End of the Year Top 10 Albums

This is what you do when you have a blog Convey you thoughts and let others read them and if they like nice but if they dont it really doesn't matter. (hey prolly 10 ppl read this anyway)

2009 have been a good year for Christian Hiphop and sad year for the genre too, We've had great albums and tragic losses but in both my God be exalted. With this Top 10 List it's a versatile range of albums some y'all may know some you don't know but need to know (expand your catalogs people)

Here we go

10. Katalyst- Death By Design


DJ Wade-O named him New CHH Artist of the Year, he did so Rightfully Katalyst has craft an album thats display is own midwest sound without the crunkness but very soulfully driven. The album tells may stories of struggle and hope is found the truth of Christ, it displays the Gospel theme in understanding the Christ laying him life was the plan from Eternity past. Then project show how one must die to truly live in Christ.

Key Tracks: Traveling, Die if I Have to, and Got Proof Ft. Lecrae


9. Hazakim- Theophanies


This able display the classic underground sound as it blend of theology and hip-hop, It shows from the Old Testament several Theophanies (God appearing to man) and how they point future manifestation of Jesus. This album that should believers to able to see how Christ is very involved in the Old Testament and that many thing Jews did foreshadowed Who Christ was and his work.

Key track: Salvation Plan Ft. Stephen the Levite, Heavy Laden, Kadosh

8. J. Johnson- The Struggle


This an album show the man formerly know a J.Silas is still a gritty and grimy as he was before and He's coming to encourage people as they face the struggles of life to be overcomers through Christ.

Key Tracks: Overcomaz, Go, and Survival

7. Da Truth- The Big Picture


Da Truth musically takes in a different direction then in other albums mixes R&B and Christian Contemporary styles with Hiphop on this project. This Album shows the story of the Creation, Fall, and Redemption and how man has role in God's big picture and the daily thing of our lives are part of God's big picture from Leaders, Living, relations, and Pain.

Key Tracks: Legend, Lost, Pain

6. Dre Murray- Hell's Paradise


Wow this album free is the first thing that blows me away, the album is soley production by Wit of the Frontlynaz (Shout out to the Homie). The album convey the Idea of how live in this world disillusioned that this a paradise when in reality we'll living on the way to Hell. Dre tells many stories on how people are deceived and he himself was one of them but also lets us know how it this false paradise can be escaped.

Key Tracks: Enter the Matrix, Right to Know Ft. J. Johnson and Bro. Wise, and Take it away

5. Tedashii- Identity Crisis


Imago Dei, Man was made in God's image but with fall man image has be in confusion, over banging and soulful south track conveys the identity crisis man goes through. He's goes from the fall and how the world shape what we believe how identity should and explain how the crisis can end with Christ begins.

Key Tracks: Work, Hollywood, and I'm a Believer Ft. Trip Lee and Soye

4. Mr. J. Medeiros- Friends Enemies Apples Apples


Mr. J with help of Stro's production gives an album that is eclectic. Mr. J allow you to see how friends and enemies can draw you near to the God whether being compelled by relations or desire not to be the same. There's a Balance in friend and enemies shaping our lives and beliefs.

Key Track: Target Market, W.A.N.T.S., and The Balance

3. R-swift- Anthem


This album with it's raw gritty style is definitely praise music to the Lord, Swift carry on where left off with his previous albums. He gives commentary to the streets, adress politics, and crosses may boundaries in the genre.

Key Tracks: Anthem, Awesome, and No, No, No, ft. Jahaziel, Sho Baraka and Monty G

2. Thi'sl- Chronicles of an X-Hustler


Thi'sl comes back with his 2nd brings forth tales of a redeemed man with truth of God without bring the standard I use to be a thug and now live for the Lord etc. This album show how drug and violence should bring for the need to forgive, be missional, and the need of a savior.

Key Tracks: I Hate You (Crack), Grind ft. Brothatone, and I Aint Turning Back ft. Flame

1. Braille- Cloudnineteen


With the Production of Symbolic One, Braille shows there's a place higher the pleasures of the world. With the album Braille weaves tales that show reality of needed know of God and that there's some him than temperay peace this world offers.

Key Tracks: It's Nineteen, Skepticold, and From the Pulpit

Honorable mention: Teddy P- Word and Deed


That's all chime People and Look forward for Christian Hiphop to progress even more in 2010

Peace
Phil. 4:9

Hip Hop is Dead

I Chose that for the title because I believe it's Alive (yes it's sounds crazy) but for me in Hip Hop being dead I'm free to see alive, Meaning Hip-Hop is able to take a new life and not be boxed and monotonous.

For seeing this to a process cause I have my opinion on Hiphop Christian and Secular on what I feel is good and bad. I wanted those in the Christian Culture to give there views on what's good and wack but nobody but One dude replied back. I know some of yall are busy but some of yall were shady on the joint (I'm being Honest, If I was wrong apologies, and hit me up I just like dialoguing with people)

So my veiws on CHH I believe it's a great to be used for the Glory of God and have Christ be known, I also believe that it's a great Artform where Christian can do Christo-centric artistry.

The Divide:
I believe people like box CHH in having to be in the form Reach, Cross Movement, and Lampmode. Which I feel there's nothing wrong you loving that style but let that be the standard of what Christian Hiphop artist have to be.I Say that because I have to get that mentality out the people I disciple that Reach, CM, and Lampmode are the end all be all of CHH. Music is an Artform not just a ministry tool, it's able to be used a ministry tool but really I feel people have made music into this Sacred thing. I also say this cause I seen artist such Braille, Propaganda, Dre Murray, Mark J, Applejaxx and Odd Thomas be solid dudes of the Faith but since there's no "theological weight" to thier music like the previous groups people are hesitant at them.

Biting:
Honestly 8 out of 10 time I couldnt tell you if some bit rapper XYZ or were they influenced, Cause sometimes you cant tell and as much as you can judge you many never know unless they tell us. But if you are biting dont it not just so you can "Keep it Real" in hiphop (Whatever that means) if anything you are doing yourself a detrimental service, cause you're not being for whatever reason.

Clones:
I feel people follow trends there's nothing wrong with following them as in being influence but someone yall know yall Change you music based on what's hot to rap about in CHH. THAT'S NOT GOOD, I have Lecrae's album (and Love it) I dont need another one person to make what he's already made. BE YOU convey the truth of God in your context, dont a disservice to the body and yourself by restrict you music and doing Christian Rap by Numbers.

Surface Dwellers:
The term Surface Dweller is something I mad up to explain my frustration with hiphop, because the underground is seen as real hiphop but what's real and not I could care less, I like good artist PERIOD. (Yes I have an East Coast slant but still if your a good artist IDK where you are from or you style music) But it's a metaphorical term, Surface Dweller refers to most Rap music I hear on the radio (secular) for Lil wayne, Piles, Gucci Mane, and whoever else that just sound retarded. Also it's a term of the Christian Artist that desire that Swag area style instead of being in the word and seeing how they can express in their context. Nothing is wrong with being in midst the surface world but get caught up in it. ( For I just stay underground where I can be hidden, low profile and Creative)

Closing:
These have been the things I wrestle with cause I these issues not just on message boards but with people who listen to music that walk with. They believe CHH should theological, they think so and so sound like this dude. I feel at times I fight for creativity in CHH but that's a big battle, I was once a kid who thought CHH theological, I had to sound like so and so, and I had be with what's cool in the world. Artist please dont it (Uh Uh) Dont eat from that tree LOL.

But I see hope as people school on new guys that are learning to be creativity and free, I hope I'm able to the same. Cause I'm tired of being a cynic my Older brothers in the Faith Let me know dont consumed by this music. Hence the title of this Hip Hop is Dead and now it can live as I live in Christ. No more being a cynic it's not that at times but understand this Just cause Lyricism doesnt sell as much any dont mean there's no value to it (Hence I ignore that statement in the words of Braille) and If you aint lyrical then know you still be a good artist if you know how to make a song.

I leave yall with this scripture because believe in this scripture is the key to doing Godly music however you may see fit. And you can see this in you then take some timeout and dive in the word be in Love God and your Neighbors.

Colossians 3:16-17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Impulsiveness

Impulsiveness is a trait of the natural life, God always ignores it because it hinders the development of the life of a disciple-Oswald Chambers.

Learning to wait is something is a part of the Christian's daily life really all of mankind has to deal with having to wait but the Christian has to have a different of waiting.

The world will wait but try to rush or be impatience in the process of wait, the world we live is about getting much as they can as fast as they can. We wait make it to our destinations as fast possible, we want to be done with work or school asap, and we want people and technology to move as fast as us.

Christians, we have to spend our time countering this mentality since the need to hurry is around especially if you are in America. Waiting on the Lord can be hard when according to our desire of swiftness God seems slow.

In the midst of my life I've learn a lot by embracing the time, in the process of making my album I've to invest in people not just platforms. Also people that work with you are important and relations with them are major because many times we can regard things and use people. So this project has taken time to make but I'm glad about the time I've invested into it.

Our lives shouldn't be rushed the life we live is journey it's not destination, the words I just said sound but they are harder to live. If we trust God with the Life we live then we should be able to put things improper time. For was we wait we can still be productive and not lazy for God is honored in our Rest in Him.

We need to enjoy the journey of Life more and not be in such a rush, I gotta even remind myself at times about this especially with everyone wanting to be on the go.

Psalm 131

O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore.

The Jay-Z Controversy

How do I start this? Cause I honestly I fell people are tripped out on these word in the wrong way these about the lyrics but I can understand why people are tripped out by what Jay said in the line ""Hail Mary to the city your a Virgin,
and Jesus cant save you life starts when the church ends."

The response that Pastor Justin was Zealous but it lacks the proper contextual interpretation, Pastor Justin is banging dude tho make sure yall check out P4cm. But disagree with his veiwpoint.

But This Video I feel gives a good explanation of contextual interpretation

The Video above breaksdown the lyrics and contextualized what was said in accord with verse, if wish more indepth info on the video click here

But my commentary is going be very simple and short but really I gonna break down the lyrics by looking a what came before that line and what came after:

City of sin, it's a pity on the wind
Good girls gone bad, the city's filled with them
Mami took a bus trip, now she got her bust out
Everybody ride her, just like a bus route
Hail Mary to the city, you're a virgin
And Jesus can't save you, life starts when the church end
Came here for school, graduated to the high life
Ball players, rap stars, addicted to the limelight
MDMA got you feelin' like a champion
The city never sleeps, better slip you an Ambien

As you can see the song is not done once you hear controversial line. Jay goes on to speak about the good girl gone bad more so being trapped in the New york life, so you see the from that perspective Jesus is not saving her, not in the theological idea that Jesus doesn't bring salvation, but in since that Chruch going has not given her a life to live, hence the line "Life starts when the Church end."

She starts her real lifestyle after see leaves church, which is the Highlife being tricked out with Ball players and Rap star. Jay doesnt talk theology he's speaks on a girl caught the New York life, for Jay the verse is about how it goes down in NY.

Now I dont think Jay should have said that but as my friend said Why are we surprised that unbelievers act like unbelivers (Rom 8:6-8 people) We said shouldnt be alarmed the unbelievers are not going to honor God but we also should not misinterpret what people say and conclude something that's not in proper conxtext. Jay is speaking theology just because we listen two lines of a song and then use a self serving bais to make our on statment of what is said. The Response Christians should have is to preach the gospel, go about our business and be aware how can utilized culture to be ministers (Like we could do with this instead of ranting about it on our comptures LOL)

Peace Phil 4:9

Studious

Honestly I don't like School right now this is my senior of College after this semester I'm set to graduate. But I got so much work to do, I blame myself because I'm a procrastinator and I decided to Psychology classes what was I thinking. I was thinking I would enjoy them until I found how much work they are when you're not a psychology major. I'm a Sociology major I'll admit Psychology makes some sense depending on the school of thought. But I write this realize how much do we really work at a challenge in our life? When adversity comes do we try to shy away or do we trust the Lord and take the Challenge? I pray those that read this take time to think about the Challenges and adversities you are facing but you are avoiding. Those thing are really opportunities for you to grow in God, your character, and your thinking.

James 1:2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Peace (Phil 4:9)

Platforms

I write this blog after tweeting some of my thoughts on twitter (follow me @shanekidd) Cause I desire say more on how this has affected me. In the light of the recent fall of some dear brothers in the Christian Hip Hop this is need for me to make me and others examine ourselves and our platforms.

In the year 2009 we've had The Ambassador fall do to Moral Failure in his Marriage, Red Cloud having to deal with substance abuse, and lately add Da Truth having a Moral Failure in his marriage too. This has been a rough year along with that the Passing of Enock, who was a founding member of The Cross Movement, there's alot to reflect upon.

With the fall of Duce (The Ambassador) and Da Truth they really hit home both being heroes of mine. Duce's first album being my introduction to Christian Hip hop and my inspire to know more of God and to do Music. I've gotten know the brother outside of concert setting while not really just tight with the brother but I having a face to face relation with him has be cool. So hearing what happen made me sad I'm encourage to know he's in the Lord's hand and with a community to help be restored. Then Da Truth that made me upset especially with him being a man of bold statments about being an Open book but there seems to have been some missing pages. I definitely pray for true repentance and that he be encouraged by the body in this time.

With Red Cloud cant say much but I has sadden by the brothers struggle prays that he seeks the Lord.

Enock that was a real brotha I've enjoyed "Awe-thentic" which was a very real project was glab to see him be able to bare his soul and have God exalted through his struggles. He play a great role as memeber of The Cross Movement. I pray he be remembered for his Authenticity and Honesty.

But going back to the falls of The Ambassadorand Da Truth I have 3 thing to consider:

1. The Sinfulness of sin and how neglecting communion with Christ can have us drinking from broken cisterns Jer 2:13

Sin deadly and it has us find our satifaction in anything other than Jesus Christ, when we allow sin to rule in our lives we cause communion with God to be declined. While God Doesnt leave and forsake His people sin makes us not draw near to God. We are to have the Holy spirit within us be satisfied with Him but sin has us find pleasure that wont truly fulfill us.

2. The need to rebuke and gentlely restore those in need of repentance and those who have repented Gal 6:1

We gotta call sin for what it is SIN, and be able to rebuke our brothers when they are in sin. Our rebukes should be out of desire to see them reconciled to God and repent. As Christians we got to learn to be gentle in how we handle restoration, be encouraging but not sugar-coating.

3. Don't be quick to desire the stage w/o having proper STEWARDSHIP in ALL AREAS of life and invest more in people than peformance.

This more so applies to Christian artist but ever if you are not a Rapper or Minister, if you are Christian this is for you. We are called to Love Our neighbors our platforms are to build up the BODY NOT US. So to invest in you performance you focus on the limelight over the lifetime, people are a lifetime investment and represent truly how good of a steward we are over the thing of God not skills and gifts.

With these said I close remembering Enock how he was a brother who fell just like Duce and Da Truth but saw a need to be reconciled to God before he got back on the scence and even after he got back he made sure not to neglect his relationship with God, his family, and his community.

So definitely let's not be so quick to desire large platforms without knowing the cost if we're not ready for them, because a High stage can make for a hard fall.

PS check this Old blog by Sho Baraka Called "Who Wants the Stage?"

Debut Single Son Light

Hey whoever reads this I decide to talk about my debut single not just about it being on Dasouth.com and Illspot.net (free download) but it's just giving a short back drop on the song.

Son Light is a song based on John 8:12 "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."So off from that I decide to let the song convey the message of living in Christ and how it's greater for us to live in Christ.

In the 1st verse I about encountering darkness and dealing walking that arena. Understanding what is darkness and how does it effect our view of life. Those in darkness are not attracted to the light but to a different standard (the Stars) but those in the light are strive let the light shine through the darkness to dispel the darkness so the view can change to the Son (Christ)

The 2nd verse is about how the darkness is attractive to people because they are able to remain hidden I like what a friend of mine said. "Who is more foolish, the child afraid of the dark or the man afraid of the light?" so in there are the things that appeal to man in the dark. Once again the light comes in but this time it's an assessment of what people value. Is it really worth what you saw where you were in darkness when you see it in the light.

The 3rd verse is about how Christ is the Light and how before we walk in Christ we're trapped by the darkness. Through Christ we are able to see real vision and follow Him as our guide through life and not for the things we try to use a lights to guide us. But not all will see the light but God has opened the eyes of men so that now as we follow the light we now testify of Him and let the light we reflect of Him shine unto men

There y'all go hope y'all enjoy the read and cop the album "Student of Life" dropping Summer 09

Live at a Ten