 DGray's Artist Comments |
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Enter This Mission | Posted May 14, 2010
DJ Official has held down turntables since Christian Rap was introduced back in the 1990s. He made beats for the pioneering rap group "Cross Movement" starting in 2000 and toured with them as their lone DJ. Ten years later, after much progress and cementing his place as a hip hop legend, DJ Official has released his first full length album. Entermission's basis is to explain that "We just don't do missions. Missions is who you are." as Dr. Eric Mason articulates in the introduction. It is a compilation featuring 20 Christian hip hop artists around the nation including Lecrae (best known for his song "Jesus Muzik"; and sophomore album Rebel), Grammy-nominated artist Flame, Trip Lee, and Tedashii. Lecrae and Flame kick off the album with the danceable and hype-infested "Show Off". Starting the album with the most prominent names in Christian hip hop definitely paid off on this compilation, for it gives you the heart of the album of showing off Christ everywhere with no relenting for anyone. The next track does not slow down with "Use Me" from the deep mono-toned voice of Tedashii, who's known for taking heavy 808s to minister in a unique and powerful way. Newcomers J.A.Z. and Magellen hammer "Streets of New York" which addresses the struggle to preach the gospel in the midst of gunshots while Trip Lee encourages us to "Get Busy" and to get out of our seats and do something for Christ in a swagfull slow jam.
In a very different direction, DJ Official takes us on a hip hop reggae trip with "Love Fallen" with artist Gems, Jahaziel, and Benjah. It's a different sound, and for ones who are not necessarily reggae fans, it's still a song worth not skipping. Lecrae returns with a very heartfelt duo with R&B/eclectic singer J.R. in "Nothing Without You" addressing being spiritually burnt out, feeling like nothing, walking away from God, doubting God, but desperately clinging to Him in the end.
Sho Baraka's "Chaos" has been heralded as the best song on the album. He speaks about the out of control things that happens to us on a daily basis and how some believe there's supposed to be a God out there to stop all this evil. It's a very immersible and relateable song to every person who's ever been angry for things that happen in their lives and why life is the way it is. "Chisel Me" brings the southern styles horns into play with a war-like mentality beat with legendary DJ, K-Drama, along with This'l and Tedashii to put their own flavor in the piece.
"On my 116" is the headliner of the album. It features the four heads of the Christian Hip Hop industry all in one incredible song; Lecrae, Trip Lee, Tedashii, and Sho Baraka. As Lecrae echoes "I'm on my Imago Dei" -image of God in Greek- in the chorus, they all give us their unique lyrical content explaining how nothing has changed through their success that they have attained and that no matter what the circumstances are, they will be unashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16). The next three tracks feature artists that aren't as noticed as the others but still play a massive parts in the songs "Streets of Philadelphia", "Missio Dei", and "Forward Me" with Mac The Doulous of duo group Everyday Process, Ackdavis, R-Swift, God's Servant, and smooth singer Cam showing their case to be noticed for good. "Streets of Philadelphia" may offer the best instrumental DJ Official made on the project.
He rounds it up with a "Thank You" for listening to his album with a sound that makes you feel like you just won a
championship game. In the bonus version of this album, DJ Official and Trip Lee offer a remix to Trip Lee's "Eyes Open" that was originally from his well sold sophomore release 20/20. While the original version features singer J.R., Sho Baraka is the guest of the remix.
Entermission has an original, exclusive, instrumentation that will be edifying to any admirer of hip hop and ultimately, Jesus Christ. You can find this on iTunes, at Wal-Mart (in-store and online), Amazon, or from reachrecords.com. The following links take you directly to the preceding websites.
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