of “moral failings” by Ambassador and Da’ T.R.U.T.H. (two artists at the heart of The Cross Movement collective and its associated record label), the album seems eerily prophetic.

If true art always retains its relevance, the AWEthentic album is looking ready for the Louvre.

*****

The more I hung out with Enock the more he just became Juan. And the more I just became Jason.

He always asked about things that many do not. About my family. How was the wife? How were things at home? He became a person, not a persona.

We related on several levels. Aside from a love of hip hop and Jesus, we also had our frustrations with His bride. He introduced me to The Message paraphrase translation of Scripture. I turned him on to Don Miller’s Blue Like Jazz and singer/songwriter Derek Webb. He told me several times that I needed to read Pagan Christianity by Frank Viola and George Barna.

Our deconstructions of traditional church were not mean spirited or ill founded. We were simply two guys trying to reconcile the Christian life we read about in the Bible with what we saw under steeples each Sunday. It was community. It was friendship. Something I miss now.

*****

The most unforgettable part of Enock’s memorial service was indeed when Natalie James took the stage. With a strength that shielded her pain, she opened Juan’s prayer journal and began to read aloud its entries.

She shared moments of hope and joy: His 30th birthday. The birth of his new daughter. A recent job promotion.

But she also gave a voice to his frustrations and fears: How he couldn’t seem to leave hip hop alone despite the toll it took on his family. How he prayed to better manage his finances. How he questioned the quality of spiritual leadership he offered his wife and child.

It was a bit jarring. Who in their right mind would discuss such intimate details in such a public setting – especially when they might be the last words spoken or remembered about this soul?

But in hindsight, there was no better way to honor one of the realest people to ever approach a microphone.

May he rest in eternal bliss with his Father. We will see you soon my friend.

6+ months after "moral indiscretion" announcement Da' T.R.U.T.H. renews wedding vows with his wife

More than six months after the shocking admission of a "moral indiscretion" in his personal life, Christian rapper Da' T.R.U.T.H. renewed his marriage vows to his wife Nicole yesterday in Philadelphia, PA. This was also the 8th anniversary of their union.

DJ Wade-O was invited to the ceremony and posted the following photos to his Twitter account. Wade tells me he'll also be interviewing Da' T.R.U.T.H. on his radio show soon.





Da' T.R.U.T.H. also has the photo seen at the top of this post as his Facebook profile image.

Much like his Cross Movement Records label-mate The Ambassador, Da' T.R.U.T.H. appears to be on the way to full restoration in his marriage and is possibly planning a comeback to public ministry.

The Ambassador breaks his silence

William “Deuce” Branch also made news this week when he released his first official statement since his break with Cross Movement Records and Epiphany Fellowship Church.

In the more than 1,000 word, written letter, Ambassador says:

"Back in late April 2009, the Lord exposed me and consequently delivered me from being entangled in a season of willful disobedience, deception and darkness. I was involved in a non-sexual but very inappropriate relationship with a woman other than my wife, thereby betraying my Lord, my wife, family, Epiphany Fellowship (the church I love and was instrumental in founding) my co-laborers and ministry supporters like you."

Later, he expresses his shame, says he understands the frustration of those that viewed him as a hypocrite given his previous admonishments of teachers in similar situations, and ultimately asks for the forgiveness of those he has offended.

It’s easy and natural to try and parse every single word and phrase, but at face value, it’s a man humbled and broken and asking for grace. He’s a sinner unworthy of redemption but offered it nonetheless – just like you and me.

We’re praying for you Deuce and rejoice in your restoration.

Read the full statement here.

UPDATE: Watch Ambassador's abridged video statement below:

Da' T.R.U.T.H. confesses "moral indiscretion"

As you may have heard, on Tuesday, November 2 gospel rapper Da’ T.R.U.T.H. announced that “in light of a moral indiscretion in my personal life, I will be taking a sabbatical from music ministry and teaching upon fulfilling my current commitments to work closely with my pastor, church, and restoration team.”

The full letter of apology can be found at datruth.net.

Fam, I am truly saddened by this news and angered by the attacks Satan continues to make upon the witness and family lives of our Christian hip hop brothers.

Here again, I urge you to bathe this situation in prayer the same way we recently did and have been doing for guys like Ambassador and RedCloud. Please pray for all of the parties involved and for full spiritual restoration.

Certainly it’s disappointing, but let us remember that these MCs are simply fallen men like you and me. And as my man Enock forewarned, as ministers of the gospel and entertainers they face extra-ordinary circumstances and lifestyles that surely make certain sinful situations all the more tempting.

Guard your hearts brothers and sisters – guard your hearts. And remember we don’t worship the created man but the one who has the power to Create and redeem him.

Grace and peace.

Ambassador & Cross Movement Part Ways (Sketch's Thoughts)

As many of you may already know, the gospel rap community was shocked this week to learn that Cross Movement Records and William “Duce” Branch, aka The Ambassador, had parted ways.

(You can read the official statement here.)

This split and the manner in which it was handled was both frustrating and deeply disappointing. To be honest, it’s been a challenge for many of us to know how to deal with the information in a way that adheres to Scriptural guidelines for such separations and yet refuses to feed our gossip-hungry flesh.

I find it sad too, that this issue would rear its head so close to the release of Duce’s last album, “The Chop Chop,” where the historically distant MC finally seemed to be opening up and more relatable by sharing specific details of his personal life and struggles in songs like “Checkin’ for My God.”

I think we can all agree that our top priority should be to pray for all of the individuals involved. Not that this relationship can be restored so we get more Ambassador albums, but that the man, William Branch and those around him are all in the center of our Lord’s perfect will.

In the words of my man Ricky B, God is NOT in the music business - he’s in the PEOPLE business.

Grace and peace.

Review: J.R. "Life By Stereo" / Let This Video Be An Example

My review of J.R.'s "Life By Stereo" is now up Illspot.net. I think it's probably the highest ranking I've ever given anyone.

Read it now here: Sketch's review of J.R.'s "Life By Stereo"

Listen to his music at here: J.R.'s MySpace page

Also, rappers - don't let this happen to you...



Here are just four reasons why this clip is so boss.

1. Dude is obviously synching.

2. Dude falls off the stage.

3. Dude recovers like a champ.

4. Dude keeps on lip synching like we didn't just see that he fell and yet we kept hearing his vocals.