Je'kob is a two-time Dove award winning artist/producer and has been called by iTunes editorial staff a "rap auteur." From his group "Sohljahz," being signed at the age of 19 to Warner Bros/Word Records, to operating independently under the moniker "Washington Projects," and now forging a partnership with Save The City Records, Je'kob has been a trendsetter. This Side Of The Sky follows Je'kob's solo freshman anthology "Faith Hope Love" that included the Billboard hit "Love Is All." This sophomore release creates a theme of seeing design in the natural world, the divine unseen within everyday life.
The first single, "I Believe", tells the story of a child's journey from simple wonderment, to acknowledgement, and finally to the proclamation that we, along with everything around us are all products of intelligent design. And more importantly, that we were designed with a God-given purpose. The concept delves into heavier subjects like "Life On Mars," which advocates for pro-life issues from a unique perspective. In this ambitious project, Je'kob hopes to help people find their faith by bringing them back to the simple things and to wonder.
Click here to add a video. Click to add lyrics if not listed.
Je'kob just keeps grinding| Posted October 09, 2014
Je'kob is a man who is constantly grinding and working hard to make music for the people, do the will of the Father, love and provide for his wife and newborn son, Maddox. He released several EPs, mixtapes and albums within the last three or four years, which makes one wonder, "When does he come up to breathe?"
Although he has struggled at times to differentiate his songs, he also has made quality songs that have made a dent into music libraries (mine included). So without sounding too cliche, his new album, This Side of the Sky is his most complete album to date.
Je'kob is very talented in the sense that he incorporates so many stylistic elements into his albums. With "Hands & Feet," for example, you fill a mid- to slow-tempo pop/rap/worship song with simple guitar strumming to go along with a pulsating beat. It is a song that speaks to believers to be true ambassadors for Christ because there are many in the world who really are hurting and longing for someone to bring hope. Marc Millan--gotta hear more from this guy--nails the chorus with, "Jesus, my soul is bleeding / My body's shouting, 'I want to see Your hands and feet."
"Letting Go" is not only dope because of Je'kob's deeper flow or Josh Lane's vocals on the hook, but the message is the clear winner. He speaks so vividly about the realities of loving his wife so much and the possibility of her dying before him. On the second verse, he speaks of the fear of what his children will have to face in this world when they are brought into this world. Although hard, he knows that he must give it all to God.
Lead single "I Believe" is a feel good song that would fit well in Jamie Grace's catalog because she just has the music to do so. Je'kob nails this one and it would have been epic if Jamie could have made a guest appearance. Longtime fans, have no fear. Je'kob still brings the music that you are used to hearing. "Life On Mars" is a EDM ditty topped with some dubstep elements that talks about how strange it is that we're obssessed with finding life in outer space when we don't respect the babies in our women's wombs. He invites rappers Canon and Deraj to blaze, with songs "Illuminate" and "Supernova" respectively.
Closing Thoughts:
Je'kob is the man, and I have stated before that he is one of the hardest working artists that I have ever heard of. The grind NEVER ends. Thankfully so because This Side of the Sky shows tremendous growth and gives more music to fill the airwaves, phones, etc.
Song to Download Now:
"Life on Mars" (Get it on iTunes here.)
to add lyrics if not listed.
