Vid: CHH @ Los Magnificos Custom Car Show

Tre9 and the Much Luvv Fam (plus friends like Big Al Cherry) repped Christ at last weekend's Los Magnificos Custom Car Show put on by H-town's largest mainstream hip hop station.

Makes me proud of my city.

Dear Internets: Christian Side-Hug Rap is Satire!

Dear Internets,

I know you just discovered this "Gimme Dat Side Hug" silly rap yesterday and it's got you all a Twitter.

But please know two things:

1. This is not new.

Jon Acuff's funny Stuff Christians Like blog probably coined the phrase over a year ago and an instructional illustration for it will grace the cover of the book version.

2. This is satire.

Yes, we Christians can laugh at ourselves too.

If you're taking this seriously we either haven't done a good job of representing our King or you haven't been exposed to good/real hip hop made by believers (which obviously does not include this clip.) Probably a little bit of both.

Regardless, please enjoy this video in the fun, comedic spirit it was intended.

Many thanks,

Sketch the J

Vid: Martin Luther rap "95 Theses"

On a day when everyone's debating Jay-Z's blasphemy, I found a "99 Problems" parody that is surprisingly deep and well done.

Enjoy.



Found at Jesus Needs New PR and here.

Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays - 5th Ward

I'll have to take a late pass on this blog, but think there's still value in showing you what Tre9's Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays events look like.

The relationship between Tre and Rap-A-Lot Records' Prince Complex in Houston's 5th Ward neighborhood started this spring with the Hip Hop Hope Family Fun Day. From there, it blossomed into a summer-long outreach that has carried on into the school year.

So here are a few flix and videos that reflect the look and feel of the nights. You can learn more about it by visiting Tre's Hip Hop Missions blog where you'll find video clips and rundowns of his recent work.

All photos by Sketch the Journalist


Each night a Christian hip hop artist or crew will perform and share their story. On this evening it was Von Won's Sheep in Wolves Clothing crew.

There's also an intro "icebreaker" game which kids moving around, engaged, and the chance to win Christian hip hop CDs.


DJ Primo not only spins the music, but also brings the Word with a special chopped and screwed mix of audio Scripture.


Tre9 keeps things moving and will act as the night's MC.


Artists and volunteers are always down with pray with people.


On this night, mainstream hip hop video show "Street Flava with D-Solo" (in the yellow H-town cap) stopped by to film a segment for a future episode.


Special guests like Bushwick Bill will also occasionally pop-in.


Primo is always down to share and show kids how he practices his craft.

Here's a video of Trevor Lee performing "Do It His Way."


And here's a clip of Zeeda giving her testimony.

Cover art for Tha Message Mag Issue #4

Payday hit me with the cover art for the next issue of Tha Message Magazine that's fresh off the presses. I wrote the profile on Thi'sl and will let you know when it's available to the masses.

Vid: Bushwick Bill "Testimony of Redemption"

Photo by Sketch the Journalist

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.

Original "Word Up" - Cross Movement feat. Enock

Cruz Cordero recently dusted off and posted this original version of "Word Up" by the Cross Movement featuring Enock. A more polished version was later found on the group's second album House of Representatives.



Here's the version that made the final cut.