The Christian Manifesto

GENRE: HIP-HOP/RAP

LABEL: INDEPENDENT

RELEASE DATE: JUNE 17, 2008

RATING: 4 OUT OF 5

Nutshell Version:

St. Louis rapper Json’s newest album “Life on Life” explains to believers how they can live out their faith in Christ in a cold, cold world. “Life on Life” is full of tight hooks, crisp beats and back beats, sweet loops, great samples, creative lyrics and is light years beyond his previous album, “The Seasoning.” A few minor weaknesses notwithstanding, “Life on Life” is a superb effort. Json is a very capable emcee with all the sensibilities necessary to communicate truth into the urban culture. I really wish Json weren’t an independent artist. Because, if I am being honest, if he had a bit more exposure and distribution, “Life on Life” would be remembered as one of the top Christian rap albums of all time.  

Full Version:

If Trip Lee is the 116 Clique’s resident theologian, then St. Louis rapper Json is in charge of the group’s mentoring program. Essentially, Trip Lee’s “20/20” tells you who Jesus is and who you are in relation to him, while Json’s newest album “Life on Life” explains to believers how they can live out their faith in Christ in a cold, cold world. While not as theologically potent as other 116 artists, on a number of levels, Json is the most streetwise member of the popular rap cooperative. “Life on Life” is full of tight hooks, crisp beats and back beats, sweet loops, great samples, creative lyrics and is light years beyond his previous album, “The Seasoning.”

Json leads off the album with the “Life on Life Intro,” which introduces the listener to the purpose of the entire project—discipleship. He raps, Come and ride with me, roll with me, build with me, stand with me, live with me, grow with me/And I’m prayin’ that its Christ you see as you share your life with me/Come and cry with me, hold with me, laugh with me, fight with me, die with me, grow with me/I pray that you reproduce this heart and more after I impart my life to yours… And with these words, the overriding theme of the album is established. “Run” implores mature believers to look beyond their theology and find others to run alongside and pour their faith into. “Music” is a song that offers advice to those who want to work in Christian music, letting them know that its not just about music, but also about ministry. “Turning Point” is about the life change that comes through turning to Christ and boasts an early 80’s R&B vibe that conjures images of girls playing jump rope and boys playing stickball in the neighborhood. “Listening Choice” questions what believers are allowing themselves to hear in their music choices.  “Sitting Big” is a great chopped and screwed track that borrows Phanatik’s (Cross Movement) words for the hook, Ya’ll ridin’ on twenty-twos/We standin’ on sixty-six… From a beat perspective “Move Out” sounds like it would fit on an Usher album. Other notable tracks include “Who He Is,” “Fight,” and “Ladies & Fellas,” all of which display Json’s versatility as an emcee and producer. The album features great guest emcees from Titus, Trip Lee, This’l, Flame, Dawndia (of Cho’zyn), Mike Real, Tedashii, LeCrae, and Future.

I only have a couple of general complaints about this project. First, it is evident that most of the songs are mixed and mastered by different people. (This is a common practice in the recording industry.) As the album progresses, I found myself turning one song up to hear what was being said and then on the next song I’d have to scramble to turn the volume down because the levels were so high, threatening to blow my speakers out. So, in a sense, it creates a rather disjointed listening experience. Second, there were times when I really couldn’t understand what was being said. Even after several listens, I find myself at a loss as to what certain lyrics are on particular songs. If this were secular rap, that wouldn’t really matter. But, as Json is clearly attempting to communicate crucial material, this is detrimental. (I received a digital copy for review, so if the CD comes with liner notes, this may remedy the situation for some.)

A few minor weaknesses notwithstanding, “Life on Life” is a superb effort. Json is a very capable emcee with all the sensibilities necessary to communicate truth into the urban culture. I really wish Json weren’t an independent artist. Because, if I am being honest, if he had a bit more exposure and distribution, “Life on Life” would be remembered as one of the top Christian rap albums of all time.