MicRippaz Holy Hip Hop Magazine
BRINGING HOLY HIP HOP TO THE STREETS
By: Aria Smith
Yo! what it do? What's been going on?
Nothing much, just doing a lot of touring and touching these streets. Thanks for choosing me for this months interview. Much love girl..
Tell me about your album. Why did you name the album what you did?
Well, the album is entitled “I AM THAT I AM” Sometimes in life you go through some of the hardest times and at times you find yourself trying to be someone your not. We all as humans have gone through a situation like that. Well, God gave me this title to remind his people that he is what he is… the ruler over everything and even though we may not like the direction God is leading us to, we have to except it and walk with the Faith of God and believe that he will take care of us. We are what we are… “NOTHING” Simple vessels being used by God.
What is your favorite song on the album?
Man, Seriously I’d have to say “Right There” The song itself was written when I was going through some ruff times in my life. I was slipping and sliding as we all do, and through it all God was right there. I felt his presence at all times. It was a beautiful moment to feel the presence of God.
Where do you see yourself in your ministry in the future?
God is opening so many doors for me. Its so amazing. He has placed “Lady Street Ministries” in my hands to lead. LSM is a ministry formed to educated and lead as well as mentor young women in Christ. God is leading me more and more in evangelism more than anything else.
Who produced on your album?
Yo, well you know… I did everything… hahahahaha nah let me stop…I did produce a few tracks on the album. I have Tony Stone, Bruce Lesun, K-Drama, Maestro, Hitz, and so many more… I can’t keep track.
How long have you been producing?
I’ve been producing since I was about 15 years old actually.
Have you produced for any other artist?
Oh yeaaaaa…. I’ve worked with Cruz Cordero, K-Drama, Virtuouz, Saylah, ENOC, and so many more. I can’t remember off the top of my head.
Who do you look up to as an artist?
I try not to look up to anyone, but to admire there ministry. I admire kats like Cruz Cordero, Ambassador, Lecrae, Trip Lee, who are kats that are really about ministry. So many people are out here calling themselves Holy Hip Hop artists and they really don’t have a clue. (REAL TALK)
What is your favorite scripture?
Man… John 3:16… Everytime I think about what God did for me… Just the thought of a man sending his son to die for me, its so amazing. God is Good!!!
You know many churches do not except Holy Hip Hop, how are you accepted
in churches?
You know, if it was 4 years ago I’d say no, but times have changed so much over the past few years. To answer your question, yes churches so accept me in there churchs to minister the gospel, but the one thing we as ministers ust remember that our ministry must go beyond the walls of the church. We much touch the streets.
Well, we’d like to thank you for taking time in this interview…any last words?
I’d like to first thank the Lord Jesus Christ for all the love and blessings you have given me. I don’t know where’d I be without you. Its because of your grace and mercy that I’m still alive today. Thank you… To MicRippaz Magazine… Yo… Ya’ll are to cute. Much love. Make sure you check out the album. www.LilLaLa.com
LINGO Interviewed by La La
Yo, What's up!! What's been going on?
Whats up, well I just been working on a lot of new stuff. Been keeping busy in the studio and shows.
Tell me about your album. Why did you name the album what you did?
The new album is called “All Things 2 All People”. I got the title from the verse in 2 Corinthians where Paul
talks about becoming all things to all men so that some might be saved. That’s’ basically the theme
with all artists doing what we do through rap music. We know that we should be ministers of the gospel
first and rap is just a tool to bring the message across.
What is your favorite song on the album?
Where do you see yourself in your music in the future?
If the Lord willing doing things strong in the industry. I believe my label is a vital part to bringing that street gangsta sound back to Christian hip hop where it has been lacking for a few years now.
Who produced on your album?
I did all but one track on here. We got a new up and coming producer on the label called Phildawg and he did one track on there.
How long have you been producing?
I’ve been working on beats and such for about 12 years now. You know started out with a little Alesis drum machine, then advancing to the modern stuff. Ive used the MPC, Ensoniq ASR10 and X, but lately been real hooked on the Motif by Yamaha
Have you produced for any other artist?
I’ve just produced for my artists on the label. That’s all I’ve really had time for. I got about 10 rappers or so to make beats for, so it’s kind of tough to produce outside the label. I’ve had plenty of offers, but honestly there’s nothing like working on stuff for your own team. To me when I record and sell studio time it just seems like a job. D.O.G. Squad which had KJ-52 and Antonious, plus there’s the Dooney stuff, those are just some names that have been on my tracks.
How long have you been in the Holy Hip Hop culture?
I’ve been listening for about 12 or more years now. D-Boy is the first gospel rap artists I heard cuz he’s from
Who do you look up to as an artist?
I think Tupac was one of the best rappers cuz he painted reality so well through his rhymes. I loved the way Death Row put it down musically back in the 90’s. For obvious reasons those are the only things I look up to in those artists. As far has holy hip hop goes T Bone, Gospel Gangstaz, and D-Boy are the artists I’ve become a big fan of.
What is your favorite scripture?
Revelations 3:23 Its all as simple has God knocking and us opening the door to allow Him to come in.
You know many churches do not except Holy Hip Hop, how are you accepted
in churches?
A lot of the Spanish churches are real skeptical about allowing stuff like that in the church so I’ve seen it firsthand. But I think lately the church in general is becoming more open to it. I think they realize that if they neglect it, their youth will just continue to turn to secular music.
Any last words?
Just want to say thank you to all the people that have followed me and the label. Just want everybody to look out for Groovesound Records cuz we are gonna be flooding the scene with music in these next few years. Also keep Christ first, and stay humble in all things. Don’t forget to pick up my album when it drops on May 24th. God Bless
Keep doing your thin Lingo.....
Lil iRocc Williams - interviewed by La La
Lil iRocc Williams is Back and Speaking the Truth!!!
La La: What's up iRocc? How are you?
iRocc: chillin' - basically just living life, having fun and reppin' for Christ constantly.
La La: What have you been up to lately?
iRocc: I've been doing a whole lot of traveling since my latest project dropped in October. I've done everything from the Billy Graham Crusade (11/04); Bobby Jones Gospel Retreat (shows will air beginning 02/05- Word Network.); and I've done a lot of other TV tapings - (Jeff Majors -Gospel of Music on TVOne) and the biggest one was SOUL TRAIN - I taped that 1/16 and it will air on Saturday, Feb. 19th. That has been of my greatest experiences second to doing the Billy Graham gig - that was straight history right there and it was awesome doing my thing in front of 30,000 people and having most of them know my song "ALL MY PEOPLE" off my 1st joint and then be willing to get it crunk with me on my new
joint!
La La: So, I heard you have a birthday coming up and you'll be heading to the
DMV, when's your birthday? How old will you be?
iRocc: that's right - straight to the DMV - to get that learner's permit - yeah boy!!! - I will be 15 on March 3rd - can't wait.
La La: Is Big Rocc or Mrs. Rocc going to buy you a car?
iRocc: nah that won't be happening this year. actually it's my heart's desire and pray all the time that God grant me this prayer - that I'm able to bless them with a
G'd up ride - before they get one for me. My folks have sacrificed a lot for me and my other brother and sisters. I want for them - and even more than that I want to be the one to give it to them - with God's help of course. Get Pops that Escalade sittin' on them thangs' - pearl white. and my mom's wants a 2 door coupe something - that's fly- like her! But when I get my car I want it to be a BMW 323ci -- black on some sick thangs!!!!! and of course you know that system's gotta be bangin'.
La La: So tell me about your new album.
iRocc: My new project is just what the definition of the word is - SEQUEL - a continuation of something - my SEQUEL is the continuation of a definite GOD thing in and through me.
La La: Who do you have working on the album with you? iRocc:1st and foremost - the Holy Spirit always guides us through the process. After that - nothing is done without the vision of my Pops. It created the theme of the project and from there directed the other producers and writers were able to paint the pictures. My Pops is one of the baddest producers and songwriters out there - to me. - BIG ROCC. I wrote on a few of my tracks and even when I didn't write the concepts of each song came directly from conversations that writers had with me personally. PETTIDEE laced a few hot tracks, RIGHTEOUS RIDERS - gave me 2 hits - COOL RHEMA from them ZIKLAG BOYZ put it down big time with my dad. Young Dirty -(Bishop Long's son & my boy) wrote some heat; Mr. DEL snuck in and of course my cuz. CANTON CJ JONES - gave me the sweetness. Then God just straight up did his thing and blessed me to work the best the world has to offer - for the world and the Kingdom - DARKCHILD Productions (Fred Jerkins, Rodney Jerkins & LaShawn Daniels) My new joint is a like gumbo - all the right ingredients mixed together and some hot spice for the flava. Gotta do it up - and rep 504 (where I was born).
www.Lil-iRocc.com
CHECK OUT THE REST OF IROCC'S INTERVIEW IN THE 1ST ISSUE OF MICRIPPAZ!!!!
NOVA 4 JEHOVAH - G.O.D til I D.I.E
How are you?
>>I'm good cause God is good.
Tell me about your album. Why did you name the album what you did?
>>I named my album "G.O.D Til I D.I.E" because It's a deep feeling I have and it's how I live my life everyday. The same way I live life for God to the fullest everyday I hope too encourage others to do the same after they get finished listening to my album.
Tell me about the song “Rejectors of the Blood”
>>I got to write the song "Rejectors of the Blood" as a title track for a movie. It's a hot song. It's basically addressing Christians and letting them know that when they don't think people are looking at them people are looking at them. It address how sometimes people in the body of Christ make people outside of the body reject Christ because sometimes we fail to look like or act like Christ. The song was created so there would be an awareness of how important it is for us as Christians to really live a life that people outside of Christ could look at and say wow I want what he or she has, which is Jesus Christ. The song was also created to encourage the lost to accept God into their lives and to not reject him because of a few bad examples of Christ.
Where do you see yourself in your music in the future?
>>I am presently building up an Entertainment Company. In the future I plan to produce other artist as well as myself and just release lots of albums to reach the lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Hip-Hop. I also look forward to directing movies and playing in movies.
Who produced on your album?
>>I produced my whole album.
How long have you been producing?
>>I have been producing for three and a half years now.
Have you produced for any other artist?
>>I have yet to produce for any other artist but I plan to do so very soon.
How long have you been in the Holy Hip Hop culture?
>>I have been doing the Holy Hip-Hop for three years now.
Who do you look up to as an artist?
>>I look up to artist like Canton Jones. He's like a Gospel R. Kelly. I look up to Platinum souls, Ziklag Boyz, Lil Irocc Williams and many others. These are some of the dudes that are seriously doing it.
What is your favorite scripture?
>>My favorite scripture come out of Matthew. it says For he who humbles himself shall be exalted, but he who exalts himself shall be humbled. It's true.
You know many churches don’t except Holy Hip Hop, how are you excepted in church’s?
>>I am usually excepted pretty well by the youth, the older members, and the pastors. there are those rare occasions that I step in a traditional church and they think rap is evil. But that is rare.
Any last words?
>>I just want to let everybody know that God loves them and has a special plan for their lives. i want everybody to know God wants to prosper them and do good in their lives. And I also want everybody to know that they wont experience that good until they give their everything to God and put him first before everything else. Put god before T.V. before Money, before sex, drugs, alcohol, and friends. When you do that your life will be on and you will be blessed. I love y'all. Make sure you go get my album in stores now "G.O.D Til I D.I.E." It's available on line at www.MicRippaz.com. Also check out my web site and sign my fan club let me know what you think about the album. Once again I love yhall Peace and God bless...Thank you for Interviewing me La La!!! .
CAT -
>>How are you? Feelin Blessed. How you doin?
>>Tell me about your album. Why did you name the album what you did? Basically, cloudy dreams represents how society measures success. More and more people are measuring success by the type of car they drive, size of house they own, or the ice around they’re necks. I call these cloudy dreams. Dreams, that if fulfilled without Christ in the center, leaves us feeling empty and alone. We need goals and dreams in life but we need to realize what is really important in life. Remember, what good is it to gain the whole world but suffer loss of soul? Cloudy Dreams represent the things of this world that will fade away like the clouds of the sky when we enter into our eternal life.
>>Tell me about the song "4 My Homiez" 4 My Homiez is kind of like my farewell ballad to the game. Basically letting my homies know I still love them and will always be there for them, but I can’t continue living that kind of lifestyle anymore. And also letting them know how important a life with Christ is.
>>What inspired you to go into Holy Hip Hop? I’ve been doing this rap thing for a long time. When I let go of my burdens and honestly started putting Jesus in the center of my life, I was ready to throw in the towel on this rap game. I’d been listening to Christian rap for a few years but felt I was trying to glorify myself more than God so I prayed one night for God to show me the ministry he wanted me to pursue instead of Hip Hop. The next day in Church the service was about not wasting your God given talents. That we were given our talents for a reason and we need to use them to spread the Gospel and glorify God. There was my answer! I accepted God’s calling and doors just started flying open! It’s so exciting to be on these frontlines!
>>Who produced on your album? Smooth of K2S (2 time dove award nominated rap group) and a very talented cat named Vic Zendez.
>>How long have you been producing? I’m not actually a producer. Other people produce the music for me. I put my 2 cents in (on a co-producer level) but that’s about it. I’ve been writing rhymes for about 15 years off and on.
>>Where do you see yourself in your music in the future? It’s hard to say. I know God’s got big plans for my future, but I’m working on patience and really listening. There’s no doubt in my mind that eventually I’ll be ready to be on a worldwide level but I need to take it one step at a time and pay my dues. I just want to make the right choices and decisions about who I’m working with and/or for. I’ve already been having a great time in this ministry with the doors that have been opened. I would like to be signed to a good label or get serious distribution but who knows, God may have other plans for me! As for the near future, my next solo effort will be out in 2005 sometime. I’m also scheduled to be on 5 other projects before then, so things are moving.
>>How long have you been in the Holy Hip Hop culture? I’ve been listening to Holy Hip Hop for about 8 years but have only been performing/recording for about two and a half.
>>Who do you look up to as an artist? That’s tough. I’d have to say Smooth of K2S primarily. K2S was one of the first Christian rap groups I started listening to (aside from DC Talk and T-Bone). Getting to work with and know Smooth as a person, it’s inspiring to me that someone on a world wide level realizes we are all part of the same body and he doesn’t get a big head about where he’s at in the industry. I also give props to groups like the flavor alliance who not only started a hip hop ministry, but went in other directions they were called to including starting a church. As far as bumpin in my ride I gotta say my favorites are T-Bone, Smooth Tha Messenger, Crow, Seven, ABG, Double M, KJ-52, Coo-B, Grits, Flame, Truth, Toby Mac, Pillar, Thousand Foot Crutch…..the list goes on. I’m also really getting into the worship music.
>>What is your favorite scripture? That’s another tough one, there’s so many. One that really jumped out at me lately is 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 because it commands us not to be lazy. It tells us we are to work hard and not always have our hands out. There are people who think there’s a free ride in ministry and get frustrated when they don’t bear fruit. A lot of people don’t realize how much work, time, prayer, and fasting go into a strong ministry. Psalm 23 also gives me a lot of comfort. God is powerful and will protect us against our enemies, even in our darkest hours! Praise The Lord!
>>You know many churches don't except Holy Hip Hop, how are you excepted in church's? Fairly well. The churches that do invite us out are really receptive to this ministry and enjoy what we do. But there are still churches out there who have no interest in bringing hip hop into their churches or youth groups. In a way it’s sad because we’re planting seeds in a different way, but I can also understand their resistance because of what hip hop has become today. Secular hip hop has got to be one of the devil’s greatest tools to influence our youth today, but we’re out here trying to flip that!
>>What is your favorite food? Authentic Mexican!
>>Any last words? Yeah…I just want to encourage everyone out there to take a bold step, go against the grain, and live the way God wants you to live. If you don’t know Jesus, reach out to Him. You can talk to Christ like you talk to a friend. Ask Him to help you clean up your life. Then crack open a bible and learn about Jesus and all the other people God has used to teach this world how we’re supposed to live. If you do that with an open mind and heart, you will be a changed person! Life will never be perfect, but we have a true friend in Christ and he will never abandon us! For those of you in ministry, stay encouraged in Christ and don’t give up. There’s a lot of ups and downs but if you’re truly following God’s calling on your life, it will move in the direction it’s supposed to. And also remember you’re doing this for God so give it your best! Please keep me in your prayers as I’m still a sinner and can use all the prayers I can get! Don’t forget to peep my site @ www.catzcuz.com and cop that album “Cloudy Dreams.” God Bless You!!!
>>Thanks for allowing me to do this interview!!
INTERVIEWER - La La