reviewst

Hip-Hop Reviews - T

Please note that the reviews are ordered by Artist first name..

All reviews are opinion, a guide only. Some are short and to the point, others go into more depth. No real reason why other than when the reviews were written! For other fantastic reviews, check out trailblazinministries.com, sphereofhiphop.com, gospelflava.com, hiphopforthesoul.com and jydist.com. Cross Rhythms has some good reviews too, although limited in content.

Please note if you see any of these reviews elsewhere, it is because I have done the reviews for others. These reviews are mostly for Cross Rhythms, although they edit the reviews. The reviews on these pages are my full reviews.

T-Bone - Bone-A-Fide | TOP

T-Bone hit the headlines when he starred in the movie, The Fighting Temptations back in 2003, alongside Beyonce and Cuba Gooding Jr among others. T-Bone is a big name in the Christian hip-hop market, most notably for his incredible double-timing rhymes (stand aside Twista) and his familiar West Coast sound. However, on this album t-Bone's sound has matured and expanded yet further. What we have is a very strong album with some big hitters guesting alongside T-Bone. The front cover mimics the infamous poster from Che Guevara and shows T-Bone is on a serious mission for Christ. We fire off with an inspiring speech from T-Bone akin to a 'rally'. Something to stir the soul for the album ahead. "12 Years Ago" brings a conscious rhyme over an 80s styled Beastie Boys / Run DMC style vibe. "Hard Streets" sees T-Bone talking about some of the struggles that he and we all go through, over West Coast beat, Tracy Lane guesting. On "Let That Thang Go" has a crossover west coast almost midwest beat with crunk overtones. Dope sentiments as T-Bone calls out the perversions in secular hip-hop, pointing to Christ, with fast rhyming. "Can I Live" brings a downtempo smooth, catchy west coast vibe - a road track crusing in the vehicle. Featuring LaShawn Daniels, the sentiment is about people jealous of success. "I Been Looking Around" with a sped up vocal underscore, T-Bone rips about his history and past and how God has always been there. "Follow T" sees another crunk bouncy crusing vibe. In "A Few Good Men" with Mack10, we have a nice roller calling out people to change, that we need a few good men to step up in hip-hop. "Shake Ya Body" ('like ya got the Holy Ghost now..') is a jump-up crunk party track - great fast delivery reminding me of Fros'T in style. "The Sanction" is a kinda fun mock MC battle with T-Bone showing he can rip the mic. "You Can't Win" is another fresh piece of west coast battle rap featuring Chino XL. Next up we have another crunk roller clapper street music in "Its OK" calling for guns and gangs off the streets "Bounce" brings a typical west coast vibe rolling in the chevvy. Finally, we hear another T-Bone speech amidst a crescendo of noise, reminding me of every tribe, tongue and nation together in Christ - Victory! Run Time - 49.10.

T-Bone – Bone-Appetit! Servin’ up tha Hits! | TOP

Another essential project for old skool T-Bone fans and new fans alike. T-Bone brings a renowned west coast / Latino flavours (eg. “Ride Wit Me” with a Snoop Dog flava and “Blazin Mics”). He also brings his classic rap double-timing (“Wipe Your Tears”). On this, his latest project, “Bone-Appetit”, T-Bone serves up some old and new beats in a west-coast laid-back rider of an album. “Bone-Appetit” is a showcase of T-Bone over the last 6 years and a glimpse into the future too. We find tracks from previous albums, brought together to give an all-round mix of T-Bone’s lyrical skills and vibes. We start with the bassy and momentous “Follow T” which sets the tone for the album and drops a crunky club banger as T-Bone represents and leaves his calling card. Various issues are confronted, along with personal cries such as “Can I Live”. T-Bone features some new tracks, including the outstanding hip-hop worship tune, “Sing Your Praise” mixing up various world influences in a Caribbean, Arabic and Latino fusion. This comes in an English and in Spanish versions, for completion. One of my favourite tracks is the downtempo “Wipe Your Tears” which really spoke to me and provides another hip-hop worship track. There are the usual great assortment of club bangers, such as “Let That Thang Go” and the more dirty south styled “Shake Ya Body”. We even have humour with “Pentecostal Horse Racing”. A clever touch (reminiscent of KJ-52?) is the excellent “Name Droppin” where T-Bone lists a history of many Christian celebs. Holla! Another brisk piece of CD fire from T-Bone.

Theory Hazit - Extra Credit | TOP

Hip Hop Is Music continue to push some seriously crazy beats and production. Nice inlay too! Theory Hazit brings an album of such raw freshness, I thought it must be Spring. Well, until I looked out of the window.. The variation in production and beats is testimony to the quality of producers out there right now. The delivery and vocals are a tribute to Theory Hazit as he rolls freely along the underground with every piece of cut up breaks served his way. "Lesson in Power" kicks things off as Theory Hazit reps the transforming power of God in changing lives, encouraging us not to be ashamed. Over a Tony Stone beat, gossip is called out in "Gossip Synopsis" as Theory comes against those who big up and tear down. His faithfulness and love comes across in "Mrs Hazit". Troubles are discussed in "I Just Wanna Come Home", over another ridiculously tight beat and instrumental. Lessons are learned in "Dumb Dunces" featuring K-Drama combining whiffs of humour with a powerful message over another fire starter of a beat. As with the whole album, Extra Credit drops some tight lines that take a poke at other messages from other rappers in hip-hop: "You can get rich or die trying all your life, or you can die trying to live eternal for Christ.." Tight smooth roller with some seriously jazzy elements in "Hello Kiddeex", dedicated to the kids. "After School Special" with JustMe and Sojourn has a nice break, very old skool, mixing up some beats and sounds, very hip-hop. The phat tracks keep coming with "IOU" (a song saying sorry - dedicating the life to shine), featuring Braille and the UK's very-own, Re:Flex the Architect on the beat. In "Decisions" we have another stomper of a beat from Vintage with a number of names representing across the track. Decisions make way for progress. We end up with "Ghetto" which is a very accurate and penetrating look at ghetto life. "It's time to make a change for the better.." I have to say if I could make a hip-hop album of pristinely phat quality, I'd make a project like this. Awesome.

Timothy Brindle - The Great Awakening | TOP

A 2003 release from the Lampmode Recordings crew in Philadelphia, PA. It is a concept album in which Timothy Brindle looks at 3 phases. First up is our lives when we were 'dead in sin' as the Bible calls it. Second we move onto phase 2 which is regeneration. Phase 3 is the great awakening. Timothy Brindle and crew take us on a lyrical journey through these concepts bringing Biblical insights and teaching, preaching Biblical truth. From the song titles we get a feel of the intentions behind this solid piece of work - 'My new life' - 'Saved by grace' - 'The intercession' - 'Ram's Horn' - 'Hell' - 'Psalm 51' - 'Santification' - 'Liberation'. Timothy Brindle also attacks preachers with faulty doctrine and questionable ways and motives. I read one review about this which asked exactly who this CD is aimed at. I understand where they're coming from but there is no other piece of work like this. It is unique in concept and delivery. If you want something different that is clearly a work in progression, I challenge you to get hold of this. You know the Word of God is power to change lives. This has plenty of the Word and some very hot tracks too. The only area it suffers in is that it doesn't appear mastered quite highly enough but this is a small matter. Get this, let it impact you and others, use it in ministry, with students you work with. Support the Lampmode Crew. Run Time - 78.26.

TobyMac - Renovating -> Diverse City | TOP

TobyMac continues his penchanct for releasing emix albums, with a very wide-ranging but infectious album, with diverse remixes of Diverse City - for pop-rock-hip-hop fans. This is not hip-hop as we know it, in fact it verges on the pop with a rap edge at times. But nevertheless, it's a fun although short album to drop. First up is “The Slam” which is an energetic tune pointing to Jesus, with a driving bassline and heavy guitars on the hook - the man, T-Bone guests with some fast double-times slinging rhymes. “Getaway Car” is where old skool breaks explode into a chorus with very definite Ricky Martin overtones on the chorus. Disturbingly catchy nonetheless. “Catchafire” starts up like something out of Star Wars before a minimal break drops in – “gonna catchafire for God” with a melodic chorus, then ragga elements, then rap. It doesn't seem to know what it is as a song and yet it kinda works. “Burn For You” is a nice bit of music and reminds me of some of the early work of DC Talk, with a catchy rock feel - TobyMac calls out to the Holy Spirit to move to help him feel alive again, “I want the world to know I burn for you.. You lift me up..” In “Hey Now” we have another potentially successful commercial track (reminding me a lot of the UK's 'The Tribe' who ended as a pop-rap band in 2005). This has a blend of elements, letting us know there is one “One love and one God..” Next up is “Gone” which takes a pop rock look at difficulties in relationships. “Diverse City” brings a driving 4/4 beat with a vibe that is slightly reminiscent of the Black Eyed Peas / Outkast. “ Ill-M-I” is more of a hip hop rock tune, again very memorable. “Phenomenon” is another track that begins to reflect the other remixes on the album. “Atmosphere” is a slow number with a definite Latino edge - God is always waiting for us to turn back to him. A typically diverse bonus cut of ‘Burn For You” ends things creatively, although once again the track shows a tendency to meander and seems like a remix engineering experiment. Very interesting stuff nevertheless. Not one for the purists, the backpackers and those wanting deep wordplay. However, this is a solid and good piece of work once again from TobyMac and crew. Run Time - 45.20 approx.

T.R.U.C.E - Ready 4 War (Nicky Cruz Ministries) | TOP

Unashamedly Christ-centred, commercial, catchy urban sounds - for the streets, from the streets. Awesome stuff.

East coast and urban flavours with serious r&b flavas and tuneful hooks and backing. This has come up from the streets with the message of the gospel clearly and accessibly delivered. This is heavily but not exclusively East Coast in flavour - think Corey Red / Precise with a bit more r&b added in to the excellent mix..

Nicky Cruz has been ministering for the past 4 decades in the streets, prisons and high schools. Since the 90s, came a passion to train others in urban evangelism. Out of this came TRUCE (To Reach Urban Communities Everywhere). This is based in New York and trains urban youth in aggressive evangelism using the tools of urban music and performing arts. This CD is the latest in their attempts to help redeem hip hop youth culture and turn it into an effective weapon fo the Gospel.

We start up with the lively East Coast roller, ‘Are You Ready?’ challenging people to live, pray, believe and receive Jesus, with Stephanie Cruell’s r&b vocals and backing. Great lyrics, such as my favourite, ‘Christ the bread of life, but the world on Atkins..’ Datz Wassup again brings more East Coast gospel street heat, ‘Datz Wassup, Jesus shedding his blood, datz wassup, on the third, he got back up..’ Think 50 Cent.. Go Fast brings ‘fire from above’ with distinct crunk overtones ‘Go fast, let em know, Jesus coming back in a flash..’ Lyrical flows really vary it up - we even enter ragga territory. Bless You features is another banger where r&b meets east coast. Very catchy track and hook ‘All we wanna do is bless you’. Selina Robles lets rip on the mic before Keith Dewindt takes over lyrical duties, both bringing serious heat. Ready 4 War beings an epic sound over street beat. The sung hook is, ‘All hail, King Jesus, you are supreme, and I will praise you with everything..’ Sheena Lee is the 2nd female on the project (sounding very much like Elsie of New Breed). Where U At – yet another catchy commercial track which would easily make the mainstream. Selina Robles is on fire as she hollas at the saints to step it up and rep for Christ. Loved this track and could see this working live with a live drummer.

My Everything is a sung downtempo r&b track about how God is everything.. my daddy, my King, my soul, my redeemer, my brother, my friend, my Jesus.. One for the ladies! Beautiful, worshipful and delivered soulfully by 2 of the TRUCE ladies. Praize – a slightly more upbeat r&b track of praise from Sheena Lee – think Mary Mary.. ‘Praise.. Throw your hands in the air, wave goodbye to your care, cos you know, God has everything under control..’ Praise God in all circumstances – an urban version of Matt Redman’s ‘Blessed Be’ ! Nice musical change up on the bridge too. God is Good – another east coast / r&b crossover with 2 female MCs and singers.. bigging up God with everything they’ve got, spending every day with the most high. What sounds like a kids / teen choir joins in the hook, ‘Every day, all the time, God is good, yes he is.’ Guitar licks, bass and minimal beat only add to the mix. 24/7 – A commercial smoothie (I could see success with this track) – with some dope and accessible lyrics from Alex Arellano.. ‘a true thug, he carries a cross..’ This is a track for the streets and has some great production and a catchy hook, again!

There is a heartfelt message behind every track with some real powerful testimonies and words, most notably the testimony from Ray Nobles on ‘Lost But Now I’m Found’ which captures the street vibe of the CD and the life changing gospel of Jesus. Warriorz Cru – another lively head-nodding commercial track, this time with Ray Robles the sole MC. Immediately I thought Corey Red & Precise in flava, lyrics and delivery. Really nice cut and production from the man WOO who brings an album of top tunes and production.. Come N’ Get Him – ‘we won’t hesitate for a moment, to tell you the truth, it will set you free.’ East Coast grit from David Ham and Alex Arellano. ‘Come and get Jesus Christ if you don’t want to burn.. if you’re ready to turn.. if you’re ready to learn.. yeah his love his firm.’ A challenge to get Christ as he’s better than all the world has to offer. Nice end track. Time To Believe (outro) – a final challenge over strings about God’s plan for your life. A clear call to change up your life to Christ.. Also a challenge to get out there to tell the hurting and dying people with the message, to make a difference.. It’s time to believe.

There is a heartfelt message behind every track with some real powerful testimonies and words, most notably the testimony from Ray Nobles on ‘Lost But Now I’m Found’ which captures the street vibe of the CD and the life changing gospel of Jesus. Run Time - 47.25

Twyse – Who Is Twyse? The Album | TOP

It’s actually quite hard to place this album. Twyse, a native of Phildaelphia is described as having a hybrid style and a ‘ministry to many’. In a very real sense this is true, beyond the marketing hype. Twyse lists influences such as Jay-Z, Kirk Franklin and Da Truth. This is evident throughout an album that swings from a crunk street sound with west-side Philly influences (“Where I’m From”, “Strugglin”), to the dirty south (“Changed” and “What You Know”), to serious soulful depths (such as “Heaven” and the Da-Truth reminding sound of “Can It Be”). It’s clear why this album has cross-appeal. Lyrically, this is very Christ-centric - think Cross Movement but with a more blunt and streetwise edge. Rhyming styles abound, with simple and clear words that will no doubt engage many. Twyse also drops some tunes that are really quite melodic - and even song-like as in the heavy rock-focused “Who Would”. In “Heaven”, Twyse and the production team even drop a bridge to break up your average rap song formula. The album finishes musically with the truly beautiful and encouraging, “Hold On”. This album has its downs but mainly ups in production and lyrics, but this is a very solid debut project for Twyse as he ministers from the projects to the churches.