5 comments about Ceasefire.

1. Ceasefire is one of the best cds I have heard in a while. Salim is a masterful musician. Jal's rap sounds best in Nuer and the other African languages he speaks.
   The music vacillates between sub-saharan African sounds and more Arab rhythms but its all good.



2. I don't understand much more than a handful of words on this album but this one of the best albums I've ever heard. I can feel their message of peace. It really is amazing how music communicates over all language barriers. It sounds of ancient African tradition mixed with modern rap and jazz. This is truly a masterpiece.



3. Wow, what a great recording! My husband bought the CD for our 11 year old and it has become a family favorite. The music is full of African rhythms and African heart. It reminds me to pray for peace. We salute the artists and their message.



4. Some wars in our world seem to have been and still be eternal and their cruelty is beyond our ability to imagine how men, women and even if not often children can sink and delve into such unhuman acrtivities. You can try to look for causes, motivations or even explanations, but you will only find pretexts, false pretenses, in one word nothing that can really stand the challenge of truth. Darfur in Sudan is one of these conflicts whose origin has long disappeared in our memory and whose end we cannot even conceive. But our worst feeling is the conviction that there is nothing we can do, that we are powerless in front of these two parallel instincts, that to kill and that to survive, to kill to survive and to survive to kill. This CD is a voice that comes up from human consciousness and its only objective is to ask for, preach even and for sure defend peace for Sudan, for Darfur, a peace that has definitely never existed for the human communities living in this territory, even in the memory of their oldest members. And here an adventure can start because it is the voice of a human soul. A voice that slams its words, raps its sentences, disentangles its blues, weaves the lace of its gospel, in Nuer as much as in Arabic, to African as much as Arabic music, borrowing all the styles that can intermingle in the vast auditoriums of the world to produce a feeling of estrangement that is so great that we finally feel at home, we finally feel we have reached the destination that had been ours for so long after a voyage that can only give man's soul the strength and the life it needs to reconquer its control over history and death. The power of this music comes from the long rivers of blood in which it was steeped with the vital hope and the unshaking faith that one day the springs of the Nile river will be reborn pure and clear providing children with the water in which they can relearn how to bathe and domestic animals with the desire to come and drink without taking the risk of a criminal bullet roaming around for a target.
   
   Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, Universit? Paris Dauphine, Universit? Paris I Panth?on Sorbonne



5. Southern Sudanese Emmanuel Jal and Northern Sudanese Abdel Gadir Salim are the epitome of contrast. First, they represent the opposite ends of their country's political/religious, the former a young Christian, and Salim a Muslim and an elder of his country's music tradition.
   
   Jal, now 25, was one of the thousand of young children forcefully removed from their homes by the insurgent guerrilla movement pitted against government forces. In Salim's case, having been brutally stabbed and barely surviving the attack of an orthodox Muslim man enraged with Salim's impious music, violence is no stranger.
   
   Musically speaking, whereas Salim, Emmanuel Jal is an example of African music diving into Western music, most specifically his strong commitment to Hip-Hop. Salim is a consummate singer and oud player of Sudan's Folk music. So, "Ceasefire" besides not being a casual title, it is also a great album.
   
   Proof of it, for instance are Jal's hip-hop influenced "Aiwa" -with its insistent percussion and dead-on rapping- or "Elengwen"-where the elder Salim trades verses with Emmanuel Jal-or "Gua," where chant-like choruses and an Eastern-leaning saxophone speak gloriously to one another. There are, also, more traditional Arabic songs, "Ya Salam" and "Lemon Bara" stand out, or you can sway along with the gorgeous "Asabi."
   
   This is a stunning statement of two great musicians who could easily have chosen to remain enemies, but fortunately for lovers of great music anywhere in the world, they did not.
   
   Recently, Sudanese rebel leaders and government ministers met to agree on a peace deal designed to end Sudan's 21-year civil war. If ever they hit a snag, they should play Ceasefire. Peace will have a better chance.

3 comments about Slow Revival.

1. I have listen to Bryan Duncan since I was a very young; I am 17 now and still love this cd, I drive my mom crazy singing "Traces of Heaven!" This cd is a must have, and whoever buys it will be blessed!



2. Hello. This CD is good. Bryan Duncan has a neat voice. Really clear and easy listen to and understand.



3. Bryan Duncan should be applauded... this is definitely one of his best CDs. The music is all excellent, and has a way of working its way into your mind--once you've listened to it, you'll go back to it again and again.

5 comments about It's Pronounced "Five Two".

1. one of the best cds of kj i have ever listened.
   plus you cant escape the good advices he is giving to yooooung dudes.
   kee it up kj- aka kj 52



2. In my opinion, KJs best album. Awesome songs like 47 pop stars, #1 fan, i'm guilty, back in the day, dear slim pt. 2, and whoop whoop. Nasty beats and a great flow.



3. KJ Shows that he is no one hit wonder, but that he has the true talent. This talent comes from the one and only Jesus. I am glad to see a brother out there representin'. Everyone should go out and get this cut. If you will bless him and his ministry then God will bless you and yours. God Bless !



4. Honestly, I've never been into the contemporary rap/hip hop world, which is full of hatred, violence and foul sex. This is the first rap cd I've ever bought in my whole life. I first listened to "dear slim pt 2" on MusicMatch and fell in love with this guy's music and decided to buy this album. This album is not like anything I've ever heard before. Songs like "Back in the day" or "47 pop stars" are very funny and show that Kj has a great talent with playing with words. "Check youself" is pretty similar with his later work "For the ladies" from his following album "Behind the musik" (and also has the same message as Will Smith's song "Pump Ya brakes"). And my favorite "#1 Fan", the best song ever made buy Kj even though it may not be true.
   Check out his later work "Behind the Musik", it's even better than this album. Keep on the great work, Kj!!!Keep on representing God in your songs no matter what people say. One day they'll see that cursing and writing stupid verses will lead them nowhere. "To gain a world of fan, but suffer loss of soul".



5. kj-52 is a disgrace. he is horrible, whoever is readin this review if u like rap/hip hop or anything like that DON't BUY THIS CD. it's pathetic!!!!! he talks about eminem a lot, eminem probly doesn't even know who this nerd is. if u want real rap/hip hop, serious and humorous, listen to john reuben.and kj-52 copies eminem too. at least eminem is creative, this cd is just plain retarted. this guy isn't funny either, i mean jeez, what's with his obbsession with converting eminem, it isn't working. AHHHHHHHHHHH i hate it. if i could i would give it a .5 out of 10 but that's not possible, and one last thing, what kind of name is kj-52. kj is some dumb initial and 52 should be his age. overall i rate it out of ten: supremely krappy / 10

5 comments about The Flood.

1. I THOUGHT THEY HAD REACHED THEIR LIMIT WHEN IT CAME TO TOTALLY IRRESISTIBLE EAR-CANDY BACK TO BACK FROM THE FIRST TRACK TO THE LAST...BUT I WAS TOTALLY MISTAKEN AND THEN SOME...THIS ONE BLEW ME AWAY ALL OVER AGAIN. UNLESS YOU HAVE STATE OF THE ART SOUND TECHNOLOGY ONLINE...THE MUSICAL SAMPLES ONLINE DO THIS MASTERPIECE ABSOLUTELY NO NO NO JUSTICE. "BAMMMMMM!!!" IS AL I CAN SAY ONCE I LOADED IT UP ON A REAL SOUND SYSTEM. MY ONLY REGRET IS THAT I DID NOT ORDER IT SOONER!!!



2. I originally heard their samples as published on their website, but was *not* impressed. This made me somewhat sad, as I have been a fan of the OGG's since their debut in 1995, with "I Can See Clearly Now" as one of my favorite albums of all time.
   
   However, Amazon's extended samples made me rethink this CD, and I am happy to say that the longer I listened to it, the more I liked it, and as of right now I've really grown to like most of what is on this album.



3. The contributers on this recording did not take advantage of the talent. 'What it do' started to show promise, but failed the rest of the way. Not like the classic OGG we're used to.



4. Straight Trend Setters!!! GGs are on TOP of the Christian Gospel Rap genre. This CD has the tightest street beatz with the life changing message of JC. As a long time GGs fan I have to say this is by far thier best art yet. They continue to prove that great musical talent mixed with the anointing of GOD makes for fresh unique experiences. This CD will get the attention of the secular rap scene and do what it was intended to do, change lives. Great work Gospel Gangtaz.



5. What can I say...the Big Homies are finally back in the game with that airtight, ghetto gospel they're known for...bringin' it back to the West for the God-Man from Nazareth. Tight production, bangin' lyrics, and a 21st century sound. The best GG release to date. If you ask me, the whole album is on point, the only track they could've done without is the one "jazz" joint that was soundin' like Tonex's "Why." But overall, GG's have given us a hip hop classic none should sleep on, Christian or not. Dogg Pound isn't the only click provin' to the world that Cali Is Active. GG's are STILL guaranteed to make ya jump. Much I-20 Eastbound luv to the Big Homies Solo, Chill, and Tokk...8's Up,Mayne. ~*REDD*~

5 comments about Grammatical Revolution.

1. I just got this CD before I went on a road trip in Sept. '07, and I must say I'm enjoying every minute of it! Well, almost every minute! But this CD shows how timeless GRITS is, that a CD released almost a decade ago still can feel hip and fresh! If you are getting bitten by the GRITS bug, be sure to add this CD to your collection (in my mind, even better than "The Art of Translation"). You're not going to be dissappointed.



2. I've read a few of the reviews already, and some of them I cannot aggree with. Grits is a very talented Christian Rap Group, whom I have been a fan of for some time. With songs such as They All Fall Down and Supreme Being, Grammatical Revolution brings a strong message with great beats and lyrics. And a word to those who say they are lame, not talented, or not rap, I have one thing to say to them: Let's see you do better.
   
   I give Grits five stars



3. If you're into innovative rap and want something else besides a few guys sitting in their bedroom with a drum machine, then don't buy this album. If you're like me and are into tight beats and wicked hooks like the kind Warren G and Dr. Dre serve up, check out Gospel Gangstaz instead. These guys are wannabees with sloppy ryhmes. OGG's is tight.



4. The message may be good, but the delivery is weak. How come every Christian rapper thinks they can roll out their drum machine, write a few lyrics that are stale, and fire up their Rolad DX-7 and call that rap?! Still, people like it because it is "Christian". DC Talk was perhaps the greatest travesty ever perpetrated on rap! Shame on them for even calling their music rap (not to mention their marketing-based rock/grunge crossover act)! These guys are no exception. Their style is sloppy. In my opinion, there were two great albums in Christian rap history: 1.) PID's original album Here We Are (a-la RUN DMC), and 2.) Gospel Gangstaz, Gang Affiliated. Beyond that, I'll take Warren G. any day over this garbage...



5. I for one am disappointed with 'Here We Go.' This single is not nearly as innovative as 'I'mma Showem' and does not have the depth or quality of 'They All Fall Down.' Instead, it is indicative of GRits last release, 'Journey Through My Mind,' where the arrangement is catchy while the lyrics are just average. Besides, the song is just way too short. That being said, I am a huge fan of GRitS. Every album they release is more mature and innovative than its predecessor. I expect nothing less with the new album, 'The Art of Translation'. In fact, these guys are good enough to compete with any hip-hop group in the secular market today. The lack of airplay on radio stations probably means that Gotee is not doing a good job of marketing them.

5 comments about The Exodus.

1. This 4th album by The Gospel Gangstaz is, In many ways like the album before it, ''I Can See Clearly Now'', A not so memorable effort by the GG'Z. But, There are some bright spots. ''Bad Company'', The album's hottest track, Has the trio talking about how bad friends can lead innocent people into trouble to a very catchy beat laced with catchy lyrics and a memorable hook by Kam. ''Scream'', ''A-O'', and ''Caught Up'' also highlight this Lp, But Weaker tracks like ''My Lesson'', ''Bounce With Us'', ''Change'', and ''Gangsta'd Up'' really hinder this album. The GG'Z are still a very talented group, But this album really makes one yearn for the return of the Gang Affiliated days. Like just about all GG'Z efforts, This is gangsta as well as godly. The production on this album is probably the best production the GG'Z has ever had to work with in their career. While this might not be an album to get too crazy about, At the end of the day, I'd still take this over a lot of the stuff that's coming out at the moment.



2. Nice cutz, Scream & AO are good tracks to bump to. A little weak on message, but loaded with good tracks..



3. All the trackx are bangin' the message on every joint is lightening!! The music what can i say hot like momma's bunz...
   
   Raptillion



4. Man, I rate this CD with 10 stars because it is that good. Exodus really has saved a lot of sinners and still is. If everyone heard this CD, God's Word would be fulfilled. I gospel rap too and this has helped me to manifest my annointing in a very big way! I really suggest that you should buy this CD. They don't just rap, but they apply the Word to their ministry. I got saved a long time ago, but this CD has renewed my mind, fully. Actually, while I'm writing this, I am listening to their CD. I have been, and I'm still blessed by this CD. I know some rappers that are lukewarm in their rap ministry. They would do secular, then gospel, but Gospel Gangstaz really are hot for the Lord! They are truly annointed!!! GOD Bless!!!!



5. The gospel gangstaz are in my opinion, the best gospel rap group out there, and The Exodus, in my opinion, is the best of the four albums they have so far. I have all of them and it's nice to see that they have returned to their original "Gangsta" style. Their last release was the bomb, too, but they said that B-Rite records was trying to reinvent them and I noticed that the album was geared more toward blinging in some cases than about the ghetto and the gangs. The Exodus is truely a Gangsta album. In songs like "Watch, Pray, Live Holy" and "Heaven Awaits Us", they tell us hpw they feel about the people they left behind, in the gangs and stuff. They tell us that they were like that, and changed and sing strictly to reach the people that need to be reached. In songs like "A-O" and "Caught Up" they tell us about the mentality of those on the streets and caught up in gangs and of the pain that it will cause them. they tell us about mistakes they made in "My Lesson", "Scream" and "Change" and how they corrected those mistakes. They tell of their mission in "Gangstaz Don't Dance", "Gamgsta'd Up" and "Bounce With Us" and they warn us of Pitfalls in "Bad Company" and the two hilarious interludes.
   THIS IS A MUST-HAVE FOR ANYONE>

5 comments about Christology.

1. I usually write full paragraph reviews, but little need be said here. The lyrics are perfect, the guest spots are ill. This is the greatest piece of music ever produced, in any genre, either secular or Christian. This will be the standard for good holy hip hop for a long time.



2. This cd is head and shoulders above the rest. The deep lryical content and talent presented by The Ambassador are surpassed by none.He is a true lyrical genius.This cd has so much substance that I listened to it about 4 times no-stop and I did not skip one song.Each time I listened to the cd I picked up on something new. The Ambassador thoroughly delivers the gospel on each track through tight metaphors, similes, beats and hooks.The message is easier to digest and it lingers within, when it's presented in this format. Young believers, like myself, really need cd's like this, Christology is a must have for any music collection.I give it 10 stars.Keep an eye on The Cross Movement.



3. Just a few days ago, I picked up this album in a Christian book store. I saw it kind of on its side, and there was only one copy left. When I picked it up and looked at it, the first thing that happened was my heart rate kind of jumped, because I knew I just picked up a classic.
   
   First off, I had a hard time putin the cd away after I listened to the WHOLE THING Top to Bottom. Ambassador remains to be one of the top dogs on Holy Hip Hop. His wordplay, especially on Christology, is second to none. His use of metaphors can be compared to any one you want. Holy Hip Hop, just hit a new standard with this album. (Even though it was released in 1999)
   Everything from the production, to the flow, to the sound, its Timeless.
   
   Before I baught Christology, I had purchased his second album, The Thesis, and I thought he brought it on Thesis. But once I heard Christology, Hip Hop was put on a new level. I have over 60 some HHH albums ( I know its not that big)
   but this one goes with the 2 or so that I have, that are Classics. I mean everything about it gives glory to our Maker, and Savior. It makes most Christian rap look whack!
   Most of all, I feel convicted in the ways Im livin life. I hear what Ambassador says, and I think, whoa, I need to change this, or think more about that. I feel like I just wanna get close to God, and study his word more! I had a great feeling when I was just sitting there, and listening to the album!
   
   Its one of the most theologically deep, but (Laymen's Terms) most applyable album you can buy. This album is rare, I feel blessed to have it as a part of my collection. Trust me, you dont find many of these around these days. Hip Hop today, for the most part, except for a few MC's, is mostly poluted, which most of us know. This album, could possibly be one the best Christian rap cd's that Holy Hip Hop has to offer. Even 7 years after this came out, you dont find much like it.
   
   Its worth EVERY dime you pay. Don't hesite to pick it up.
   Feed your Faith, and your Hip Hop/Rap desire, dont settle for the Mediocre stuff. Get fed for Christ. Ambassador does not dissapoint!



4. One of the best hip hop cds i have ever heard in my life.



5. This is the best album; secular or otherwise.
   
   Enough said.

5 comments about Ghetto Mission.

1. Recorded on Evander Holyfield's Real Deal Records, Nuwine delivers a relatively good batch of God-oriented but still ghetto rap tunes. There are too many skits on the album and there are a few stupid songs [like ''Hell''], But otherwise, The album's fun and has some good west coast-style beats. ''One Million Souls'', ''Revelation'', ''Player'', and especially ''Lunchbox'' [A very energetic track and the best one on the album] are the highlights of this album. Nuwine isn't really the best lyricist i've heard [As evidenced by the lyrics inside the cd booklet], But, If his cool southern voice is put over the right kind of beat, It could make for some pretty entertaining music. I reccomend this to fans of Scarface, 2Pac, and C-Murder. Hope the review helped. Be blessed.



2. Nuwine has always thrown out dope tracks, but this has to be one of his best. The album starts with the song "Ghetto Mission" which gives the alubm a good start. There are a couple tracks that are ones to skip, like the song "Hell." But overall this is a must get for every rap fan.



3. Nuwine presents a somewhat diffent album from his previous albums with 'Ghetto Mission'. Because all his other albums besides 'Da Bloody 5th' kind of stunk, he came out with this one to make a comeback. Joining Evander Holyfield's record label, Nuwine chose some of the best producers I've heard. But, out of the 21 tracks featured, half of them weren't that good. The other half was, though. Another problem I have with this album is Nuwine's sudden change of rapping style. I don't know if he was trying to immitate DMX or Mystikal, but I much prefer his style back on 'Da Bloody 5th'. For instance, on the track "Lunchbox", he doesn't really rap, except on the chorus, which is pretty darn good. And on "Hell", he pretty much wastes the incredible background music, not counting his 30 seconds of rapping. But, despite my complaints, he did come out with a good album. The best songs that make this album worthwhile are "Drownin'", "Guitar Slim", and "Test". I also like "Bad Day", which is total 2pac-style. Well, even though I have some problems with it, I rotate it about every day, just listening to "Drownin'" alone sometimes. Nuwine fans, check it out; Other people, check out "Controverse All-Star" by Lil' Raskull first.



4. Oh yeah. If you like any type of rap such as Dr. Dre or Snoop Dogg, this is your CD. It sounds just like rap, you dont know the difference!!! I reccomend this a great deal!!!!



5. I just bought it but it's an excellent tape. It should be recommended to every young person who needs a life change.

1 comments about Glory.

1. much better than epiphany. yea it would be nice if the lyrics mention Christ more but he especially makes up for that in the last track, which is brilliant!! its obvious he has gotten closer to God and you really don't find quite so much wordliness as the other. some bumpy spots in the road of course. but listening to this tape i dont get the wig-wag alarm of low air-pressure (air brake) signal of guilt as with the other. if it weren't for this more recent CD , the other one would of left a bad taste in my mouth about Manafest. Excellent rapping talents and music too!

5 comments about Out The Box - The Movie.

1. Tonex is so out of the box, he is a genius for titling this "movie" as such. I call it a movie, even though its a live concert, its organized by genre of type of gospel music. You can tell he put some serious time into the editing of this dvd. Also, the concert is very well choreographed and executed. Some of the songs is over my head, but I did enjoy the "slower" songs as well as the older songs he sang. This is worth having in your dvd collection if you love good contemporary gospel music.



2. Tonex is out of his mind. This dvd gave me and my sister a headache after only 15 minutes. Don't waste your money or time on this project.
   No wonder his record label cut him. Tonex is a bad Michael Jackson impersonator at best. Get some help boy!



3. I don't have a DVD player, but I said if I ever did, I would get Tonex's dvd first. I kept waiting and waiting till I could buy the player and then I said I'm gonna stop waiting for the player and just buy it, and so I did a little over a week ago. I watched it at other people's houses who have dvd players about four times. I can't get enough of this dvd!!!!! Every time I watch it, I am filled with joy and praise like an abundant river..after a dry season feeling like a bare oak tree in my walk, this has been refreshing and more than an answered prayer!!!!!!!!!! I have most of Tonex's work and I appreicate ever line and key, it's so beautiful his heart after God, being used in boldness stepping outta the box and being unique, I am in awe:) Wonderful how the concert and dvd with each chosen individual was for such a time as this--videos, awesome graphics, reflection, sign-language, spanish, interview, dance, Holy-ghost feet-washing festive time causes every soul to draw close to Jesus and change!!! Amen, Tonex,amen. I am so blessed by your obedience and this is not half of what my heart has to say after being washed, cleansed and tanned from the light of my Lord...this was not a gospel concert, this was a LIFETIME EXPERIENCE!! Those individuals I went to, borrowing their dvd player, I thought would enjoy this and fall down in the hours of the Holy Ghost, but they fleed from the house..and because of that, I was able to find my Lord in an intimate and personal way, renewing and restoring my soul. If you are looking to be entertained or for some ordainary gospel concert, you're gonna get your feelings hurt when you watch this. Cause this warfare, in the drum beats, in the scriptural lyrics, even in his high notes and moans, the Holy Ghost was speaking and moving. Don't delay another moment reading reviews and listening to other views..get Tonex's dvd now and reap your reward. This is definitely for those of us who have searched and searched for something extra-ordinary in many elements of our life, not ever wanting to be put in a box or defined by our outward appearance, but by our heart for God alone. To those peculiar people, in the chosen generation, want you to know there are others like you, more than Tonex, hold on, we'll all meet up in a little while. Thank you sooo much, Tonex, you're bringing us outta the box..look forward to meeting you in due season.



4. I am a Tonex fan, but I was skeptical about this concert due to mixed reviews. Thank God I purchased it anyway because it was absolutely amazing. I watched it over and over again just mesmerized by not only Tonex's performance, but the worship experience towards the end of the concert was refreshing. What a powerful man of God he is!!



5. Tonex has a very free spirit. Those who believe that he goes over board or does a little too much are those who are still living on the "STONE AGE!" This is a new generation with new demons and new blue prints. They way the enemy tempted the older saints is not the way he is tempting us today. He's coming harder and more powerful than ever before. It's time out for tradition or church as usual because you can rest assure that Satan is not rising up against us with fornication as usual, drugs as usual, homosexuality as usual, rebellion as usual, even hypocritical and judgemental as usual. We can't continue to fight the devil and his boys with their new strategies with our traditional tactics. Our praise needs to be free. If dressing a little outside the church satisfaction is what it takes to bring them in then let's do what we have to do to get the lost souls in and THEN once we have them home we can begin the healing process and start to impart to them what being saved is all about but they have get in the door first. By Any Means Necessary. And if we feel that someone is doing something inappropriate than we need to incourage whoever it may be to maybe do it a little differently not discourage them because WE FEEL it's wrong. We all have our ways of praising God. There is no where in the Bible that states HOW He want us to bless Him and praise Him...He just wants us to do it. Basically you have to have a radical praise to understand a radical praiser.(it takes one to know one) Also take into consideration what his past may have been. We don't know ALL that he had to overcome and there may still be strongholds on him that through his RIDICAL PRAISE are being broken off him so that he can be as free as possible. We "christians" need to learn not to point the finger or bad mouth everything that we don't understand. Everything that God may give someone is not for everyone to understand.(what God has for me it is for me) If you are a rdical saint with a radical praise, if you are ready to break out of tradition and tear down the walls of the church, if you are ready to experience a greater more powerful demension in the spirit realm, even if you are craving for a new way to worship the Lord...this CD is for you. (Tonex, keep on doing what you're doing because you do it well. Get all that God has for you. Continue to do everything you do for the Lord so He will get the glory in all that you do. Let the haters hate because "The Lord shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you in one way and flee before you in seven ways. The Lord shall command the blessing upon you in your storehouse and in all that you undertake. And He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God gives you." Deuteronomy 28:7&8 The best is yet to come...Your latter shall be greater than your past. God bless you all and be encouraged in the Lord. God Is Good and All Is Well.