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Reaching the lost | Posted September-08-2012
Lecrae is back with another album that reminds those familiar with hip hop that drug induced lyrics and stripper anthems are not necessary to make good rap music. Moving from his ever popular Rehab movement Crae brings us Gravity. This cd is sure to please his fans and prove to the rest of the world that Christian rap (don't let Lecrae hear you label it) is just as relevant if not more so than secular Hip Hop. Not many songs stand out as possible fan favourites but certain ones do have what may be considered favorite features. 1.1.Six Clique original Thi'sl appears on Fakin', an appeal to secular artists to keep it real and realize they keep "8th graders with their eyes on the chopper". In an age where middle schoolers bring guns (even realistic bb guns) to school not to do harm but for image, this song is a cultural necessity. another clique originator, Sho Baraka (no longer signed to
Reach Records), appears on Power Trip. This song is full of metaphors sure to please the most lyrically discerning listener. I must also say that lately "theological" doesn't describe Lecrae's lyrics. No more than the book of Esther is. It no less speaks the truth to the culture but if I'm to be picky on semantics, theology is something Gravity lacks. Nevertheless Lecrae has never been one to leave out the gospel. Its foundational to his whole outlook and what the 1.1.Six structured on.
This is probably Lecrae's first release that I believe is worth less than 5 starts. It ends leaving me expecting more from it lyrically and theologically.
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Early 90s West coast fun | Posted September-08-2012
Thanks to a friend of mine, i came to this piece of audible gold 20years late. I wish I new about this cd (or tape) much earlier. I havent stopped bobbing my head to it since track 1. DJ Dove and Super C (aka Sup the Chemist) are genius producers. This album is the perfect blend of in your face witnessing and fun.
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"all they talk about is dope dope dope dope" | Posted August-02-2011
Beautiful Monster is Thi'sl's metaphor for sin, comparable to Lecrae's Killa. He talks about how appealing it is yet will do nothing but kill in the end. Thi'sl was heavy into the drug game before Christ saved his life and he doesn't shy away from letting the world know. Many may miss out on some of the drug references if they've never lived the life. It would seem that those who still "trap", those who still use, and those still in the culture are Thi'sl's target audience with every album.
"Let it Knock", "Beautiful Monster", "Radio on Drugs", and "No Walls" would have to be my favorites. "Let it Knock" is one of those songs that you let down the windows, crank the music up to the max and ride out to. "Radio on Drugs" is a complaint to secular hip hop radio and artists about how the glorifying of drug use and drug selling saturates the air waves and ultimately the minds of our youth. He even says "When your songs go off, i feel i need to take a drug test."
For those who dont care to much for the hard rap then you can probably over-look this cd. This is hard Christian rap for those who can feel what he's talking about, or those who just love the sound.
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where's the beef? | Posted June-03-2011
Reach Records has come a long way as far a production is concerned. The music they put out gets better every year. It can definitely contend with the secular market. My issue is that they seem more concerned with contending with Rick Ross and YMCMB and the deep messeges they used to have are becoming more shallow. Dont get me wrong RR is still one of the most Christocentric rap labels in the world today, but their lyrics lack the theological punch that drew me to them in their older music. They still impress me and i still keep the 1-1-Six sticker on my car's rear window. I'm still proud to crank up Tedashii with the window's down. Today i was repeating my favorites from his latest release and they are NEED IT DAILY, HE LIVES, GET UP, and DUM DUM ft Lecrae(which is sure to be a fan favorie). Keep doin ya thing T.Dot and the rest of the Reach fam, but let's not let the messege take backseat to the music. Amen?
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its a great cd.. of course! | Posted February-13-2011
so what do u say about a cd put out by a man who appearantly cant put out bad cd's? Mission accomplished, again! If you have a bad opinion of this album then its clear u just dont like this type of music. This cd makes me miss having my two 12s in the trunk. Sounthern Christian hip hop at its best.
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top shelf | Posted February-13-2011
This one stays in heaviest rotation. I'm not sure the year it came out. i do know i downloaded it in 2010 which was a few years after it came out. Anyway it is one of my ALL-TIME-FAVORITES. And that's a big claim. This is classy hip hop. It wont get you hyped up. It wont make you want to dance. But it will make you think. It will teach you. For those of us who want substance in our rap, then this is one of the most substantial album available. Its lyrics are essentially doctrinal. There's no guess work here as to what Shai's talking about. And him being the most talented emcee in the industry, he weaves his lyrics together flawlessly in some of the most impressive rhyme schemes in rap. Another added bonus is the couple of interludes that provide soothing instrumentals as you ponder over the words you just heard. I could compare listening to this album to watching a movie. You cant just turn it on for the sake of background noise and expect to form a real opinion of it. You have to turn everything else off, tell your mother to be quiet and dont ask questions till its over. Lol. This isnt the southern style hip hop that most people are embracing these days. This is east coast rap at it's smoothest and finest. Listen with open ears and you cant be dissappointed.
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i knew something was missing | Posted December-07-2010
i read this book a when it first came out and then i knew something was missing from this book. i just didnt know what. i wasnt strong in my walk then but i still knew this book lacked something essential.
REPENTANCE. THE TRUE GOSPEL. thats what this book lacks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI9EzMWZoag&feature=related
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nuthin but the best | Posted October-02-2010
Lecrae is back with his fourth studio album REHAB. The common theme thru out the cd is our need for constant rehabilition from sin, our flesh and from the ways of this world. It starts off with a bass pounding track titled "Check In". Lecrae laments as he reflects on addiction to sin, "It goes on and on and on/ now im used to it/ its my lifestyle now and i dont know what else to do" The second track "Killa" shows how seductive sin is, the reason we can get hooked in the first place. It shows how we get enticed to thinking the sin isnt harmful and that its everything we could want. On the outside "she is beautiful" but "her exterior is black".
The best song in my opinion, is "Just like You". This song by itself was worth buying the whole cd. Crae talks about how he grew up without a dad and how he clung on to any male figure that showed him love, even if they gang banged. Then he shows how pop culture became his teacher. Then finally the only Father that ever matters, God. This song is perfect for men of all ages especially since we are created to be leaders.
"Used to do it too" is another banger. It features HGA member and new 116 alum, KB. As always the message is on point but KB's flow wasnt what i was expecting seeing how HGA is one of those fast rapping groups. I was expecting something like what PRo did on "New Shalom" which is probably my second favorite song on the cd. Its has that Memphis style bounce with the snapping snares and the echoing 808's. Its followed by another favorite "40 Deep" featuring Trip and Tedashii. All i can say about this song is HOT FIRE.
The album is in no way bad, but i must say that i was hoping for more upbeat songs. It might also be that i'm the type of person who skips over the already released singles. Im just happy Reach didnt have any of the best songs come out as singles. Support Reach Records. They are truly GOSPEL hip hop, not just Christian hip hop for the sake of hip hop. The music is truly anointed. It goes deeper than the surface to show man's depravity and the need for the Redeemer.
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grade-A material | Posted September-08-2010
my favorite rap album of the year. if you're a big fan of Reach Records chances are you've heard of PRo (tho he's not signed to RR). i first heard PRo on Trip Lee's latest album and when i heard that PRo's own project was coming out shortly afterwards i knew i would have to get it. there is not one song on the whole cd that i skip. i see big things for this young man's ministry. He'll be on Lecrae's REHAB and expect to hear much more from PRo in the future.
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a step above | Posted March-31-2010
Keeping in line with the rest of the 1-1-Six, Sho Baraka's sophomore Reach Records release was definitley better than his first, and his first was nothing to laugh at. Sho's unique style sets him apart from his lablemates and this album is the most eclectic rap albums i've heard in a while... one that was actually good that is. There isnt one filler on the whole ablum. My favorites are LIONS ANTHEM, SHUT US DOWN, WE CAN BE MORE, ME MYSELF AND I, LIARS ANTHEM, I.T.W.N.O.I, and five the bonus songs at the end of the cd.
go and get it now!!
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