Trailblazin Ministries

Believin' Stephen - What I Believe EP

Written by G-Rich
Wednesday, 23 April 2008

Album Overview

After spinning this CD a few times, I felt like I had a good look at Believin' Stephen. Even outside of his work as an MC, I somehow sense a connection to him because of this CD, which is a good thing. He uses a very straight forward style, spitting very frank and just straight up reality, which comes off very personal. On the What I Believe EP, Stephen throws out all of his beliefs on the table, leaving nothing on his chest. I guess Timothy Brindle's little bro really had something to say.

This EP is a solid project, with consistent high-quality production, including some beats from Tony Stone. Also, I liked the features on the album, including former Cross Movement man Cruz Cordero, along with Azriel, Christcentric, and Optimus. And did I mention Timothy Brindle? Despite having only 9 songs, the album packs a diverse collection of topics that he addresses in regard to his Christian beliefs. The instrumentals are very sound throughout, with my personal favorites being "Intro" and "Good News."

Overall, Believin' Stephen did a fresh job on this album, not only musically but in throwing his beliefs at his listeners. I feel that this album stemmed from Stephen following a strong conviction. Following his brother in the HHH industry, his passion and straightforward style add up to a nice album.

Spiritual Significance

As this is his debut album, Stephen didn't lock down on a particular topic, but rather put out a wide variety of spiritual issues, a common strategy among new Christian MC's. He starts with the basic statement of his belief in Jesus as the only way to God, along with other fundamental truths of Christianity. After this he progresses to his purpose in spreading the Good News and finally spits on a few more specific topics toward the end of the EP, including the problem of sin and how it needs to be taken more seriously, humility, and how worthless life is if you're unsaved.

These things aside, Stephen provides a deep spiritual lesson in how he actually raps on his album. As I mentioned earlier, Stephen is very frank and straightforward with his lyrics. This style brings a boldness that is needed in turning around hip-hop and the urban culture. It brings to mind a recent talk me and a few of my boys were having at lunch. We were talking about 2 Timothy 1:7-8, "For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God." We have been given a strong spirit to show our faith, and Stephen used his on this EP.

Topics Covered

• Stephen's purpose spreading the Good News
• The problem of sin and how it needs to be confronted
• Acceptance in God as an adopted child, (literally and metaphorically)
• God's forgiveness and the need to forgive others
• The evil in relativism; Christianity is the only true religion
• Staying humble, only boasting in the Lord
• Testimony of Stephen and Timothy Brindle
• The fatal end of a life without the Lord

Key Tracks

Good News, SINdicate Remix, Exposing Relativism