Reviewed by Steve Hayes

When an artist can bring his essence and experience to an album and mix it with quality production and lyrical truth, you know that God is doing something good. Mixing songs with a club feel ("Sun Goes Down") and other challenging tracks ("Hands On Me"), Jacksonville, Florida's Brinson has fine-tuned this album. Standout tracks like "So Hard" mix clever wordplay and Biblical understanding while commenting on both social and racial injustice in America through to the beheading of Christians. What's the answer to evil when it's so hard? "The only way we win is with the love of God." And that's the truth. Brinson pursues a constant God-challenge to his listeners throughout such as in the heavy and hard-hitting "Swarzenegger" (Jesus will be back.) asking the question, "If you ain't living for him, what are you living for?" We see a more personal side of Brinson in "Trees In The Forest" as the mellow vibe reflects some of what's in his heart and thoughts as well as his need for rest and time with God. But the rapper hasn't lost any energy or bite. The album starts with the passionate pursuit of God in "Right Derr" and ends with Brinson determining to do what he came for as he "don't know another way." This leaves us with our own God-challenge. How are we going to live?

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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