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The Ambassador Is Stopping His Funeral | Posted September 18, 2011
As one of the lead members for Christian hip-hop pioneer band The Cross Movement, William “Duce” Branch, better known as The Ambassador, returns to music after a three-year hiatus. During this hiatus, “Duce” experienced what he calls a “death” season, just as he was about to have his “funeral,” God swooped into action and saved him. That season birthed his latest release, Stop The Funeral. This album has an encouraging theme that God will forgive us of our sins and renew us daily.
The album kicks off with the thumping track “A-M.” On this song “Duce” raps about the greatness and glory of our God. This happens to be my favorite off the album, because of its thumping and catchy chorus. Following this track is the enjoyable “Get With Us (Feat. Sean Simmonds).” This song is yet another highlight off the album. “Duce” and Simmonds sing about how God is not distant, but is relational and wants to know and be with us. “Mind Made Up,” although not a highlight off the album, has bold lyrics wound out through it. “Duce” boldly proclaims his affirmation in the fact that Christ is real.
The bouncy track “Pop Pop Pop” includes some great rhythm in “Duce’s” rapping and a great auto-tuned vocal on the chorus. Amidst the catchy rhythm, “Duce” sings about the temptations we all face in our lives. Following the bouncy tune is the first radio single “Up Down (feat. Charmaine).” This track features Aussie singer, Charmaine, and she and Branch sing about how our life can go from going prefect, to in a complete mess, and that we need to prepare for those seasons. This song speaks very much to “Duce’s” “death” season.
“Favor (feat. Canton Jones)” is a great track about how there is nothing we can do to earn our own salvation, but it is only through God himself. “Bring You Out (feat. Melissa T)” although a catchy track, wasn’t one of my favorites. On this track, Melissa and “Duce” sing about how we will never be stuck in a hard time, and that God will bring us out on his timing. “Talk This Way” was a very enjoyable track with its incredible pounding drumbeat. This song talks about how we can never really talk about hope unless we’ve experienced it for ourselves.
“Crumbs (feat. Jessica Ready)” was a highlight off the album, more or less. This song is about three people who just got a little from Jesus, but it was all sufficient for them. “Trust In You (feat. Mali Music)” is about trusting God even when it seems hard. This was another song I didn’t enjoy much.
“Nothing Like Us (feat. Ryan Stevenson and Charmaine)” is totally a highlight off the album. Stevenson, Charmaine, and “Duce” sing about how God’s love is so incredible, and nothing like our way of loving, that it deserves much praise. Following this is the rock/pop/ballad track “Your Love (feat. KJ-52 and Michelle Bonilla)” which has basically the same message as the previous track.
“Put It Down” although a little bit chaotic was one of my favorite tracks on the album. “Duce” lays down the gospel on this track. The closing, seven minute and forty-two second (do you want me to round next time?) “The Reunion Cypha (feat. God’s sERVANT, J.A.Z, Shai Linne, C-Lite, Cruz Cordero, and DJ Wade-O) is a catchy track, but a bit of a drag (given I put the exact time above).
Overall, The Ambassador’s Stop The Funeral was a very enjoyable album. However the album did contain a few weak spots, but other than that this is a great addition to your Christian rap music collection if you like Lecrae and Trip Lee. The bold lyrics also make this a great encouraging album to listen to.
Rating: *********9/10
Top 3 Songs:
1. A-M
2. Get With Us (feat. Sean Simmonds)
3. Pop Pop Pop
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