Trailblazin Ministries

SYD - Pressure

Written by G-Rich
Monday, July 30, 2007

Album Overview

After dropping Pressure: The Mixtape, SYD and La Familia Muzik have released his new album Pressure. Honestly, I hadn't listened to the mixtape much before writing this review, but a few songs, like "Express Yourself ft. J-City" got me interested in the album.

Pressure is a creative project dealing with the pressures of life on earth. Everyone faces pressure and we all know that. This album acknowledges this as sort of a consolation to listeners. I liked the idea behind this album, something I hadn't seen rapped about before. SYD went outside the box with this one.

This overall southern-flavored album had a good mix of featured artists on it to keep the flow changing. We "Get Down" with Carlito P., vibe to Ryan Horton's smooth sounds, and nod to B. Wright's clean flow. La Familia Muzik did a good job producing this project, a good mix with a nice idea from SYD.

Spiritual Significance

"If you're under pressure, don't got God, you might crack." Like the title, this album deals with pressure. SYD tells how we all face pressure, and we must seek God to get through it. He mentions that the men of the Bible also faced great pressure, greater than some of us may ever face. Imagine being Moses or Noah or any other leader chosen to do things they never thought they were capable of. However, they stuck with God and accomplished great things (Philippians 4:13). SYD also tells us to be determined to run for God even under pressure. Pressure can push us to grow to new levels of faith in God and makes our relationship with Him closer.

With all of the nerve-racking talk of pressure, SYD also hits on how to have fun as Christians to relieve stress, and how we are not alone in our struggle. God is also there when we need Him, so we must seek Him (Luke 11:9-13). Finally, SYD didn't forget to include a few songs about God's love. When we do crack under pressure, God is waiting to take us back and help get us on track again. Everyone messes up, but He's always there for us. For when we fall we persevere through it, and we gain character, which brings hope (Romans 5:3-5). With this we must know our hope will not be disappointed and press on with faith that God will help us under pressure.

Topics Covered

• Whatchu Know About — People have always faced pressure. Without God we will crack under pressure.
• Start It Up — Turn to God now. Everyone will have to face Him when they die.
• Friday Night — We can party as long as we don't sin. The church can have fun too.
• Judah — We must walk together in whatever way we can to help the world.
• I'ma Ride — We must pick up our cross and work for God (Luke 14:27).
• Man Behind the Muzik — SYD is just like us. We need God to help us and we must not compromise our morals.
• Tell Tha World — We need to tell the world God's Word.
• One Time — Being unashamed of God and knowing that we can't lose when we work for Him (Romans 8:28).
• Reality Check - Pastor Al — Kids today face so many pressures and they need a positive way to deal with it, including going to God.
• Get to You ft. Ryan Horton — The need to have a close relationship with God and grow in our faith.
• Hero — Jesus is our one true hero because of how he died to save us although we were undeserving.
• Not Quite ft. B Wright — We must pick good friends, but we still need God over any human companions.
• Pressure — Pressure comes to everyone. Don't judge others and fix you own life to avoid pressure (Matthew 7:1-5).
• Spiritual Growth — We need to have a deep faith in God so we won't be shaken (John 15:1-8).
• Move (Gimme My Space) — We can rep God as long as it's appropriate.
• Get Down ft. Carlito P. — We can party for God (Verse in Spanish by Carlito P.).
• Cry — God is always there for us. He deserves our praise for this.
• Your Love ft. Ryan Horton — Praise of God's love for how he has blessed us so much and helps us when we're in trouble.
• Bonus Track — The joke's on you if you go your own way and lose your life.

Key Tracks

Start It Up, One Time, Hero, Not Quite ft. B Wright, Spiritual Growth