Trailblazin Ministries

R-Swift - Soapbox

Written by George Sly
Monday, 28 April 2008

Album Overview

Have you ever felt like you were the only one speaking up for God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ? If so, then maybe, like R-Swift's second album, it almost feels like you're a soapbox revolutionary. Soapbox, Cross Movement Records artist R-Swift's latest project is set to drop on June 10, 2008, so I suggest you get in line now 'cause God's hand is on this one baby. Swift is so, soooooooo! It's hard not to get down with a cat that spits fire for the Lord our God. I remember hearing this man on his first HHH album back in like 2004 and he's never disappointed me since. It's like the mic is the north end and his mouth is the south end of two magnets. Do yourself a favor when you buy the album, invite your friends, family, and church members over to hear it, and then press play. I guarantee heads will be knockin'. Worship will happen. God will receive the glory!

One thing I feel when I get into R-Swift's work is his perspective on our walk with God. I love how he approaches teaching through everyday situations without losing the foundation of Bible based lyrics. There's nothing like being at a stop light and the beats are bangin' and I look over and see people giving me dirty looks as I'm blasting the sound through my car speakers. Then all of a sudden you hear Swift say, "Jesus," in the song. Then the whole situation changes and I see smiles. People are drawn into his music even if they are not feeling hip-hop, but that's how God works. He is here to help people hear the truth of Jesus Christ. I truly believe R-Swift is one of God's precious gifts; he has given us another artist that helps keep the message fresh, new, and innovative for the audience it reaches. Don't take my word for it, go out and add Soapbox to your gospel hip-hop collection. It's a must have!

Spiritual Significance

Soapbox is definitely going to make you stop and think. You'll feel the need to reflect on whether or not you are guilty of neglecting God and break out your Bible to be sure you're on point. This album will challenge you, especially on tracks like "In Session" and "American Soil." Are we really living for God or only bringing Him in when we are in trials? It's funny how as long as things feel good we forget about God. We forget to give Him glory and praise His name. But as soon and things start to go awry we want to run back home to God. I mean, should He not be first all the time? R-Swift addresses issues like this and others throughout the entire project. On the introduction, he struggles with wanting to give God the glory and not himself; he sees people putting him on a pedestal and not acknowledging the Father when he's on stage. Throughout the album he tackles many situations where people are choosing sin over living righteous. He seems aimed at showing people how great God's love is and why they should make the choice to submit to His will; eternal life with Jesus is your reward.

I think the most important lessons that are handled on Soapbox are how we should pray for change, how we are reaping from our decisions (like taking prayer out of schools), and how we need God's agenda. We allow our own greed and selfishness to interfere with being obedient to God's commands; we've taken Him out of schools, but when kids start shooting each other we run to God for help; we sell our souls for success but never realize that our true success is in Heaven. A lifetime is only 70 years on average for most Americans, yet we spend that time chasing material things that will perish. Instead of enduring for that lifetime and reaping eternity with the "King of kings" Jesus Christ, we squander it away for money, women, and riches? I pray this creative and hard hitting musical masterpiece reaches you. I hope it attacks that inner voice in your heart that sways you. I pray this album influences you towards God and not the world.

Topics Covered

• Greed
• Selfishness
• Selling your soul for worldly success
• How things of this world will parish
• Praying for Change
• How we only have one lifetime to choose right (God's will)
• Taking God out of schools/the culture
• Acknowledging God in all we do
• Praying God is praised and worshiped for what we do for Him

Key Tracks

"American Soil," "The League," "Killadelphia," "Breatha," and "Lifetime" with one of the illest lines ever, "...slow cook pressure, Yes sir, my words carry life like a stretcher!" Whoa!