Beats, Rhymes & Christ: God's Servant 'Simple Love' (album review)

My latest review is of God's Servant's 'Simple Love' album. It's a Lamp Mode release so you can be sure that there's plenty of theology, although not quite on the same level as Shai Linne, for example. In fact both style and content is pretty different; what God's Servant actually does really well is the application of real core truths.

This is an album, although not entirely to my usual tastes, that I'll definitely keep listening to. Check out my words over at Sphere of Hip Hop. Here's an excerpt about my favourite track on the album:

Not many albums these days truly contain original-sounding material, but this one does.

"'Oh the Deep' is the stand-out track on this album, perhaps simply because it’s like nothing I’ve heard in Hip Hop before. Kicking off with only a Eye of the Tiger-style monotone muted guitar rhythm and Lauren Monique singing “Oh The Deep, Deep Love Of Jesus” it’s clear that it’s something quite special. Then you realize it features Timothy Brindle and Shai Linne and you know nothing else on the record will top it. Taking a song from 1875 and making it relevant and dope in 2012 is a real skill – hats off."

...and here's the track and the Bandcamp link:

Beats, Rhymes & Christ: Lecrae - 'Gravity' (album review)

Have just found this post half-finished and thought I should complete it and post it:

Check out my review of one of the year's biggest releases - Lecrae's Gravity. I wrote it for the Grace For Sinners blog (who I reviewed Timothy Brindle's 'The Restoration' for). I really enjoyed getting to grips with the theme of this concept album, and I hope that I understood it correctly. The 'gravity' illustration is one which holds up really well, and I've already found myself using it to aid explanation in a bible study!

"It is a hard hitting body of work, which, with the position Lecrae has found himself in, has the potential to truly reach those who do not yet know that they are a sinner in need of a Savior. It also will certainly edify the body as it contains many truths which we need to remind ourselves of daily. Sing with me now: “Lead me higher, lead me higher, and lift my eyes up… Oh lead me higher into Your fire, Burn away all other desires, and let my heart beat again”"

Beats, Rhymes & Christ: Zae Da Blacksmith and Arrested Development Album Reviews

Sphere of Hip Hop have a refreshed site and a couple of my recent reviews are up there now. The main one I'd like to highlight is Zae Da Blacksmith's 'The Mosaic Mixtape' (click for my review):

 "On his drop Mac The Doulos sums up this project well: ‘repping the game and repping His name, all at the same time’. Zae brings together true, pure Hip Hop with a timeless aesthetic with a real, no-nonsense witness to Christ. It’s clear that Zae really tries to practice what he preaches in His music; ‘The Holy Scriptures’ is about how the Bible can speak for itself (listen to that track for a great Spurgeon illustration involving a tiger) and throughout this project scriptures are referenced to the verse to back up Zae’s claims and statements."

I like an album that references Spurgeon and tigers. Two tracks that really stood out to me were 'Virtuous Sister' and 'Excellent Wife' - they really made me consider my wife and how amazing she is as both tracks Biblically explore womanhood.

The other review is of the veteran group Arrested Development's latest free download album 'Standing At The Crossroad' (click for the review). Theologically it's very hard to tell where they're at and the themes of the album are more moral and socially-driven than most of the albums I review for Sphere of Hip Hop.

I've just written a review of one of Lamp Mode's latest releases, 'Simple Love' by God's Servant, so look out for that one soon.

Beats, Rhymes & Christ: 'Precious Puritans' - Propaganda

'Excellent' by Propaganda dropped today, for free, on Humble Beast. Go and get it on download whilst you read this short post.

Most of the tracks are very ear-catching and memorable but the one that has inspired me to write on this neglected blog is 'Precious Puritans'.

I think it's safe to say that in many ways I've been brought up by folk who have prized the teachings of the puritans (I'm pretty sure my dad's library shelves contain not a few puritanical books) so when I first heard the track I was a little shocked that I had never before considered its perspective. I had already an inkling that the track would be controversial as Prop put out a warning on Twitter last night ("The tunnel Rat in me won't let me put an album out w/o at least one verse/ poem that could get us in trouble. :) ref: Precious Puritans.) but wasn't quite ready for what he was about to say! The song is about how the Puritans, authors who are still revered to this day, were involved in slavery, and how quoting them today can have a negative impact on black listeners.

Anyway, I have no commentary really to add as I am no expert on these matters but Joe Thorn has blogged twice about the track with some really helpful insights from Dr. Richard Bailey (author of 'Race and Redemption in Puritan New England') and Propaganda himself. Read Part 1 and then Part 2.

In finishing, I'd just like to quote Propaganda's point from Part 2: "The real point is the last line, "God uses crooked sticks to make straight lines." God uses us despite our depravity... the take-home should not be “Wow! Propaganda!”, but, “Wow! God! And he used Propaganda?!?”

P.S. So glad to finally hear Kevin Olusola on a Christian Hip Hop track! Boy is a genius on the Cello and clearly loves his Hip Hop. I love this video and could watch it over and over (indeed I have):

Beats, Rhymes & Christ: 'The Restoration' - Timothy Brindle (album review)

A new review, this time not for Sphere of Hip Hop but for the Grace For Sinners blog.

Click here to read my review.

Mathew asked me to review Timothy Brindle's latest album for his blog and I readily accepted. It was an album I was looking forward to anyway (it's a Lamp Mode release!) so it was good to be able to summarise my thoughts in writing with the added bonus of a new, wider audience to read it.

I did really enjoy the album - production-wise it's one of Lamp Mode's very best yet with Wit taking on the role of executive producer. Timothy's lyrics are finely crafted and delivered and as you'd expect full of clearly explained theology.

My only disappointment was the overall mood of the album - it focuses on pre-restoration more than post-restoration and as a result the album feels quite dark. I'm really hoping that Brindle's next album is a real joyful affair as he rejoices and praises the Lord for all He has done in his life. This aspect of the album was also picked up on by LaRosa in his review for SOHH.

Beats, Rhymes & Christ: 'Thunderspeak' - Manchild (Album Review)

I reviewed Manchild's 'Thunderspeak' album for Sphere of Hip Hop. Pretty tired right now so I don't have much to say, and I can't go to bed because the baby is crying so thought I'd pop on here and post this quickly.

Click here to read the post.

"...the question is “Is this the new Mars ILL record?” Well, no, it’s not – there’s not a Dust beat in earshot. Second question then; “Will Thunderspeak keep me satisfied until Dust and Manchild combine forces again?” The answer’s..."

Beats, Rhymes & Christ: 'The Daily Gospel' - Timothy Brindle

"Another root of sin is self-righteousness, 

But the gospel says my only help's Christ who lives,

Then my pride and idolatry will die as I constantly,

Look to Christ and in the gospel see,

An astronomically awesome God indeed,

Way greater than any the world can possibly offer me,

And when I see my beautiful Saviour who suffered,

For all of the numerous ways I have blundered...

But most of all the gospel brings me close to my Father,

So in the warmth of His love I can soak like a sauna,

So now I wanna obey Him and show Him my honour,

Not to earn His love but as a chosen responder"

I could have quoted just about all of this song because it is so excellent. Part of me wants to get legalistic and self-righteous and say that I need to listen to this song everyday to remind myself everyday to read the Bible everyday but I know I need to fight the legalism and focus on the fact that the gospel says my only help's Christ who lives, "the gospel brings me close to my Father" - these shall be my reasons for being disciplined in my reading of the Word because I can't "earn His love".

This song may be excellent (in its content, Tim's delivery and rhymes, its production and the fact that it reminds me of the key which unlocked me from a legalistic prison) but the Gospel is much more excellent - I want to see daily (and if I'm honest I'm bad at the moment at ensuring I read daily) my just how beautiful my Saviour who suffered is, I want to be reminded everyday that God is love and that in light of these facts, I cannot rely on myself.