[jcmanson]

http://www.times-herald.com/religion/Pa ... sic-787418

Last fall I was surprised to discover a new breed of Christian rappers that were loading lyrics of profound biblical and theological weight to their songs. I've been listening to a few of their CDs, and I'm convinced that many of you should be aware of what is going on.

At Liberty University back in the 1990s, a group formed which were wildly popular in Christian and secular circles -- called DC Talk. The trio went along for about 10 years and has continued to perform solo projects. They had many well made songs mixing rap and singing.
Their lyrics, however, were often no more profound than the rest of contemporary Christian music.

This new breed of Christian rappers is very different. The first one I came upon was Lecrae.

[SuperJon]

I'd never listened to much of it because I always thought Christian rap sucked (see: TobyMac, KJ 52, etc). A few of the guys at camp this summer told me some to check out and I've listened to some of it and it's really good. Lecrae is legit. He's the only one I've listened to a ton. I've listened to a song of two by Trip Lee, Flame, JR, and a few others. I'm downloading Shai Linne's album now. It's about time Christian rap became good and not just an oxymoron.

[jcmanson]

SJ, check out Json.

[SuperJon]

Unfortunately, like a lot of the other guys, none of his stuff is on the torrent websites.

[jcmanson]

You can check him out on youtube:
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" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[SuperJon]

Oh I know. I'm just saying I would be able to use it a lot more if I could get the album. I like using rap on a couple videos every week because we have kids here at camp that don't like rock and would rather hear rap. I've just been using Lecrae.

[Liberty4Life]

It's Jewish, not Christian, but... Matisyahu, that beat-boxing rapping reggae Rabbi. He's awesome.

[NG33]

It's Jewish, not Christian, but... Matisyahu, that beat-boxing rapping reggae Rabbi. He's awesome.

Matisyahu is legit. I'm listeing to King Without A Crown right now actually. Definitely suprised me when I first heard of him and heard his songs (especially with the whole orthodox Jew look going on)

[Maximus]

It's Jewish, not Christian, but... Matisyahu, that beat-boxing rapping reggae Rabbi. He's awesome.

I bought his first cd and I was impressed. But I haven't listened to him a long time.

[Sly Fox]

Original article didn't get the decade right on the dcTalk front.

Not a fan of the genre but glad to hear that somebody is not watering down their lyrics.

[BJWilliams]

I enjoy Christian rap. I got to meet Ritchie Righteous when he came to town to do a hip hop show on campus this past semester. Real down to earth guy but he can spit some pretty nice rhymes. Also, anybody had a chance to check out Humble T.I.P.? He actually is an LU alum and currently works at the school when he isnt doing shows at churches (I think he released a mixtape recently)

[NG33]

There's been some good Christian rap out there for a little while now but they dont get the publicity in the Christian world as say a tobymac would. Mars Ill, Verbs, and T-Bone come to mind but I mean I'm glad it coming around now for more Christians to listen too and enjoy. Richie Righteous was pretty good at LU when he came. I just wish more good rappers came to LU then once in a blue moon.

[Liberty4Life]

Anyone remember Gospel Gangstaz?

[Kolzilla41]

Anyone remember Gospel Gangstaz?

Chille Baby, Mr. Solo, Tik Tokk and DJ Dove! I jammed all throughout high school to that cd. The part that scared me was I was riding and the dropped the n word in one of their songs at least a dozen times. That is one thing you won't catch me repeating. Thinking about it now, one of them was arrested a few years ago for a gang murder.

[phoenix]

Soul Junk, CookBook, Freddie Bruno, Ajax Starglider, Falling Tsar, Potty Skippen (from Huntington WVa), Syntax the Terrible. Just a few that I've got in my iTunes library right now. I was about to say something like "I don't listen to much hip-hop," then I checked again. I've got more than I thought (only 58 songs, though, if you include my copy of Portable Sounds).

[jack_sparrow81]

but discovered alot of good stuff to listen to, plus their great while you jog or work out; anyone that listens to rock will probably like it as well:

Download:
116 Clique- "Cash or Christ/Fanatics"
116 Clique- "Beyond Belief"
116 Clique-"Send me/represent"

Flame- "No Silence"

Group 1 Crew- "Forgive me"

[phoenix]

Just found this -- it's a little old, I guess, but it was posted at One21 today -- Michael Manasseh, Mikestands

http://www.hiphopmp3downloads.com/splas ... stands.zip

[El Scorcho]

Okay, CCM rap junkies, answer me this:

Was Grits actually ever cool or not?

I liked them, but they seemed to be considered uncool by the hip hop fans I knew. I've always thought I had decent taste, but I could never figure this one out. All the same, I'm going to post this just because.

[youtube]

[/youtube]

[SuperJon]

Found a guy today that I really like that I thought I'd throw in here. His name is Thi'sn. He's from St. Louis which is where a few of the better guys out are from. He's a former crack dealer and doesn't hold back when he talks about where he came from. His latest album is called Chronicles of an X-Hustler.

I finally got around to getting Trip Lee's album and it's pretty good.

[Hold My Own]

I couldnt find any of these guys except one album from Lecrae

Thi'sn
Trip Lee
Lecrae
Shai Linne
Flame
JR
Json

[SuperJon]

Thi'sn and Trip Lee are both on itunes for $9.99. I had a gift card and went ahead and bought both of them and I'm not regretting it at all.

[jcmanson]

Are you guys referring to This'l? I've never heard of Thi'sn.

Shai Linne
Sho Baraka
J'son
Trip Lee
Lecrae

They've all got their own albums. Sho is getting ready to release a new album - Lions and Liars in either March or April. His first single off that one is already top 50 on Itunes singles.

J'son's album Life on Life is the best I've heard.

[SuperJon]

Yeah I don't know why I said Thi'sn. That made no sense whatsoever. It's definitely Thi'sl.

[NG33]

Entermission by DJ Official (featuring Lecrae, Trip Lee, Sho Baraka, J'son, This'l, etc.) is a tight rap album that you guys should check out

[Sly Fox]

On a mildly related subject, we went to a release party for Toby Mac's new release 'Tonight' earlier today. He moves even futher from rap ... there's funk & reggae though.

Chatted with Toby briefly about our LU days until his handlers moved me along