To some, Christian rap may seem like an oxymoron. After all, hip-hop has long been associated with lyrics that glorify gangster violence, materialism, stealing, drug taking, and treating women like butchered meat. However, just as spiritually inclined heavy-metal artists were able to take that once Satanic genre and transform it into a weapon for God, so have rappers such as Crossover (http://www.nodeerecords.com) turned the tables on hip-hop. To my surprise and likely the delight of many rap fans who are devout Christians, Crossover takes authentic elements from the genre but gives them a Biblically-guided context. Amen to that.
Crossover actually has a really powerful, magnetic voice. In another world, his deep, intimidating vocals would've gone (and warmly accepted by) the opposite side of the street. But Crossover's intentions are laid bare from the opening cut, "One Wish," which basically states his war against the D, otherwise known as the Devil. "One Wish" is about taking the right road in life with Crossover preaching without sounding preachy. It's a delicate balance, and Crossover is never cheesy.
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"Jezibel Spirit" and the epic "Soldiers" (complete with sound effects of helicopters, explosions, sirens, and marching feet) display cinematic flair. There is actually some craftsmanship here; it wasn't all simply thrown together into the studio. However, what's most impressive about these tracks is Crossover himself. He sounds fearless and bold, confident in his faith and ready to slam the D against the wall. This album is just as intense as any gangsta record; the main difference is that Crossover is fighting for justice, not injustice.
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