The Ambassador's "The Chop Chop: From Milk to Meat": A Review
Posted September 03, 2008
By ChristianManifesto,
by C.E. Moore
With the retirement of the collective known as The Cross Movement, acts like Flame, Lecrae, J.R., and Da T.R.U.T.H. to carry on the mantle to a new generation of holy hip-hop heads. However, just because Cross Movement has retired from the public square, doesn’t mean its members have stopped their craft. Each of them are either working behind the scenes in a production capacity or they have chosen to drop solo albums. In the case of Cross Movement’s William ‘Duce’ Branch aka The Ambassador, he has chosen to balance his work as a co-pastor at Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia with his work as a Christian rap artist. His third solo effort The Chop Chop: From Milk To Meat is the fruit of his labor. Dropping everything from 70’s vibes and old skool break beats of the 80’s and 90’s, and even a little R&B infused crooning, Ambassador has crafted a project that fires on all cylinders.
First, this album is long and heavy. Ambassador is quite the lyrical expositor. His first solo album “Christology In Laymen’s Terms” was quite a bit of testimony and, despite what its title might suggest, was rather light in terms of theological exposition for the listener (something Cross Movement Records and Reach Records are known for). His second effort “The Thesis” reflects Branch’s growth and maturity as a student of Scripture—much of the material garnered from his reflections on the implications of theology and the hip-hop culture. It boasted a bit more depth than his debut. Now, with The Chop Chop Branch challenges listeners to move on towards spiritual maturity—from milk to meat.
The album starts out hard and heavy with Ambassador’s signature Philly style on the track, appropriately titled “The Opener.” It’s a song that boasts a braggadocios attitude, but all of the bragging is on Christ and His position of superiority. It’s fun, but hardly as substantial as the rest of the album proves to be. Essentially, Branch gets the listeners on their feet, just so he can floor them with loads of theological truth over tight beats. Title track “The Chop Chop” follows, laying the groundwork for the album thematically. Branch raps “Get ready your mind for the chop chop/It’s comin’ steady so it’s time for the chop chop/It ain’t petty I hope you’re ready to chop chop/I know it’s heavy, but daddy that’s why we chop chop/Get His Word! Get HisWord for the chop chop/Present it perfect! It’s perfect the chop chop/And we can search it, it’s worth it the chop chop/It’s the chop chop! It’s the chop chop!” His reference to Soulja Boy is pretty fun and his use of Biblical Greek in the lyrics is just flawless. It may be missed by most, but it shows the genius and detail with which the members of Cross Movement Records approach their lyrics and standing/responsibility within the Christian subculture. “Checkin’ For My God Remix” features Reach Records artists Lecrae and Trip Lee, adding a decidedly southern swagger to the decidedly east coast vibe. The song gives an explanation of God’s attributes in light of Scripture and corrects faulty views that many people carry with them about Who God is. “Gimme Dat” is a just a straight-laced, rasta-infused number that boasts a good drum beat and clap-clap line that just clicks. It’s one for the repeat button as Ambassador prays to God to “Gimme dat fire, gimme dat flame, gimme dat fresh wind, gimme dat rain, gimme dat freedom, You can have the chains, Gimme dat God! You can gimme all things!” A prayer of supplication, the track reminds believers that God is a God who responds to our petitions. Not in a “God-is-an-ATM” or “God-is-a-genie” manner, but rather in a manner that acknowledges that He alone controls all things and promises provide if we would only “ask and receive.” “Hope Man” is my favorite track on the album. Here, the synth, bass line, drum line, and alliteration are just perfect. When he says, “Read dat papyri/Dat Johnny Mac (John MacArthur)/Dat Ryrie (Ryrie Study Bible)/Dat NAS (New American Standard) or NIV (New International Version)/Dat ESV (English Standard Version) or NetBible-y (The Net Bible)/Then you’ll see what I see…” I literally had to keep rewinding the track over and over again because I was amazed at how flawlessly he delivered a list of resources to the listener for further personal Biblical study. Thematically-speaking, “Whatcha Goin’ Do” is the track upon which the album rests or falls. It is the direct challenge to the guy or girl bobbing his head to the beats to move further in their faith now that they’ve been a Christian for a little while.
One of the strengths about Ambassador is that, while he utilizes guest artists on a few select tracks, he is strong enough to stand on his own. I’m all for guest spots and collaborations and the occasional cypha, but I like to know that an artist is confident enough in his own skin that he doesn’t feel the need to rely on the lyrical prowess of another artist. Ambassador has been in the game for some time now and seems to know who he is. One of the flaws (if it be a flaw at all), at times I get the feeling that he approaches the craft more as a pastor (which he is) than as someone still connected to the day-in/day-out of the streets that so characterized his “Christology in Laymen’s Term” outing. This may betray the fact that you can’t be “from the streets” forever.
Overall, The Chop Chop: From Milk to Meat is a weighty album. The message is not for the faint of heart, nor will those who are new to the faith necessarily be able to relate to it beyond the crisp beats and tight hooks. In a nutshell, while the beats are for everyone, the message seems geared for those who have been Christians for a little while and need a little encouragement to move into deeper theological waters. Some might frown on this, but when you consider what is happening here, Ambassador is doing Christian listeners a great service. So much Christian rap—even the most theologically astute—often sticks to the surface. When you only have an hour in which to get your message across and two years between albums, the formula seems to be, “Lots of fun, easy content.” Ambassador is beginning a trend for the urban community that pushes urban youth further than the general album or sermon is willing to do. Initially, I wasn’t sure this album outdid his previous two efforts. But after multiple listens and really contemplating the musical progression and the overarching theme and lyrics, I am convinced that The Chop Chop is Ambassador’s personal movement from milk to meat. Rap fans rejoice!
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from The Christian Manifesto. Click here to visit TheChristianManifesto.com today!
View All Music And Book Reviews By ChristianManifesto | View ChristianManifesto's Profile
|
