Passion and Skill
Posted November 29, 2016
By DwayneLacy_NRT, Staff Reviewer
Bizzle has been one of the most consistent artists in CHH in the last 5 years. Many of us were introduced to him by way of his aggressive raps geared at Jay-Z, which had him immediately drawing fire. He has challenged the black community while also defending them when he feels like injustice has reared its ugly head. No one can deny his flow, his passion for Christ and his desire to see God's name honored and respected. He gained the respect of very noted producer Boi-1-Da and they have collaborated on several albums, including the brand-new Crosses & Crowns. The Cratez and C-Life handle the core of the production with beats by Marv4MoBeats, The Dilemma, Macniff, Curtiss King and Snaz.
Bizzle features his brothers from his God Over Money Squad, including Sevin, Datin, Bumps Inf and Selah the Corner. They linked up on the "God Over Money Cypher," which is chock-full of nice punch lines with the heat provided by Boi-1-Da. Bizzle fans know he is pretty raw with what he says, but you will do a double take on his intense verse on this cypher.
On "We Here Now," he goes at folks who want Christians to stay quiet and even folks who believe Christianity is a "white man's religion." Bizzle is not playing around. Against the backdrop of a banging slowed-up beat, Bizzle reminds ladies they are "Royalty" and not to settle.
Sometimes he puts some very personal and private conversations into his songs for all to hear his struggles, as is the case on "Work It Out." This is a letter to his wife asking her to work with him to fix things in their marriage that are in disarray. This song may be an encouragement to other Christians not to put up a facade and to truly address issues in their marriage. He then picks things up and sings to her via "Forever Love (After the Storm Interlude)."
Dove Award Winner (and one of my favorite singers) Jonathan McReynolds lends his smooth vocals to "Knock Off Love." Bizzle relentlessly goes into territory that others will not. He and Jonathan explain that God's love is not flighty, that it is basically the antithesis of what much of society glorifies.
In a collaboration that proves the love between the Reach Records and God Over Money camps, KB and Bizzle join forces and give us some nice bars on "All I Know." Bizzle and H.U.R.T. get gritty while Bizzle snaps over the vintage Dr Dre-styled beat by Marv4MoBeats on "Hands On the Air."
The Bottom Line: Some may think Bizzle is an acquired taste because he is so bold about his faith, honest about issues and doesn't back down. However, he is someone whose voice is needed and who I have tremendous respect for. To top it all off, the dude has skills. Cross and Crosses does not disappoint.
Song to Download Now:
"Hands in the Air" (Get it on iTunes here.) View All Music And Book Reviews By DwayneLacy_NRT | View DwayneLacy_NRT's Profile
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