The Realization of it all The Lord spoke clearly to my heart, he let me know that he wants the glory from me. All this time I've been trying to seek help from people as far as recording my music but something always come up. God has blessed me to write and compose musical tracks but because of my heart's desires, God is preparing me for my time will come. Proverbs 16:3 is my main focus because as I'm committing my thoughts, concerns, cares unto the lord he's working them out. God shares his glory with no one. I have come to peace with the fact that as long as what I do is within God's will I shouldn't worry about when but how I need to stay focus on doing the Lord's work.
Rejoice with your brothers and sisters when they reach when God uses them whether it's for Singing Gospel, Gospel Rap or preaching. Not only because the Bible says so but because rejoicing with our brothers and sisters keeps us in the right spirit. The flesh loves to have it's way selfishness is it's number 1 appetite. I'm still waiting to record and share my music for awhile but I make it my duty to support others as God blesses them with opportunities to use their gift to bring him Glory. My time will come and I would want the same. It's not all about the recognition but you would want to be appreciated for what you do and you should. I've been blessed to fellowship with some humble brothers and sisters doing kingdom work for God so as I end this I ask that you continue to rejoice for your Brothers and Sisters on the frontline for your time will come.
I'm sitting here thinking and still trying to record my EP. It's taking a time I did a rough draft but that's all I'm looking for help but everybody, is doing their own thing one person was nice enough to help but haven't been in contact since then. I even ? is it worth it, is Gospel Rap really for me. I loved rap all my life you all should know from my first blog a little of what I been through. I'm happy for those that are doing shows and established but to be honest whether secular or Christian everyone is still all for themselves. I'm not calling anyone on the carpet, I'm just expressing what I'm going through I know someone can relate to how I feel. If it was up to me I would record myself. I also don't like asking because I feel like I'm bothering a person. I don't want anyone to take this the wrong way but I'm stressing the process of ministering in music the hardest part for some such as myself is getting my God given gift to the world to hear. Some don't realize how stressful it can be and the time it takes write or make tracks and the disappointments of seeing neither being used. I will leave this with you in order for you to be an Artist you have to put in work and have patience because unless you come across the right person or receive an record deal know that you will be putting in work for a long time but it will all workout in the end. One last thing you have to remember that unless God says ok prepare to wait, when you find that your rapping and your not content then know that you went ahead of God instead of waiting. God Bless.
Church a place of worship where people of like minds come together. I entitled Church in your heart for a reason to get us to think. We go to church between two times a week and once on weekends unless we have another service. We must have Church in our heart why because of what life can bring your way at times people, situations, the past. Being in Church doesn't guarantee a place in Heaven, now you may say what do you mean? According to scripture our righteousness are as filthy rags meaning it takes more then an appearance of living right. Daily we must kill the flesh. In our minds thoughts aren't holy all the time and wonders constantly. Church doesn't keep our minds from wondering nor does Church take your problems away but Church is a place of peace brother and sisterhood. With the heart we do good or we do bad that's why we're in a constant battle in the mind. My brothers and sisters in Christ we must guard our hearts and have Church in our hearts at all times and not be Traditional or Ritualistic. Is church in your heart if church is in your heart many who know you will notice if not people will still notice. Having Church in your heart will keep you intune with God and give you that extra push to come out and have Church.
CHRISTIAN HIP HOP IMAGE WRITTEN BY GARRY E SHEPARD JR.
As I sit here about to write this blog I think back to when I was going to Gospel Hip Hop concerts one after another, I enjoyed seeing the youth going forth in the music but one thing constantly stuck with me, the scenery seems so familiar. Thinking back to when I went to my first concert Cash money and Ruff Ryders tour 13 years ago at the original Hartford Civic Center thousands of people dancing throwing their hands up even me in the nose bleed section lol. Some of the Gospel Hip Hop concerts were the same in crowd participation only difference is that secular concerts always brought More of a crowd. Also what I noticed was the way Gospel Hip Hop Artist were dressed the same as secular artist. To tell you the truth it kinda bother me because I was thinking like how would people in the world be able to tell the difference between a saved and unsaved Artist. I'm nobody perfect but one thing I live by is that you have to give God your best in all that you do I know this might stir up something in some artist but this is not to expose or discredit any Artist, but I want to talk about the image from my point of view. DOES IMAGE MATTER As I sit here I asked myself does image really matter. Fitted cap jeans, sneakers or boots is normally what I see among Christian Hip Hop Artist this image is acceptable among the youth. God dealt with me he help me to realize that he can use whoever he wants and also that even though we are christian rap artist we all reach a different type of people. I look at artist like B. Rieth my favorite local artist Soft Spoken Prophet from the MA. My dude has a dressy image with the confidence to match like no other. Church boy Billy H Powell last live recording my brother performed in a suit in which he did well. I realize that you can only be yourself that's even how you dress. I'm still dealing with how my image should be, I'm not one to wear Fitted im more of a knit cap type brother but I realize that the summertime isn't a good time to where a winter cap also I don't want over or under dress. Realizing that an image can make or break you, I also realize that the older saints can be the most critical when it comes to image, sagging in church I'm sorry I don't agree with that at all inside and out side of church. As I end on this note what are a your thoughts good or bad I want to know. God Bless.
From March 4-10 2013 C.O.G.I.C 2nd jurisdiction while in our 40th Spring Worker's Meeting in New Haven ct at Macedonia C.O.G.I.C where the Pastor is Prelate Bishop Hester D Bordeaux. We the people of God experienced a move of The Ghost like never be for. Tuesday was the highlight of the Spring Worker's Meeting Bishop Paul L Fortson Prelate for the Barbados Caribbean Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction was used by God in a mighty way. You had to be there it was like the days of old when people were being healed and delivered on the spot. It was as if the scriptures came alive before your eyes. Its one thing to hear about it but to see it with my own eyes people were dropping with just a touch. Wednesday Mar 5, 2013 was an upper room experience the Holy Ghost fell on everybody in the church. I myself received and a fresh anointing from the Holy Ghost. God let me know that when we all come on one mind and one accord he can make a difference. I was so glad to have seen this experience with my own eyes God's word is true and will endure forever.
Hello to all my Gospel Rap Artists Underground and those with Record Deals. This is my very first blog entitled "The Rookie of Gospel Rap." Although truth be told I've been rapping since 7. I was a Rap and Hip Hop head since the early 90's until 2003 that's when the Industry lost its swag music wise. I'm a Rookie in a sense that I did about five to six shows at churches, restaurants, and youth events. I put the mic down for many reasons, the main reason being Prideful. I wrote this one song called, "Waiting For That Day," for which I received a buzz. That went to my head people were telling me how they loved the song in which I replied "GOD is Good" at the same time I got cocky within myself which lead to guilt and ultimately putting the mic down. Another reason was the people I was working on a Album with weren't seeing eye to eye on ideas leaving me at times aggravated which in return killed my concentration. Now you may say how are you a Rookie to the Christian Rap in 2003 the first song I wrote was called "Confessions to God", God was changing my mind and heart starting with my music, From that first song God blessed me lyrically to write songs based on my life experiences. 3 reasons why I'm a Rookie:
1. Not Established yet
I'm currently in the process of recording my EP Testimonies and Meditations I did as many as 3 shows last year, two for youth events at my church and one at a youth event in Waterbury, Ct (which it was a tough crowd). As I'm establishing myself among well known Artists do I feel intimidated, not the lease bit, do I want to be heard? Yes. Do I want the fame? Not unless God gives it to me for his glory. I haven't yet established my stage performance. Sometimes I don't know whether to nod my head or to raise the roof (just kidding). Those who know me know that I'm a very reserved and quiet person when I'm not spoken to. I'm not established in how I'm supposed to present myself to the people, but one thing I do know is that I can only be me and will be myself no matter what.
2. Image.
Image plays an important part in being an Artist whether its a Fitted to the front, side or back, jeans with Tims or Air Jordan's or rapping in a suit and tie with Stacy Adams on ( in which i don't see very often beside myself lol ). I never liked fitted caps I wore maybe one or two fitted caps in which I prefer Beanie caps Sweaters and jeans, sagging jeans I don't believe that should be in the house of God. I sagged once and got embarrassed by my late Aunt Judy since then I haven't sagged . Truth be told I cant go around in the spring and summertime rapping in a suit (picture that lol) at the same time I want to be presentable among the people of God as well as non-believers. I don't want to dress too old at the same time I don't want to dress too young.
3. Marketing.
I'm clueless as to who my crowd will be my aim is for the youth but also my generation I'm an 80's baby. The Youth this day and age is alot different from when I was growing up. This generation is fearless godless generation so being too preachy in my lyrics will lose them. At the same time I want GOD to get the glory. As I'm networking with well known Artist, I've learned a lot I learned that Underground Artist are alot easier to get a conversation and connect more with their fans. Marketing for me is new especially since I'm on my own now It's fun piecing together my plans and ideas. so I'm new to who my fan base will be (God willing people will hear me).
I want to thank you for taking the time to read my first blog please let me know your thoughts God Bless. Also I posted my first performance at my church 1st youth event.
