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