Trailblazin Ministries

B. Morr - Self Denial

Written by James Mass
Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Album Overview

Phew. Listening to B Morr's latest offering is exhausting. I feel like he's picked me up and bashed me around a great big room full of spiritual challenges. This is some heavyweight stuff. Boosh - deny your flesh. Thwack - humble yourself. Kapow - Christian unity. Bif - sacrificial love. Crack - no self worship. This verbal assault is challenging yet encouraging. It reminded me of some really important truths and the need to apply them in our own lives.

In his listener's guide to the album (tinyurl.com/38kghq), B Morr explains that though an unpopular topic, self denial is essential for a healthy Christian life. He aims to "challenge the believer to be honest, humble and to deny self" with the album and I would say that this goal is achieved. If you hit the web link you can check the lyrics for the whole album and on the main site listen to some samples. Or check the myspace page (tinyurl.com/39c3vw).

With such a focus on a difficult topic and some excellent, challenging lyrics you'd be forgiven for thinking that musically the project might be lacking. Thankfully you'd be wrong. The production is excellent and varied and the rhymes are tight. There are some lovely, rich strings; a fair amount of laid back, summer friendly beats; and even a little bit of a sing-along rock vibe.

The only thing I personally didn't like was the number of interludes. This is a personal thing though, I think developed from too many good rappers thinking they're comedians when they should stick to the rhymes. At least here the content is great and the first couple of listens they really do add to the album and it's objectives. However, I reckon they will be disappearing from my iPod pretty soon - long before the rest of the album.

Overall, this is one of the best holy hip-hop albums I have listened to. It combines the music with the message in a way that compromises neither and has a real sense of purpose as you listen to it as a whole.

Spiritual Significance

As I've already explained the album is all about self denial. Rooted in the scriptures, B Morr sets out to explain the importance of putting Christ and his desires well above our own sinful cravings. He doesn't make any claims to great holiness or to find the whole process easy but recognizes the daily battle we all must face to kill our flesh and lift up Christ.

The album doesn't stay on the theoretical level. B Morr gives plenty of examples of how we can humble ourselves and in that state love others and praise God. He keeps returning to the importance of us Christians being grounded in the truths set out in the Bible and not being distracted by ideas from ourselves or others that distort these truths.

There are also some lovely moments on the album where B Morr takes some time to describe some of the things that make our God so amazing and give him the praise he deserves. If you're thinking of getting the album, or already have, do check out the listener guide. It's full of explanations and gives plenty of Bible passaged that inspired or relate to each track.

Topics Covered

There are a few tracks that I really want to go into in more detail. I'm going to start at the end with the bonus track that features B Morr in an a capella rap battle with himself. Taking on the voices of both his flesh and his new self he plays out the struggle for self denial and holiness. The rhymes are great and, at times, vulnerably frank but it is the the imagination demonstrated in the ability to think so creatively that is truly outstanding.

Going back to the beginning of the album, "66 Books" has the catchiest chorus (along with some excellent scratching) that will helpfully wriggle its way into your head. The track encourages the listener to develop a hunger for the Bible, to spend time immersing themselves in it and use the truths it contains to guide their lives.

"Doctrine" features a nice sample extolling that "there's no denominations in heaven," a truth that sets the tone for the track. B Morr is clearly saddened by the pride and arrogance over doctrine that causes division. His prayer is for "peace and love among God's elect" and that those of different denominations can unite and strengthen each other as they look to the truth, rather than fruitlessly arguing over secondary issues.

I love the track "Romans 6." It has an old-school, samples and scratches feel and deals with sanctification and our state of being dead to sin. It feels a bit like a hip-hop commentary on this chapter of Paul's letter.

"Life Goes On" deals with how we as Christians can deal with difficult circumstances and trials in life. It reassures the listener that though we may not understand why bad things happen, we can be sure that Jesus is with us through it all and that we can depend on our God.

Key Tracks

Do You Really Want That, Kill Your Flesh, Wake Up, Bonus Track