Reviewed by Steve Hayes

California's CJ Emulous brings a debut album focusing on dying to the flesh - the central premise of Romans 8.13. God released CJ spiritually and physically from a life of crime and now he serves as a rap gospel artist and more. The lead track "Suicide Mission" expresses CJ Emulous' desire to "kill himself" (the self) over synths and deliberately autotuned hook (as in other tracks). CJ knows where he comes from, "I was dead but you brought life to a vegetable" as he continues to spit Scripture and be a "Martyr" for Christ in the sense of his flesh being put to death. There's an old skool feel to "Move On" as CJ encourages the listener to honour God with the music we listen to. Some serious heat is brought by R.E.I.G.N. on "Future" as she mixes things up with a double-time flow. A standout track is "Got What You Want" which is a bit of a rolling club track (like "Ayy" follows in a similar musical vein), in a challenge to women not to give their bodies away. There are musical contrasts with the slow tempo "Never Leave" followed by another standout track, "I Hope You Die" which mixes some tasty harmonies in the hook, while CJ effortlessly rides the up-tempo beat. As his first full-length project, CJ Emulous shows more than enough potential.

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