Still Trill Christians finally release "No Sex" video

Still Trill Christians, a Houston-based Christian rap group who was honored with President Obama‘s “Call to Service” award and medal last year for their continued support of the country’s youth and for their “No Sex” song/campaign in particular, have finally released a video for that track.

The record itself has been around and performed by STC for years but, thankfully, it still holds up.

One thing I most admire about this track is how it boldly presents a sexual abstinence message with a "bed-rock" type sound that is so prevalent on mainstream urban and pop radio.

In essence, it's a Trojan horse about not needing a Trojan. Brilliant!

Still Trill Christians Receive White House Recognition

Houston's Still Trill Christians were recently honored with President Obama's "Call to Service" award and medal for their continued support of the country's youth and for their "No Sex" song/campaign in particular. The track sounds like a mainstream bedroom rap song but instead encourages teens to resist the pressures of pre-martial intercourse.

Group members JT (Joshua Dillard, 23), ACE (Antawan Moore, 24), Prince AJ (Albert McQueen, 20) and Erupt (Elwyn Dillard, 24) formed the group at their church home In Christ Ministries in Humble,Texas several years ago. Last January they were invited to perform the track and gave their testimony on BET's popular "106 & Park" show.

The group recently signed with positive music promoter Rick Hendrix whose company currently works Jennifer Hudson, Whitney Houston, U2 and Aretha Franklin. "I am so excited about these guys, they bring a new vibe to hip hop, the church, street, back porch and front porch," Hendrix said.

STC member JT explained, "The church is in us but we’re taking it beyond the church. Jesus wasn’t in the church; He was in the streets spreading the ministry. And that’s what we intend to do.”

For more on STC visit stilltrill.com.

Houston's 97.9 KBXX’s Hip Hop 4 HIV: The Right Cause With The Wrong Reward

Author’s note: This post contains references to rap lyrics that describe sexual behavior in explicit detail and may be offensive to some readers. They have been edited as much as possible, but are presented to prove a specific point to the contrary.

On Saturday afternoon, for the fourth year in row, the Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS) and 97.9 KBXX will celebrate a near month-long campaign of HIV awareness with a rap concert.

Approximately 15,000 teens and young adults will get to go to the exclusive show, headlined by acts such as Plies, Paul Wall, Bun B, and Lloyd Banks, as a treat for taking part in the Fourth Annual Hip Hop for HIV Awareness Intervention, a four-day HIV and syphilis screening event.

It’s undoubtedly the right cause with a wrong reward.

Hip Hop 4 HIV’s Mixed Messages

Unfortunately, the rappers chosen to perform on Saturday will often present a message that is in direct opposition to this noble pursuit of improved community health. Many of their songs seem to celebrate and encourage the dangerous sexual and social behavior that increases the risks of contracting this deadly disease. The educational information 97.9 has published on its own website says as much.

From KBXX’s website:

How is HIV transmitted?

HIV transmission can occur when blood, semen (cum), pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum), vaginal fluid, or breast milk from an infected person enters the body of an uninfected person. The virus must be present; meaning an individual must be infected with HIV in order to infect others.

HIV can enter the body through a vein (e.g., injection drug use), the lining of the anus or rectum, the lining of the vagina and/or cervix, the opening to the penis, the mouth, other mucous membranes (e.g., eyes or inside of the nose), or cuts and sores. Intact, healthy skin is an excellent barrier against HIV and other viruses and bacteria.

Can I get HIV from unprotected oral sex?

Yes, there are documented cases of HIV infection from oral sex with both men and women. Body fluids exchanged through sexual activity can enter cuts in the mouth and get into the bloodstream. Also, certain cells in the mucus lining of the mouth may carry HIV into the lymph nodes or bloodstream. Reduce the risk of HIV during oral sex by using a latex or polyurethane barrier such as a condom or dental dam.

Isn’t abstinence the only way to prevent HIV?

Abstaining from sexual activity or certain sexual behaviors can certainly eliminate risk. So can eliminating alcohol or other drug use that may impair judgment when in sexual situations. However, abstinence also has its own “failure rates.” It is equally important for people to know how to reduce risk as it is for them to know how to eliminate it.

Hip Hop 4 HIV main eventer Plies has crafted a public image that’s half goon / half nymphomaniac. It will be interesting to see if he’ll perform his song “Becky” (a slang term to describe oral sex) on Saturday.

Sample lyrics:

Plies – “Becky”

I’m on this liquor / oh so heavy / ‘Fo we f—k. can you neck me? / A lil’ h—d and I am ready / I want yo mouth, give me that Becky

Or what about Houston-native Paul Wall? Will he perform his new hit song “I’m On Patron” that talks about him being “so gone” that he needs a ride home or “I’m a Playa” with its implications of casual sex?

Paul Wall – ‘I’m a Playa”

Wave the trunk and chunk the deuce / keep it movin’ / I’m on the prowl / I’m on the hunt for some one-night love / best believe that’s it’s goin’ down

Surely “7 shots to the dome” can’t help his judgment.

What about South Texas favorite Bun B? Can we expect to hear his pimp anthem that solicits johns for anal sex encounters with his “b---h?”

Bun B – “Who Needs a B---h?”

If anybody need a b---h then I got one / put her in the drop and you can let her ride shot gun / she can suck your d--k while you mash on the gas / so you can take her to the crib and put some d--k in her a-- / Who need a..

If anybody need a b---h just holla / I got top notch p---y for your bottom white dolla' / we poppin our collars and dustin’ these gators off / not to mention we brushin’ these haters off / Now tell me who need a..

And the teens and young adults in the audience can expect to hear Lloyd Bank’s smash “Beamer, Benz, or Bentley” that brags about his threesomes, right?

Lloyd Banks – “Beamer, Benz, or Bentley”

I got a girl named Kima / and Kima like Christina / baby three don’t make a crowd, it make a sex scene meaner / I just wanna get between her / turn it over scream her / then it’s one, two, I’m through, see ya / I scoop her in my Beamer, Benz or Bentley…

It’s extremely rare to ever hear a mainstream rap song that mentions, much less encourages, the use of condoms, dental dams, or abstention from drug use and casual sex that can help curb the spread of HIV. It’s doubtful that will change at Saturday’s concert.

Again, the cause of raising awareness and mobilizing listeners to actively get tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases is a righteous cause. It’s the reward that’s offered as a motivation that sends a completely mixed message.

It would be like Channel 2 KPRC encouraging obesity education and diabetes testing to its viewers by promising a trip to an all-you-can eat dessert buffet sponsored by Hostess as a reciprocal prize. How does that make any sense at all?



Hip Hop 4 HIV Needs a New Voice

Using hip hop to reach young people and 97.9’s target audience is a no-brainer. But they should at least offer performers with a catalog of songs that reinforce their message, not fly in its face.

Houston has a large community of positive hip hop artists that could easily fit this bill. Two that immediately come to mind are J. Xavier and the Still Trill Christians.

They are not unknown to audiences consumed with mainstream media either. J. Xavier has had video play on BET and earned screen time in MTV’s “Super Sweet 16” movie. And earlier this year the Still Trill Christians were interviewed and asked to perform on BET’s 106 & Park video countdown show.

Contrast STC's "No Sex" lyrics to those listed above.

Still Trill Christians - "No Sex"

We can hit the mall and go shopping while we in it / and you be lookin' good girl, I must admit it / but I don't need no sex, sex, sex, sex, sex / cuz you're worth more than that, that, that, that, that

Please don't get me wrong, lil mama, you're so fly / but I listen to my Daddy / and that's the reason why / that I don't need no sex, sex, sex, sex, sex / cuz I'm worth more than that, that, that, that, that

And if 97.9 needs even more names to fill out the Hip Hop 4 HIV roster then perhaps they can pull from the list of artists they play on Praise 92.1 – the Box’s sister gospel station that is also owned by their Radio One parent company. Praise 92.1 even has its own Christian hip hop shows and on-air personalities that would certainly be willing to help and provide musical content that better supports the goal of this event.

Hip Hop 4 HIV is a worthwhile effort. But at this point, it’s diminishing its powerful message in favor of pop appeal.


Houston’s Still Trill Christians performing “No Sex” on BET’s 106 & Park

Vidz: Strill Trill Christians on 106 & Park

For those that missed it, Houston's Still Trill Christians have been killin' it recently with two appearances on BET's flagship 106 & Park show. (The real one, not that fake gospel version they tried to pass off last year.)

First, it was STC's performance of their radio-ready "No Sex" single.

Watch:


The brilliance of this track is that sounds EXACTLY like the sexually blatant and innuendo-laced rap&B songs (think Young Money's "Bed Rock") that carry a message this one rejects. Lovely.

Then, STC member AJ McQueen was invited back to tell his personal story of escaping a gangland lifestyle on a 106 & Park episode dedicated to combating youth violence.

Watch:



I'll keep it 100 and say that I haven't always been a Still Trill fan, but gotta tip my hat to the boys and say they definitely made me (and Christian hip hop as a whole) proud with these spots.

Recap: Yunek CD release party (9/28/07)

H-town's neo-soul/hip hop songstress Yunek knows how to throw a party. The event to celebrate the release of her debut CD, Exodus, was a top-notch affair. Here's the rundown.


Fly poster/banners greeted you from the jump.


Bella Aida Gardens was the spot. It's got a nice flavor inside with dance floor, lights, bars, and cozy curved booths.

Yunek did it up too with free admission and food for all the guests. How often do you get that?


Michael "Praiseman" Washington from 92.1 Praise radio was the evening's master of ceremonies.


Strill Trill Christians set off the performance sessions.


Dawn and Ed Grice were in the spot.


These krump dancers got hype early.


Zeeda and Gifted from Bound 4 Glory Records showed us how to "Rock N Roll."


B4G's Proz asked folks to "Stop Yappin."


Austin's B.L.U.E demonstrated his 8-ball skills in the VIP room.


Ace/Deuce showed love. Don't the chain look like Skittles?


Young Disciple rocked the stage.


Finally Ms. Yunek took the mic. (This would be the first of at least three great wardrobe changes. The gal's got style!)


Crowd shot.


She emotes soul, no?


After performance set #1, Yunek visited with her friends, fam, and fans. Judging by her hand motions she needs some of y'all to give her a call.


DJ Wiz manned the wheels of steel playing a lot of contemporary praise joints (think: Shei Atkins & Mary Mary) for the upscale "grown & classy" crowd. [Can we get a little more local holy hiphop though?]


Tre9 and his wife Maria were there to show support.


Praiseman and Deacon Doright (aka D-Rock) entertain with a little skit.


Even H-town's HHH vets came out to show love. Blackseed (Secta 7) and Stephen Oran (aka Stikk) were in the building.


Twin & Goldenchild of S.O.M. kick it with Much Luvv producer Sypreme.



The ladies of Blase brought their A-game of smoothed out R&B.


Paid-N-Full's Marcus with major HHH supporter Bigrims.


Philip, Lita Rodi, and Gifted chunk the deuce.


Yunek returns to the stage.


Our gal receives an honorary plaque from her big Sis(Nerd). I would've never guessed they were related...


Ms. Yunek on the m-i-c. They also shot the video for "Have You Ever" while we were there but D-Rock made sure nobody had cell phones or cameras out to leak the copyrighted material so I don't have any good shots of that stuff out of respect for their wishes. Although I could be breaking some exclusives..... LOL!


Q, J-Harrison, and B.L.U.E warn me about taking too many flix for the Internet.


Gifted was apparently in every shot of the night. Here he is again snuggling up to Lil Bleezy.


I loved this shadow shot of B.L.U.E



There he is with the wicked facials again. My pics don't always communicate their value, but this stuff really adds to his stage show.

He also had some sound problems due to a "greasy CD" he gave the man behind the boards. Nonetheless, dude KILLED it by spitting his stuff acapella. Seriously, his lyric-only performances work dope as spoken word.


Lita Rodi closed out the night with a quick, yet energetic, set.


At the end of the night Yunek signed autographs and thanked her fans for coming out and showing love.

The Exodus project is super-nice. If you're looking for a soul-bearing artistic joint on the Alicia Keys/Beyonce/Lauryn Hill vibe listen to samples and pick up a copy here.

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

And here was the commercial she ran on BET to promote the event:
Yunek's Album Release Commercial

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Recap: D@South.com Benefit (07/29/07)

Man how I wish all the folks that bemoan the lack of unity within holy hip hop (HHH) could've been at this event. They would have been blown away. How? Let me count the ways:

a) The true sense of community, familiarity, and joy between hip hop artists
b) The number of selfless artists involved
c) The "bigger-than-me" goal of the night
d) The quality of performances
e) The length of the show (3 hours)
f) The price of the show (Free admission)
g) The blessed end result (Over $1,500 raised / 12 souls saved)

But first, a little background…

Da South Site

7 years ago in 2000 my man s/ave had an idea to turn his successful HHH magazine web presence ( http://www.om95.com/) into a local community-driven hip hop ministry site, re-built to serve and expose gospel rap cats residing predominantly on the Third Coast.

DaSouth.com was intended to be a unified destination where artists and labels waived their claim to an individual, specific web address URL (example: http://www.christianrapnetwork.com/) for an umbrella domain (http://www.dasouth.com/) that would drive increased traffic and allow for multiple artists to market and promote a single site.

The vision was that Rapper X pushes his website as DaSouth.com wherever he goes, while Rapper Y and Rapper Z both do the same. Then, when Li'll Johnny Newfan logs on to check it out he'll find out about Rapper X, Y and Rapper Z and everybody wins.

Although MySpace and other sites eventually cannibalized this vision, the site (mainly through its vibrant message board) continued to foster community between local HHH rap heads and went on to gain a rep as THE location for Jesus Christ's Southern urban music movement.

Da Mission

A few months ago s/ave stepped away from the game to be led in a new, unchartered direction in his life. Desiring his rap network to be cared for, he willfully transferred ownership of DaSouth.com to one of HHH's most faithful and steadfast leader stewards: Tre9.

As anyone who knows or has worked with Tre can attest, he always puts others before himself. Not content to use such a valuable and marketable domain name for his own gain, Tre9 continued to carry the torch and will use the URL to serve all music ministers who share his geographical location.

Understanding that the site could use a facelift, but not wanting (or needing) to bear the full financial burden of such an endeavor, Tre9 organized a benefit concert to raise the money needed to revamp D@South.



Da Big Show

On a night unlike any night in late July 007, Holy Hip Hop in Houston Texas experienced a cornerstone event. Although this benefit concert would be free to fans, artists wanting to perform were asked to contribute a $50 stage fee and help with general promotion.

Just about everyone who was asked came up with the cash (or more) and got up on the bill. Champions Covenant Church in northwest Houston -home to one of the Texas Holy Hip Hop Achievement Awards Show- was gracious to host it, and that thing got kicked off right, sometime around 6:30 pm til late with AFC and J-Chill as emcees.

NOTES:

I summarized the show at the jump and this blog is already longer than I expected, so from here on out I'll just drop in some flix and comments and let the pictures save me a thousand words.

The show went pretty much in the order I have described below.



Lil Lite (J-Chill’s daughter) kicked things off.



Ace and his boy Duece were next. Bruh was brave sporting the Michael Vick jersey. (To be fair, this was before The Running Man’s boys rolled on him and Ookie copped a plea.)



Von Won, Sypreme (of ABF), and Bless’t were in the house.



This photo doesn’t show it but J Harrison is a dancin’ fool. Dude even put on a dance contest for a fan to win CY’s (not his) last album.



DJ D-Lite (my man's got more job titles than that West Indian family from In Living Color) came in from Austin to man the wheels of steel.



Madd Apostle spit some super-fast and heady rhymes.



Still Trill Christians were in the building.



Narrowmind did s/ave’s favorite Slow Lane Chronicles cut: “Thou Art God” and a new one called “Who Loves You?” that reminded us that Christ even has a heart for “the 9/11 terrorists, the rich, and the snitch.”

Dude is also running a Christian musicians fellowship every 2nd Sunday of the month at his crib for the purposes of prayer, discipleship, networking, and breaking bread. If y’all are close hit him up.



R Lopez (a big fan/supporter you might recognize from the message board) was in attendance with his wifey and other fam.



LOCs (he also performed) was in the crowd with S.O.M.’s Goldenchild (who also moderates DaSouth’s message board.)



Icece got the crowd to put their H’s up.



Tre made some announcements about some events that will continue to raise the profile of HHH in our area.

1. The first ever Holy Hip Hop Cruise will commence the week after the 2008 Texas Holy Hip Hop Achievement Awards. Book your room now.
2. The Gospel Announcers Guild will have their awards this Thanksgiving in Austin, TX and have a rap division for the first time this year.





Bless’t & Gangsta Loc represented Eternal Hu$tle and reminded us to pump “That Jesus.”



DJ D-Lite and CY. Wait, ain’t Mr. Smiles supposed to be behind the boards? !? Who's manning the turntables?





Chase Austin and them T.I.C. boys “bet us a $100,000 that our heads wouldn’t stop bobbin.” I think we lost.



Suge White (aka The Farmer aka The White White Man aka Bobby Ray aka Tre9) and Narrowmind take a breather.



Truvine and his podna Lil Flea were there to shine their light.





Austin’s B.L.U.E absolutely killed it with some acapellas and my man is probably the best in the biz when it comes to facial expressions that emphasize his words and hooks. It definitely adds to the show.



Anotha big announcement: Lil Bleezie is now part of Lil Raskull’s Javo Records family. Be looking for a re-release of his award winning “Times Change” disc and new version of “The Good News Bad Boys” with the Color Man and Ras.



These boys tag teamed a nice set and really set it off. Ras told us to “Man Up!” and reminded us that if he says that Christ is the King we can “Bank On That.”









Y’all shoulda seen Ras’ kids go wild for Daddy. They’ve got some fly dance moves and were fully supporting their pops. That’s E-Man throwing up the rockstar horns with a lift from his big sis.



D-Rock and Yunek were in the place to be.







“Y’all Didn’t Know” that S.O.M.’s got “Faith” and are some “Fiyah Starters”?



What about when Denzil added a reggae remix of “This Is Why I’m Hot” to “You Don’t Know Me Like Dat”? It was heat!



Ace/Deuce in the area.



Young Disciple banged it like it was “King Kong.” His song “One Faith” was very appropriate for the night with its “If I make it, you make” theme for HHH unity.



S.O.M.’s Boyce and Twin kick it with Sypreme



CY once again brought the “Circus World Event” and rocked it. Still with the top hat, but no red tails. This was a black and white affair.

Man, this CD is gonna be nice and deep. Lots of metaphors and stories to uncode and apply to your life. It’s not a typical Dirty South sound, but we got love for real art.

During the set Ras leaned over and told me “That’s my heart right there,” referring to CY’s more East Coast underground delivery. “I’m a b-boy from the old school,” he said.



J Harrison and his youngest fan.



Anotha big announcement: Von Won is now with Much Luvv Records! “What’s Up H-Town?” Did you know He can “clean you up and use you?”



The blessing bucket was passed around by promoter/booking agent Jimmy McDowel. (You may also recognize him as the cop from S.O.M.’s video.) God loves a cheerful giver.



Finally, Tre9 hit the stage and took us to the farm.





Then thangs got real cool as Tre invited all of the artists onto the stage for a final family jam of “I Be Comin’ Thru.”



He also led us in a prayer for all of the HHH guys in the city and region and country. We prayed that God would bless them with the resources and staff that will make them more effective ministers. We asked for forgiveness for our selfishness. We thanked Him for the host church for the night. We prayed for the website and how it will be used. It was pretty dope.



Pastor Victor Pena also held an alter call. About 12 people made decisions that night to become followers of Jesus the Christ.



The Still Trill Christians were one of several groups offering to pray with people for their various needs.

So overall, it was a stellar, very memorable night. It reminded me of a classic Houston HHH concert from the late 90’s where everyone was chillin’, supporting, having fun, and winning souls.

There were different styles and crews represented but it was all under one purpose and one banner.



I really hope we keep this going.