Okay, so I was reading over the comments and I found that the general make-up of the comments that criticized Tedashii's album, Reach Records, and people who like Reach Records was simply that the fans are praising the artist instead of God for the album. No, I completely disagree, fans of T-dot and RR are simply showing their love for their work, and honestly saying that they are gifted at spitting the gospel. Now, I strongly feel that Lecrae, Tedashii, Trip Lee, and Sho Baraka (our RR stars) and fervently making the music and relaying the praise to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Just as I do when I perform at my church, I make it clear not to clap for me. As well as that, my sign is taking my hand by my hip with my finger pointed and I then move my arm to point up to the sky. Thereby signaling that any praise should go to God, not me. And even though they do not make that notion, I completely believe that that is exactly what they desire, no praise to them, all of it to God. God Bless our Reach Records brothers. And praise God for their message that He provided them with.

THIS JOINT IS ANOINTED!!! Especially tracks 1-5. This album has the STRONGEST anointing I've felt in music thus far. I pray the body will recognize God's true anointing on everything we expose ourselves to, and those things we should exalt. I thank God Tedashii chose to submit this to da Lord and not looked to please people (Seemingly one of his main messages in da album), tru...

dis is a good album!

I loved the album and I just want to say that from Genesis to Revelations it all points back to the Christ and the Cross. The ram in the bush, Joseph in Egypt, Noah, Moses, the Prophets, etc all point to the redeemer. Baptism points to Christ, the great commission, the Holy Ghost, the Lord's Supper all of it. When I preach, regardless of the subject the spirit leads me to Christ ends up there. We must be careful when we try to make the offensive cross pleasing and try to hide the Christ to make it easier to shallow. Get off the milk. But I think we do need different types of rappers for that reason, some are not

I really thought this album was off the hook, I mean it reallys got some bamgers keep it up T-dot

can anybody post the lyrics to the song Transformers by Tedashii???
PLEASE!!!

All i gots to say about this album is that it is amazing, my favs are make war, work, 26's, thank you, and fresh. But the great thing is that it doesnt stop at just 4 great tracks, its an all around great album. BUY BUY BUY

I take back what I said about this album not being creative after listening to the album a few more times, it's a good subject and good subject matter, I think I might've felt it was rehashed cause my church had been talking about the same subjects for a while at the time. A few things still felt rehashed from past material from past albums, but this is definitely a very solid album. For some reason, though, the album just doesn't hit me as a great album, just a solid one even though the rapping and the beats are top notch imo. Still, great job with the album, Tedashii, definitely one of the top 5 albums in the year.

the album is good.. everyone has there own style...and the whole "same thing" argument is so weak. None of the every album that comes out from reach is dramatically different. neither of the rappers sound or rap anything alike. they are each unique yet they really bump, when it comes to lyric and style. its all a matter of preference. I really like the album especial 26" That's life and its super relevant in Memphis where in the hoods in Memphis where i live. Of course i feel like it could have been better, but its still a good album. All of there negative comments are crazy... it has a theme "identity crisis" it's a good one, an eye opener. Good music

he was at da heavenfest yesterday

Keep it up T-dot. Gotta let track 2: Work speak for it's self. God bless.

I dont know why I even bothered to come to this rock throwing party. I will just quote lecrae "if the cross dont move me then I dont want to be no more...". Check your spiritual pulse; next thing you know I will hear you brothers saying that John 3:16 is an overrated verse.

This is a tight album. I just think the HHH game is changing. Younger cats want that "Hey bey bey" type rap. Older cats love this kind of hip hop. Ritchie Righteous is coo...but too much wayne for me. People on here are hyping Viktory, but he got the worst review on illspot. Bottom line is us old heads (30 plus) will just have to enjoy this ride while it lasts. Then we will get more christian soldier boys.

i really dont care for this ablum.
I did run across a group of young men that are just awesome,the group name is Only 1-Way,there music is urban gospel with a unique style and lyrics, there's only one way to describe this group, beyond category
take a listen for yourself www.myspace.com/theresonly1way

But I’ll tell you this…

The rap fans’ standard for T-Dot’s 2nd album was off the charts and perhaps a little unfair…everybody expectations were that “isn’t a classic…then it’s disappointing”…to me, that claim is a little unfair.

Number two: This is only his 2nd album…so there could be a sophomore slump…but come on peeps…give the man time to grow…

Number three: The brotha’ was definitely going through some personal issues about nine months ago…

To me, the problem in reading these notes is that T-Dot was a VICTIM of his own success…THE MAN WAS SIMPLY SLAMMIN’ ON GUEST APPEARANCES on other albums (Dillon Chase, Json, Flame, Lecrae, Sho Baraka’s, etc.)…so everyone (including MYSELF) was expecting a slammin 2nd album…That’s my opinion.

To me…I STILL expect Reach Records to submit great Christian Rap albums and this one was great…

If you think the expectations are high for T-Dot, then I know Json’s and Steven the Levite’s next albums better produce 5 mic classics…or it’s a failure LOL!!!! Just Kidding..

Peace to you all…

being an artist that makes an album it's NOT just about the hook and the lryics, its about the track and the deliery as well. just like living the life isn't just about what u say or protray. it's about how YOU relate wit your Lord, then that light shines through you not from you. (i'll leave the reader to figure out that one).

louis white... thx for meantioning Grapetree I personnally miss that lable and there sound (a true gritty, but minisry based package) I listen to Prime's tracks even today...

japan... not everybody is trying to be like the Philly cat's (Reach/Lampmode/CMR) check out the "vetern" lables of forefront (their more contemporary), gotee, syntax, and grapetree. this artists took the challenge of presenting christ and christianty as a whole in the form Jesus would do it... in parables. some got hooky, some just straight had bomb lyrics they didn't "make it plain" they made stuff to be thought provokative and make you think about how you live your life, not just proclaim a life for Christ. peronnally I luv artists to have a dynamic and different delivery about christ and to have a sermon in their raps not just spitting script, but relating it to your life. I guess i have the stand of, i know i'm a christian, i love Jesus, so now i need to be dynamic and win others to christ by hooks, rhymes, and just real life issues just metioning biblical prinicles and leave the "punch line" at the end (i.e. tiing it back to christ). being an artist that makes an album it's just about the hook and the lryics its about the track and the deliery aswell just like living the life is't just about what u say or protray. it's about how YOU relate wit your Lord, then that light shines through you not from you. (i'll leave the reader to figure out that one).
In short hooks, verses, tracks, delievry, content, style, and presentation (and any thing you can think of) works toward the goal of winning souls. But let's not forget that we need some content to live this life too. if the album lacks something, i encourge you to look in that bible of yours and relate the song to script, to find that "missing elemtent." There is sooo much other stuff to say but it all boils down to think about the music as a whole and relate it to the script thats hidden ('remember hidden') in your heart. Not everything needs to IMMEDIATLY speack to you.

Shalom

I usually buy all reach records arists albums. I have to say, I was a bit dissapointed with 20/20 and Rebel. I listened to identity crisis but it...I couldnt get into it. And it was the first time i didnt buy an album that came from reach. I love these cats though. But im really feelin Rhema Soul right now

The reason I said Reach Records Groupies, is not because people think that Reach Records is the best ever, but because they intend to decrease others and make them the ultimate standard when they clearly aren't, Christ is. The comment that the guy left that I responded to in that way, is one of many who do this on the regular. Like I said in the comment, this is the words that come to mind when I see people like that come through with the comments like he did.

Jojo, I totally agree.

I'm a big fan of Christian rap and frequent this site from time to time, but reading these review comments is a little disappointing. First, I will say that I like the fact that we can critically analyze Christian music. If a cd is whack, we should be able to say (in luv of course) that the cd is not a great effort. The same way I take criticism at my job if I don’t perform well, and rightly so, as no matter what your job is …you could be a banker, janitor, teacher, or Christian rapper; we should all be putting our best foot forward. No matter what the job entails, we all work for Christ. So let’s not put Christian rappers to a higher standard at their job then we do ourselves…..so if you’re saying a rapper doesn’t glorify Christ enough in his album (which does happen often) be sure you support your argument with Scripture (which mean you have to know it) and that you are practiving at YOUR job what you want that rapper to do at his job ya dig.
But I digress. Mainly, I want to encourage all my sisters and brothers to learn how to disagree on some of these albums. I like Tedashii’s album, but like many others, don’t think it was a classic, but very solid. I have a list of minor critiques and about half of them boil down to my personal preference, which I can aknowledge.I am a huge Reach Records fan so no one should say I don’t like Tedashii because there is “too much gospel “in his music and that I only like “rappers that are watered down” just b/c I have critiques. Isn’t it possible to agree and respect the message but prefer a different delivery? Isn’t that why we all like Christian rap to begin with because we relate to it more than maybe some other genres? iOn the other hand, if you think Tedashii new album is the best ever, list your reasons why but no one should label you a groupie…as name calling should have no place on this board. I’ve typed enuff and will shut up now as I’ve handed in term papers form school shorter than this . I repeat tho, let’s learn how to disagree and debate without personal attacks. God Bless.

Reach Records keep reaching through ya records!

you can't use the pastoral sermon analogy because we go to church to hear sermons every week. Music is from a creative standpoint. The songs in Christian rap are redone over and over again with out it being original.

First of all, I really like the album. A lot of what Tedashii talks about is what we all go through. I won't say it is a classic album, and I won't say anybody is wrong here. I totally agree with you but I do have an opinion. Someone stated that it feels like the artist are recycling material when there is other content in the bible to cover. Well, if that is true than Praise and Worship genre has been recycling the same things for decades and no one says anythng! All I'm saying is that Identity in Christ hasn't really been talked about! Once again, go back and listen to Artist like Antonious, Mr. Real, Prime Minister, True II Society from the Grapetree Records days and you won't hear hardly anything like that. Even CMR barely touched on that. Now as far as the being to preachy in raps go, that is so ridiculous! That is like going to a church and saying the Pastor was too preachy, or the choir was too preachy in their songs! We need to always, always revert to Christ in every song! If not, then we move from the Christian side and move to a genere called Inspirational Rap! I say keep preaching the Gospel! That is what the artist was called to do! Not make records where it ain't too preachy to win the lost! Let he who has an ear hear! Remember that and we will be just fine!

Its a classic case of the sophmore album blues. Kingdom People was so fire and the wait so long for "IC" we anticipated more. i perfer "KP". I purchased "IC" for the sake of the support of the Ministry. Real Talk didnt really care for 80% of the tracks. You figure we have such a influx of solid new cats rushing the game with the gospel and refreshing creativity that it puts the dudes in forefront under a critical microscope. I'm feeling D MAUB, Young Josh,and J Johnson's(VET) project is NUTS!!!!! I mean crazy. Thats my opinion. As believers we gotta stop being so passive and speak the truth in love. Stop lying for the sake of avoiding confrontation. Say what you feel (with tact). Lets not bash but be real.

I dont believe its a T.Dot thing its a holy hip hop problem. Everyone is 'trying" to mimic CMR/Reach/Lampmode!! If you are a believer you feel affirmed by the music but diversity as the writer has said is needed.

YOOOO MA GUYS Y YHE NEGATIVE COMMENTS. IM FROM SOUTH LONDON AND WE LOVE LOVEEEEEEEEEE T.DOT ALBUM THA PRODUCTION, LYRICS WERE ON POINT I DON'T NO Y THE NEGATIVE COMMENTS U LOT NEED TO KEEP UR NEGATIVE COMMENTS 2 URSELF AND DONT PUBLICISE IT ON THIS WEBISITE

i'm definitely with lamar gibbs, new kid on the block, and larosa johnson. nobody's saying there's too much gospel in the records. i personally love gospel centered hip-hop, but i want someone to bring it in an original way. almost everything about the album reminded me of other Reach songs, even the concept immediately made me think of lecrae's song "identity" off of Rebel. shai linne brought the Word extremely creatively on 'storiez', viktory did it in a way that was very creative and lyrical with 'son of the king', even flame's 'our world' albums were a creative way to bring the gospel, and none of them compromised the message at all. nobody's looking for the message to be sugarcoated, just to be brought to us in a way that we haven't heard so many times before, and to bring us more from the bible than the same subjects over and over again. there's nothing wrong with the album at all, the beats, lyrics, and message are all top-notch. but the reason y albums like andale's 'white flag' or viktory's 'son of the king' are going to get more time in my mp3 player is because of the creativity and transparency they show. i was expecting that kind of creativity with tedashii's album, and probably expecting more creativity than those albums, but i felt let down in that category even though the album is still solid.

I'm a fan of " I'm a Believer", not a big fan of the album, but to each its own.

aye g-dawg your caps lock is on...

but this album was alright. i liked a couple songs but yes the content is getting repetitive. the features are also getting a little rehashed. I want to see thebreax on a verse in the next album,that would be amazing.

I SEE WHAT YOU GUYS ARE SAYING! BUT DOES IT REALLY MATTER? WE ARE ALL ONE BODY IN CHRIST. WE ALL HAVE ONE HEAVENLY FATHER WHO WE ARE REP"N FOR. EVERY ONE HAS MANY STYLES THAT THEY LIKE. THE POINT IS GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT THERE NOT COMPROMISED AND SUGARCOATED. WE NEED REAL SOLDIERS FOR CHRIST WHO WILL STAND AGAINST ANY SCHEMES OF THE ENEMIES. WE NEED TO SHINE HARD IN THESE DARK AGE. HONESTLY CHRISTIAN HIP HOP WILL NOT GET YOU TO HEAVEN! BUILDING YOUR OWN RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER WILL.INSTEAD OF DEBATING ABOUT THESE ALBUMS.. LETS PRAY FOR ARE BROTHERS THAT THEY STAY IN THE WORD, BUILD A SOLID RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, AND SHINE LIGHT! THEY ARE IN THE SPOTLIGHT, CHRIST NEEDS TO SHINE OFF THEM! LEST REP FOR THE LORD HARD! LET'S NOT FORGET WHERE HE BROUGHT US OUT FROM! THERE IS TO MANNY HURTING PPL OUT THERE! DYING, SICKNESS,ETC. WE WORRY ABOUT A ALBUM. WE NEED TO BREAK CHAINS. LETS PRAY FOR OUR LOST GENERATION. THAT WE WILL RISE!! UP!! AND REP CHRIST! IN JESUS NAME AMEN!! LOVE YA'LL BROS!!

When I said that something was missing, it was primarily in the area of originality. There's a LOT more in the Bible than what many artists choose to talk about; they limit themselves.

When I think of originality, I think of an album like Hazakim's upcoming "Theophanies" which gives you a completely original spin on the gospel message by taking you through all of the OT theophanies with a very heavy Hebrew spin. The content is still 100% biblical, but they aren't mimicking previous content or someone else's style.

Plus, there are other artists like B. Morr, Christcentric, and Voice who always bring fresh & original biblically saturated content with each & every album they record. Again, there's plenty more in the Bible than what many artists are limiting themselves to.

lj.

Ladies and gentlemen, I know you guys love Reach, and trust me, so do I. Ive been to their concerts, Ive met Lecrae and they are great men, with great families and great ministries. So no one is knocking them. But for the genre to expand it has to continually evolve. tHE ALBUM WAS A GOOD, solid album, but it wasnt the classic we expected. When Reach drops an album we know what to expect by now. But we do need diversity for the genre to grow. Nobody needs to water down the Gospel, but different styles are necessary. This is why what Viktory, Braille, K-Drama, Humble Tip, Ritchie Righteous and other different artist are doing is sooooooooooo important. Because they all bring the unadulterated Word of God, but they are different than the major lables. CM, Reach, keep doing your thing and dont switch anything, but lets support these indie artist and these major label artist

"I think people think somethings is missing is hes spittin to much truth. Its ususally cuz peopple listen to certain Christian rappers that sugarcoat the gospel so much that they dont like cats who spit straight up gospel"

Feel my heart when I say the next things I say....No offense bro, but I'm going to keep it real and say I see people like you say stuff like this and the first thing that comes to my mind is the words:

"Reach Records Groupies"

Do you honestly think you can come through and say something like that, when there are other artists that aren't like Reach, but still bring it hard for the Lord. Plain and simple, this was a good release, ain't no one knocking what Tdot did. But I can't honestly say that this is a classic album, its a good album, more like an album you would expect to come from Reach, because they are just gifted by God to do this. There wasn't something that made you say, wow this was wayyy above and beyond what I expected.

We expected Tdot to come hard and he did, but he clearly was missing something.

But back to what I was saying. Not everyone will sound like Reach, and God is my witness, I would not listen to Christian rap if everyone tried to come like Reach did it, because it would be unoriginal. Reach has a lane that they need to run hard in, but I don't want to say that and have you think that others aren't preaching the word.

Someone who brought an album that will be called a classic is actually Viktory's album, Son of the King, and another is Braille's Cloud Nineteen. They both came uncompromisingly with the message of Christ, and yet there are others, *I would even say Lecrae's Rebel was better than Identity Crisis*.

Tedashii's album was a 4.5 out of 5 to me, because it was real good. But please don't come here assuming that everyone is compromising in the music they are listening to just because not everyone is jumping on the bandwagon to say that his album was a full album, it was in fact missing something.

This comment can also go for G-Dawg as well to be honest. I also want to point something out:

Yes we still battle with sin, and its great to talk about it, but thats also actually apart of the problem. WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT IT, yet people still don't feel that amped to fight against sin, even after knowing all the lyrics to songs about fighting sin. Some folks know more of Lecrae's lyrics than the Scriptures that his lyrics are focused on...im not exaggerating either, I know someone who knows others that are like this. We have to be careful and have a balance with the songs we make.

It's awesome to speak against sin and fighting sin, but what I like about the transparency from Tdot to Braille that has been shown is that they speak about how they dealt with certain sins when fighting against them. It gives people Scriptural practicality in fighting sin that we are amped about when singing the songs, *but not amped to apply to daily living*

Check out the review I wrote on it and why I gave it a 4.5 out of 5.0:

http://www.dasouth.com/reviews/1396-tedashii-qidentity-crisisq

I think people think somethings is missing is hes spittin to much truth. Its ususally cuz peopple listen to certain Christian rappers that sugarcoat the gospel so much that they dont like cats who spit straight up gospel like Tedashii. I clearly dont hear nothing missing from this Album. We dont need cats sugarcoating the gospel we need rcats that talk about Jesus and the scriptures in every single song. Amen and god Bless

I love the album, before I boughgt it, I was a little skeptical, but T-Dot's appearances on Go Hard and Real Vision gave me a lil hope, so I bought it, and I'm not dissapointed at all. I love BIBLICALLY based rap, so Reach, CMR, and Lampmode do it for me, I do like Braille, and maybe one day I'll listen to others, but 4 now, I'll be bumpin Rebel, 20/20, Identity Crisis, The Dash, and Storiez for a minute

MAN!! FIRST OF ALL THIS ALBUM IS OFF THE HOOK! WHAT DO YOU WANT IT TO SOUND LIKE SECULAR MUSIC! WE AS CHRISTIANS BATTLE EVERYDAY! WE MAKE WAR WITH FLESH NOT TO CONFIRM OF THIS WORLD. I WAS STARTING TO WORRY ABOUT OTHER CHRISTIAN KATS.REACH RECORDS THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING TRUE UNASHAMED REPRESENTATIVES OF CHRIST. THANK YOU FOR NOT BEING LUKE WARM! ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS READ 1 PETER 1 13-16.. TO RAPZILLA COM"ON MAN!! GET ON FIRE!!

I liked it. We all have different taste I guess. I never get bored of "rap about battling sin and the flesh" because I'm always dealing with my sins and my flesh. I mean, I like braille and other creative artist as well, but I do tend this buy reach records because I know they will have biblical solid messages. I mean, I didn't care for the "Adoption" track's beat, but it's content was awesome and I never get tired of truth, like other rappers never get tired of saying they are number one. Just because we are "already Christians" does not mean we don't deal with sins. I don't know, I'm sorry y'all are bored with content, but it works for me.
I do love the reviewer's honesty. A lot of reviews say all good things about a album even if they don't mean it. Keep it up, Trailblaza!

yeah this ia a problem, but its always gonna be difficult doing a sophmore album. But the biggest problem is alot of artist cant hold their own on tracks by theirself. Like T.Dot is a beast as a featured artist, but hes just good as a solo artist, Tripp as well. Nothing against them. Their ministry is great and effective but its starting to get a lil redundant with the Reach topics and the songs all have a very familiar feel. But hey, its working, because the tour is off da hook.

It seems that this is what a lot of folks were afraid of; but it's not solely this album. One christian eMCee once said that the way he makes music is: he puts together a track, he listens to his favorite artists' songs, he listens to his own, and if it's not better, he will redo the track. It's really a great motivator. The biggest problem is that 'Transformers' was released as a B-side, and it was really quite spectacular (lyrics, concept, beat, cameos, hook, and specifically T-dot's flow). The consensus given me was that people hoped the tracks on 'Identity Crisis' would have each been better than 'Transformers' if it didn't make it.

This album lacked something i agree, my favourite song was Thank you.

That's actually what I felt with this album as well, that there was something missing. Hopefully we will see some changes, and that it will come just as hard! That's why I tend to listen to folks like Braille, Viktory, Richie Righteous, and others more now

i definitely agree as well. that's actually the reason why i don't listen to reach records as much as when i got saved--everything starts to sounds the same after a while. i'm not dissing or anything, and i like the album, but they do need to change it up for future releases.

Well written review. I agree, not knocking it at all, but alot of reach trends are forming. Alot of their youth group bangers are really starting to sound a lil similar. Once again, not knocking, just stating.

lacks good subject matter

I actually agree