1 comments about Greatest Hits.

1. NOTE: Below is a copy of the review I wrote for the standard version of "dc talk: greatest hits". This version comes with a bonus DVD that features a few of dc talk's music videos. The video resolution is standard tv resolution which just looks okay. This is forgivable because that is really what these videos were recorded for.
   
   -----------------------------------------
   My original review:
   
   DC Talk in the 90s was one of my favorite groups. In the late 80s and early 90s hip hop was the thing and if you were into hip hop music and you were a Christian you loved dc talk. In 1992 they come out with the mega hit album "Free At Last". It seemed like everyone loved this album... it was catchy and the lyrics actually discussed life issues and it wasn't "cheesy" like their previous albums. I was actually proud to be a dc talk fan.
   
   As the 90s progressed there was this movement that started with groups like Pearl Jam and Nirvana called "alternative music". Most "alternative music" in the 90s was a shift to a rock format and even though it was billed as the "new" thing it really was a return of 70s classic rock. The public was subjected to drum machines, keyboards, pop, and dance music throught the 80s and people were getting bored of it. The shift had hurt many bands who tried to continue using the formula that had worked for them for nearly a decade. So now you have dc talk that made it big with hip hop. How were they going to survive this shift in the public's taste... they went alternative too!
   
   At first I was a little suspicious... how could dc talk, a hip hop/dance group, go alternative. Well they did it! and they created probably their best album in 1995 "Jesus Freak". With "Jesus Freak" they created an album that really didn't sound like much anything else in christian music at the time and were probably a huge influence to other up-n-coming Christian artists that followed. Many Christian artists would replicated note for note the styles of their secular counterparts... dc talk, within the alternative genre, created their own sound. I remember back in 1995 driving home from youth group listening to "secular" alternative radio and hearing them play dc talk's "Jesus Freak" and people who weren't even Christian were digging it. They crossed over but never compromised. Very cool.
   
   Three years passed with no new output from the group. With such a huge success they had with "Jesus Freak" people were hoping that the next album would be even bigger. Regretfully in 1998 the album "Supernatural" never lived up to the hype. Don't get me wrong, It was a very good album but it was no "Jesus Freak". There were a few good songs like "Supernatural" and "Consume Me" that are featured on this compilation are great.
   
   2 years later dc talk announced that they were going to take a break... they would still get together from time to time but not to record an album. They released a greatest hits album title "Intermission"... as the title suggests they were only taking a short break. It is now 2007 and they are still not together. TobyMac has become a superstar in Christian music on his own and can call his own shots on what goes on his albums. I wouldn't blame him if he never wanted to get back together with dc talk and go back to having to clear it with two other guys what goes on an album.
   
   This brings us to today. Dc talk releases another greatest hits album featuring music form their three most successful albums. There is so much variety on here it keeps this album from getting boring. You can also see on this compilation that within a short time they covered so many genres and one thing that remained consistent is the wonderful socially conscience lyrics that speaks to our hearts and will continue to inspire for generations to come. Another thing I notice is some of this music is 15 years old here but it still sounds fresh.
   
   Some are going to wonder, why would dc talk release a new best of with a good one out there already? I don't have the answer to that but I have some ideas...
   
   (1) Having the greatest hits album out there titled "Intermission" is a reminder of the promise that was never fulfilled so maybe the record label felt it was time to replace it.
   
   (2) An opportunity to profit on a population who would love to see and buy anything "new" with the dc talk name on it.
   
   (3) Introduce a new audience to this great music.
   
   (4) Refresh the sound quality by taking advantage of the new remasters made of their albums.
   
   I think all the above is most likely the case and I don't have a problem with that. One thing that this collection does is remove the "new" at the time teaser songs to get completest to buy the collection and replaced it with some true classic dc talk songs from "Supernatural".
   
   RECOMMENDATION: If you don't have ANY dc talk albums this is an great place to start your collection and if you are a casual fan this will be all you need. This represents THE BEST of dc talk. If you like the hip hop side of dc talk also check out "Free at Last" (remastered), If you like the "alternative" side check out the new 10th anniversary edition of "Jesus Freak".

5 comments about Born Again.

1. Knine has a meshed flow that is HOT! By meshed I mean that you can't place him in any one category of rapper styles because he can sound like all of the styles (East,MidWest,Derty Souf,Houston,West). I think the difference between this rapper and others that I have heard is that he places you in his world. You feel a heartfelt connections with him by the last song. He is also IN LOVE with JESUS and you know it by his lyrics. He talks about his love for his wife and family also which is admirable.
   I want to preface the rating by saying that you could listen to this cd all the way through if you so desired because the flow is tight on every single song, but the rating is an overall view of everything in the song like beat, chorus...
   1. Bout Time- 3/5 because of the chorus but the flow makes you get over it quick.
   2. Brought Me From- 5/5 nice bass line with some brass accents
   3. Dime-5/5 makes you really reflect on your christian life and how you could be better...flow's tight.
   4. It Don't Matter-4/5 sampled person is annoying but the flow makes you get over it once again.
   5.Automatic- 5/5 has an indian type beat and talks about his blessings, flow's tight.
   6. So Glad-5/5 talks about how much he loves his family...I feel you, flow's tight.
   7. Never Alone-5/5 smooth chorus about how God will never leave you, Flow's tight.
   8. Doin It-5/5 kind of a 90's beat feel but it's tight he takes you through his early years, flow's tight.
   9. Crack Came-5/5 nice flow that also goes through a time in his life when he first learned about crack from his family member using, oh yeah...flow's tight.
   10. Better Place-5/5 has children singing the chorus and he's talking about heaven, Flow's tight.
   11.Switch-5/5 talking about how he changed from worldly to Godly, flow's tight.
   12. These Eyes-5/5 south flow talking about how nobody wins when murder happens one person dies and the other goes to jail so both are lost, flow's tight.
   13. Lazy- 5/5 he's asking the Lord to forgive him for being lazy and details how lazy he has been, Flow's tight.
   14. Dear Cuz- 5/5 is a letter to his cousin in Jail where he's telling him about Jesus and to use the time to read the Bible, flow's tight.
   15. I don't Love You-5/5 he's talking to the devil telling him how he is smart to how he has been the root of all problems and he's through dealing with him, beat is TIGHT AND...flow's tight.
   16. Work out Fine-5/5 Talks about how he knows about hard times and that everything will work out fine. Some things he says will have you seriously relating. Flow's tight.
   17. In My Shoes-6/5 If you are not ready for this song you will be caught off guard. You can feel his pain he is conveying from the very first line that he spits. It starts with a poem and then he raps...oh yeah, flow's TIGHT.
   
   PICK UP UNDERDOGG HIS LATEST CD.



2. Knine has a solid flow in the gospel rap game. 'Dear Cuz' is a track with beat and a lot of heart, while 'I don't love you' packs humor. Good diversity. When he gets some more 'Word' in his music, he'll be true to the game.



3. I have high standards because I first fell in love with The Cross Movement but Knine's production is tight which is also important to me. He doesn't have the deeper content that Flame, CM and LaCrae do but it's respectable to be sure.



4. Knine is truly gifted; I'm excited to have hip hop I can finally listen to with my son!



5. A few months ago I acutally had a chance to meet Knine at the taping of "Mix Master's Lounge" a new Holy hip hop variety show currently airing on INSP cable station. He definitely loves the Lord with his shining and most humble Spirit. This project is the best I've ever heard, from the lyrics to the beats. This was definitely needed for ALL!

No comments about Success, the Best Revenge.

3 comments about Boogiroot.

1. I own and have personally "played out" the first two DJ Maj cds.
   I'm constantly looking for great Christian hip hop to work out to. It's my time of intimacy on a deep, energizing, and contemplative level with the Lord.
   I'm dissapointed with this 3rd set. Only two songs really stood out for me and the rest I skipped over continually.
   Much love in Christ to you, DJ, but I just wasn't gettin' it.



2. This is my first time listening to Dj Maj, ever.... I gotta say its a really good CD. Good beats, nice lyrics, but not too spiritual... I'm more for hardcore Christ lyrics like Cross Movement, Shai Linne, etc etc, but this CD is awesomr.. it has 2 of 3 DC Talk Members(TMac & Tait), ManChild,LAS..... Praise God for using His children to have decent music out. God Bless!



3. I didnt think Dj Maj could do it again. Already three awesome albums and now Boogieroot. Awesome. he raps a lot on it and i think it rocks, only downfall is no Pigeon John! Big props to Shonlock! This album is great, GO BUY IT and support LA Symphony.

No comments about Because It Was Written Too.

No comments about Flexx.

1 comments about Let the Truth Be Told.

1. this cd isnt to good, pick upsome good christian rap like corey red and precise, or adf

2 comments about Taking the Gospel to the Streets, Vol. 4.

1. This is tight if you're into the West Coast flava. No doubt the name of Jesus is being lifted up, so don't worry about Christ being the centerpiece of this CD.



2. Volume 4 in the Holy Hip-Hop compilations hits them in the head with another winner with production by Panchetta Harris, Danny Wilson and Vincent Sims. Highlights would be Jirah's jumpstarter, "March", Young Prayzr and M.A.J.O.R.S. with the street anthem, "Hittin Dem Streets", the infectious "Changez" by Tha Gim, D-MAUB's repetitive, "Don't Talke Me to Death", J. Kwest's West Coast-inspired, "So Blessed", Big City's car and club bumpin', "Criticise Me", the heart pounding, "Clarion Call" by Army of the Lord Champions, Zion's "Let Me In", Mobsters of Light's "Who Is God" and the R&B tinged, "Listen & Obey" by Eddie Kanani. As always on the DJ narration (as on its predecessors) is performed by none other than Andre Williams. The Mega-Mix hidden bonus track is mixed perfectly by the Go Ye DJs (DJ DK Demps-who was introduced at the end of Holy Hip-Hop Vol. 3). May this bless and inspire you to be a blessing to all. Pass it along for others to enjoy. Add it to your collection. Through this, spread the Word so that others in the world can be influenced by who He is and what He has done for us daily. Praise the Lord.

No comments about Pull Your Pants Up.

1 comments about The Good, the Badd, the Holy.

1. Tony Dorsey cd is good I have never been a lover of rap music of any kind and I did not think I would enjoy it at all but I was wrong. The first time I heard Tony was with an artist named Liz Mccomb I enjoyed what he did on that cd and I purchased his cd. To all possible future purchaser of Tony Dorsey cd it is worth the money buy it.