A few weeks ago I met up with Houston's Gifted da Flamethrowa for a series of interview videos about a range of topics related to hip hop ministry.
Gifted's new album, Bulldoze City, drops tomorrow, Tuesday, September 20 on iTunes and other digital download spots.
Here's the first half.
Part 1 of 7 Gifted on:
His new album/new label and
What he's learned from other artists
Part 2 of 7 Gifted on:
Online promotion
Answering his critics and
His animated "Reaper" video
Part 3 of 7 Gifted on:
His New Orleans-to-Houston story
The Lil Wayne impact and
How he prepares to minister in hoods, prisons, and overseas
Part 2 of this series will cover Gifted speaking about going back to college, whether or not he would battle rap, what it means to be a servant, and the humble question he was asked by Malice of The Clipse.
Get to know Houston Christian rapper Ill Phil, whose album Soul Food releases today.
Sketch: You're originally from New Orleans and evacuated to Houston during Hurricane Katrina. Five years later, how do you remember that time and how would you describe the transition from the Crescent City to the Bayou City?
Ill Phil: Well, I think it was obviously a devastating moment in my life like it was for so many others. But to be honest, it actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
When I first moved to Houston I was still into clubbing and alcoholism. In that sense I missed New Orleans. But when I came to know the Lord in 2006 I was glad to be where I was.
New Orleans has a lot of issues from violence to the corrupt judicial and police departments. The wild partying only scratches the surface. I believe Houston is a better place for me not only to avoid the temptation to sin, but also to raise a family.
Sketch: You attended the same school as Lil Wayne in New Orleans. Has his popularity in the mainstream rap world hurt or helped your own music ministry?
Ill Phil: It definitely hasn’t hurt my music ministry. I used to really admire him back in the late 90's, especially when we shared the same class. And being such a big Ca$h Money [Records] fan when I was younger has probably played a part in my rap style today.
But in 2006 I stopped listening to secular rap all together. I guess you can say I traded in my Lil Wayne CD in exchange for my new favorite artist - Da’ T.R.U.T.H.
Sketch: I've read that you were rapping before you became a Christian and stopped afterward because your church didn't accept the art form - even in its redeemed state. How did you overcome that adversity and what would you say to members of the hip hop culture who find themselves in similar situations?
Ill Phil: Well, I continued to study The Word and eventually I just came to the conclusion that the reasons they were giving me to refrain from listening to some of the music I wanted to was not supported by Scripture.
I had cut out rap and R&B, but when I was told I shouldn’t listen to jazz I knew that I couldn’t overlook the legalism in the church anymore. I know they meant well, but they were missing the big picture.
I would advise anyone going through the same circumstance to continue to study their Bible. God will reveal to you what is His will and what is just a man-made rule.
Sketch: How would you rate Houston's Christian rap community?
Ill Phil: Honestly, I haven’t seen enough to really give a fair report. I had planned to attend a few concerts before, but for one reason or another I wasn’t able to make it. Amazingly, I’ve only been to one Christian rap event and that was recently. I really enjoyed it and of course I plan to start attending events much more often. But at the moment, I can’t say that I have seen enough in person to have a strong opinion.
Sketch: Your song "I Don't Hate Him" on the Soul Food album addresses the forgiveness you extended to your absent father. How difficult was that song to write and why did you feel like it needed to be shared on this project?
Ill Phil: The forgiveness God has granted to all who believe in Him is a wonderful thing. There is so much wrong that I have done in my past that all I can do is admire the Lord for his mercy.
I wanted to create a song that I felt a lot of people could relate to and that demonstrates heartfelt forgiveness. I wanted people to get a glimpse of what it means to be merciful. I thought that pouring out my heart with details of my own life just might inspire others to see how important it is to forgive regardless of the situation.
Soul Food by Ill Phil can be purchased at all digital download outlets such as iTunes, Amazon MP3, and more beginning Oct. 26. You can contact Ill Phil via his website www.theofficialillphil.comor by emailing info@makersmusicent.com.
During our conversation E told me that Lo Life, the other member of their 5th Ward Boyz trio, was still in prison but now a believer. He said the brother changed his name to New Life, is pursuing Christian rap, and recently held a concert inside the walls where 213 inmates showed up and 85 had to be turned away due to a lack of security.
This sparked something in me and I remembered the verse of Scripture from Hebrews 13:3 which says:
Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
I wanted to get New Life's address so I could write and encourage him. Then on Monday, 007 hit me with the mailing address and about an hour later I saw that FLAME sent out this Tweet about rallying the Christian hip hop community to write to Lil Wayne while he is locked away.
God is moving and I want to get on board.
So why don't we start the CHH Kites Program? ("Kite" is street slang for correspondence received while incarcerated.)
Let's send these two brothers all kinds of mail that uplifts and shares the love of Christ.
Don't ask for autographs, record deals, or for the dudes to check out your music. Break 'em off with a good word from the Word, tell them that we're looking forward to seeing them on the outside, and share a little bit about what being a follower of Jesus has done in your own life.
Here are their addresses. Now go pick up a pad and pen.
Lil Wayne Eric M. Taylor Center (EMTC) Dwayne Carter NYSID# 02616544 L10-10 Hazen Street East Elmhurst, NY 11370
NewLife formally LoLife of the 5th Ward Boyz Richard Nash Jr 1303820 One Circle Drive Sugar Land, TX 77498
If you know of any other MCs on lock that could use encouragement, please send me their addresses and I'll help get the word out.
Last week a video for “Testimony of Redemption,” the title track of former Geto Boy Bushwick Bill’s gospel rap album, hit the Interwebs.
Featuring cameos from Lil Wayne, KRS-ONE, Busta Rhymes, Von Won and Tre9, the track shares his story of coming to know Christ and his desire to live for him.
Here’s a clip:
Look for a special appearance by yours truly midway through. I’m the goofy looking white dude in the H-town cap fist-pumping in the front row.
Testimony of Redemption is set to drop next month and can be pre-ordered online at www.reeltalk.org.
Please also keep Bill in your prayers as he continues to work out his faith.
Sketch the Journalist is a freelance hiphop writer living in the thriving country metropolis of Cut-N-Shoot, Texas. Down with gospel rap since Stephen Wiley’s “Bible Break” in 1986, he has chewed, reviewed, and interviewed most of Christian hiphop’s major players. Sketch holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Sam Houston State University and was once an intern at the New York Times Houston Bureau. He can be reached at sketchwrek@dasouth.com.
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