The Cross Movement: The Final Interview, Their Place In Hip-Hop's Story

Sunday 10th June 2007

Jonathan Bellamy spoke to John Wells, otherwise known as The Tonic, about THE CROSS MOVEMENT and their decision to finish recording albums together.

The Cross Movement
The Cross Movement

The recent visit to the UK of holy hip-hop pioneers The Cross Movement gave me a chance to speak to John Wells (otherwise known as rapper The Tonic) about their decision to make their latest release 'HIStory: Our Place In His Story' the last time the collective will record an album together. Since their emergence on USA's east coast in the mid-'90s the band have released a stream of cutting edge albums including 'Heaven's Mentality' (1997), 'House Of Representatives' (1998), 'Human Emergency' (2000), 'Holy Culture' (2004) and 'Higher Definition' (2004), the latter winning a coveted Grammy nomination for the ensemble. In his London hotel room John spoke about the band's history and future plans.

Jonathan: How are you doing in this British summery climate?

John: I'm chillin'. It's lovely here and I'm enjoying it and just trying to get over this jet-lag. But I'm good.

Jonathan: You guys come from Philadelphia and New Jersey, is that right?

John: Yes, that's right.

Jonathan: What are you doing in the UK?

John: Well, as usual, just coming to represent Jesus Christ through hip-hop, using hip-hop as a tool to share the good news and I'm here early too to enjoy a bit of London and walk around and see a few things.

Jonathan: Looking at your group, who precisely is or was in Cross Movement - it's something that has confused us in Cross Rhythms. We interviewed you guys in 2000 and then you had rappers Ambassador, Earthquake, The Phanatik and The Tonic but on your 'Greatest Hits' CD there are raps from The Gift, Cruz Cordero, Tru-Life and Enock. Who exactly is the current Cross Movement?

John: Yes - the current Cross Movement is: The Tonic, Ambassador, Phanatik and Tru-Life and we also have our DJ, DJ Official. Some of those other guys - Enock, he's one of the founders who started the whole group with Cruz Cordero, Earthquake and myself. Earthquake and I actually made up a group back in the day called The Gift. So when Cross Movement started it was a lot of guys and the Lord just whittled it down to about seven at first then through the past couple of years the Lord has carried it out with just the four of us.

Jonathan: How important to you is your relationships within all you guys?

John: It's very important. We really try to keep short accounts with one another. I mean being a group, it can be tough. This is our 10th year in ministry and in music. Some of us have been in a little longer but this has been our 10th year anniversary as the group Cross Movement and we've just been fortunate. I mean, I think that the word of God always charges us to be forgiving and loving towards one another so that's helped us get through a lot of our group dynamics and stuff.

Jonathan: Very good. Now I've heard a rumour and I don't know if it's true or not - you can put us right! Are The Cross Movement about to disband?

John: Well, I don't know about disband but most definitely this is probably our last album together. We just have a lot of other goals and stuff. I run the record label Cross Movement Records and have launched a new company called Issachar Media. Ambassador has become a teaching pastor at a church plant in the city of Philadelphia. Tru-Life is running Issachar Studios in Philadelphia. Phanatik has gone back to Bible college to finish a degree in biblical studies while maintaining a new website, christianhiphopper.com. So life is busy and different now and we really think that it's time to branch out and concentrate a little different, so we call it more of a transition than disbanding.

Jonathan: It's kind of expanding your influence really, being more effective.

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Reader Comments

Posted by Golden moses Divine Jere in Lusaka, Zambia @ 18:36 on Nov 25 2011

you guyz are blessing to my life. I mean your music is so soaked in the anointing of the holyspirit. Keep on doing the great job repreasting Christ all day till sunday. Wooo thats real kingdom music. Love you as Christ love the church. Your boy G.1.P DIVINE



Posted by Sheltry in United States @ 20:30 on Aug 9 2009

I would like to thank the Cm for always bringing the truth. You know the signature. God bless



Posted by emmydaboss in Russia @ 18:42 on Oct 13 2008

wow, I 've just known that CM guys will be 'transiting'. I love their music coz not only has it got great beats, but it contains 'rich' messages. I hope even as you guys 'transit', you 'll still be releasing solo albums. God bless you guys



Posted by dizzur in nigeria,ztown @ 12:01 on Jan 28 2008

i really love ur music and it has been a great inspiration but iwuld like it if u squash beef wit ex ministries and try to talk more about deliverance and healin in ur music not just only sin issues . thanx



Posted by ROD in OHIO @ 05:40 on Dec 17 2007

I LOVE HOW OPEN AND HONEST CROSSMOVEMENT IS. THEIR MUSIC HAS HELP ME TO DEVELOPE INTO THE MAN OF GOD I AM TODAY ALONG WITH THE WORD OF GOD. I WAS INTRODUCED 4 THE 1ST TIME TO GOSPEL RAP IN 1998 WHILE IN COLLEGE. IT WAS CMR, I ADMIT, IT HAD TO GROW IN ME LIKE A SEED. ONCE I START REALLY GROWING IN THE WORD THEIR MUSIC MADE MORE SENSE TO ME. NOW, I JUST CANT GET ENOUGH. NOW, I AM USING MY GIFT OF RAP TO LIFT UP THE KINGDOM OF GOD WHERE HE LEADS. I HAVE MUCH WORK TO DO TO GET A C-D TOGETHER. BUT, THANKS TO CMR. I KNOW, IF I CONTINUE TO LIVE HOLY IN A UNHOLY LAND & LET MY LIGHT SHINE. I MAY TOUCH LIVES LIKE CMR HAS TOUCHED MY LIFE



Posted by David in London, United Kingdom @ 22:02 on Jun 14 2007

Really just wanted to say a big Thankyou to CM - i still regularly come back to thier albums -7 or 8 years after i first got them - they are so packed with Truth
They have been a real encouragement! Look forwards to hearing what the guys get up to next !



Posted by justin style in birmingham @ 19:57 on Jun 14 2007

Cross movement are one of the true pioneers of Christian Hip Hop, they are the real deal. their lyrics are heavy and yet they live it too. Good to see them bringing through the new school of talent in Lecrae and Flame.



Posted by John in Cambridge, United Kingdom @ 12:05 on Jun 10 2007

I grew up listening to a lot of Cross Movement music during my late teens and still love listening to tracks from House of Reps and Human Emergency. Thanks Cross Movement for all you've contributed to the scene and the pungent message to live for Christ that virtually every track emits! Every blessing for your future ministry



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