I used to think the marriage of Christianity and hip-hop was a peculiar one. I had a difficult time crossing the two. Maybe it's because of the foul language, violence, and sexism that has dominated rap for the past 15 years. In any case, Gleam Joel (http://www.gleamjoel.com) has made me the see the light. Yes, the two can peacefully co-exist; in fact, hip-hop, as a musical style, can be used to convey messages of spiritual faith and doing the right thing without it seeming corny or old-fashioned. Imagine that?
Gleam Joel has a gravelly voice that helps give these tunes a streetwise grit. You get the sense that this lad has been there, involved in bad stuff that his mama would've never approved of but now has cleaned up his act. In the title track, Joel raps, "I took my time to study the book/Now you better watch and take a look." He's trying to stir up a revolution, one based on a Biblical cause. And none of it seems preachy because Gleam Joel has the two-fisted punch of a gangsta rapper in his rhyming style and vocals. The main difference is that Gleam Joel is putting a positive message across. Nevertheless, the standard hip-hop swagger is there, and it provides the track with added power.
|
On "Life Is Short," Gleam Joel laments the loss of life from gang violence with an unflinchingly keen eye: "Mamas left with a body bag/See the tears going down on your mamas eyes." Such graphic and unsettling descriptions further show Gleam Joel's authenticity.
Gleam Joel takes aim at the morally bankrupt commercial side of rap on "Hip-Hop Is Dead" and "Do It," a courageous stance that most hip-hoppers would not do. But Gleam Joel shows little fear and a ton of talent.
|
