Interview with Alex Faith

Followers,

  I recently had the chance to have an interview with Alex Faith. In the interview, we talk about his background and mission as a rapper, his new album ATLast, the Christian Hip Hop world, the viability of being a Christian rapper as a career, his involvement in We Live As Kings as well as Collision Records, his upcoming plans (including a tour with Dre Murray performing ATLast and Gold Rush) and his honest approach in his music.

Here's my favorite snippet:

"...I wanted the listener to feel like 'This dude is never going to lie to you.' Cause Hip Hop in general is just, you know, even though it's somewhat cliche, a bunch of lies. They tell you this is what success is, this is what beauty is, this is the way we should view politics, the world, money, anything and everything. It's a cultural system. It'll indoctrinate you to make you believe the way it wants you to believe...for me it's like 'This is the most popular form of lying in the world. What am I going to do to be different?'"

Here's the rest of the interview:

Best,
Felix

Update - College Finals

Hey Redeeming Rap followers - I hope all is well with you.
As I am amid college final exams, I am taking a majority leave of absence - I may upload an interview or two - from blogging until December 15th - I  just am having a hard time trying to balance studying with looking for new songs and artists to promote but will be back on it the 15th onwards.

In the mean time, check out Rapzilla's twitter, Dre' Jackson's twitter, SOHH PR's twitter and Jam The Hype's twitter for new songs you can catch onto.

Grace and Peace,
Felix

Today's Song - Dear You by Milliyon

...Church hurt - had him runnin to the hills 

and Church rapper had him needin for the bills

So he switched up, turned state

Got bread, said he stacked cake

But that empty void never filled

A hundred bottles...silence was never killed

His kids he never saw, his wife he never loved

The drugs they took him over and left him up in a slump

The lies they ran rampant, the friends they never stay

Before he took his life, he heard the devil say:

"Got your hand on your gun, what you running from?

(see I don't want that to be you)

Grab the trigger and pull, what you waiting for?"

(I know there's a better way, grace and mercy all the way

...I'm only sayin this cuz I love you)

Coming off the album #G-Code, Milliyon brings a powerful song explaining the potential dangers of looking for short term, financially driven success that isn't based off absolute truth as well as the consequences that could ultimately follow. The featured part of the song is his last verse which I really enjoy, particularly how his warning comes because he loves that person - not telling someone the truth and allowing them to be hurt would in fact be showing a lack of love. I think that's really a powerful statement that Christians today definitely need to hear - it's not always comfortable saying things, but some times it's worth it, especially if you actually do care for that person.

You can stream and download this song for free here and even download Milliyon's entire album for free here.

Best,

Felix

Today's Song - BC by SPZRKT ft. Marz

I keep falling

You keep picking me up

I keep stalling

Shift me into your love

I can feel it

In Your heart I will trust

Where I have been my whole life?

What was I doing before You?

Where was I looking before You?

What was I doing before You?

I went everywhere just looking for You

And I'll never go looking again

This is much more on the rnb side of Hip-Hop, but I think it's a really nicely done and polished song. The feature of Marz is a nice touch and the background (upbeat Coldplay sounding-ish instrumental) definitely complements SPZRKT's voice. We've heard "Spazzy" (as he is called from time to time) before (check out "Change Gone Come") as he's definitely becoming a recognizable voice within the CHH world. BC (standing for Before Christ) is really just that - SPZRKT's life before he met Christ.

Here's where you can get this song for free! (courtesy of Jam The Hype)

Best,

Felix

Today's Song - The Edge of the World by Je'kob ft. Deraj

Life - we live it

And I ain't gotta tell ya that I'm with it

But we got liars on that mic who sold they souls for money

And liars in the pulpit who sold for milk and honey

Some times that fakeness will infect me

I pray God will protect me

and if you see me slippin then I pray one of y'all check me...

...fathers leavin their families

Kids comin up with no dads

That there - is so sad

So they turn the music on, turning up the system

So these rappers can deliver twisted wisdom, listen...

Je'kob delivers a really solid message (with a very strong last verse by Deraj) in "The Edge of the World," highlighting some of the problems with people using modern day music (or other alternatives outside of Divine love) to attempt to drown out their problems. He brings a fair point too - people turn to anything that will comfort them, and especially the messages you hear about violence, sex and drugs, while albeit never truly edifying, certainly don't help develop a young boy's mind.

Here's where you can stream and download it for free!

Best,

Felix

Today's Song - Acquired In Heaven by Beautiful Eulogy

Explosions in the Sky meets the Gospel. It is technically rap, but I would call this poetry. I would call it spoken Word (yes, with the capital W). This whole album, recently released, is honestly a masterpiece. As far as "free downloadable albums" (they do allow a donation if you choose to do so), I would be bold enough to say this is the best one Christian Hip Hop (CHH) has ever witnessed. I would say it's even in the top 10 period. Bold, I know. And while I can't claim to have heard every album ever released within CHH, I've definitely heard a lot. But just wait till you hear this.

On that day, we will sing of the name more excellent than angels

A purified bride, refined heart, speech and mind

Where unity and fellowship is perfected in the Church

Where Divine love rests in the hearts in the inhabitants of the new earth...

I honestly feel like if I write any more, I'll spoil it for you. It's liquid gold. Humble Beast Records, Braille, Odd Thomas, Courtland Urbano. The floor is yours.

Download this and all the other great songs I could easily just have featured off the album Instruments of Mercy here.

Best,

Felix

Today's Song - Believe by Lecrae (off of Church Clothes 2)

So chances are, you know Lecrae. And chances are that if you read this blog, you've probably already downloaded your copy of Church Clothes 2. No idea? Let's do a little history. Lecrae dropped Church Clothes (1) on Datpiff last May and the mixtape was downloaded 100,000 times in less than 48 hours, eventually totaling over 500k downloads and becoming a double platinum album. Lecrae that year won his first Grammy (for his album Gravity) and Church Clothes 2 was thus, very highly anticipated. In the first couple days of listening to it, Lecrae definitely kept his hot streak going. While yes, he may draw some criticism from Christians for featuring non-"Christian rappers" like Paul Wall, B.O.B. and David Banner, Lecrae has kept the same overall message and has even responded to people's worries of him getting off track so to speak (and did a good job of it too, IMO).

But here's "Believe" by Lecrae, his second song off CC2 and some of the lyrics:

You would it never seen it coming

A couple months ago I'm getting high with my cousin

And fast forward now around campus I'm buzzing

Not really but it felt like that, it felt like rap was just another passion

Never thought I'd be at the Grammy's talking about my fashion

You don't believe in God? Well how do you explain what happened?

I promise we ain't plan it now Christians unashamed from Zambia to Manhattan

Still lookin for the pattern? Come on!

(Chorus)

What would it take to make you believe?

More fire from the sky? Another parting the sea?

The honest truth is, that you ain't got the power to see

And let me take you on this journey, it all started with me

The even better news is you don't have to pay for it - Lecrae has the entire mixtape on Datpiff for download right here!

Enjoy,

Felix

Today's Song - ATLast by Alex Faith (ft. Christon Gray)

I'm a huge Alex Faith and WLAK (We Live As Kings) fan and not only did I preorder ATLast, my friend and I had a countdown to when it would be available. The wait was well worth it and I'll try and give the whole album a review this Saturday but I couldn't resist sharing this gem until then. "ATLast," the title track is a smooth sailing, inspiring and moving song with an awesome message and the mixture of Christon Gray's choruses in between Alex Faith's lines is such a good combo (further proved in about every WLAK song that features the two). Actually, this song is so good, it's even Alex's favorite one of the new album (which is no small claim):

@Felixvdv ATLast, title track. Personal fav.
— alex faith (@alexfaithATL) October 22, 2013

Here are just a few of the lyrics:

...but the greatest gift of all was the Gospel of God

When I was lost in sin He came and met me in a puddle of blood

Beneath the rugged cross I lay, what have I done?

Looking up, I'm at the feet of God's only begotten Son!

I'm humbled, but at the same time I feel terrified

Crown of thorns is on His head, ain't no fire in His eyes

and I make sure that He's dead - I see Him bleeding from the side

Then it hit me, I'm made in God's own image, why do I feel so blind?

I crucified Jesus - I was there on that day

I told 'em "Hang Him on that tree!"

I told 'em "Put Him on display!"

I'm crushed under weight, all of a sudden my dismay

is lifted raised up my head and He told me it's ok

And He looked me in my eyes and told me I'm forgiven

He touched the coal to my lip and sent me on a mission

Elevate success to how much is in our salary

Broadcast it on the airwaves, proclaiming fallacies

that if we get to where they at, that means we have it all

always chasin' something more, can't we see we're bound to fall?

Phenomenal. Experience it put into music:

Once again, as I always say, don't get this illegally. These guys are barely compensated for the work they do. Buy Alex Faith's album right here!

Best,

Felix

Today's Song - Doctrinal Rhymeschemes Part 2 by Christcentric (ft. Omri and B-doe)

Imagine the BET Cyphers, but with a message that lasts. You're thinking of "Doctrinal Rhymeschemes Part 2."

Omri is no stranger to Redeeming Rap (see the review of his single "Selah" here) but this time he is a feature of a song by Christcentric alongside B-doe. Christcentric defines themselves as a "collection of ministers, gifted in the art of hip-hop, and called by God to passionately preach, teach, and defend the message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified." "Doctrinal Rhymeschemes Part 2" is the first single off their upcoming album The Jude Injunction and features verses from group members Evangel and Israel the Puritan. Here's some of the best from each rapper's verse:

(Omri):

...unbelievers ain't seen nothing because really none is suited

a few 

people have a view

but the evil, deceased shun it

because their dumb, foolish feeble aptitudes

lead them to see something but not the One who is

Reaching radicals, keep them keeping the beast covered...

(Evangel):

Labled him king of Jews 

which was met with a smatter-

ing of boos

like nincoompoops

confusing data

of this fatted calf they choose to flatter

he took the L cause this dude was fatter

served like lifting a platter

to a ditch, out on the third like a pitch to a batter

this is the data

officially grati-

fying Adonai

the Dad of Zion

cause its satisfying

(Israel the Puritan)

there's no suffering we're one with Christ

we'll have the time of our lives with groom when He and us unite

see our evil let us stray

His bleeding set us straight

we'll meet at heaven's gate

He'll feed us heavens cake on our wedding day

no concubines what an enormous platter that the Lord has granted

surely manna tastes like coriander!

(B-doe)

Keep your College degrees

Knowledge, decrees

Popular steez

You are not in His league

He bops to his own rhythm 

With intricate word play and multiple allusions to biblical references, including the celebration of the marriage of the Church to Jesus (Ephesians 5:22-32) and divinely made manna (Exodus 16), "Doctrinal Rhymeschemes Part 2" has bars for days.

Here's the link for free stream and download!

Best, 

Felix

Today's Song - Foreign Exchange by Selah the Corner & Bizzle

Selah the Corner and Bizzle absolutely murder the "Pound Cake" instrumental (as made famous by Drake and effectively just brags about how much money Drake and Jay-Z have made). The song is an intense dialogue over the vain pursuit of material wealth and the methods willing to be employed in order to achieve that material wealth. The song holds that the ends do not justify the means and that the only currency worth pursuing is "Yaweh currency [souls]." Both these young talented artists are part of the God Over Money team. Here's some of their insight:

(Selah the Corner)

...I spit God Word - Every bar plagiarism

I look around and all I'm seein is favoritism

I know what it's like to be last on it

Good concept, fast, and even bars on it

Get a track blackout and straight mash on it

For somebody gon' tell you they gon' pass on it

Tears of a real spitter

They bottle living water, I need a real river

And my mission to tryna mirror ya

What I deliver ain't bigger than the Deliverer

So tell me bout your goal homie

You rap for the Rock you gotta roll homie...

Yaweh currency is souls homie...

(Bizzle)

...tryna compare Bizzle to a Lil Wayne

is comparin a couple dope lines to a brick o' caine.

What you rappers want, respect?

After seein the things y'all do for a check

This week is a pistol, next week is a dress

This week is Miley, next week is sex

Wonder what they gon' have y'all tellin us next

Live fast, die young - they sellin us all death

Lil' Snoop passed, I ain't even wanna read about it

Same cats pushin murder raps wanna tweet about it

But homie what you gonna do about it

You probably supplied the soundtrack for the dude who shot him

You put murder all in your songs

But if murder is wrong, then it's wrong

It shouldn't be about the money.

Fire.

Here's the link for free download and stream.

Best,

Felix

Today's Song - Walking Dead by Michael Berean (ft. theBREAX)

John Piper quotes throughout the song. Michael Berean's unorthodox yet poignant flow. theBREAX going in. I give you "The Walking Dead." Here's some of the content:

John Piper: ...we're not dead - we're following...

...but it's nothin to say

I wanna pick their brain but they runnin away

I wanna be their blood brothers

Put the skeleton back in the closet

Have a feast before my body decays

No smiley face or JK

This is really my only way to survive

Christians be acting dead they lucky to be alive

Realize you got a lot of grace

There's a lot of dead men that would love to take your place

John Piper:...people aren't dead because they can't walk. People are dead because they can't see...

Here's the link to Michael Berean and theBREAX's call to be alive and where you can download and stream this song for free.

Best,

Felix

Today's Song - U by Cam Be + Josh Free ft. J. Ivy and D-Train

From the beginning of my life

Joy, pain, struggle and the strife

I'm giving it to U

Every single part of me

Blessing to a piece of history

I'm giving it to U

My ups my downs

My highs my lows

My soul

I'm giving it to U

I'm giving it to U

...U and I are one beneath the barriers of this flesh

Like energy, we connect

Yes

It's true.

You see the light in my eyes

Because God shines through

I see the light in Yours

That's why I'm giving it all to You

What happens when you mix savvy and intricate flow with a catchy hook, a happy, jazzy and suave instrumental, and spoken word? "U" happens. Cam Be + Josh Free burst out of the midwest onto the national scene with this song featuring Grammy Award winning poet J. Ivy and Dwayne 'D-Train' Wilson singing the hook. Wait, there's a stream link with a free download too? Yeah, get it here.

One more surprise. There's a music video! Check it out:

Best,

Felix

Today's Song - Fall by Sevin

We came here to bless your name

Came here expecting rain

Let it fall

It's more than a stage or a show

We need you to save our soul

Let it fall

He was born from a cave and rose from a tomb

The Holy God became a slave absorbing our doom

We took Him to court, tortured him, tore open His wounds

From the abuse of the bride, blood poured from the Groom

His actions then exposed the ways He loved us though

Melted my heart, it was frozen like a tub of snow

He died to save us, what greater love has another bro

Why I'm the one He chose to cover for, I'll never know

Unmerited grace, yes I know I'm blessed

How could I have ever earned life when I owed Him death.

Sevin's song "Fall" is off his album Commissary which you can find here. His song is a direct narration and explanation behind the crucifixion of Jesus and the results. He uses some big time scripture verses throughout the song like John 15:13, and another passage in the ending taken from 1 Peter 5.

Here's the link for free stream and download!

Best,

Felix

Today's Song - Broken by Insurgents ft. Zero, Louie B

Sorry for the delay in putting up songs, midterms lead for a busy week. Here's the chorus of "Broken." 

Tell me what you see inside the windows of my soul

When I look into the mirror I see pieces of a whole

Cuz I've been around, Been broke enough

I know it's hard, I know it's tough

No friends around to hold you up

Just know you're not the only one...

Broken tryna overcome

So we tell em bout this hope in the Holy One

I done been around the block, shed a lot of tears,

Wonder if it ever stops fore it ends, Have you ever been [broken]

That's the hook of this banger by Insurgents featuring Zero and Louie B. It covers the trials and tribulations life presents as well the importance of finding peace in a Greater One in order to combat the difficulties. Put simply, "I'm alive because I died." (Romans 6:11)

Here's the link to the free stream and download! 

Best,
Felix

Today's Song - Be All Right by KB

If it's one for the money, Two for the show,

Three to get the honeys, You're "four"saken your soul...

Homie I can lose it all but that all can be false

Cause i ain't lose nothing if I still got God...

They call us arrogant and they call us narrow,

but we just know we healed from the bottom of the barrel

I might be in the Caribbean top down in the camero,

but if I ain't have jack my eyes still be on the sparrow...

KB is definitely one of the more well known CHH rappers out there, largely due to his connection with the 116 Clique. Like the rest of the crew, he is unashamed and this is one of his singles available for download that's a must have.

Get it here.

Best,

Felix

Today's Song - Fly High by Auditory Fabric ft. Chad Jones

Clear sight, got a clear path

I see sin, and I fear past

I'm puttin off that old man

But that new man

 yeah i wear that

You hear that?

God make man

then man make gods

Man rebelled

but God still had his arms out like tank tops

Thank God...

permanently we transformed

no midnight, no Cinderella

Auditory Fabric is an up-and-coming group (consisting of JustWord and Bondservant) that just dropped a new album in September entitled "Heir Craft." Auditory Fabric has a very unique flow with biblical-concepts woven throughout. When I say unique, I mean it only in a positive way - it's completely smooth but concepts they're trying to stress are heavily accented and throughout "Fly High," they deliver a catchy chorus on a haunting beat with the message of a "high life" worth living. Chad Jones is also featured on the track and only adds to the complexity and musicality of the song.

Get the free stream and download here, courtesy of Rapzilla. Be sure to follow Redeeming Rap as well!

Best, Felix

Today's Song - Selah by Omri

Omri describes himself as "a living testimony of the sovereign, saving grace of God." The rapper out of New Orleans works with the members of iSix:5 Music "to produce gospel-centered, Christ-exalting hip hop." In between pursuing a degree of Biblical Counseling and teaching high school Bible and English, Omri spits absolute bars. Check a couple from his song Selah:

...Dumb wits are an idol's living conditions

Despising getting the vision inside a hidden dimension

One glimpse of His high, infinite condition

Delight, unlimited wisdom and non ambivalent diction

Will trump whips with the flyest linen's additions

To rides that's getting attention from fine, effeminate women

Huh Him? He's Messiah, willing to give

His entire image to men who retire livin in sin when

They commit to discipleship and then live

Like they like submission to Him, their environment has been shifted

From crypts of their mindless fickle inventions

To right depictions of wisdom in light of His intervention...

It doesn't end. Seriously, Omri has flow for days and his entire mixtape (which is well worth downloading) is available all for download for free.

Here's the link to stream "Selah" and here's where you can download that and the rest of his mixtape, Vapors Volume II.

Best,

Felix

In Honor of Lecrae's Birthday...

It's a classic. It's Lecrae's birthday. Enjoy!

Best,

Felix

Today's Song - Drowning Man (ft. Copywrite) [Nomold Remix] by Cas Metah and Wonder Brown

This one's a whole new genre of Christian Hip Hop. I can guess some of Redeeming Rap's followers are going to dig this one real hard but if you don't initially give it another listen. Both Cas Metah and Wonder Brown got some bars that are worth going over and the feature of Copywrite is only a positive addition. The dubstep remix by Nomold makes this one the perfect final rep song in the weight room or wherever else you're trying to push through something.

Check some of the lines throughout:

Never been ashamed of my beliefs

too bad I can't say my beliefs never been ashamed of me...

Despite faith founded

It ain't grounded

Somehow I always end up under

Drowning in my surrounding...

Within reach just means defeat's within sight

Cuz before I get set I find need to give up the fight...

Sometimes I wonder how my life came to this

Every day praying for a few more days of this

I miss my innocence and playfulness

Playing a game of life but there ain't no games in this

Painfulness

Hope that I came from this

If I go insane from this

Shamefulness

Pray someone else gains from it

Why gotta wait till you sneeze to tell you God bless...

and to all my enemies Ima pray for y'all BET!

The song, along with other remixes of Illect Recordings are available on their soundcloud here for free stream and download.

Best,
Felix

Today's Song - Intro by Eshon Burgundy ft. Jay Harris (off his album "For God's Sake")

For God's sake - and for His sake only

I'm wondering if you can partake and pray for me

Pray I do it for His glory not my own

Before I turn my back on Him, I take a 40 to the dome...

Evil Evil,

We know the difference between wrong and right

And our condition got us wishing for the longest life...

Cuz I don't need no praise

From the street or the stage

Arrogance is a drug and that buzz last for days...

If that was me instead of Christ on that mountain above the hill

and Satan woulda made me that offer, I woulda kneeled.

We all woulda - but thank God for the carpenter

who carried himself marvelous

all for us...

"He crossed the culture, became a man, walked this earth sinless and then got charged with all our sins and got nailed to a cross and killed. Three days later he rose up like 'Homie I'm back...' and because of that, because He died for our sins, that's why we do what we do...it's for God's sake..."

Eshon Burgundy of Humble Beast spits truth and honesty with what sounds like home cooked classic style beats. The combination of biblical based lyricism with his beats produces an uplifting and impactful jam.

"Intro" is available for download/stream along with the rest of Eshon's album For God's Sake here.

Eshon has a bandcamp with more of his music as well. It's well worth the listen.

Best,

Felix

Today's Song - Money by Jai Rian (with interview)

Jai Rian's newest single "Money" is a great look on how chasing material gains in life can be dangerous  and after all, "you can't take [it] with you."
I was able to do a small interview with the up-and-coming artist and this is what he had to say.
Q: Who are you/Where are you from/Why do you do Christian Rap?
My name is Joshua Ryan, I went by J.Ryan before I made the decision to make Christian music only. As a result of my change I also changed my name to Jai Rian which means decedent of a king, little king, Conquerer, Victorious and Defeater. I was born and raised in Las Vegas Nevada so being apart of the fast life is nothing new to me. I've been involved with the streets since I was young, selling drugs, committing robberies, ditching school, gang violence and more. I've been shot, lost friends to violence and lost family members to drug abuse. Even though I ran the streets I always had a urge to know God and find peace. God saved me from death, saved me from addictions, hurts and doubts. God has done so much for me and I've done so little for him, realizing this I decided to give back and die to myself. Start using my talents and heart to spread the gospel, and tell the truth about our heavenly fathers love and salvation. What better way to spread his word than thru music? I'm much happier making music with a Godly influence rather than making music of the world. Giving a piece of Gods love, favor, mercy and a touch of my testimony in every song comes together to present a positive sound. I want to impact peoples lives, encourage, and guide others using the word of God.
Q: What's the concept behind "Money?"
My motivation behind the single "Money" is pretty simple, People now and days have become so codependent on having money and owning material things that they're forgetting about God. It seems most depend on money to gain happiness when truly Gods love and salvation is the key to happiness and peace. The first verse is about a girl that grew up in a God fearing family with dreams and ambitions but as she grew older she desired nice things. Wanting what the eyes desire she soon lost her way and began manipulating men, selling herself and image to obtain money. This was easy to relate to being that I live in Las Vegas, I see it everyday. A lot of women are strippers and or prostitutes, not all but a lot. Even though some know what they do is wrong they won't admit to it because they're able to buy nice things, nice things that can bring a internal fire...Don't chase material things or depend on money to bring you happiness. Because when it's all said and done you can't take material things with you. Don't idolize or depend on something that can wither away, be destroyed or become rotten. True happiness is found in our Father. Look to Him for peace, lean on His word and not on your own understanding because when we do things on our own it soon falls apart. Feed your soul don't sell it.

Here's the stream/download link for "Money." 

Be on the lookout for his upcoming mixtape "Fallen Kings" which will also be featured on Rapzilla! I know I'll be keeping my eyes peeled.

Best,
Felix

Today's Song - (A)Bridge(D) Thoughts by Jgivens

I consider myself to be a Christian Hip Hop aficionado and while I can't call myself an expert, I would say I've heard a lot of different artists with different styles and rhyme schemes. I have to be honest, I slept on Jgivens' last album El V. Envy until recently. In this awakening, I honestly think from a purely aesthetic appreciation for music, Jgivens may have the best flow in Christian rap today - bold claim I know. But I challenge you to check out the lyricism from someone who has been receiving a lot of comparisons to Kendrick Lamar:

This is for them gambling addicted 

Methamphetamine afflicted 

Christians

Living the system: sin on the billboard

Sex on the interstate, evil we imitate

Drugs on the dinner plate

Cash rules everything around our town

Porno magazines pave our ground...

I couldn't live lukewarm cuz He'll puke on hell with my soul

(Man that's so Laodiciean)

That means its better to be either one of these

400 degrees or frozen... 

The reference to the church of Laodiciea is genius (Revelations 3:14-22) and I think the concept of lukewarm Christianity is especially prevalent today. "(A)Bridge(D) Thoughts" will make you scratch your head and think about your personal walk.

Here's the stream to this song  Jgivens' album is quite frankly some of the best 10 bucks I've ever spent.

Best,
Felix

Today's Song - Loud by Sean Simmonds

People who hate it - it is what it is

It ain't entertainment - it's just how we live

See in my eyes - I can't turn it down

The God that we trust - is all over us

Cuz we live it loud.

We live it loud, We live it loud, We live it loud...

Sean Simmonds is all about proclaiming the change that has occurred in his life and how it has resulted in a daily, unashamed lifestyle (see Romans 1:16). The song has a trippy East-Coast club sounding beat (Drake could easily have used this) and Sean Simmonds is clever in his lyricism and throws out references to those in pop culture today like Trinidad James and ASAP Rocky. 

Here's the link to stream/download the song! 

Best,

Felix

Today's Song - Beautiful Extraction by SoVocab

Forever lost treasure...Forever lost treasure...

I'm a diamond in the dirt. I'm a diamond in the dirt...

No matter what my sin is You promise to call me by name

Not the dirt I live in cuz I'm not the dirt I live in

But let me finish let me explain

I'm a diamond in the rough, shining through the dust

Created to mimic the King, made in His image so I am a king

Here's some of the magic from SoVocab's song "Beautiful Extraction" off his album "The Lost Tapes" which is available for download on his soundcloud.

SoVocab's mission statement is to "relate to those who need someone to relate to."

Here's the song with stream/download capability.

Best,

Felix

Today's Song - Games by Skrip ft. Kidd

Skrip has been featured on Redeeming Rap before as a feature, but he's the main artist in "Games." Kidd, who recently just dropped an album, is featured in this and lays some nice bars down in the opening. "Games" confronts the difficulty in trying to be a responsible man in a society pushing limits on modesty, relationships, and adolescence as a whole. It's not saying men are not partly responsible, it's saying that there are two sides of the story.

Here's some of the wisdom:

Aww - playing games - I ain't playing with you

You ain't got a ring - I ain't laying with you...

I ain't changing directions, I ain't tryna divert

You said we just friends, why you bein a flirt?

All y'all wanna play games x 16

She on instagram tryna get an instant man

About a hundred likes so she think she a hundred grand...

She mad that dudes playin but she in that game too...

Called out though.

Here's the stream/free download!

Best,
Felix

Today's Song - Pain by LK

LK may not be an easy rapper to find, but he should be. I am saying that based off the one song I've heard by him. That's how good this is. I'm gonna go exploring more now though. The amount of truth, hope, and faith put into 5 minutes of a banging instrumental produced by Noodles is startling.

I think a difficulty some rappers with good flow have is getting their words to be entirely audible and for their message to get across. LK does not have that problem.

Here's some of his crystal clear message:

(Intro)

You see I know we can get away from this pain if we are willing to call on Jesus' name. But you see I also know that people feel the same pain every day and they feel like Jesus is turning and walking away. But that's not the case though.

I know the pain you feel is real

But I know that Jesus heals

I know the pain you feel is real

You try to cure it by drinking and popping pills

It feels like it's working but not for real

These are what I like to call temporary thrills

Drinking till you can't remember what happened the past night

Tryna hide your pain so you living in a mask like

It's the 31st of the 10th month 

None of that works by itself so you on your 10th blunt!...

Jesus can calm the storm 

and perform

the work in you

that heals the hurt in you

Cast your cares on Him

and your burdens too...

Bars. That's all I gotta say.

Stream/Download it here and follow the man on twitter for his new stuff - I'll be over it too!

Best,

Felix