The Christian Manifesto

The Christian Manifesto recently reviewed Excelsius’ new album “Liberation,” which drops on June 24th. We contacted the Christian emcee and pastor to ask him some candid questions about his thoughts on a variety of topics. He graciously agreed.

 

A little about Excelsius.

 

Malcolm Marshall (Excelsius) started rhyming back in 1986. In 1994, the Lord Jesus intervened by taking his enthusiasm for beats and rhymes & putting it to use for the advancement of the Kingdom. As a sophomore in college, he gave his life to the LORD and was moved to rhyme strictly for the Glory of God.  In 1999, God extended favor upon him by ushering in a record contract with Renaissance Records, where he released his first single “Holy Ghost Party”. Malcolm currently serves in full-time ministry at Houston’s First Baptist Church as the Associate Minister of Community & Connection.  He’s responsible for discipling new Christians, overseeing baptisms, coordinating the church’s volunteer initiative and helping Christians identify their spiritual gifts.  In addition, he regularly travels all over the country to proclaim the Good News, often speaking on behalf of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  He also writes devotionals for several former and current websites.

 

Enjoy!

 

TCM: First, we’d like to thank you for taking the time to interview with us. We really enjoyed your new project “Liberation,” and we hope it does well upon its debut.

 

Excelsius: Thanks for taking the time to check it out.

 

TCM: Tell us a little about your past. How did you get started in Christian rap? Were you always a Christian rap artist?

 

X: I’ve been rhyming since ‘86, but I’ve been putting it down for the glory of God since ‘96. I was introduced to hip-hop by my 2 older brothers when I was around 11 or 12.  They were members of a popular secular group in Dallas (which is where I grew up).  From watching what they went through, I learned A LOT about making music, touring, dealing with record execs, etc.  When I got to college, I hosted the campus hip-hop show.  During my sophomore year, the Holy Spirit made it very clear to me that I had a serious need for a more an intimate walk with Christ.  The problem for me was I loved hip-hop.  I knew just because I had made a commitment to live for Christ my love for this art form was not going to just up and die.  And at that time, I hadn’t been exposed to any Christian rap (this was around ’94), so I started recording songs at the campus radio station as a way to still get my hip-hop fix without all of the negativity that was synonymous with it.  I guess you could say for me, this started out as a hobby.  That all changed, though, when I saw how the songs I recorded started to really get the attention of some family members and friends that were not saved and had no desire to walk with God. From there, the stage was set to begin this ministry to reach out to two primary groups: those who have not had the heart of God communicated to them in a way they can really understand and those who do know the heart of God, but at the same time love hip-hop music.

 

TCM: Excelsius is obviously a stage name. Tell us, how did this stage name come about, what meaning does it hold, and how has that meaning grown as you’re furthered your music career? 

 

X: Excelsius was my line name when I pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity back in college.  The Alphas are known as the “Ice Cold Brothas”, and back then, Excelsius meant “X is cold”, X being my nick name and Celsius representing cold on a thermometer.  But when I gave my life to Christ, it took on a new meaning.  Like most cats in the Bible, I wanted a new name.  But God allowed me to keep my same name, and He just gave it a new meaning.  It now means “X was cold”, as in X was dead or lifeless without the love of Jesus in my life.  It’s also a play on the Latin translation of “Glory to God in the Highest”.  When I first started spittin’, I actually thought about going by the moniker “Malcolm X” because that’s really my name!  Growing up, that’s what everyone called me.  But wisdom said me calling myself that, especially being a Christian emcee, probably wouldn’t be the wisest thing . . . *laughing as I remember rockin’ those big X hats*

 

TCM: We’ve been asking this question of a lot of Christian emcees, so we want to get your input on the topic, too. Christian rap is still a marginalized genre within Christian music, despite the mainstream success of the medium. This is specifically pointed to by Daniel Radosh in his recent title, “Rapture Ready!,” a book that looks at Christian pop culture. Only recently have we seen any real recognition, though it seems limited to known names such as TobyMac and KJ-52. Even after 10 years, the rap duo Grits doesn’t seem to get the recognition they deserve within the Christian music world. What are some inroads you see being made to help grow the genre and what are some things you think still need to be accomplished?

 

X: In terms of growing the genre, I think we’re in a really interesting period of time because many consumers of mainstream music are totally clueless to the fact that God-centered hip-hop even exists.  In His infinite wisdom, God is strategically placing people in positions that in time will continue to move us from the underground to above the ground.  I’m encouraged because in watching recent music trends, I’ve noticed a slight shift in the musical preferences of people that would openly admit to not wanting a whole bunch of Jesus in their music.  I think with all of the negativity that mainstream hip-hop has pushed in previous years, it’s slowly opening more doors for Christian emcees to offer thought-provoking lyrical content and bangin’ production minus all of the glorification of sin.  In order to forge ahead & blaze new paths, I strongly believe the most significant thing any of us can do (but especially if you’re an artist) is to consistently make sure your life is submitted to the authority of the Scriptures.

 

TCM: You’ve already collaborated with so many great artists in the holy hip-hop sphere. Are there still any artists out there that you’d like to hook up with on a track?   

 

X: When it comes to collaborating, I subscribe to the shai linne school of thought: relationship must precede collaboration.  Cats that have a willingness to build beyond the booth are the ones that I usually end up doing songs with. 

 

TCM: What artist(s) are you currently listening to most often?  

 

X: Right now, Hillsong United is getting more airplay than anybody!

 

TCM: Give us your thoughts on the state of secular rap today.  

 

X: If I could compare secular rap music to a person’s health, I’d say it’s like someone who’s been involved in a bad automobile accident and isn’t on life support, but overall isn’t really doing too well.   If cats would research the original intent of music (of which hip-hop is just one genre), they’d find that it was never created to glorify drugs or guns or sex or money or any other temporary pleasure.  It created to magnify and worship Christ.  The root word of music is muse which means “to think, to ponder, to contemplate”.  The reason secular hip-hop is in so-so condition is because it has for years deviated from its original intent.  Furthermore, what’s “hot” nowadays doesn’t challenge people to think because the standards have been dumbed down considerably.  Just look at Billboard’s Hot 100, and you’ll notice how many songs aren’t talking about absolutely anything!  I’m not saying every song has to have a super deep message, but you gotta give me something!  Time is a limited commodity for all of us.  If I choose to give you 4 minutes of my time, there’s got to be a return on that investment.  Otherwise, I get shortchanged.  And that’s what’s happening in secular rap . . . cats are getting cheated.

 

TCM: What has Jesus been teaching you lately? 

 

X: That I have to love like He does.  As one who proclaims Christ, unconditional love is not optional nor is it negotiable.  It’s expected.  And straight up, loving like God is not easy.  So it’s really a charge for me to die daily because in my strength, I’m sure to fail with flying colors.  I’m being constantly reminded that I’ve got to follow His lead in order to love like He does.

 

TCM: Tell us about your ministry, “Joined at the Hip.” What do you want our readers to know about this?

 

X: Joined at the Hip is the ministry my wife and I oversee.  It’s a Christian parachurch ministry that seeks to edify, encourage and enlighten by teaching the practical application of biblical principles through many different avenues (i.e. athletic programs, bible studies, conferences, counseling/mentoring, devotionals, workshops and urban gospel music).  Joined at the Hip (JATH) has been in existence for 11 years, and our vision is to minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a spirit of excellence by employing clarity, innovation and relevancy.  Your audience can learn more about Joined at the Hip by visiting www.jathministries.com.

 

TCM: One of the reasons we like Christian hip-hop is because of the lack of resources delivered into the urban context, especially clear Biblical teaching that sticks to Christian orthodoxy. Do you feel this is a fair characterization and that your music and ministry is part of repairing that breach?

 

X: I would like to think so.  We definitely aim to do that.   I have a soft spot for those that have been liberated from false doctrine and man-made mandates because that’s part of my testimony.  One of the things I really attempt to do with my music is teach biblical principles so after the song is over, listeners are challenged to act upon what they’ve heard.

 

TCM: Let’s talk a little bit about your new project, “Liberation.” What can listeners expect to hear?

               

X: The truth of Scripture boldly presented.  From a purely musical standpoint, listeners can expect diversity in the production and cohesiveness in the subject matter.  Content-wise, listeners can expect both artistic & spiritual growth. 

 

TCM: How would you say “Liberation” is different from your previous work? 

 

X: This album is different in one specific way.  From the outset of planning this project, the aim was to create something that would awaken the innate hunger man has for God.  So I purposely asked about 100 people (many of whom do not care for rap music, but they love God) to join my wife and I in praying for this project.  I asked them to pray for two specific things: that the Spirit of God would truly inhabit this music & that God’s Presence would completely saturate every aspect of this album.  That way, whether it gets into the hands of someone from the household of faith or into the hands of someone caught in the grasp of the enemy, through corporate prayer, our expected end is “Liberation”; thus the title of the album.  I’ve never taken this approach to recording an album, so I’m excited to see exactly what the Lord is going to do with it.

 

TCM: Do you feel there is an overarching theme to the new album or will the tracks act more as stand-alone pieces?  

 

X: No doubt about it.   The overarching theme is LIBERATION!  I think some of the tracks could definitely stand alone.   But when the project is heard from start to finish, I believe the listener will have a greater appreciation for the theme.

 

TCM: Who are some of the artists you’ve collaborated with on this outing? 

 

X: On this one, I had features on 2 songs.  3rd Coast Cypha features DJ D-Lite from HolyCultureRadio, Big Nate from SGR, Gifted from Bound4Glory, Proof from The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S., Jacob Izrael from Prayin’ Child Music, 1God from JATH & Cy from The Much Luvv fam.  Lead Out features my brother from Illy Philly, Oppose.

 

TCM: Tell us a little about some of the songs? Are there any you’re particularly excited about people hearing?  

 

X: The first half of the album is directed toward those that are not in a saving relationship with Christ Jesus.  The latter half of the album is directed toward the Body.  The one song that I am very excited for people to hear is actually the song I’m giving away for free “Draw Nigh”.  It deals with the very touchy issue of sexual sin.  I know that a lot of Christians try to avoid issues like that, but in my research for the song, I’ve found that it’s as prevalent among Christians as it is among people that don’t know Jesus.  I wrote a blog about why I’m giving the song away for free, and I encourage all of those that want to get the free download to read the blog first.  They’ll  appreciate the song more after reading the blog.  I decided to give the song away for free because I figured even if someone didn’t purchase this album, this is a song that needs to be heard.  You can get it by visiting http://www.jathministries.com/devotionals.php

 

TCM: A lot of good Christian hip-hop albums are releasing this year. Can we expect to hear you on any of those upcoming projects?

 

X: **evil grin**  Maybe . . .

 

TCM: Talk about some of the opportunities that have been presented by God as you’ve ministered to people through rap. (Replay a special episode for us.) 

 

X: As one of the co-chaplains for the Houston Rockets, I have the privilege to minister to professional basketball players.  One night at chapel, one of the other chaplains was sharing a message on the power of music because most of the guys listen to lots of secular rap.  The other chaplain knows that I’m a Christian emcee, so he asked me list 10 Christian emcees.  The looks on the guys’ faces was like “Really?”  Most of them never even knew that bangin’ Christian rap even existed!  At the end of the chapel, Dikembe Mutombo comes up to me and says “Can you get me 3 copies of the CDs for every Christian rapper that you named?”  I did him one better.  The next time I saw him and some of the other guys on the team, I loaded them all down with a whole bunch of music.  It’s funny because when I talk to some of them now, the response is usually “Man, I’m loving this stuff!  Where can I get more of it?  I know some people that need to hear this!”

 

TCM: Do you feel it is difficult to be a Christian in the limelight, like you have to measure up to a standard in the eyes of people that you’ll never be able to meet?

 

X: I don’t feel like it’s tough because one thing I purpose to do is make myself accessible.  Once people see that you’re a real person with real issues, I’ve found that it’s a whole lot more easy to minister to them.

 

TCM: Let’s switch gears here before I let you go and talk about the world around us. There’s a lot going on in the world and most rap out there is talking about money, women, and cars. As a Christian artist, what are some important social issues that you think should be highlighted in your art?

 

X: I could rattle off several social issues, but I think the key thing is to make sure that whatever an artist speaks on is something the Lord has lead him/her to do.  If everyone will do what God is telling him/her to do, then the Body as a whole benefits because you don’t have fingers trying to act like toes and vice versa.

 

TCM: Looking at the social issues you’ve highlighted, what are some unique ways in which Christians can approach the topic in their everyday lives?

 

X: Through the lens of Scripture.  I find it amusing and at the same time disheartening to see well-intentioned Christians frazzled by the cares of life when God has given us a means of dealing with all that life throws our way in the pages of the Holy Writ. 

 

TCM: What are some of the greatest challenges facing the church and how can we address those problems?

 

X: One of the big challenges I’m currently seeing is people who have been walking with God for a long time and their inability to effectively minister to this post modern world.  I think that can be addressed by challenging people to remember that Jesus didn’t come to save the saved.  Another big one is the blatant disregard for sound scriptural teaching by certain people in positions of leadership and authority.  Honestly, I think those of us that know of those dangers need to continually pray that God would either remove them or raise up leadership that would walk worthy of their calling.

 

TCM: You’ve been so gracious in spending some time with us. Just one more question, though. If Jesus were to comment on your life, what would you want him to say about you? 

 

X: I’d want Jesus to say that my life was wholly His.