Masters winner Bubba Watson to host fundraising concert with Christian rappers

Bubba Watson and Christian rapper Thi'sl on a recent golf outing

These days, when a high-profile sports figure is known as much for his athletic talent as his faith it’s really no surprise that he has connections to the world of Christian rap. Hip hop is simply that mainstream.

Now it’s professional golfer Gerry “Bubba” Watson who has both rallied and raised new fans in the arena of urban music ministry. And next month he’s holding a megaconcert that includes performances by a Christian rapper from Houston.

The “Bubba’s Bash” lineup (to be held in Columbus, Ohio on May 29) includes top Christian music draws like Toby Mac and Jeremy Camp as well as artists like Trip Lee, Andy Mineo, Thi’sl, and Ronnie “Reconcile” Lillard – a gospel rapper who played football for Rice University. It’s designed to be a fund raiser for the Bubba Watston Medical Clinic in Livayo, Kenya.

Bubba Watson, Lecrae, and Jordin Sparks

The event has an even higher profile now that Watson wears the green jacket as the winner of the Masters Tournament – the biggest contest in all of professional golf. And as one might expect, since it occurred on Resurrection Sunday, it launched plenty of enthusiastic support on Twitter from Christian rappers who like to flip phrases like “Bubba won the Masters on the day the Master won.”

Bubba, who has fun with his image as a member of the “Golf Boys”, has also appeared in Christian rap songs like “Michael Jackson” from Andy Mineo’s recent Formerly Known free album from Reach Records. Listen for his shoutout around the 3:50 mark in the clip below.



Other athletes with recent Christian rap connections:

Tebowin' and other Tim Tebow Christian rap songs
Linsanity's Christian rap connections

Free DLs: KJ/MJ Mashup & Unreleased

Tweezy's always giving.



First up is the Songs You Never Heard Mixtape.

This free project has cuts of KJ-52 with Goldinchild, Knine, and Mr. Solo of Gospel Gangstaz. There's some freshness here you won't hear anywhere else and that doesn't sound like his recent 52 Television album.

Grab it here.



And while it's a little late, mashups are always fun.

Off the Wall has Jonah tossing rhymes from his last two albums on top of tracks from the King of Pop.

Get the files (again, for free) here.

MJ meets CHH

Ever since Mike Jack passed, music fans and DJs have mourned by putting his music in constant rotation.

A few interested Christian Hip Hop mixes have also emerged.

1st: DJ Heir mashed up FLAME's "Call Him" with "Rock With You."

Listen and/or download here.

2nd: DJ Rhino hit me with this MJ + CHH mix after I helped him track down the Peace 586 track that originally sampled "Can't Help It" from the Off the Wall album.

Listen and/or download here to hear a sweet package that rightfully puts the King of Kings above the King of Pop while still taking pleasure in the music.

Michael Jackson Memories

As the news of Michael Jackson's sudden death broke last night I tried to recall my fondest memories of "The Gloved One." (As opposed to all the freak-show moments of his later life.)

Here's a quick sampling:

• My cousin Heather's "Thriller"-themed birthday party as a kid. We had the homemade sparkly gloves and errything.


• My brother Jeremy singing "Man in the Mirror" at an elementary school choir show.


• Watching the "Thriller" video at Nana's house because she was the only one in the family with cable and MTV.


• Listening to MJ's "HIStory" and forgetting it had guest features from one of the best MCs of all time: Shaquille O'Neal. Some dude named Notorious B.I.G. was on there too.

You should also check out my girl Danielle Angah's piece: "Rightly Responding Michael Jackson's Death" found over at DaSouth.com