Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins is a mega producer who has produced music for artists like Michael Jackson, Beyonce, and Lady Gaga. However, the one thing he has always maintained is his strong faith in Christ. He has never been ashamed of his faith regardless of who he has produced for. He has a loving wife (artist Joy Enriquez) who is on fire for God along with four talented children who all love the Lord.

Within the last four years, I've noticed how engaged Darkchild was in the Christian hip hop community. He would comment on artists' Instagram posts and showed support while also offering advice. Fast forward to now, Darkchild has rolled out his label, Alienz Alive, that features artists Gawvi, IMRSQD, Jon Keith, Alex Jean, and TJ Carroll. This is a collective group with a versatile reach of genres. On May 28, most of the artists released a new single. This is definitely an exciting time for Rodney Jerkins and the Alienz Alive roster.

Gawvi, "Into the Atmostfear" 

Gawvi is back! He made some mistakes, but was was discipled and restored by trusted leaders. He was approached and mentored by Rodney after working in his studio ten years prior. Now Gawvi is on Alienz Alive and is back with the two part single "Into the Atmosfear." It's a song of repentance, healing, hope and being ready to launch into something new. There are the elements of Gawvi he is known for, including the EDM BPM's with etheral synthesizer. After being down for a while, he is back in the atmosphere of life, but with a focus on Christ like never before. He slows it down a bit for Part two, backed by a pulsating beat. "Yeah, the spirit's still alive, yeah the spirit's still alive/Take the plank out my eye, hope you ready for the fire/Had a lot of lonely nights to get up out the hills/God broke the seal/my mama real/I got a deal." 
 
Jon Keith, "Bags"

Jon Keith has been blazing for several years now. From his song releases to being part of the Indie Tribe to guesting on songs like Lecrae's "Misconception 4," Jon has been an inspiring guy. His transparency with his struggles is a great help to those who feel isolated when they face depression, anxiety or struggle (at times) with their Faith. Not one to be boxed in, He released the alternative "Bags." This is clever song about a girl who's carrying a lot of life's weights. Jon is trying to encourage her to watch who she's listening to because they may be adding to the baggage she is carrying. CJ Francis is on the production,adding an infectious beat and summer vibe to jam to. 
  IMRSQD, "Don't Do Molly"

IMRSQD is a Nambian born artist residing in London. He's a multitalented aritst, who toggles back and forth between alternative, R&B and Hip Hop. He was a 2022 Rapzilla freshman and even had a song on the '23 Madden soundtrack. He had already released several songs on Alienz Alive including "Bobby," Woosah," "Taxi," "Shine Now," and more. Technically speaking, he was Alienz Alive's first artist. Just the title alone, "Don't Do Molly," is an attention-grabber. His vocals are a bit distorted to the point that it seems as if he wants the listener to really dig for the meaning of the song. However, it's a song of a young person who is high strung and not wanting to die young. The song is catchy even as it leaves me scratching my head. 
 
TJ Carroll, "I Rather"

TJ Carroll has been releasing music for a few years before his Alienz Alive launch. Here, the rapper makes it real clear of his intentions in life on "I Rather."  In a world of selfish indulgence, rappers beefing and more, TJ would rather spend time with God, his wife, and grind for the things needed for life. He has a family looking up to him, and he is determined to make them proud. Dylan Hyde cooked up the beat while TJ rides on and off the beat with this flow consistent with several young rappers. Two minutes in length, "I Rather" gives a preview of what is to come for TJ Carroll on the new label. 
 
Alex Jean, "I Need Faith"

"I was stuck in my mind/I couldn't get out I needed you (faith)/It felt like a prison/Forever was doing my time/I need Your Word so I can break out of mine." These are the words that Alex Jean spews out to begin "I Need Faith." It's an honest plea and longing for God to help him in desperate times. Yet, he concedes to the fact that God met him in his time of need. Alex has definitely been creating a buzz with his baritone voice with some comparison to the late rapper Pop Smoke. He has been going hard for the last few years, and it's dope to see him as another part of the new "roster." Another solid draft pick by Alienz Alive.
 
Jon Keith & Torey D'Shaun, "God's Hand" 

This label is not messing around, and it's important to have artists who go in line with their vision and drive. Jon Keith recently released "God's Hands," just a few weeks after releasing "Bags." In his first verse, Jon talks about leaving things to God. The singing is nice. However, Torey D'Shaun comes in so much harder that even Jon admitted during a live stream that Torey "bodied him." Although it is all love, Jon is just acknowledging the heat that Torey brought with his verse. Torey faked us out starting melodically with "I'm torn in between the two," but switches gears into bars, "I'm choosing life life/Can't die yet/Rappers eating other rappers/I'm on a different beef, I'm on a diet/God coming back, don't cry yet/He gon' make it alright, We con' be alright/Leave on a high note like Mariah/Carry me all the way to the Messiah." He then flips back into the melodic flow, but he definitely ate with the lyrics. 
 
Gawvi, "Doors Down" 

Gawvi's second release, "Doors Down," has him talking about the fact that he has to knock down more doors. This came after throwing away award winning plaques due to the pain attached to various accolades. However, he is fired up, ready to represent Christ while doing things in excellence. He also celebrates having close friends who are walking with the Lord. His autotuned singing comes against a bass-heavy, slowed down beat, and horn-styled synthesizer. "Doors Down" is  a solid follow-up to "Into the Atmostfear," and Gawvi's production is on point here.