Trailblazin Ministries

shai linne - Storiez

Written by LaRosa Johnson
Thursday, November 13, 2008

I love reading books, I always have. To me, there's nothing better than a great story, especially when it has a great plot and captivating suspense. I think that's one of the reasons why I cherish the Bible so much; it's full of so many great stories from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to Jesus Christ and the Apostles. Given that fact, when I heard that shai linne, the Soli Deo Gloria fellow, was releasing an album titled Storiez my interest was immediately piqued. I was interested in finding out how this masterful lyrical theologian would take the concept of telling stories and weave it into a hip-hop album. Anticipating its release, DJ Essence hit me up on email asking if I'd review the album, and I willingly jumped at the opportunity. First things first, I had to wonder how good this album was going to be. I knew that he had been working on it for some time, seeing how he leaked the name of the album not very long after Solus Christus dropped. Then, earlier this year shai drops The Atonement in lieu of releasing Storiez. With the long wait, and having already dropped two gems, could he truly deliver...

Brinson - Escaping Me

Written by George Sly
Monday, November 10, 2008

Calling all "dirty-south" style hip-hop fans, 2008 has produced a Gospel album worthy of your purchase. Simply go to: http://www.godchaserz.com/store/ and snatch up Brinson - Escaping Me. This 10-year veteran of the game has been composing music since his days attending the Music Business Program at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. What's funny is I've read a few reviews on this project already and it is obvious cats don't get it. So, let me explain it for you. He's not making music for the secular crowd in a secular way. He's preaching the Gospel to these dudes. Just in case you missed that let's do it slow this time. He's P-R-E-A-C-H-I-N-G the G-O-S-P-E-L, mmkay! So don't get it twisted when you're listening to his verses. Brinson is reaching out to those in the game. He's giving hope to the thug on the corner thinking he has no choice but to sell dope or be a 'hood dude'. He's not trying to sell a million records, but preach to a million souls. So many non-believers are on the same wavelength mentally. They think the Gospel is for people who have a "Leave-it-to-Beaver" (look it up if you're lost) mentality...

Lecrae - Rebel

Written by George Sly
Thursday, October 30, 2008

Allow me to describe to you the state of our world today: people worshiping money, sex, drugs, and fame. Our culture in America is one that tries to keep God out. Everybody else is okay with same-sex marriage. People often use abortion to hide their sexual sin and it's okay in our culture. The idea that God is merely a part of life and not life itself is the accepted train of thought at school, at work, and especially at play. Well, Lecrae has some good questions on our culture and he also gives some good answers. On his first album he wanted to engage you in some Real Talk. Then he asked you what you would do After the Music Stops. Now, rebellion is the cry from Lecrae on Rebel, the third and so far, his illest solo project yet. What should a believer in the Christ do when everyone they know is caught in sin? How do you wake up those people negating a biblical worldview for a view created by men? According to Lecrae, you do what every generation has had to do: rebel! Rebel against the falsehood of Relativism and Secular Humanism; reject the theory of Evolution as truth. The idea of being different than your friends, family, and co-workers rings out...

Trip Lee - If They Only Knew

Written by G-Rich
Thursday, October 30, 2008

If I'm right about those of you reading this review, I'm pretty sure that you're fairly familiar with Trip Lee and his music. However, for those of you who aren't, let me give you a little introduction. One of the younger cats in HHH, and the youngest with the Reach Records crew, Trip Lee has 2 albums under his belt, along with features on the 116 Clique compilations. His debut album, If They Only Knew, our focus here, showcases the talent of a veteran emcee, although it was only Trip's rookie project. In fact, he was still in his senior year of high school when recording it. If you haven't picked this one up, don't sleep on it any longer. This album is very high quality Christian rap and belongs in the library of every listener. Beyond the basics of his sick lyricism, the bangin' beats typical of Reach Records, solid feature emcees, etc., this album is great for its relativity to youth. As a young believer myself, following in Christ's footsteps has its own unique trials as I go through high school. With Trip Lee's stories, experiences, and learned lessons laid out track-by-track, the album serves as mad encouragement...

Evangel - Expository Journey

Written by George Sly
Monday, October 13, 2008

Please give me your attention. I have an important announcement: If you are a believer and not looking to help save souls by sharing your faith I need you to not buy Expository Journey by Evangel. Warning! Warning! I repeat. Do not share this with your friends that may not believe or are on the fence! They will, after getting down with this album, confess with their lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in their hearts that God raise Him from the dead. Sike! Ok, let me clarify. I'm saying "sike" about buying this album and sharing it with your friends. I am serious about the impact Evangel's debut solo project will have on believers and non-believers alike. I guess when you deny the truth for so long and it smacks you in the face one day, not only does it hurt like crazy but it helps wake you up to the truth of the Gospel. This Bronx native who now ministers with his fellow Christcentric brethren the Apologist, Q-Dog, and Israel in Germantown, MD has shown he can multiply talents given by the Father. This project focuses on his own experience while coming to the Truth of Jesus Christ...

Ambassador - The Chop Chop: From Milk to Meat

Written by G-Rich
Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Ladies and Gentlemen...it's the Chop Chop! That's right; Cross Movement's Ambassador is back with his 3rd solo album The Chop Chop: From Milk to Meat. After his two solid albums Christology in Laymen's Terms and The Thesis, I was definitely excited to check out this project. It kicks off with a straight banger in "The Opener" and continues to keep an upbeat tempo through the first part of the album. And, in typical Amba' style, there's a nice taste of laid back worship joint to vibe to. Buy by no means is this simply a routine album. A few experimental moves give it a distinct flavor not yet seen from Ambassador. With "The Chop Chop", he brings a sick, steel drum, Jamaican-infused track packed with enough bounce to carry the CD, and the album ends with a unique feature, his son J5 the Prophet, who does a song called "Glory & Praise." As far as the title is concerned, I think Ambassador was wise in focusing his album around spiritual growth. Coming to Christ and starting off on one's Christian walk is great, but it's...

Future - Wake Up Call

Written by George Sly
Friday, September 05, 2008

It's not always easy to release an album these days. Let alone a Gospel rap record. But when you challenge people the way Future does on Wake up Call, your future is as bright as the morning star, no pun intended. I mean on the real, it's so tight when God uses evangelists to shake us up. Here's what I mean. This project is set around the metaphor that we as Christians are comfortable in our beds, fast asleep. We're just snoring away, dreaming of playing Madden while picking our feet and eating lemon drops. As we sleep the enemy is plotting against us, 24 hours a day with no rest. While we chill, he lays out his evil plans and by the time we figure it out, it's already too late. Well guess what? Future (I am sure after careful prayer) has the solution. Get up out of that bed and start doing your job. Preach the Gospel! This debut album will make a huge impact to those bold enough to hear its message. This University of Missouri - St Louis graduate was a frat boy and fell into that sinful lifestyle. So when he calls on believers to learn God's word, serve others, and disciple those in the faith...

Dillon Chase - The Pursuit

Written by George Sly
Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Picture this. You're at the top of world and can see what every person is running toward. You literally can see their goals and how hard they are working to reach them. What do you think you would see? How many people would you see truly striving to pursue Christ? Dillon Chase's The Pursuit takes direct aim at this issue relentlessly. The sophomore album from the Ada, OK native delves down to the core of what our quest on earth is. Is your goal to love the Lord with all of your heart or are you seeking worldly purpose? After coming to Christ in 2004, Dillon Chase has been a force for the Kingdom. As is proven by his initiation into the 116 Clique by fellow peers in the faith Lecrae and Sho Baraka, fellow believers can see his fruit. When you listen to Dillon what you get is pure enthusiasm for the Faith. His dirty-south style coupled with holy content delivery separate him as one of gospel rap's premier artists. Each track he spits is designed to keep the listener focused on his main point. The idea being we should try and go...

Tony Stone - The Creation

Written by G-Rich
Tuesday, August 26, 2008

When I grabbed this album for review I was definitely excited to hear my man T-Stone step away from the keyboard and get behind the mic. Most of you already know him as one of the biggest producers in Holy Hip-Hop, doing work for Braille, Reach Records, and Cross Movement records, k-Drama, and others. However, this is your chance to hear him outside of his instrumentals. The Creation is an intriguing album, weaving a whole bunch of topics together to paint a glorious picture of God the Creator. The album is not solely about Creation, but ties in other subjects that sway the listener to the Creator. In doing so, he proves that with such a wonderful, powerful God, there is no other explanation for why we're here than Creation. This statement opposes the theories of evolution and Darwinism, two deceitful beliefs that keep many science-grounded people from coming to Christ. Honestly I was impressed with Tony Stone's delivery skills and lyricism. Initially I wasn't too sure how he would sound because...

Timothy Brindle - The Great Awakening

Written by George Sly
Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Man can only ignore the truth for so long before they are compelled to face it. Either you have chosen to follow Him or not! Timothy Brindle will not allow you to ignore the truth on the Great Awakening. This project stops the slumber and forces people, believers and non-believers alike, to wake up. The substance of each lyric is purposely designed to dig deep to the soul of the listener in order to move them. This movement is to the light of Jesus, the God-man. I am telling you that there are some Holy Hip-Hop albums that need to be a part of your collection. I know I've said this a few times in the past, but this time listen. If do not own The Great Awakening already, make a point to click on http://lampmode.com/?page_id=29#discography and buy this album today. Why should I own this you might ask? First of all, if you love God then you'll want to surround yourself with all things that please Him. This album does nothing but praise God and speak the truth of the gospel, period. Second, if you love Hip-Hop...