Looking for Love? Look in the Right Place!

Before I gave my life to Christ, I felt like something was missing from my life. I tried to fill the emptiness with new clothes, new shoes, new stuff for the house, or even new love interests. Nothing ever seemed satisfying enough. True, some of the guys I was dating were pretty lame but, even the "amazing" ones were not enough to make me feel complete.

Things are different for me now. Graduating college, securing a specific position, obtaining a certain amount of money, getting married, or having kids didn't cause my current state of joy and contentment - Christ did!

We all have a need to feel loved. Let us look in the right place for love (and show other people where they, too, can find TRUE love)!

Press play on the above video to hear Trip Lee's Lookin For Love, a song about Jesus' love versus man's love.

*To grow your relationship with God, you need to do two things: 1) Read your Bible and 2) Pray!

This Music Video Brought Me Back to God

We have posted many times about how important Christian hip hop is in our lives. I saw the above video by Lecrae in 2008 and, though it touched me deeply, it was not something that caused me to change my course in life. It did, however, plant a seed.

I was saved in April 2010 and a friend shared with me that he only listens to Christian hip hop. He gave me a few songs by several artists. When he gave me the names of the songs and artists, one name looked familiar: Lecrae! Everything had come full circle. Now here I am four years after first hearing "Prayin' For You" and my life is completely different!

This brings me to a good point (if I do say so myself): allow God to use you even if you do not see the fruits of your labor! The seeds that He will plant in others through you WILL change lives!

Do you like this song/video? Leave a comment below!

Buy Lecrae's 2006 album After the Music stops

Buy Lecrae's single Prayin' for You

Explain to Your Fans Why Barbie Has Her Hands in Another Woman's Pants: Song to Nicki Minaj

We have said before how influential hip hop is in our culture and community. In Bizzle's song to Nicki Minaj, he poses very good questions and presents relevant points regarding Nicki's music (and, really all secular rap/hip hop). What do you think about what he has to say; is his argument strong enough to cause you to shield your children from such music?

Because Bizzle is largely a "mixtape artist," this beat is from another song. We are just not sure which one because it has been a long while since we listened to the radio!

Let us know what you think about the song. Leave a comment below!

Level 3:16 "Love" Music Video

We are BIG supporters of Christian music, specifically hip hop because of its potential impact on our community. Music can greatly influence our thoughts, emotions, and, therefore, help determine our actions. Similar to eating properly, we believe that exposing ourselves to good, inspiring music as opposed to offensive, demeaning, and empty music is essential. Music is food to our souls--we just have to decide if we are going to feed our soul things of nourishment or junk!

This song has a great beat and lyrics and the video quality is amazing! Just click on that little triangle up there and you will see what we mean.

If you like this song, you can buy the single! Also, check out their album  (this song is new and not included).

What do you think of this video? Leave a comment below!

Christian Hip Hop: Does God Judge Appearances?

MUSIC MONDAYS

So many people are worried about what those at the Church may say about them. I know that most people don't like to be the center of attention, so when you go to a new place you want to at least look the part. What we have to understand and/or remember is that we can never please "man", you can be the biggest philanthropist, humanitarian or even the most Christ like and people will find a way to hate you or talk about you. So keep in mind why you're at the church in the first place, you're there to serve and learn about God, everything else is irrelevant. We all love Christian music but even Christian hip hop is scrutinized by Church folk.


Purchase Albums from The Ambassador here: Christology, The Thesis, The Chop Chop: From Milk To Meat

Christian Hip Hop: The Aftermath of Abortion

MUSIC MONDAYS

Whoa, where do I begin with this song. It would be so easy to judge this man when you're not standing in his shoes. Maybe if you were in his shoes you would have had the courage to make the right decision, maybe not. All I can say is that I could have bee there. My wife and I made some bad decisions when we were teenagers, those decisions could have easily made us teen parents. We actually really thought that would be our reality so we decided to plan for an abortion, man its crazy as to how good of a researcher I became during that time. Fortunately we alluded the scare but sadly we didn't learn a thing cause we continued with the sexual acts.

[smartads]

I even accompanied a friend once to the abortion clinic to have the operation. No, I wasn't the father, I was just trying to be a good friend. That experience still haunts me until this day. My advice to everyone reading is to never even consider this as an option. If this is a true story, Willie Will give you much love for the transparency and the tribute to your unborn child. This is another example of Christian hip hop enriching the lives of those emerged in it.

Purchase Albums from Willie Will here: Rhyme & Reason, Reflection and America's Most Needed

Christian Hip Hop: Transformer Into A Christian

MUSIC MONDAYS

Tedashii is featuring his Reach Records teammates Lecrae and Trip Lee on this blazing track. This is not the official video for this song but it would have been nice to see the Transformers 2 movie soundtrack be filled with Christian hip hop artist. The track speaks for itself. I'm sure we all could use a change, it would be nice if we could just transform at an instant or at least over night and shed our skin of sin. Well that's not possible, but we do have the ability to renew ourselves over time. Let's transform our walk and our talk and REP JESUS until the end!

Purchase Albums from Tedashii here: Kingdom People, Identity Crisis and his two new singles Bury Me Ft. Lecrae and Brand New

Christian Hip Hop: Here Lies A Follower Of Christ

MUSIC MONDAYS

What if no one cared to provide you with a tombstone after you passed away? Would it even matter to you? This Christian hip hop song "No Tombstone" by C-Lite touched me in more than one way. 1. This young man is committed to serving Christ and sharing his faith with others (How many of us Christians actually do this?) 2. In the video he lost his life protecting an innocent young boy from a group of I guess you can say drug dealers. We're losing our young people to violence way to often. I pray for the day that Christians (myself included) have the love, courage and attitude to save God's people from going down the wrong path.

Keep this in mind, we all have to go in the ground one day, but the questions is...will you help someone commit their life to Christ before then?

Christian Hip Hop: Crime Doesn't Pay?

MUSIC MONDAYS

Man, I've know folk that have been run up in people's houses. That's like robbing a liquor store or convenient store. How much do you truly expect to gain? I sure they never really consider the consequences; prison time or the possibility that you may never walk out of that house or place of business alive. Well we all know that crime will never end cause the Bible never says so. I just wish that certain types of crime would stop, the really senseless ones that involve the innocent.


Purchase Albums from R. Swift here: Revolutionary Theme Muzik and Anthem

Christian Hip Hop: Just Wild Out!

MUSIC MONDAYS

This is the first R&B artist to make the Music Mondays list. Canton Jones is a veteran in the game, he has multiple albums and has really made a name for himself all over the country. He truly has something for everyone, if you feel Christian hip hop or R&B is to water down or doesn't bang hard enough then you have to listen to Canton. He is what I call the crossover medium. When you listen to his beatz, tempo, flow and delivery I can guarantee you will be amazed and although its gospel, you'll continue to listen.


As of late I've become a huge fan of Canton Jones and the movement that he's responsible for. Because of all the artist that he feature on his tracks I've learned of many other artist I may never would have come across.

Purchase Albums from The Ambassador here: Love Jones, Kingdom Business, Kingdom Business pt.2 Featuring The Cajo Family and Kingdom Business 3

Christian Hip Hop: Club Banger or Church Banger?

MUSIC MONDAYS

I say both, no one in a club would know that this is a gospel song until they focus in on the lyrics. If you don't like this song, then I'm sorry, I don't know what else to do. This goes harder than hard, Gideonz Army has taken Christian hip hop to the next level. I wouldn't mind seeing these dudes in concert, and that chance may come sooner than later cause they reside in the A, ATL that is. This genre has it all, and the mix tapes that are dropping left and right. It's a new movement!

Christian Hip Hop: We're At War...Spiritually

MUSIC MONDAYS

If you were looking for a banger, well...I think you may have found it. How many Christians are ready to put on the boxing gloves and "Make War" with our society? It's time to put up or shut up. Let's fix the things that are tearing up our communities?! My Facebook friends had this to say about the following question "In your opinion what's tearing down the African American communities across America?"

Drugs Gangs Pedophiles Rapist Domestic Violence Child Abandonment (Anyone can be born male, Only God fearing men can be fathers) The music we listen to Images we see portrayed Unified Families Self-hate Lack of Education Skin-tone Division Lack of Support (Community or Small Business) Not knowing our History Babies having babies (you cant teach your children morals if you lack them yourself)

What are we going to do about these problems? Are we going to continue to ignore them like we've done for so long or will we attempt to make a difference? I dare you to be COURAGEOUS and reach out to at least one person and share your God story. You can also look at your own life and realize what God has done for you and then you can create your God story. Christian hip hop has helped me with my confidence to be a rebel for Christ.

Purchase Albums from Tedashii here: Kingdom People, Identity Crisis and his two new singles Bury Me Ft. Lecrae and Brand New

Christian Hip Hop: Who Runs Your CITY?

MUSIC MONDAYS

Ok, I'm a transparent dude and my wife and I are becoming a transparent couple. I say that because it's time to be real. It's 2011 and God will be here before you know it, so I can't play anymore games or procrastinate a minute longer. Tell me, who runs your city? Is it you, the gangs, police, politicians, who? I agree with C-Lite, its God's city, he owns it and everything in it including you! But we all have choices right, we can give him what's rightfully his (which is our hearts, mind and soul) or we can turn our backs on him like so many of us have. That's why I'm such a fan of Christian hip hop, they have a message to deliver and that message comes from the Bible.

Let me ask you some questions...Why do we "keep it real" with our boys and have their backs, willing to lie and sometimes die  for them? What real sacrifice have they made for us to go to such great lengths of loyalty? There's someone, a God, thee God, that has done all the things for you that you could ever want someone to do. You just haven't recognized it, your eyes are closed or maybe you've been blinded by societies pressure for you to desires the things of this world. Think about this, instead of you having to suffer or even die for someone, wouldn't it be great if someone was willing to do that for you? *Hint* I know someone that has!!!!!! Look, it's God's city, and he's has temporarily allowed you to reside in it.

Christian Hip Hop: Haiti Earthquake Tribute

MUSIC MONDAYS

It's almost the anniversary of last years catastrophic earthquake that hit the small island of Haiti on January 12, 2010. Haiti is the western hemisphere's poorest nation and the earthquake just made matters worse. With so many dead and yet to be found many Haitians have no where to go. They are on an island! It's not like the victims of Katrina, although that is definitely one of the saddest things I have witnessed in my short 28 years of existence. Those that suffered the extreme loses in New Orleans and some hope of just getting out of the city/state. There is nowhere to go when you're on of the poorest islands in the world.

That's why this song is so great, music has a way of bringing hope during moment of despair. Two things that give me hope are the gospel of Christ Jesus and music, and this song is a collaboration of both. On February 5, 2010 Lecrae released a soft sound of Christian hip hop with "Far Away" as a tribute to those in Haiti and their struggles. Lecrae has promised that all proceeds from the single's sales will go directly to the Haiti relief effort. Lecrae is trying to reach our hearts, his lyrics are so powerful that it will stir up your emotions. The single peaked at #32 on the iTunes Hip Hop singles chart, the first Christian Hip Hop song to do so.

What happened in Haiti was extremely tragic. I can't imagine waking up to learn that I will never again see majority of the people that I have ever met. It's to much to fathom, so I sure most of us really can't wrap our heads around the magnitude of this tragedy. I know it may seem so long ago because it's no longer on the front page of every magazine but the people in Haiti need our support. I pray that God will ease the pain and suffering of those affected by this catastrophic event.

If you would like to get involved and help those in Haiti please visit this site for more information A Home in Haiti.

Purchase Albums from Lecrae here: After The Music Stops, Real Talk, Rebel, Rehab, Rehab: The Overdose and Far Away (Haiti Relief)
.

Christian Hip Hop: Invade Us

MUSIC MONDAYS

The first single of the Between Two Worlds album. I must say this is my favorite Trip Lee album, he definitely knock it out the park with this one. The "Invasion" is actually one of my least favorite song on the album, so if you enjoy this song you are definitely in for a treat. I had the pleasure of experiencing the Christian hip hop Unashamed Tour which featured Trip Lee and man I'll definitely vouch for Trip, he has great stage presence and he's a great performer.

Purchase Trip Lee albums here: If They Only Knew, 20/20 and Between Two Worlds

Christian Hip Hop: Get a "Real Vision" With This Song!

MUSIC MONDAYS

Trip Lee did his thing here with "Real Vision" featuring Tedashii. Just in case you don't who Tedashii is, he is a beast on the track. We'll be posting some of his tracks in the near future.

Trip Lee and Tedashii are Christian hip hop artist and members of 116 Clique with Reach Records.

Purchase Trip Lee albums here: If They Only Knew, 20/20 and Between Two Worlds

Christian Hip Hop: Are You A Goon?

MUSIC MONDAYS

For some reason everyone that thinks of themselves as a "goon" or have goons for homeboys seem to gravitate to hip hop, or should I say rap. For those of you that don't know what a "Goon" is, it's a person that is a bully or thug; someone hired to terrorize or do away with the opposition. J'son and the crew are calling you out. Grown men calling themselves goons got teenagers across America trying to emulate them.

Real men despise these so-called goons. I understand this society expects African American men to behave a certain way--they expect us to damage and demoralize our women and communities. I must say, we haven't let them down.  Christian hip hop has everything we like about hip hop/rap, the best part is that it uplifts our women and communities at the same time.

Well, this is the last video for the year, don't worry we have a lot of hot music to bring to you in 2011. As long as these talented artist continue to push the kingdowm, we'll continue to deliver.

Purchase Albums from J'son here: City Lights, Life on Life and Seasoning Pastor AD3 Copycat

Christian Hip Hop: This Song Is Fire!

MUSIC MONDAYS

Now this joint is on fire, I bump this in my ride all across Atlanta. The Ambassador knocked this one out the park, Christian hip hop artist are human just like every other entertainer. They are not exempt from the trials and tribulations of the rest of us. If you are a fan of The Ambassador you may or may not know about the trials he's faced over the past year. He has attempted to reach us (his fans and supporters) with a video and written apology, watch it here.

Purchase Albums from The Ambassador here: Christology, The Thesis, The Chop Chop: From Milk To Meat

Christian Hip Hop: Too Smooth 2 B Christian Music

MUSIC MONDAYS

"Joyful Noise" featuring Lecrae and John Reilly is a banger.  It is off Flame's fourth album, "Our World Redeemed." This album debuted in the No. 5 position on the Bilboard Top Gospel Chart, No. 1 slot on Soundscan’s CMTA R&B/Hip-Hop Chart, and No. 7 position on iTunes’ mainstream Rap Chart. "Our World Redeemed" was nominated for Best Gospel Rap Album of the year. It was also nominated for the prestigious Grammy Award for Best Gospel Rap/Rock album of the year.

We are in high anticipation for Flame's fifth project "Captured" which is scheduled to be released later this month.

Flame is no longer with Cross Movement Records he has now launched his own record label by the name of Clear Sight Music. His goal is to create another avenue for artist to spread the gospel through their Christian hip hop art form.

Purchase Albums from Flame here: Flame, Rewind, Our World: Fallen, Our World Redeemed and Captured

Christian Hip Hop: Christian Hip Hop Love Song (With Bonus video)

MUSIC MONDAYS

Sho Baraka's "We Can Be More" is off his latest album "Lions and Liars." This Christian hip hop love song is teaching brothers a subtle approach on how to catch the eyes of that special woman. I think back to before my wife and I got married, I used to go out of my way to impress her and make sacrifices for her.

To all the fellas out there, if you got a good girl, represent her to the fullest. Go all out for your woman and show God that you know how to treat a queen!

Sho Baraka is a member of 116 Clique with Reach Records.


Bonus Video: "Oh Well" by Sho Baraka



Purchase Albums from Sho Baraka here: Turn My Life Up and Lions and Liars