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We review Gospel Urban music, new releases from established chart fillers to unsigned and unkown artists trying to come up the world over. Send us a link and we will post a review. No links no ties, just honest reviews. www.gospelrapreview.wix.com/gospelrapreview.

[gospelrapreview]

Single Video Review

March 10th 2015

Nyth - W.H.A.T.

This was a very interesting sond and video and if I was to sum iut up in one word it would be RAW.  The message was an important for the streets and a good evangelism tool.  It speaks on the testimony that people have and mostly people from the streets in this case.  

The beat is hard and underground with a modern feel.  If you are into the new sound of Hip Hop and perhaps have not long given your life to Christ then this would appeal to you.  

If you wanted to reach an unsaved Homie then this would be a good choice to get them listeing.  The delivery is good and clear, with a voice and style I would compare to the likes of Nine; Onyx or DMX respectively.

There is a haunting sample throughout which feels like it is reaching into the darkest places in your heart.

The video is well done and the budget seems to be fair, which is rare for many Gospel Rap artists, either that or they have used what budget they had very well.  The stories in the video were of individuals and how their own testimonies in fact crossed over each other's lives in some way or another and while very gritty and Raw as I said, very real and true to so many.

I enjoyed the roundup of the story and the people at the end of the video which gave a nice completion to the whole story being told, very touching in fact.

Overall a great song for what it is aiming to achieve, a great delivery and tight sound finished off nicely by a very good video.

8/10 teetering towards 9/10.

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Single Video Review

November 19th 2014

J. Walker of TLD – Whispers

This is a low budget attempt by a UK artist; this was my first observations when I watched the video.  Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with low budget private invested work, after all everyone has to start somewhere and this is a good way to stay in control of your art.  I mentioned it so that you know what to expect before you even click the link.

Now that’s the worst of it out of the way on with the good points – There were a few good points which are encouraging.  His delivery of lyrics was quite good and with more investment of his time he will improve that and although a little nasally at times there have been other successful secular Rappers who have a nasally sound and still done very well.

The video kept along with the lyrics which was nice as all too often the video seems irrelevant to the lyrics.  It had a nice beat and use of percussion instruments which was refreshing and added depth to the song.

The overall message was in keeping with the Bible message and showed it’s relevance to our daily lives which is a good evangelical tool.  For a private video shoot it was well constructed and edited but with a college project feel only to be expected without professional backing.

I do want to encourage those behind this project not to give up and if they can give more of their time to perfecting their art and passion because it is young brothers and sister like this who step out on a limb and do their best who pave a way for the next generation even if they never actually fulfil their full potential because of the risks involved with new business backing which unfortunately Gospel music often is.

All in all perhaps not a ITunes purchase at this stage but which more to give I’m sure in the future you might end up wanting to buy and album or two.  In the meantime it would be a good link to send to your Christian family to encourage them or even to an unsaved friend to give them something to think about.

My rating is directly linked to the overall standing in the Urban Gospel industry not a reflection on the artist in his own right.

3/10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4VdFLfGPpw&feature=youtu.be

ere

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Single Video Review.

November 19th 2014

Nyth Inning - Ready

This is how we run this website, someone sends us a link or a song and we check it out and review it on this page and that is exactly what Nyth did, he Tweeted us his video and here is our review.

Where do I start with this one?  I feel a little lost for words so I will try and start from the start.  I did like this video but unfortunately got hit with a high frequency woman with a raised voice at the beginning I assume just because my headphones didn't agree with the tone.  But even with this shock resonating in my mind I found myself actually studying this song like algebra only with interest.

For some strange reason I got the feeling that the artist was being true to himself without bending which can either be a good thing in the fact they are keeping it real and not selling out to reach their audience or a complete flop because the audience just can't quite get them.  In this case it was a positive and left me feeling that the song and performance felt very real and I had to really look at the song as art rather than just music.

As an art form it felt quite experimental and expressive yet did work as a whole.  I felt I could appreciate this splinter part of Hip Hop as other genres of Hip Hop have done so in the past such as Hyphy which this is not, in fact I am not entirely sure what genre of Hip Hop I would slot this if I had to.  

There are currently a few splinters to the Hip Hop sound at the moment but none of them really blazing a path but rather dipping their feet in the water to test the audience response.

My only complaint about its musical content would be that when the base kicked in it sounded great but it never lasted for too long and felt a little flat overall.  Lyrically it wasn't too bad with some nice similes and use of language.  

As a video goes, this wasn’t too bad either.  With obvious limited budget, as with most Gospel Rap, they still managed to hold my attention and tell a story in keeping with the song message.

This has a nice feel overall for a car or club crossover as a sound and will keep me on the lookout for further productions.

7/10

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Single Review

July 30th 2014

Common - Kingdom

I already know what you're thinking, Common made a Gospel track?

Hear me out first.

Someone asked me to take a listen to the new Common Album - Nobody's Smiling, so I did and a song stood out to me and it was this one.

It samplesa a Church song and contains Christian content including scripture and Jesus references.  I checked out Common's Twitter page and saw a tweet where he claimed "just left church" so there is clearly an influence there.

The song was very nice, as you'd expect from a well supported Common Def Jam album and it left me feeling like the old days of real Hip Hop.  Lyrically as I already mentioned it has a christian content so for this reason I would claim it had cross over appeal.

The ony problem I could find with this being a full Gospel track was the language contect as the featuring artist used some bad language.

Worth a listen for the open minded, probably not one for the more religious.

7/10

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Album Review

July 30th 2014

Ash M - Enlightenment

This has a nice feel to the whole album with a cross over UK grime feel at times to a nice Rap album which will hold its own alongside any US Gosepl ablum.

With a typical UK accent which is refreshing as so many UK artists seem to slip into an American accent for some reason when rapping.

The beats were nice, the rhymes lyricaly containing depth and a real Gospel feel.  Arrangement was nice over all and generally a worth while listen.

There are a couple of negative points, however these are clearly related to budget and early days rather than a lack of talent.  There were some slight out of tempo lyrics missing beats and a couple of more amature feel songs, however on a 45 minute album this was quite a pat of the back worthy attempt.

I would buy it as an album to help the artist raise the budget on future projects and hope he keeps recording.  I'd also like to hear some collaberations with some well established artists to see what he can do with that kind of support.

An alround feel worhty of car, house or MP3, nothing that jumped out as club classic but that might not matter to many Christians.

6/10 Acrross the board

8/10 All things considered.

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Single

June 27th 2014

Andy Minoe - You Will

With a modern club classic feel to this one it's got real air time radeo patential.  It has a cross over appeal which leaves you questioning its Christian undertones as so subbtle perhaps it has less Gospel appealand more of an uplifting good  moral message.

It has everything you'd expect from a modern club classic, an uptempo feel, a heavy base line, plenty of electronic sonuds and melodies.  If you like the more modern easy listening Rap sound then this will be right up your street and it's got non Christian appeal.

All in all a good alround tune worth a listen and perhaps a regular play on your MP3.  It will definatly be a goot track to wake up to on a work morning to get you awake and ready, the sorrt of song a morning radio Dj might like.

6/10

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Single Review

June 26th, 2014

Beleaf - Get a Bar III

A great classic opening to the song which sets the pace for a real hip hop feel.  Using an LL Cool J - Doin' It sample this has all the makings for a long lasting classic.

Lyrically it's tight with some nice concepts, some comedy and some depth toit keeps this song interesting all the way through.

A nice bassline with a good use of samples giving this a nice melody.  A real lounging feel to it over all.

The only thing licking was longevity on repeat, I found the first hit wasthe best but then each time it lost a little something which I think was depth.  I know I'll enjoy going back to this one but it might not get the pull ups and rewinds that other songs would if played out.

7/10

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Equipment Review

May 15th, 2014

Headphones - WESC Bass

After seeing some of the new WESC RZA Chamber headphones in a store I got home and started doing some research into them.  I was looking to see the price range in which these headphone could be found online when I discovered the WESC BASS range.  They were coming in at between £10 and £70 online and with such a varied price range I couldn't help but pick up a cheap pair.

At first I thought that they must be bottom end because they were fake but when they arrived looking quite official I unboxed them and gave them a listen.

After picking some of my favorite urban tracks to test the range of sound quality.

I was actually very surprised, to my amazement these cheap headphones were better than all the other headphones I had tested and used in the past. The quality of the range they could handle was pretty amazing, they handled each genre of music I tested and did so with masterful quality.  They just seemed to be showing off.  

I had tried the famous Dre Beats and even they didn't even come close to the range these headphones could cope with, the clarity they offered and the bass without distortion was all extremely good.  

Overall the sound quality offered by these headphones were second to none so far and at a bargin price.

I later tried out the RZA Chambers range and even they didn't come close although they are the top end of the WESC brand as far as price is concerned.

These WESC BASS headphones offered me sounds in sounds I had never noticed before and managed to put each frequency together perfectly just like a live orchestra, WESC BASS were without doubt the conductor leading.

The wire is tangle free as with many modern wires, it is fully detachable which I find helps with those annoying moments when you get the wire caught on something and it rips out of the socket rather than out of the fixed wiring back in the old days and you'd need to buy a new pair of headphones.  The wire also has a built in mouth piece for use with mobile phones and the secondary aux port on the other ear for companion listening and sharing.

These headphones come in a wide range of colours although the price seems to increase when you move away from the traditional White, Black and strangely Green colours.

One of the ear pieces can be moved off of the ear with a DJ function pivot which can be very handy in any situation not just for DJs and they have a nice modern yet retro style to them, with lots of chrome.

The only downside I found with these but is a pretty standard issue I find, perhaps because I have a big head?  I can't wear them for too long as the inward tension caused by the over the head support is quite great so after about an hour you are glad of a break from wearing them, much longer than than would often give me a mild head ache and they don't have much give for wearing around your neck or packing away in a pocket.

10/10 for sound

3/10 for comfort.

[gospelrapreview]

Mix Review

May 15th, 2014

Uplifting Gospel House Mix

Every now and then we like to throw in a little of something else in the mix and this time it's a House Mix.  

After stumbling upon this via Youtube suggestions I was glad that I did.  I was at hard at work and wanted some background music to help me through the day.  From the beginning I saw that it was good if you pardon my Biblical pun, it helped set a good mood for the repetitive work I was doing and the this gave me just the tempo I needed.  As my leg tapped away my typing speed increased and my enjoyment level raised.  No longer did my work feel a bore it was accompanied by a motivational friend.  

The Mix was well executed and the choice of songs worked very well.  Lyrically it offered what you might need for a pick me up and encouragement.  With its milky use of scriptures rather than meaty but then again I'm not sure that meat to a House beat would really work, in saying that I have heard House songs using only Preachers Sermons which somehow worked quite well and as I myself have experimented with audible Psalm readings with a Hip Hop beat and again somehow it worked.

I have listed the songs used on this mix so that you can look them up as singles if you want as well as a link to the youtube mix below:

9/10

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bhP2omxZuI

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Single Review

April 23rd, 2014

Royce Lovett - Driver

This was an introduction to another new artist for me.  If you like your Neosoul sound then this might be right up your street.

As a big fan of Neosoul in my secular days I am always pleasantly surprised to hear an artist doing a Gospel rendition of the genre.

This doen't fail to deliver, it is in keeping with all you'd expect to hear from the genre, an accoustic guitar, smooth vocals and an artistic impression of lyrics with a poetic taste that is sweet to the taste.

His use of the guitar is entertaining and his lyrcis are deep enough to swim in without fear of drowning.  There is a passion in his voice that is captured very well and helps to draw you in to his story telling.

He shows the dimensions to his talent as he raps a few bars and does so well.  I would appreciate an evening audience with him as I can imagine he has a nice live set in some back street blues club open mike night.

Stereotypes aside, this was a worth while find and will remain on my search list.

8/10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fzVr6so7oQ

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EP Review

April 23rd, 2014

Joshua 168 - Hunger No More

Some artists are just sitting out there doing what they do, with few ever hearing their talent, for a number of different reasons and here is why I do what I do, to bring you those that might otherwise be missed under the radar.

They Don't Even Know - is a solid modern sounding Rap track, the hook settles nicely into the song like an old couch.  The lyrics are gently delivered and sound like a familiar bedtime story making you feel quite secure and comfortable.  Add to those two pluses a nice hip hop backing track and all in all a very moodful and genuine heartfelt track.

I Pray - Feels like it should, track two, a follow up to They don't even know that follows along very easily.  Trying to listen to back to back tracks when the flow doesn't fit is like eating after brushing your teeth.  This has a nice guitar rift and it leads the mood, the loops work well and the lyrics are like sprinkles on your home made icecream.  Lyrcial delivery is what I would call midtone and will take you either way on a mixtape.

Change feat. Kasi Coleman  - I have heard so many song titles called Cgange or Changes I almost feel apprehensive about pressing play but this didn't have a traditional "Change" title song.  In keeping with the title it was a nice change.  It reminded me a little of "I'll be around" during the rap but the Kasi Coleman appearance kept the song fromm being too familiar and kept the song unique to it's own sound.  I liked it and it reminded me a little of the old Gangstarr Guru - Never no time to play track but a Christian version in its own right.

A-1 Freestyle Feat.Jay Reed - This was a strange track in a good way, I started off feeling a little dislodged from my comfortable mood the previous tracks had put me in and like any change I felt a bit put out however both artists did a good job of helping the listener to settle back in to place and feel glad for the change.  It felt like stepping out of my comfortable Fabric couch onto a Leather Executive Chair.  But once I had settled I could see this having some good rotation in my car or as I travelled on the bus.  Not a disappointment.

City on our knees - Was my least favorite song on the EP purely because it felt like one of the Artists earlier songs, perhaps a lower budget project but it wasn't a bad song, perhaps it was more the order of listening was all wrong and it followeed the wrong track.  If this song was played first it might have held it's own much more convincingly.  I liked to concept and the chorus sounded pretty epic.  I would like to see this remmastered or perhaps remade a fresh and I think it would be a great song, as it is it would go down really well at a Christian conference as a live performance much better than as a studio track.

Overall a very good EP and I hope the best for the artist, deffinatly one for the look out.

7/10

http://www.reverbnation.com/joshua168

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Video Review

April 20, 2014

The Voice - Thou art the Christ

I found this one a few years ago but thought I'd do a review for you here, mainly because I really enjoyed it.

From the sample intro to the last bar this reminds me of a "real hip hop" track, a banger wherever you play it.  I was playing it on youtube when I first heard it and even though my laptop speakers are far from heavy base it still managed to touch my inner hip hop fan.

The lyrics are well delivered, the use of samples is well suited and the beat is classic hip hop through and through, it fits like a bespoke 3 piece suit.

The video although simple was well exacuted and of a high quality, it had a street feel to it with a keeping it real hip hop cultural feel.

I honestly couldn;t find fault with this song and even after a few years it is still just as enjoyable.  I find myself returning to this one whenever I need a fix of real hip hop.

If you're into real Hip Hop then this wont disappoint, if you like well delivered intelligent lyrics then you wont be disappoiinted.

10/10

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Single Review

April 14, 2014

G K Brizzy - Order my steps/Unstoppable.

A gentle intro, a half decent male singing voice is abruptly interrupted by a heavy baseline and heavy rapping style.

The video is low budget but skillfully edited to an artistic standard but clearly limited funding, because of that I won't be making this a video review and will stick to it being a single review.

Lyrically he is tallented and his delivery isn't bad at all, especially for a lower budget.  I always wonder what these what these artists would be able to achieve with the right funding.  I perfered the delivery in Unstoppable, it sounded much more professionalas did thre music.  However there is a worth while style here and you wont feel that you wasted your time giving it a listen.

I felt that both songs were aimed at Christians rather than the unsaved so it wouldn;t be a great evangelical tool on a mix tape but would be a good song on your playlist if you are a Christian already.

There were somme nice Biblical references and some great similes which I always enjoy in my rap lyrics.

Creative, enjoyable and worth watching out for in the future.

6/10

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Christian Organisation

April 5, 2014

The Throw Away Kids Network

The Throw Away Kids Network is a prison outreach program to serve the needs of juveniles currently inside correctional facilities around the country . We believe we are called to LOVE, SUPPORT, and bring LIGHT and HOPE to this lost generation.

This generation is IMPORTANT and VALUABLE to God and to us, as we help them search for meaning in life and something genuine to live for. We also believe that their talents and gifts are from God and can be used for God.

It is our prayer that lives will be radically touched and changed by the music, speakers and outreach provided through The Throw Away Kids Network. VISION:

Our vision is to reach kids while they are incarcerated, on the street or anywhere else. Many of them feel unloved, unwanted and have no where to turn. We want to provide them with the opportunity to learn and know God.

Through our actions, we pray they see Jesus in us. Through our outreach to the community, we get rappers, bikers and motivational speakers – all of which have a Christian platform – to volunteer in visiting various juvenile correctional facilities. They help us in spreading the word of God and to show these children they are not forgotten.

We pray that one seed can be planted to bring about a change in a kid's life. We thank God for all who are coming along to help. GOD'S SPEED.

Follow the link to find out more or if you want to contact the organisation to support their work or make use of their ministry in your area.

http://www.thethrowawaykids.com

[gospelrapreview]

DJ/SoundSystem Review

HMSS (His Majesty's Sound System) - Mix CD 2013

The mix itself is well put together with little or no real signs of mixing beats or rythms overlap. I find if a DJ can make you feel that the mix is virtually one song it is both more entertaining and skillfull, but also that it can keep the listener dancing with little interuption to their vybe.

The choice of music was very entertaining and didn't disappoint the lighter mood. This can be hard at times within Gospel Urban music considering the lack of artists or funding at times. So although the industry is growing and laying down solid roots, a DJ finding enough songs for a mix can be a challenge. There is a couple of classic songs you'll recognise that will either delight or irritate, depending on how much you liked the song and the last time you heard it.

If you're looking for an hour and fifteen minutes to entertain yourself, with some nice Gospel vybes, then look no further. It's light and enjoyable like Philidelphia on Cracker Bread, but if you like your mixes a little bit more like Hard dough bread with peanut butter then you might want to look elsewhere.

7/10

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Single Review

Lil Raskul - Game Changer

I'm looking through youtube for Christian Rap a few yours ago and stumbled upon a song called Bank on that, it ended up on heavy rotation on my MP3.

After a wait that tested my patience fruit of the Spirit, I heard he had a new album out and caught this single off of it.Musically speaking I was as happy with the evolution of this new track as his older music.

There is obvious growth in the sound quality of the newer music which adds to your listening pleasure.

This is one for cruise mode in whatever car God has blessed you with and could turn those 14" rims into 24s quick enough.Lyrically I felt provoked to keep a check on those worldly thoughts about what is and isn't important and hearing a musical testimony to his own experiences was an encouragement.

His delivery didn't disappoint either, still got that raspy growl, making you think he's twice the size he actually is, giving the youth something they can look up to regardless of height.

8/10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q1qX6cvjEk

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Single Review

A slice of English Gospel rap, in case you hadn't heard. Jahaziel brings you a thought provoking song, reminding us it's not by works we are saved but by God's grace.

You gotta love that English accent, almost expecting him to offer me a cup of tea in mid flow.

This isn't to be feared as a Grime or Dub Step tune, it's Hip Hop through and through. A pulsing baseline get's your head nodding from the opening bar. Some humorous voice over one liners add interest to this already interest sparked rhyme.

This one follows many of the classic Hip Hop norms, with a couple of modern ones to keep you from not giving this some rotation.

This will sit comfortably along with the likes of your US big names like Lecrae, when you put together a mix tape for your peeps.

7/10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTCfMG465Ns