Reviewed by Steve Hayes

When reviewing the Christian hip-hop genre, it can be intriguing to hear the ongoing spread of hip-hop album styles, productions and performances. 'Trapper Keeper', released in September 2017 by Shep The Shepherd, is one of those intriguing albums. Shep is a man on a mission with an underground, almost nerdcore sound. Shep explodes with "Black Hole" over a southern beat, kicking off as he means to go on with an un-boxable sound, changes in flows and beats and clever words and lyricism (the emotive "ChinChillian"). The uplifting west coast-sounding "Happy Song" is a well-produced and funky jazz guitar-laden sunny Californian vibe. Other standouts include the deeply personal and intimate "Lost In Translation" looking at the joining of two to become one in marriage. "PresSure" is another showcase song where Shep shows his unique style as he drops references to Marvel characters as he word plays. He ends out with the truth pointing to Jesus and away from himself, "I'm not the refuge, I'm the refugee. Said it before. I'm. Just. Me." The album ends where it started, over bass-y southern beats as Shep flows creatively. The brilliant production from Timmy Clover matches Shep's part nerdy, slightly eccentric, constructive, fun, multi-faceted, multi-paced story.

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