Corey Wise is one example of the handful of independent hip-hop artists who have cemented Christian hip-hop (CHH) as a viable force to compete with across all genres in 2017. Midway through the year Wise has already released two meaty projects, with the release of Vision back in February and now his latest project titled Focus! in July.
Wise dropped two singles in advance of the EP. First up was "Motives" featuring Jarry Manna of the indie tribe. camp. The heart behind the single is both artists finding their motivation rooted in Christ and His example, regardless of the obstacles faced. The mellow vibes were produced by The Real Age, and this track is poised to become a weekend anthem. The next single, titled "Fire Emoji," is your classic hip-hop trap track interlaced with Wise's pronounced faith. The lyrics shine: "I was saved by grace and I'm looking ahead / bear a cross everyday by the Spirit I'm led." Wise handles the basic concepts of CHH to near perfection with samples, production and lyrical content.
Other standouts include "Welcome To Your Tape," which documents a devotion to his wife with lines like "Netflix and chill, that ain't really us, more like SVU, some popcorn cuddled up," and "New Job" which showcases Wise's exceptional flow, wordplay and love for hip-hop. A personal favorite from the overall project is "Fly Away" featuring Bee. The song highlights God's everlasting grace, our brokenness and the comforting strength from Him which we find in our faithful walk. The tempo is significantly slowed down from most of the other tracks, nearly mimicking an outcry of worship.
The Bottom Line: Corey Wise has sprinted through the start of his CHH career with two solid projects offering promise for years to follow. It's evident that Wise is rooted in not only his own faith, but biblical principles found in God's Word. He is out to prove that being Christ-centered and energetic in music doesn't have to be corny, and his example is to be commended as some of the best material available.
Song To Download Now:
"Fly Away" featuring Bee (Get it on iTunes here.)
to add lyrics if not listed.
