Romans 12:2

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

If I were Not a Christian I would not be able to tell HE was a Christian Rapper

After about 19 yrs (1990) i've known the genre called christain hip hop, or hip hop chirst sytle. Cats like Lacre and the reach record fam do "jesus muzik." it cools to me to have a jesus hook and just rapping scripture. however we must be wise as we soul win and RECOGNIZE the different styles and gifts that ministries have. For KJ- Five,Two that cat keep's it live (sily) and on scriture, PJ style is just sick (when you think about it) both have the goal to win souls. so wuts the peice? for RedCloud it took a few listens to figure his style and he is doing what we all do relating the word to the world we know. Really remember that.
Myself I grew up on Grits, T-bone, Tunnelrats on the rap side so I like the explosive but sutile style (it just blows my mind). so i encourage a open mind... cause if you think about it would we be having such a difference of opinion of Steven Curtis, or Jeremy Camp... Jars of Clay

Shalom

Well, I don't care for the style... only because I came up on the East Coast stuff. However, this track has it's place. RedCloud and the DJ working together is crazy clever. Will definitely appeal to underground heads that love wordplay. Now, I'm not a theologian, but did Christ reach people through preaching or through filling a need and telling the people to turn to him (or sin no more). Both. Really? So he preached to those who were already following him and he met the needs of those who didn't know him. Oh, Ok. Well, that being said, I believe this dude will impact some cats in the streets/world. Do what you do.

I know there's been a lot of back and forth on this already and Cerve has said his piece... please, just read this for a sec and take it in.

The idea that cat's spitting Jesus are on "Their" soap box is humorous to me for the simple logical fact that a person talking about "themself" is more correctly pointing to being on their own soap box. If a cat is spitting Christ then they are not on their OWN soap box, they are on God's. What eats me up is when a "Christian" rapper spends the whole time talking about himself... that is what the world does, on their soap box... I don't need to go into the Christian rhelm just to hear the same thing.. that's not why I'm there.

that to the side... the other thing that rubbed me as odd was this comment "The route you like is screaming Jesus in every song. The route they like is to deal with real issues in a lot of the songs."
hmmm... wow, this could be a long convo, but I'll try to tackle it really short. In just simply looking at this particular track from Redcloud, he's not dealing with any "real issues." It's just a crew song and that's cool. But a cat is presenting the gospel is dealing with the MOST REAL ISSUE... sin and death. I know that progressivism has got us twisted into some humanistic worldviews but come on fam, just be a bit objective.

Example, in Lecrae's Rebel, every track was dealing with REAL ISSUES. Not one track was trying to raise his click up on a mantle, instead they lifted Christ and godliness as much as they could... that's called humility. Everytime I talk about how dope I am is just another pump in the pride balloon (ok, wack analogy, but you get what I mean).

Thisl's "I hate you crack" is dealing with a real issue... but he presents a and ultimately THE solution which is Christ. Leaving Christ out of it is just teaching morality. You know what, I'm cool with that, that's concious rap, but where is the objective standard? Where is the foundation? What is the core thing by which lives are truly saved and changed.... Christ. Man, Vinnie Paz through up Christ in his lyrics too, but he's no Christian... KRS-1, DMX, 2 Pac and others as well. What differenciates them from a Christian but the WHOLE of the message... not just a crumb.

Anyway, none, or little, of that has to do with this video. It's just a nice video. Will it change someone's life... nope, but it's not going to hurt anyone's either.

I would, however, like a biblical reference where Christ or any minster of the gospel was given a commission to go forth in God (metaphorically even) and yet not promote God and Godliness at every step. David? Abraham? Paul? Isaiah? Samuel? Timothy? John? Mark? Peter? Are you getting the idea?

The arguement is simply this... to quote HGA, I you're a Christian rapper, then be a Christian rapper, don't put the rapper first and then the Christian after." The church is failing because we have things backwards. We think we are going to change the world by coming to the world as the world and then changing their morality and then directing them to God. I admit that I am just as subject to that example, I've done it many times, especially debating Atheists/Humanists. But since God is the author of all things, especially morality, why are we circumventing the source? Neither Christ, nor Paul nor any of the other apostles and disciples sugar coated their message to appease the world. They are going to hate us because they hate Jesus. Those who are ashamed of Christ are afraid of dealing with that... real talk. I am just as guilty of that way to often.

Now (man too long already) take a couple of friends of mine for example. Both preach Christ openly. One is an arrogant little prick thinking he knows everything and puffs himself up with "his" knowledge. People at his job hate him because his character sucks. It doesn't reflect Christ in the slightest and even the sinner understands this. But the other cat, who actually knows more, is much more humble and is much more liked because of his character (which they see as becoming of Christ). That second dude has a greater effect in minstering because of that very fact... and he's not shoving Jesus down cats throats like the other dude... but he's not playing patty cake either.

I think that is something also for Cerve to look at because we can be too obnoxious at times in our zeal. Just being fair.

But ultimately, back to something even vaguely relating to Redcould, we can have our fun, happy, positive crew tracks and such (i.e. KJ 52's 80's song as well as this) but it also needs to be balanced with "real issues" as well as real answers and the source which is Christ and scripture. We don't save souls, I've never saved a soul in my life. Christ has used me to draw men unto him for purposes of administering his saving graces upon them that they might be saved, but HE did 100% of the saving and I did 0%. Thus, to God alone be the glory. let's start losing the God complex that the world in its sin so naturally evokes. (not directed at anyone person diretly... instead, all who call themselves a Christian including me).

Grace and peace

heh. I figured I start it on a high note. Dag, there's a lot of bickering going on... man, it seems really familiar to me... I wonder why, lol.

Anyway, look I'm going to be blunt because I am and keep it real because I does. I am by no means a Redcloud fan. I probably never will be. His voice and delivery just rub me wrong.. like fingernails on a chalkboard. BUT... BUT!!! I don't of much of anyone who can tackle Redcloud on the freestyle tip. Redcloud is officially a beast on that.

But (yep another) it tends to stop there for me. The first verse was wack, probably mostly on delivery, and the monotony was plesantly broken up by the DJ... mad respect... so I am thankful that Redcloud takes advantage of his creative strengths to help compensate for his weaknesses. The other verses were much stronger and in the middle it was really good... I had forgotten I didn't like Redcloud's typical recorded style.. and then it came back.

What is weird for me is that in a live, freestyle environment he can be such a beast and so aggresive on the mic and then when he records it's like he's taken a sleeping pill? But anyway, let me get off the hating because believe it or not I think this is actually a decent video. We could sit and debate the Godliness of it all day, but the big questions was is it, objectively a good video?

Yea, it kinda was... but I'm still not diggin that first verse, which sounds like it was freestyled... correct me if I'm wrong. I love the Last Dragon reference of "catching the bullet with his teeth... catches bullets with his teeth!!"

But objectively speaking on the lyric front... it really seemed to be a crew and set song... one mention of YHWH and anything to that effect. I guess it's a decent family song... man, I'm on the fence again. I hate that.

ok, out of respect for the fact I think this is the best "recorded" track Redcloud has ever done and the video was a decent low budget project and all that... 3 of 5. I think the other "underground" videos here are better.... but don't challenge Redclound on the mic because he's a beast!!!

people...if we r all Christians, then why are you arguing? i doubt if Christ is like this '' when you're doing this '' to each other

He tells you right up that "yaweh saves your soul". So even when he's makin a song about emceeing, he still lets the listener know.

It's rreally not in a spirit of love the way certain posters have spoken towards Redcloud. Here's some Word for you, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."John 13:35. People act like these guys are doing something wrong by emceeing. IS A CHRISTIAN PAINTER RITICULED IF THEY PAINT ANYTHING BUT JESUS PICTURES? DO WE NOT RESPECT THAT THE GOD IN THEM IS INSPIRING THEY'RE ART AND CREATIVITY EVEN WHEN IT'S NOT A LAST SUPPER PICTURE? IF THE ARTISTS LOVES JESUS AND GIVES CHRIST THE GLORY FOR THE ABILITY TO MAKE ART AND TRUST GOD TO MINISTER TO PEOPLE THROUGH THEIR WORK. If artists choose to spit straight sermons everytime they rap that's coo, but different artists have different aproaches and if anyone ever got saved or at a concert or show, you shouldn't put your mouth on them. LACRAE, FLAME, TRIP, AND ALL THEM CATS FROM CROSS MOVEMNT AND ESPECIALLY REACH RECORDS have some of the most bashing degrading fans out right now. Those guys Don't bash, why do the fans? I chilled with cross movement records artist before a big show and the dude's lingo wasn't "bad" and he most def loves Jesus, but he might have offended some listeners if they knew. If what they are sayin and doin ain't goin against the scriptures, please, LET GOD WORK THROUGH WHOEVER!!!!! Some of the music by highly bashed artists, have caused me to consider my ways and at times and repent, no joke from wrong things. If Lecrae ministers to you, coo, but others may minister to me and other people.

Well it seems that you have all the answers my friend?(Jesus is King) and I never attacked?? But you obviously had a mouth full for me because of my opinion of a song???. Like you even know me famz? Saying -->I Dont like change?-->LOL. What are you talking about man? I call this a lack of communication.
Your Mr.know it all comments about the streets --alone shows me where your approach & priorities are. You seem to have allot to say but all I was saying is (Jesus)-->and what really should come first. The King should be first in everything we say and do when it comes to the streets because we ain't doing the saving famz--He is. Everything falls into place when His Holy Spirit is present--and that's in whateva hood your in. Of course persecution at times comes with it. I dont just shove Jesus down nobodys throat I like to be Spirit led for that. You can keep doing your approach bro but what works for me is obviously not working for you. God Bless , Peace and see you in the sky

Thanks for the autobiography of your life fam. If you know so much about reaching the streets then you know why this type of Christian hip hop is needed. Being the way some are about hip hop is funny to me because some forget how it was when they switched over. I though Christian Hip hop was wak...strait up...all day..everything I heard..becuase all I heard was the rappers soap boxing all day. Most people I run into don't want to be preached too. They want to listen and get it in on their own. I know your going to attack because that is the normal reaction to someone who doesn't like change. It doesn't faze me. That is your way and that is how you want to do it. God has tasked a lot of brothers to go the the route you dont like. The route you like is screaming Jesus in every song. The route they like is to deal with real issues in a lot of the songs. It has come time to understand there is a second genre in Christian Hip Hop strait up..like it or leave it..thats your opinion...

This is Hip Hop.
This is a Christian rapper talking about Graffitti!
The song is called "Krylon Teardrops" not "Altar Call 101"!
We cannot save people. Only Jesus can.
This is Hip Hop.
We do Hip Hop.
Quit making it into your personal demented cult!

Redcloud keep doing ya thang and keep winning Souls Love you Bro!

If Christ ain't in It It Ain't Christian Music Period,Nuff Said,Preach!!!!!

Oh and the comment from Jesus is King, I am out on the streets homeboy handling my business for the King. But I'm sure you know your mandate as well? We are in a battle for lost souls (period) and not just the youth in the church. You misunderstood that and about me getting out on the streets a little more?? I was raised in the streets of Newark NJ and I spent a good 26 year in them. I know where the war is at and nobody is just going to come to Christ that easy but I'm sure you know about the Holy Spirit creating opportunities when we walk out that door. There's 2 types of Christians--> those who talk about reaching the Lost and those who go out to hunt for them. God Bless, and no offense

Yeah you are right--> there are to sides to to the "Christian Hip-Hop" scene, there's Gospel Rap & then there's the guys who are Christians who make just Hip-hop. I am not telling the brother( Christian) how to make music and you said (Jac) it is all about taste. I support bought sides of the that front but I never said that he is not a man of God because of that wack track. Does it really matter what I say --NO-->So don't sweat it.
Why are Christians always the first to say Judge yourself, before you judge others ???, Well I see enough Christians that use that line like it's the 11th commandment and they forget about the real big 10. Jesus said to judge them by there fruits and that is totally off the topic when it comes to the comment I left. This is not even about a debate and I have been into Hip-Hop since I was 13 and I am 39 years old now. I think I am allowed to leave a comment like that famz. I know what good music is and I was not feeling that song. I was never attacking the artist personally just the song itself and not even the video cause the video is OK. Right away you see the offense amongst the brethren fire up because someone has an opinion. One comment and that's all it takes but I hope you brothers defend the Gospel like that? I know good Hip-Hop and I never said that he was wack (OK) What I said was not an attack on his Godly Walk so if you kats got it twisted then my apologies. I heard some of his music before and its not bad but I am personally looking to hear more artist who are worried about saving souls than just dropping a hot vedio & album to get sales. Let me make it very clear (REDCLOUD )-->I'm not saying that's what your doing but I know a few of those Christians MC's making Hip-Hop music that are. I know you are involved in ministry but that is not the point about my comment. I dont think the song is edifying (THAT'S IT) and I cant find nothing about it that can maybe even point someone to Christ. Sorry
I personally wont sit by on the side lines and hug someone all the way to hell like a big percentage of Christinas today. Somebody said that Redcloud saves souls and his music is good to. We as Christians have to be a little more careful when we speak these days. “When did Redcloud die on a cross?” We save no one. We plant and water seeds as we watch our great God give the increase. Maybe I shouldve worded my comment better but Yes we all could listen to good Hip-Hop and at the same time rightly divide the word of truth but this is only my opinion of this song. So get over it Peace & Blessings

This track was awesome, brought back a lot of memories. This is the type of music I'm looking for. I'm looking for GOOD hip hop, that is well produced and spit by artist with flow. I'm already saved, and I attend church and bible study for my spiritual nurishment, I don't need Jesus shoved down my throat. This is the type of clean (no curses, no dirty rapping) track that still gives a shout out to God. (seems like a few people missed that) That I can reccomend to my freinds listening to secular music.

Well, whatever your views on this are, it's a great video.

Yo fam, you have to understand that we are in a battle for more than just the youth in the church. Maybe you dont get out on the streets very much but the war is in the streets. These cats in the hood arent going to recieve the music you want everyone to do. Time wise up and understand the times we are in...I guess you think dudes are just going to come to Christ that easy..its a WAR...look up what that means.

I'm not a huge fan of Red Cloud but this video was tight & so was the track!!Real Hip-Hop represent!!

And this is directed to Cerve69,there's 2 sides to the "Christian Hip-Hop" scene, there's Gospel Rap & then there's the guys who are Christians who make Hip-hop,they are 2 different styles of ministry but they are minitering all the same, DON'T make one better than the other..It's really all about taste,for people(like me),who are into the underground Hip-hop culture which is the REAL hip-hop,artists like red cloud among others reach us through our taste in hip-hop where as people who are more used to listening to Commercial stuff,they will more than likely choose your "Gospel" rap like Lecrae etc..

I really do think it's wrong saying that, because Jesus isn't all up in the music then it's NOT "Christian" or right.To be quite honest you don't have the right to tell a Christian how to make music..

If I know that a person is legit & their life demonstrates that of a Christian then that's all right with me,I don't care if they are talking about Jesus all in their music,however if something in their life or music contradicts that then I won't support them..And There have been a couple of "Christian" hip-hop artists that have made me say that I won't support them..

redcloud saves souls. 'nuff said.
o and his music is good to.

That is the worst comment I've ever read... Research before you leave another comment like that. I'm not gonna give an explanation but I've had it with people like you bashin' on good music just because it doesn't say Jesus. It's almost like saying everyone who doesn't work for a Christian Company or the Church is doing a horrible thing, like if you work as a waiter or just a regular job thats for a secular company then it's BAD!

Judge yourself, before you judge others... one more thing... I'm also sick of these debates, how about if we just listen to good hip hop music and read the word and live a Christian life without all of this!