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Friday, May 23, 2008

New Forum For Lovers of Hip Hop and more!



I just want to break pattern for a moment to tell you about an exciting new forum.

http://jormiandjrecords.2ksite.com/

This new forum is a place where you can download, upload and request great Christian music and fellowship with other believers. It's also focused on aspiring or professional DJs and producers and has section for programs and plugins.

The forum was founded by Jormian DJ, a Christian music producer whose work can be heard here

So feel free to join the community and become an active member.

(I am mod at the site under the name "dj91".)

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Trip Lee - 20/20 (2008)



01. 20/20 Intro
02. Superstar (Eyes Off Me)
03. Real Vision (feat. Tedashii)
04. Inexhaustible
05. Who Is Like Him?
06. We Told Em
07. Cling To You (feat. Shai Linne)
08. Relief
09. Behold the Spirit
10. Satisfaction (Hedonist)
11. Come Close (feat. Flame & Sho Baraka)
12. Who He Is (feat. Lecrae & Cam)
13. Intimacy
14. True Security
15. Eyes Open (feat. J.R.)
16. Hip Hop

PURCHASE: iTunes, Amazon, and everywhere else.

REVIEW:

There's no doubt about it, this was an incredibly-hyped album. Ever since listeners heard Trip Lee's previous release, "If They Only Knew", they have been longing for more. Being a member of the extremely popular rap group, the 116 Clique, helps a lot as well. Already 20/20 is making a mighty splash only a week after release; especially on iTunes where it is currently sitting at 10th position in the top rap/hip hop albums list with an average score of 5/5 from 70 customer reviews, at the time of writing this, as well as rave customer reviews on other cd/mp3 sites. But is the album really worth all the hype? Let's take a look...

The first thing noticed when listening through 20/20 is that Trip Lee has really improved as an artist since If They Only Knew. His voice sounds more contained and his flow is tighter. His lyricism isn't the best I've heard, but it certainly is well done. It's as good as it can be when rapping from a theological standpoint anyway. And on the theology, whether you agree with it or not, I'm not sure if it works entirely. Now I know I might get shot down for the things I'm about to say but I've been wrestling with this for a long while now, so I'll just get it over with. The thing about Trip Lee's albums (and perhaps several, if not all, albums by 116 Clique artists) is that they can get too deep at times, theologically. What I mean to say is, sometimes the content of songs can get a little to complex for listeners of rap/hip-hop. 116 Clique is all about evangelizing and spreading the gospel yet the terms they talk about sometimes will probably not be understood by most secular listeners. I think more "milk" is needed in Trip Lee's rapping, less "meat". There's no need to go over the top and start speaking like a biblical scholar, especially in the rap/hip-hop genre. That's what I feel anyway.

20/20 covers various topics, most of which only really relate to those who are already Christians, such as, learning to rest in God (Relief), testing things you hear by the Word (Real Vision), the attributes and greatness of God (Inexhaustible, Who Is Like Him?, Who He Is), devotion to God (Who He Is), persuing God (Intimacy), giving glory to God alone (Superstar), and a lot more. One thing is definitely clear, 20/20 is about God, God and more God.


Musically the album is suprisingly diverse with not only the diry south and southern rap you'd expect but also some east coast, soulful and even experimental flavors. Who He Is is an absoulte hit. It's a smashing club-banger with an R&B hook by Cam and features Lecrae who flows through the song smoothly as does Trip himself. Superstar, is basically the first single off the album as it was released to the public before the rest of the album came out, through Trip's myspace, and had been cirulating the net, stirring up quite a buzz. In Superstar Trip Lee conveys the message to all of his fans that the glory shouldn't be going to him but to God, "take your eyes off me, i'm just dust in the mud". It's a grimy, dirty-south sounding track that would be comfortable banging loudly out your car speakers. There are softer songs as well, such as Eyes Open, in which J.R. contributes his melodius voice to the chorus, and Intimacy, a catchy R&B style song featuring Diamone for the chorus. Every track's production is solid and enjoyable.

Overall, Trip Lee has done a great job with this latest project. While it may be a bit too "meaty" for non-believers at times, there's no argument that Trip Lee has a passion for what he does, and the God he serves. This is a great leap above If They Only Knew, so if you enjoyed that you will definitely like this one. I'd recommend 20/20 to any Christian rap fans, but it's probably not a good idea to buy it for your unsaved friends in hopes of reaching out to them.

(If you're looking for evangelical music that non-believers can relate to I'd suggest anything by the Frontlynaz, J. Johnson, Japhia Life, Rob Hodge, etc.. )

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Falling Tsar - Falling Tsar (2007)



01. Valley With No Name (prod. by Theory Hazit)
02. Table of Content (feat. Cas Metah)
03. Medusa (prod. by Theory Hazit)
04. Cob Webs (prod. by Theory Hazit)
05. Brotherly Love (prod. by Mattman)
06. Heart of the Song (prod. by Theory Hazit)
07. What We Are (prod. by Theory Hazit)
08. Argue Believe (feat. Mouth Warren)
09. Fools Gold (feat. Lefty Grove)
10. King For A Day (prod. by Theory Hazit)

PURCHASE

REVIEW:

If you enjoyed any music by underground Christian rap group Scribbling Idiots then it's pretty likely you will like this release. Falling Tsar is a new rap crew comprised of Theory Hazit, Sev Statik, JustMe and Wonder Brown, three of which (Theory Hazit, JustMe and Wonder Brown) are also part of Scribbling Idiots. It seems like there is quite a bit of this "joint membership" going on in underground Christian hip hop these days, but I don't really know what's up with that.

The group's unique and clever name came from JustMe's friend, Eric Place who died suffering of a disease called Fibromylagia. According to JustMe, Eric always wanted to name a band "Falling Tsar". So in Eric Place's dedication the group was named. Also all the proceeds from the sale of the album go to Eric Place's son, Mason Place to help pay for medical expenses caused by his bone condition. You can really see the heart of Falling Tsar. This is not yet another rap clique out to top the charts and become the next big thing. These are just a group of young men who have gotten together and decided to make a positive difference in a particular person's life, and who happen to rap. And if you listen to the album you'll realize they are trying to make a difference in the lives of their listeners as well.

Throughout the record you will hear tracks filled with timely truths and words of wisdom fused with Christian messages. The uniquely excellent musical production to be expected from Theory Hazit and Mattman is also included for your listening pleasure.

As I said, if you enjoy music by Scribbiling Idiots you will definitly enjoy this album. It's basically more of the same SI goodness, only this time for a great cause.

Please support the artists.

MotionPlus - Sound Protest



01. Born and Raised
02. We the Victory (feat. Freddie Bruno & Theory Hazit)
03. Lifetime of War (feat. Lyriz)
04. Superheroes
05. Fade Away
06. Reach the Sky (feat. KaboOse)
07. The Rise and Fall
08. Son Never Sets
09. Joyful Days
10. Seasons
11. Dirt Roads
12. Broadcasting Life
13. Love (feat. Man of War & MaxOne)
14. Some Ol' Feel Good
15. Uprising (feat. JustMe)
16. Superheroes (remix)

PURCHASE

DOWNLOAD

REVIEW: (COMING SOON)

3.5/5