The 6th is a project that explores the topic of anthropology (the study of man). FLAME addresses the most important and crucial issues concerning our humanity from a Christian worldview. God created man, both male and female, on the 6th day. It’s on that day He gave us the responsibility to rule the earth and to fill it with His image. It is there that God deposited purpose, value, and meaning to our race. However, because sin entered our world through the disobedience of Adam, mankind has fallen far away from our original purpose.
The album will explore both the positive and negative aspects of who we were, who we are, and who we can be. The overarching theme is, only in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, can man return to our original state. Upon repentance and faith Jesus reestablished the image of God in the person and by the Holy Spirit, and continues to make them more like Himself. In Christ, Paradise lost becomes Paradise restored and enhanced!
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The Face of the CCM Hip-Hop Movement| Posted March 19, 2012 Flame needs no introduction to the longtime rap fan. Having started back in 2005, he has released five full-length albums packed with lyrical punch and chock full of musical meatiness. Garnering multiple Dove and Stellar Award nominations over the course of his career, his biggest release came with 2010’s Captured, his first endeavor on Clear Sight Records--a label he founded. It landed all over Billboard charts--Christian and mainstream alike--during its first week in release, and garnered him the successful rap single, “Surrender,” featuring young up-and-coming Clear Sight singer V.Rose.
Taking a thematic approach to his sixth album, the appropriately titled The 6th, Flame chose to focus on the state of mankind.
“Really, it’s a study of anthropology as we look at mankind from many different angles,” he says, “God deposited so much meaning--and purpose--into us as humans. So I wanted to explore what that means. Are we still where He intended us to be? How far have we actually fallen from the pace, and how do we return to our original purpose? Those are the questions I explore in this album.”
The 6th stars off with the blaring “Try Me,” about the world trying to keep believers down, but God pulling them though, and transitions right into the project’s musical focal point, “The 6th Day,” reminding the human race of our purpose in life and of our God’s incredible love for us.
“The Great Deception”--coming almost as a sequel to the previous track--talks about the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. It’s a heavy song, but it ends with the ever present reminder that Christ came to break the curse of Adam over our lives and eternally set us free.
The punchy “Show Out,” featuring GRAMMY Award-nominated artist Lecrae, tackles the issue of pride and sends a much-needed reminder that it’s God who deserves the glory. This is an issue both rappers talk about constantly on each of their albums, so it’s only fitting that they would come together and produce something spectacular regarding the subject.
Other songs on the album such as “Scripture Alone”, “Christ Alone”, “Running”, “Against The World” and “Let Go”--a brilliant duet with CCM Southern rock group DecembeRadio--serve as three-minute musical sermons of sorts. They all ultimately lead us back to a place of surrender before God, and do so in a fresh and relevant way that never loses your attention.
It’s clear to see how much Flame has spiritually and lyrically matured since his last album, but there are still a few clarification issues on this project that are hard to overlook. Songs such as “Trap Money” (about the deceitfulness of riches), “Caught In The Lights” (another duet with V.Rose) and the haunting “Devil’s Bread” unfortunately send muddled messages to the listener. While it’s clear Flame has a boldly honest approach to his lyrics, they could be perceived by some as too aggressive and judgmental. (For example, “Caught In The Lights” talks about giving up on dreams. He’s talking about giving up on the world’s dreams, but it could easily be taken as giving up on one’s own.)
The true highlight on this record however comes in the quirky “He Did It Again” with rapper AD3, reminiscing our past lives without Christ and sharing the truth that living with Christ as our Savior is what gives our lives meaning. It stands apart from the other rap-focused moments on this record and uses a techno/pop beat to amplify the positive message in the lyrics. It has the appeal to become a radio hit if released, and I would love to see that happen.
Closing Thoughts: Flame has established a name for himself in the Christian hip-hop/rap community and for good reason. His melodies are top-notch and his rhyming skills are unrivaled. Fans of this genre of music will love the relevant beats and passionate tunes found on this project. Still, while a phenomenal album from a musical standpoint, the lyrics tend to be foggy. While unintentional, many of the songs end up sending mixed messages, often sounding brash and condemning all the while singing about God‘s unchanging love. I suppose it’s all in the ear of the beholder, and regardless, The 6th serves up some of the most honest and thought provoking lyrics of Flame’s fast rising career.
For anyone who is looking to discover the urban movement happening in CCM, The 6th serves as a perfect place to start. Fresh, relevant and honest, fans of this style will love Flame’s bold delivery and world class approach to his music.
Flame: The 6th| Posted March 31, 2012 Flame has long been part of the Christian rap scene. The 6th is ironically his sixth album, and he has also recently started his own record company, Clear Sights Music, on which he has signed V. Rose and Young Noah (both of which appear on this record several times). The album goes through the journey of man and all the lies we have conjured up and the fall of man. But Flame contrasts that with the love of Christ and how he conquered death to save us from the lies and stupidity of this world. The concept of the album is spectacular.
The first song, "Try Me," with Young Noah is really a hit or miss. I have a feeling some people are going to love it, and others are going to hate it, which is mostly because of Young Noah. Personally I love the song, and it has become one of my pump songs. But I could definitely see where people could get really annoyed with Young Noah's hook. Even at times I can get tired of hearing his voice.
Any song with Lecrae is automatically going to be one of the top tracks on an album. "Show Out" is a great song with a really great message behind it, which is all about bragging on Jesus and how great He is. Flame said, in a press release, of the song, "Jesus showed up on the cross and showed out when he was resurrected." This song has some of the greatest lyrics and greatest one liners on the album. Lecrae of course did a spectacular job, but Flame did a really great job on his verse too. The two mix together really well.
"Trap Money" was the first song released from the record, and truthfully it had to grow on me. After listening to it probably three times though, it has become my favorite song on the record. The song deals with the trap that so many people fall into, which is that money will bring happiness - which is clearly false. Thi'sl's verse is spot on, and he sounds better than ever. Young Noah impressed me with his verse as well, and it has really made me excited to hear some new stuff from him.
After the sixth song, "Man," the album really drops off, which is pretty upsetting to me. The rest of the songs are really mediocre. The beats are mediocre and the rapping and guest vocals are mediocre. V. Rose really disappointed me with her guest spots. I guess I expect so much from her because of how amazing she sounded on "Surrender" from Flame's last album Captured. "Running" with Steve T is one I automatically skip over and I do the same with "Christ Alone." A few of the other songs I'll skip to a verse or two and that is it. I wish he had carried on the greatness of the first six tracks to the rest of the album. Probably the one song I like in the later tracks is "He Did it Again" with AD3. It sounds like secular rapper Flo Rida a little bit and has some great lyrics and one of the better beats.
I will give him one thing though, "Let Go," was a decent way to end the album. That is the other song at the end of the album I like. This new trend of having CCM artists on rap songs is really cool, and DecembeRadio was a really awesome choice. The song is all about how everything man is searching for is found in Jesus. It is only in Him that we are truly alive. He truly satisfies us.
Unfortunately The 6th was a little of a disappointment to me because I really enjoyed Captured, and I really liked Our World Redeemed. Do not get me wrong, there are some really good songs on this album, but as an overall project it just does not compare to his last two, but especially Captured. I have a feeling I will still be listening to this one every once and awhile, but I every time I finish listening to the album I come away feeling like something is missing from it.
Favorite Song: Trap Money
Favorite Lyrics: "Simply put man, we blasted. Hope you read me, printing press. One day we blastin' off, Apollo 11. Can't pay for your sin. It won't get you in Heaven." (From the song "Man")
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from The Christian Music Review Blog. Click here to visit today!
The 6th| Posted October 24, 2014
The album is just amazing, I just love the way Flame uses scripture in all his albums, it just affirms to his background. A strong foundation in the word. I also love the way he also relates to what is going on in the world, this will definitely open your eyes to the one and true God for those that are searching for him.
The 6th is quite possibly the best| Posted March 13, 2012
Dare I say it? ...Yes, FLAME's newest album The 6th is better than his last!
I considered Captured, FLAME's 5th album, to be his personal best and possibly one of the best albums of rap (Christian and otherwise) created. Upon hearing that he was coming out with another album, I was excited but unsure if he could top his last creation. Sure enough, he not only matched it but surpassed it.
If you haven't listened to it yet- go listen! If you aren't sure about rap in general but are curious about this- go listen! If you're cruising by this page and haven't heard of FLAME's songs- go listen!
FLAME AT HIS BEST!| Posted March 08, 2012
There is no question as to why this album debuted at #1 on iTunes Hip-Hop and #8 on iTunes Top Albums overall across all genres! I have been a FLAME fan since he first hit the scene in 2004 with his debut album. Each of his albums hit me in a different way and there are different things that I like about each of them. When it comes to "The 6th," it seems like he has combined all of his strengths and saturated this album with them! The album shows the reality of him being a seasoned rapper who has been in the game for awhile. He knew exactly what he was doing which resulted in a top-notch performance. Honestly, I love every song on this album. I find myself getting ready to skip to my favorite songs, but can't! There aren't any to skip! You can tell the songs were thought through when it came down to the production, content, lyrics, concepts, and flow. Some of my favorite songs are "Caught in the Lights," "Try Me," "Running," "Let Go," "Great Deception," "Devil's Bread," and "He Did it Again." I DEFINITELY recommend this album to everyone! You will NOT be disappointed! He really brought his A-game!
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