Imade iN Truth

After getting an advanced copy of Sho Baraka’s Talented Xth album, I arrived at one important conclusion: Sho Baraka is Hip Hop’s Bill Cosby.  No, not in the cranky old man, frumpy hoodie, why-is-he-wearing-sunglasses-indoors type of way, but something much deeper.  Sho embraces his fatherly role in restoring true manhood.  His boldly discusses society’s void and God’s solution.  Talented Xth is the definition of a true crossover album.  It’s for bastards and church pastors, and everything in between.     

The review is super long, so if you don’t have time to read it, just check out the bold section titles! 

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I don’t think Hip Hop can ever die as long as artists like Theory Hazit make music.  His gritty, aggressive beats stay true to Hip Hop’s foundation while remaining cutting edge. Theory places us in the middle of his creative process with “Ol D3rty Hazit”.  It’s my favorite song off Thr3e, and for good reason.  Worn down notebooks, beat machines, and rehearsals provide a backstage pass to what makes a true emcee.  If you want to go even more behind the scenes, check out an interview I did with Theory Hazit that brings his music to life.  Twitter  

Courtesy of HeatCasters 

My love for Theory Hazit runs deep.  Regardless of how underrated he is, I consider Theory Hazit a Hip Hop legend.  Even my first blog post reflects that.  Back when I was talking to myself and Jesus, I had to share how impressed I was with his Extra Credit album.  Since then, I supported Theory’s anti-bullying stance with Concealed Sorrow and applauded his spectacular creativity with his latest Thr3e album.

It’s obvious that I’m not the only one impacted by Theory Hazit.   Eric, the chief editor of HeatCasters, shares the same sentiment.  Theory Hazit was the “first Christian who rapped” that got Eric excited about Christ-centered Hip Hop.  It was an automatic yes when Eric passionately proposed a Theory Hazit interview.  Though I know Theory Hazit’s music quite well, it didn’t prepare me for Theory the person.  Check out the full interview to get a glimpse of the man behind the music.

Theory Hazit has two dimensions to his personality that is disparate as it is fascinating.  Behind the battle rap punch lines and gripping stories is a quiet, thoughtful man.  Theory has the self-effacing humility that would make you question if he ever made songs like “Ol D3rty Hazit” or “Late Night Beef”.  But as you begin to look beneath the surface, it becomes evident that Theory’s music bridges the gap between many different spheres.  His music reconciles an introvert to an emcee, and a passionate Christ follower to a dying world.  Read More

As a Christian community, we have a tendency to take Hip Hop artists for granted.  With Lecrae’s stratospheric achievement, our standard of success has been quantified into iTunes sales and Lupe Fiasco mentions.  Though these accomplishments are monumental to spreading the gospel, it doesn’t define a talented emcee.  

Theory Hazit is a criminally underrated artist, but the lack of mainstream notoriety doesn’t keep him down.  Since beatboxing with his DJaying cousin in the 80s, Theory’s love for Hip Hop has shaped his musical dedication.  But it wasn’t until he left a life of crime and drugs that the Westchester, Kentucky native began using his creativity for God.  Theory first caught my attention with his mixtapes, and solidified my admiration with his stellar 2007 commercial debut, Extra Credit.  

Five years later, Theory Hazit completes the Lord Fire trilogy with Thr3e.  Teaming up with Dert, the legendary Tunnel Rats producer, Thr3e serves as a superb follow up to 2009’s Modern Marvels.  Since Thr3e has numerous reviews, let’s do something different.  Here’s three reasons why Theory’s album places him among Hip Hop’s legends.  

1. Theory Hazit’s Music Has Skill And Soul  

Theory Hazit lives and breathes Hip Hop.  It’s shown in his use of Dert’s fat, boom bap beats fused with bubbling synths and raw samples.  Theory’s music could be a self-absorbed display of his talent, but Theory’s storytelling forms the soul of his music.  On I N3ed You Mor3 Than 3ver and Distort3d Joy, Theory speaks from the perspective of a fatherless child and a helpless, drug addicted baby.  He fulfills what Hip Hop is truly about, which is speaking for the voiceless and oppressed.

2. Theory Hazit Doesn’t Use His Christian Faith As A Crutch 

Theory isn’t one of those artists who tries to be a (wack) family-friendly alternative. His music isn’t diet Hip Hop because he doesn’t remove the authenticity of the art form.  With songs like the apocalyptic Doomsday Insuranc3, Theory shows that you can be bold with your Christian faith while having a mastery of Hip Hop.  His music is not a tool to isolate listeners within the limits of safe Christian topics, but it provides a lens to see the world through Christ eyes.  On my personal favorite, Ol D3rty Hazit, Theory appreciates the talent of the controversial rapper while using Hip Hop for it’s original intent.

3. Theory Hazit Speaks To All Women  

There’s an issue I have with Christian Hip Hop music.  (Should I even say that label?) Women are either a Jezebel whore or a Proverbs 31 woman.  You would think that as diverse as humanity is, we would find more examples of women in between.  But Theory Hazit is an artist cut from a different cloth.  He speaks to his mom and grandmother who did their best to curtail Theory’s destructive childhood behavior (Ol D3rty Hazit).  He also honors his Proverbs 31 woman, but in an unlikely way.  Theory doesn’t gloss over the challenge of marriage, but addresses it head on with Ang3l Pt. 2.  

In addition to his varied topics, Theory’s aggressive, battle rap influenced sound doesn’t alienate listeners.  In enlisting vocalists B. Reith, Melanie Rutherford, Donavan Luke Henry, and Colette Chantel, there’s a melodic “softness” that doesn’t make me feel like I’m in a pre-game locker room.   He even uses a straight ahead jazz instrumental as a somber backdrop to Theory’s remorseful confessions (For Lack Of A B3tter Word). Carefully diversifying his sound, Theory Hazit’s music has an inclusive appeal.

With Thr3e, we see an artist who knows who he is, what he wants, and who he serves.  For me, that’s the definition of a legendary emcee.   Twitter  Facebook  Bandcamp

theBREAX - Breax Society feat. High Society by Rapzilla

theBreax are on steroids.  I’m sure they’re taking the same elixir that Beyonce hooks her IV up to before concerts.  In only this month, the San Diego group released their third installment of BreaxOver, premiered a video with Fonzworth Bentley, and performed at Rock the Bells.  From the beginning, theBreax showed that they were not just a “Christian Hip Hop” group. And now more than ever, they are not letting this title limit their creativity.

The one song that struck me the most off their latest project is Breax Society.  It’s a progressive, experimental dance song featuring High Society members Sho Baraka, Swoope, and J.R.  Here are my two observations:

1. This Sounds Like a “Come and Get IT” Song….   

“I love to watch you…out on the floor.  I like to dance with you and…maybe more…”.  This song has so much heathen flavor that I’m utterly shocked.  “Maybe more”? Is that an invitation to a private doin’ the nasty session at the Budget Motel?  I’m concerned.  No pandering Jesus mention?  No intentional wifey shout out?  I’m not sure about this.  Breax Society is breaking a lot of rules.  With verses that talk about everything from dancing to um, jock straps, they’re not telling you the song’s purpose.  It can be a dance anthem, a chill song, or a subtle hint that Christians can party in a way that is reflective of Christ.  

2. It Really Isn’t THAT big of a deal….

Outside of avant garde artists like Tonex or Mrenc, I haven’t heard a Christian song like this before.  And that is really pathetic.  I’m sure I’m leaving names out (like dope producers Theory Hazit and Dert), but why is sonic innovation such a big deal when mainstream artists (Little Dragon, Daft Punk) do it all the time?  Without a doubt, I know there’s diversity in Christian Hip Hop.  But ideologies that rigidly define Christian Hip Hop suffocates creativity.  

My final opinion is this: We need to hear more grown folks music like Breax Society.  Not everyone in Christian Hip Hop is 15.  But artists should also be aware of the associations they’re triggering.  Be dope as heaven, but don’t let your good be spoken of as evil if you can help it (Romans 14:16).  

Now this is a Hip Hop video.  Theory Hazit and Toni Shift released the music video for Concealed Sorrows, a single off their collaborative Modern Marvels album.  Theory has always painted vivid images with his transparent lyrics and raw, head-nodding drum loops.  Now, Theory has a timeless video added to his impressive resume.  

Concealed Sorrow does what many videos try to do but fail.  Directed by Donald W. Martin Jr., Concealed Sorrows is not ensnared by over-ambitious plot lines and meaningless performance shots.  It tells one story and it tells it exceptionally well.  The viewer follows the day in the life of a teenager rejected by the world.  We hear that the Nicholas’ mother past away, which provides a back story for his heartbreaking life.  With grey coloring and shaky camera angles, Concealed Sorrow has the rawness of a documentary.  It would have been easy to move the camera away from Nicholas when he was savagely beaten in the bathroom.  But this discomfort is what this video hinges on.  Bullying and hate cannot be something we ignore.  If we do, there will be more teenagers who end their lives only to have a change of heart at the twilight of their last breath.  

You would think this song is written by an emcee with the gift of making up stories.  It’s true that Theory Hazit is a gifted storyteller, but Concealed Sorrows is a non-fiction tale.  Theory re-tells the story of Roger, a homosexual teenager so grief-stricken by the bullying of a young Tony Campolo and his friends that Roger commits suicide.  Theory Hazit, along with now Christian believer Dr. Tony Campolo, are making a rallying cry for Christians to show the love of Christ.  Now this is what Hip Hop is all about.   Story Behind Concealed Sorrows  Bandcamp  Twitter  

Theory Hazit is one of my favorite Hip Hop producers if not my ultimate favorite.  Imma let you finish but his Extra Credit album is a contemporary classic.  If you’re a lover of grown folks BOOM CLAP Hip Hop, you should check out his Facebook and Bandcamp with his new album Modern Marvels.  I love how Theory stays authentically Hip hop while being authentically Christian.  These “I’m not tryna be in the Christian market” emcees need to take note.  This is how you do it.

(Source: favoritestheoryhazit )