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Rhema Soul: Does the Church Owe This Pop Group an Apology?



by Lavoisier Cornerstone


The first time I heard Rhema Soul's sophomore project, I downloaded it for free, artwork and all. Don't judge me, they gave me permission. As they did to everyone else. "Dope Beats Good News" contained some of the most top quality caliber pop music, that one of my first thoughts was, "Why don't these people have a million dollars for this music they're making??" Joint was so good I felt like I stole something.

You know what I immensely dislike? When Christian rappers act as if they left the world of secular rap for the Lord, and were on the verge of some major deal as if to magnify what they left behind to make their sacrifices appear greater. (If that's you, stop it.) It also happens with many that have secular industry experience. Many times I've met new Christian converts who were in the music industry in the world and they carry themselves as if they're what Gospel Rap's been missing, and as if it's gonna blow up now that they're a part of it. #KnowhatImean?


Ok, here's the point. Not everyone who's in Christian Hip-hop and getting attention would have otherwise had an Eminem or Lil' Wayne level career if not for "ministry." That's a delusion, son. Rhema Soul now, on the other hand? They have a world class sound, image and visual makeup. They are truly one of the best pop trio's that I've ever had the pleasure of listening to...period. Its not fair that you like their music so much before you even know what they're talking about. That's got to be against the rules or something. Rhema Soul is what I call a total package act. The down to earth language that they use to communicate truth is amazing. So much so that many (slower to recognize) Christians, chided them for not being "Christian enough." But when people say things like that about acts like this whose lyrics are MORE than obviously God glorifying, it shows me that Jesus and truth isn't what they're looking for in music. It's religion. And unfortunately, many have cometo see a more religious sound as the standard by which all Christian Hip-hop is to be measured. I believe this thinking has negatively affected some CHH consumers in regard to how they processed Rhema Soul. They were slow to understand and hard of hearing.

Let's get something clear. Back in 96' before I got saved, MAYBE you could say being a Christian rapper was a sacrifice or some sort of cross to bear, but let's be real, Christian rappers are famous, on TV, in secular magazines and hanging out with other famous people. The majority of those who love Hip-hop and are in church see the shine it gets you on BOTH sides of doing it. So let's not act like rapping more religious is a sure path to poverty and lack because its not. With Christian Hip-hop going how its been going, Grammy's and all, everyone knows this thing could just "Kirk Franklin" any day and take off into the stratosphere. So religious rhyming is no longer this martyr path. Its actually still more likely to get you noticed and give you a career than anything else.

Now that I have your attention, Rhema Soul is DOPE...and GODLY...AND has fly sneakers! Rapzilla had an online listening party for the new Rhema Soul CD "Fingerprints" that was supposed to end at midnight. I arrived fashionably late, but to my surprise, the party was still popping so I didn't have to sneak in...and it may still be going on if you hurry!! (Click here for Rhema Soul Fingerprints listening party on Rapzilla) Anyway, if I hadn't spent all my money on Sho Baraka's Lions and Liars Ultimate Package for 69.99+$10.25 shipping and handling bringing it to a total of $80.24, I'd have Rhema's Soul's new CD Fingerprints in my possession.

Dear Rhema Soul, my apologies on behalf of the church. Many of us are out of touch and don't realize that you guys sound just like the radio and have the ability to change the landscape of the substance of popular music. #ImJustSaying

Ok, I know I'm a dramatic reviewer, true, but don't let the passion take away from my premise, listen: If you know what the radio sounds like presently, from Rhianna to Justin Bieber to Drake to Lady Gaga to Lil Wayne to Fergie to Akon to Keri Hilson, and the list goes on, then you know that Rhema Soul's music with G-Styles Good City Music Production behind it has the ability to sit beside any Billboard hit...in more than 1 genre at that. One time my teenage daughter put on Rhema Soul's Dope Beats Good News CD at a teenager party, and the kids listened to the whole thing straight through and asked for copies. So I've seen the #Fingerprints that their music can leave artistically and spiritually speaking. As soon as my coffers are full again with greenbacks, I'm copping this joint. You should too!

For More information on Rhema Soul go to: www.rhemasoul.com

P.S. Try to cop it before the week is out, 1st week sales still matter a lot!

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9 Response to Rhema Soul: Does the Church Owe This Pop Group an Apology?

LkGibbs
Wednesday, March 31, 2010 8:42:00 PM

Amen! Rhema Soul keep going!! NY is loving you. I been up on them since Worn Soles. I first heard a song and determined to get that first one and it took awhile for me but I never forgot. Then I got Dope Beats and then the new album. Great album! It's also very mature. I don't know any other group that could make party tracks yet stay as lyrical as Rhema Soul has!

Lavoisier Cornerstone
Wednesday, March 31, 2010 11:36:00 PM

@LkGibbs I agree in regard to the maturity. They have a substance that a lot of CCH artists who use more religious rhetoric lack. #JamminWithTheBoomBoxLoudLikeOWWW.

Devan
Thursday, April 01, 2010 1:58:00 PM

Well said. I been sleepin on these cats BIG TIME.... I love how they have lyrics to go with each song on their new album; like actually posted on their website. They're dope.

Johnny Bishop
Monday, April 26, 2010 2:47:00 PM

Rhema Soul and Group1Crew are the TRUTH! I appreciate their music, and my kids love them as well. I feel that Rhema should be pushed as hard as Group1Crew are, but sadily, they do not have the backing for some reason. Group1crew is on a lot of CCM tours. Rhema has stuck close to more urban settings. That is their weak link. We do not support our people like the CCM crowd does. See Toby MAC.

Anonymous
Saturday, May 15, 2010 5:46:00 PM

What up, this is Scott from Chapel Hill NC. I am 15, have been listening to Christian hip hop for a long time and wanted to give a quick take on Rhema Soul.

I first heard of Rhema soul with their video Steez. Around that time, I was into more religious stuff and hadnt heard RS's style fo fun lyrics, crazy club beats and amazing lyricism. As I loked at thier stuff from Dope Beats Good News on youtube, I began to like their stuff and the sound that they had that was similar to people such as G-Notes and DJ Morph (their albums are amazing btw). From then on until early March 2010, I grew to appreciate their way of communicating their faith and their insane production.

Blow Your Wistle and Boom Box, both singles released before Fingerprints, took time to grow on me. Boom Box was repetitive and Blow Your Wistle didn't have the light, smooth beat and flow I was used to from RS. However, I eventually got to the point where I realized that I would be missing out in a big way if I didn't get their new album. Now, all I can say is, that album was well worth the 13 bucks I paid for it. Neva Lay Low, Champion, Let Me Live, Sky's Not The Limit, Shorty's Lost, My Beat Go, and I Hope are all amazing songs with unique beats (by the way, HUMONGOUS shoutout to G-styles), great lyricism, excellent harmonizing, and great messages. The best song, however, would have to be Fly Away. Everybody pretty much destroyed everything: it has one of the best beats on the album with crazy hi-hats, beautiful piano and synth, and of course, booming bass; the hook is well-mixed and harmonious; and the content is raw. They go into things such as child molestation and a slew of other pains from childhood. Overall, the album is one of the best and realest I own.

All this to say, YES!!!! Anyone who ever considered Rhema Soul not holy or Chrisitan-sounding enough, me included, owes an apology to everyone affiliated with their ministry, what they are trying to do, and how they are trying to do it. Steppin off my soapbox now, thank you Lavoisier.

Anonymous
Friday, October 29, 2010 7:58:00 PM

I gotta admit, I too was victim to the idea that Christian rappers can only spit about explicit theology and the gospel and anything less was just positive music, which in my head, was "selling out". NOW THERE ARE, artists out there in the CHH industry that are clearly disrespecting God by teaching false doctrine and advertising self richtousness, but NOT Rhema Soul. And what sucks is that sometimes this artists are associated with Rhema soul and vice versa because of the tight bonds between South FLA rappers.

I apologize, for i too was a hater but now i see yall vision. Keep it up and God bless you guys!

Sincerely,
some dude from south fla...

T.Pipper
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 3:05:00 PM

to be honest with u,it like an idealogy that the church is carrying which is very creul if u ask me.Didnt God say that we humans should glorify him with our gifts that he has embedeed in us,it just like the parable of the servant with talents.instead of encouraging us they just critise us,i listened to rhema soul and wow..... they are good.It is my prayer that God will show people that hip hop can be used to glorify his name

T.Pipper
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 3:05:00 PM

to be honest with u,it like an idealogy that the church is carrying which is very creul if u ask me.Didnt God say that we humans should glorify him with our gifts that he has embedeed in us,it just like the parable of the servant with talents.instead of encouraging us they just critise us,i listened to rhema soul and wow..... they are good.It is my prayer that God will show people that hip hop can be used to glorify his name

T.Pipper
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 3:05:00 PM

to be honest with u,it like an idealogy that the church is carrying which is very creul if u ask me.Didnt God say that we humans should glorify him with our gifts that he has embedeed in us,it just like the parable of the servant with talents.instead of encouraging us they just critise us,i listened to rhema soul and wow..... they are good.It is my prayer that God will show people that hip hop can be used to glorify his name

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